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{{Oscilloscope Sidebar |manufacturer=Tektronix | | {{Oscilloscope Sidebar | ||
|manufacturer=Tektronix | |||
model= 517 | | |series= | ||
summary=50 MHz scope | | |model=517 | ||
image=Tek 517 vt.jpg| | |summary=50 MHz scope | ||
caption= Tektronix 517 at VintageTek Museum | | |image=Tek 517 vt.jpg | ||
introduced=1951 | | |caption=Tektronix 517 at VintageTek Museum | ||
discontinued=1965 | | |introduced=1951 | ||
manuals= | |discontinued=1965 | ||
* [ | |designers=Logan Belleville;Dick Rhiger | ||
|manuals= | |||
* [[Media:IM-517.pdf|Early 517 Manual (IM-517)]] (PDF, OCR) | |||
* [ | * [[Media:070-229.pdf|Later Manual (070-229) Covering the 517 and 517A]] (PDF, OCR) | ||
* [[Media:Tek_517_calibration_guide.pdf|Tektronix 517 Calibration Guide]] (PDF, OCR) | |||
* [[Media: | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Tektronix 517''' is a 50 MHz scope [[introduced in 1950]] or [[introduced in 1951|1951]]. | The '''Tektronix 517''' is a 50 MHz scope [[introduced in 1950]] or [[introduced in 1951|1951]]. | ||
The power supply is an external box, like the [[507]], [[551]] and [[555]]. | The power supply is an external box, like the [[507]], [[551]] and [[555]]. | ||
The 517 does not take plug-ins. | The 517 does not take plug-ins. There is also a 517A (1955-1965). | ||
There is also a 517A (1955-1965). | |||
==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts. | The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts. | ||
The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external | The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external power supply weighs 72 pounds. | ||
power supply weighs 72 pounds. | |||
=== Historic Context === | === Historic Context === | ||
The 517 closely resembles a scope that Tektronix developed under a contract | The 517 closely resembles a scope that Tektronix developed under a contract for the US military during 1949 and 1950. (See link below.) | ||
for the US military during 1949 and 1950. (See link below.) | |||
Tektronix engineer [[Frank Hood]] recollects: | Tektronix engineer [[Frank Hood]] recollects: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
"A lot of progress was made in 1949 and 1950. | "A lot of progress was made in 1949 and 1950. | ||
Work was well underway by [[Logan Belleville]], [[Dick Rhiger]] and [[Howard Vollum|Howard]] | Work was well underway by [[Logan Belleville]], [[Dick Rhiger]] and [[Howard Vollum|Howard]] on the high speed scope, the 517. | ||
on the high speed scope, the 517. | |||
This used some brand new circuitry, [[distributed amplifier|distributed (or chain) amplifiers]], | This used some brand new circuitry, [[distributed amplifier|distributed (or chain) amplifiers]], using 16 to 20 tubes in each stage to get the power needed to handle the high frequencies. | ||
using 16 to 20 tubes in each stage to get the power needed to handle the high frequencies. | |||
Our best prediction at that time was that there were only about 30 to 50 people in the whole world | Our best prediction at that time was that there were only about 30 to 50 people in the whole world who had need of a scope with 60 to 100 megacycle bandwidth. | ||
who had need of a scope with 60 to 100 megacycle bandwidth. | As it turned out, when we brought out a higher speed scope, people were able to design equipment of greater bandwidth and needed even faster measuring instruments. | ||
As it turned out, when we brought out a higher speed scope, | The cycle was regenerative. Having faster, more accurate measuring tools created a demand for even more measuring tools. | ||
people were able to design equipment of greater bandwidth and needed even faster measuring instruments. | |||
The cycle was regenerative. | |||
Having faster, more accurate measuring tools created a demand for even more measuring tools. | |||
We eventually sold several thousand of this instrument." | We eventually sold several thousand of this instrument." | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| Line 48: | Line 41: | ||
==Internals== | ==Internals== | ||
=== External Power Supply === | === External Power Supply === | ||
The external power supply and oscilloscope are connected by a removable cable | The external power supply and oscilloscope are connected by a removable cable with a Jones plug on one end and a Jones socket on the other end. | ||
with a Jones plug on one end and a Jones socket on the other end. | Units with serial numbers from 101 through 1739 use 12-pin Jones 2412 connectors; after that it is a 16-pin Jones connector. | ||
Units with serial numbers from 101 through 1739 use 12-pin Jones 2412 connectors; | ''(Was a 16-pin Jones connector used or did they go directory from the 12-pin Jones connector to the 16-pin Amphenol power connector used by the [[555]]?)'' | ||
after that it is a 16-pin Jones connector. | |||
''(Was a 16-pin Jones connector used or did they go directory from the 12-pin Jones connector | |||
to the 16-pin Amphenol power connector used by the [[555]]?)'' | |||
The voltages on the 12-pin connector are: | The voltages on the 12-pin connector are: | ||
| Line 67: | Line 57: | ||
Later 517A units uses the same cable as the [[551]] and [[555]]. | Later 517A units uses the same cable as the [[551]] and [[555]]. | ||
Although they use the same cable, they are completely incompatible | Although they use the same cable, they are completely incompatible – the voltages are different. | ||
The 517's external power supply provides +750 V to the indicator unit. | |||
provides +750 V to the indicator unit. The highest voltage provided by | The highest voltage provided by the 555 and 551 power supplies is +500 V. | ||
the 555 and 551 power supplies is + | Also, for example, the 517A has +180 V on pin 8 of the 16-pin connector while the 555 and 551 have -150 V on pin 8. | ||
has +180 V on pin 8 of the 16-pin connector while the 555 and 551 have | |||
-150 V on pin 8. | |||
=== Distributed Amplifiers === | === Distributed Amplifiers === | ||
The 517 makes extensive use of the [[distributed amplifier]] concept. | The 517 makes extensive use of the [[distributed amplifier]] concept. | ||
Originally the [[5XP]] CRT was used, | Originally the [[5XP]] CRT was used, which has 38 V/cm vertical deflection sensitivity when operated with 24 kV acceleration voltage. | ||
which has 38 V/cm vertical deflection sensitivity when operated with 24 kV acceleration voltage. | |||
''(Is this correct? It doesn't agree with the 5XP datasheet.)'' | ''(Is this correct? It doesn't agree with the 5XP datasheet.)'' | ||
Since the vertical sensitivity at the input connector is 0.1 V/cm, we can calculate that | Since the vertical sensitivity at the input connector is 0.1 V/cm, we can calculate that the voltage gain from the input connector to the vertical deflection plates is 380. | ||
the voltage gain from the input connector to the vertical deflection plates is 380. | For 4 cm deflection, a 152 V differential output swing is required. There are DC blocking capacitors at various places in the signal path. | ||
For 4 cm deflection, a 152 V differential output swing is required. There are DC blocking | The slowest sweep is 20 μs/cm. The 517 is not designed for low-frequency use. | ||
capacitors at various places in the signal path. The slowest sweep is 20 μs/cm. The 517 is | |||
not designed for low-frequency use. | |||
The vertical signal path is as follows: | The vertical signal path is as follows: | ||
| Line 98: | Line 83: | ||
* Gain Stage 5: differential, twelve sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentodes | * Gain Stage 5: differential, twelve sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentodes | ||
There is a trigger amplifier in the 517 which can take its input from | There is a trigger amplifier in the 517 which can take its input from an external source, or from the trigger pickoff in the vertical pre-amp, or from the internal rate generator circuit. | ||
an external source, or from the trigger pickoff in the vertical pre-amp, or | The trigger amplifier circuit has five stages: | ||
from the internal rate generator circuit. The trigger amplifier circuit has | |||
five stages: | |||
* Phase Splitter: [[6J6]] dual-triode connected as a differential amplifier | * Phase Splitter: [[6J6]] dual-triode connected as a differential amplifier | ||
| Line 112: | Line 95: | ||
The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT. | The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT. | ||
This is generated by the [[420|Type 420]] High Voltage Power Supply subsystem in the 517. | This is generated by the [[420|Type 420]] High Voltage Power Supply subsystem in the 517. | ||
It uses a 1.8 kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage, | It uses a 1.8 kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage, unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range. | ||
unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range. | |||
The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity, | The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity, which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage, | ||
which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage, | |||
and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity. | and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity. | ||
The control works by switching the voltage division ratio of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply. | The control works by switching the voltage division ratio of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply. | ||
| Line 122: | Line 103: | ||
== CRTs Used in the 517 == | == CRTs Used in the 517 == | ||
517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the [[5XP|DuMont 5XP CRT]]. | 517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the [[5XP|DuMont 5XP CRT]]. | ||
Later units use a Tek-made CRT, the [[T517|T517PxH/T54PxH]], where "x" designates | Later units use a Tek-made CRT, the [[T517|T517PxH/T54PxH]], where "x" designates the [[phosphor]] type: 1, 2, 7, 11, or 16. | ||
the [[phosphor]] type: 1, 2, 7, 11, or 16. The 5XP used [[multi-band acceleration]] | The 5XP used [[multi-band acceleration]] and has three anode connections, at 6.6 kV, 13.3 kV, and 20 kV. | ||
and has three anode connections, at 6.6 kV, 13.3 kV, and 20 kV. | The Tek-made CRT has just one anode connection, 20 kV, and has 15 V/cm sensitivity at 24 kV total acceleration voltage. | ||
The Tek-made CRT has just one anode connection, 20 kV, | |||
and has 15 V/cm sensitivity at 24 kV total acceleration voltage. | |||
The 517 might be the only Tektronix instrument to have a part made of wood | The 517 might be the only Tektronix instrument to have a part made of wood - a support for a large electrolytic capacitor, C826, which filters probe power. | ||
== Comparison of 517 with 547 == | == Comparison of 517 with 547 == | ||
In 1965, following the introduction of the 50 MHz [[547]], the 517 was discontinued. | In 1965, following the introduction of the 50 MHz [[547]], the 517 was discontinued. | ||
The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical amplifier, | The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical amplifier, [[tunnel diodes|tunnel diode]] triggering, and a 6.5 V/cm CRT, | ||
[[tunnel diodes|tunnel diode]] triggering, and a 6.5 V/cm CRT, | thereby achieving good performance with lower cost, size, weight, complexity, and power consumption than the 517. | ||
thereby achieving good performance with | |||
lower cost, size, weight, complexity, and power consumption than the 517. | |||
{| border="1" class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | {| border="1" class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||
| Line 175: | Line 150: | ||
Some 517 modification kits are listed on page 181 of the 1959 catalog. | Some 517 modification kits are listed on page 181 of the 1959 catalog. | ||
Tek sold the [[108]] pulse generator as a tool for maintaining the 517, | Tek sold the [[108]] pulse generator as a tool for maintaining the 517, since a fast scope requires a fast pulse generator to test it. | ||
since a fast scope requires a fast pulse generator to test it. | |||
The [[P170CF]] cathode-follower probe was designed for use with the 517. | The [[P170CF]] cathode-follower probe was designed for use with the 517. | ||
== Links== | == Links== | ||
* [ | * [https://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope_OCR.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (PDF, cleaned up and OCR)] | ||
* [ | * [https://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (5MB, PDF, cleaned up)] | ||
* [ | * [https://w140.com/MILSPEC_High_Speed_Scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (220MB, PDF, original)] | ||
* [ | * [https://w140.com/flynn_johnson_fast_gray_wedge.pdf Flynn and Johnson "Fast Grey Wedge Analyzer for High Input Rates"] | ||
* [ | * [https://w140.com/thomas_and_hearst-measurement_of_exploding_wire_energy.pdf Thomas and Hearst, "An Electronic Scheme for Measurement of Exploding Wire Energy"] | ||
==Pictures of 517 == | ==Pictures of 517 == | ||