7L12

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The Tektronix 7L12 is a 1.8 GHz Spectrum Analyzer plug-in for 7000-series scopes. It is a double-width plugin to be installed in the right vertical and left (or only) horizontal bay.

Early models had a mechanical reference level readout. Later, front panel outputs for 1st and 2nd LO were added to allow connecting a TR501 or TR502 tracking generator. Late models had LED reference level readout.

The 7L12 does not have the UNCAL indicator typical for spectrum analyzers that alerts the operator when the sweep speed is too fast for the given resolution. The manual advises to use the variable control to reduce sweep speed until the signal amplitudes don't change.

The Tek catalogs suggested the 7603 Opt.06 or 7613 Opt.06 as suitable mainframes.

Key Specifications

Input frequency 100 kHz – 1.8 GHz (Opt.39: 2.5 GHz)
Span 500 Hz/Div – 100 MHz/Div
Sweep 1 μs/Div to 5 ms/Div (1-2-5)
Resolution bandwidth 300 Hz – 3 MHz in decade steps
Sensitivity -115 dBm at 300 Hz
Vertical scale 10 dB/Div, 2 dB/Div or linear
Reference level -100 dBm – +30 dBm
Video filters 30 kHz, 300 Hz or 3 Hz
Features
  • Automatic phase lock
  • Built-in calibrator
  • Base line clipper

Internals

The 7L12 is a traditional triple-mixing spectrum analyzer design. The input signal runs through a step attenuator (0 to 60 dB in 10 dB steps), a 1.8 GHz low-pass filter and a 3 dB pad (to isolate the mixer from LPF reflections) to a 1st mixer. The 1st LO is a YIG oscillator running at 2.095 GHz to 3.9 GHz, resulting in a 2.095 GHz 1st IF. This IF passes through a "traveling wave damper" (isolator), a 2.2 GHz LPF and a 10 MHz wide 2.095 GHz bandpass filter before reaching the 2nd mixer. The 2nd LO oscillates at 2.2 GHz (variable by +/- 1 MHz) for a 2nd IF of 105 MHz, which is amplified, then filtered in a 3-stage helical filter with 3 MHz bandwidth before passing through a 3rd mixer to the final 10 MHz IF, variable resolution filters, and post-resolution amplifier to the "Function IF amplifier" that implements the linear or logarithmic detector.

A phase lock circuit controls the 1st LO at spans of 0.1 MHz/Div and less, tying its frequency to a multiple of 2.21 MHz using an avalanche pulse shaper driven diode sampler as a mixer. In phase lock, the 2nd LO is swept instead of the 1st. The fine frequency control is only operational in phase lock mode.

The 7L12 includes a standard sweep circuit built around the 155-0056-00 Sweep Control (U1140) and 155-0042-02 (U1160) Miller Integrator custom ICs. The 7L12 also uses the TEK-custom quad opamp 155-0035-00 in several places.

Prices

Year 1971 1980 1984 1988
Catalog price $4,850 $6,500 $10,250 $12,500
2015 value $28,100 $18,760 $23,460 $24,800

Links

Pictures