HP / Agilent 8011A 20MHz PULSE GENERATOR

The HP/Agilent 8011A is a 20 MHz pulse generator engineered for digital system development, circuit characterization, and general-purpose pulse generation. It delivers independently adjustable pulse width, repetition rate, delay, and amplitude with multiple output formats including positive, negative, TTL, and complementary signals. Manual and external triggering support frequencies from DC to 20 MHz, while synchronous and asynchronous gating options provide flexible control over pulse train generation. Low jitter performance and stable transition times make this instrument suitable for timing-critical applications and signal integrity testing.

## Technical Specifications

**Pulse Generation**
• Maximum repetition rate: 20 MHz
• Repetition rate range: 0.1 Hz to 20 MHz (5 ranges with continuous vernier adjustment)
• Square wave frequency: 0.05 Hz to 10 MHz or 0.15 Hz to 10 MHz
• Pulse width: 25 ns to 100 ms (four ranges with continuous vernier)
• Pulse width jitter: <0.1% + 50 ps of setting
• Fixed transition times: <10 ns or down to 3.5 ns
• Variable transition times: 5 ns to 0.5 s or 10 ns to 2 s
• Overshoot, ringing, preshoot: <±5% of pulse amplitude
• Pulse delay: <100 ns to 3 s or 35 ns to 1 s
• Pulse delay jitter: 80% (0.3 Hz – 1 MHz); >50% (1–20 MHz)

**Output Characteristics**
• Output amplitude: 0.25 V to 16 V (three ranges with vernier)
• Output impedance: 50 ohms or selectable high impedance
• TTL output: +4.6 V (50 ohm impedance)
• Simultaneous outputs: Positive, negative, and TTL
• Maximum external voltage: ±10 V

**Triggering and Gating**
• Trigger source: Manual pushbutton or external signal (DC to 20 MHz)
• External trigger impedance: 50 ohms ±10% or 1 k ohms, dc coupled
• External trigger sensitivity: 1 V
• Maximum external trigger input: ±5 V or ±10 V
• Trigger output: Decoupled 50 ohm, >+2 V amplitude across 50 ohms
• Gate input impedance: 1 k ohms, dc coupled

## Key Features

• Five repetition rate ranges with continuous adjustment for precision timing
• Four pulse width ranges spanning 25 ns to 100 ms
• Low jitter performance <0.1% + 50 ps on both width and delay
• Fast transition times as low as 3.5 ns for edge-sensitive testing
• Independent control of pulse delay up to 3 s
• Multiple simultaneous output formats for flexible circuit interfacing
• Switchable 50 ohm and high-impedance output configurations
• Synchronous and asynchronous gating for pulse train control

## Typical Applications

• Digital logic circuit development and validation
• Timing and synchronization testing
• Signal integrity measurements
• Component characterization requiring precise pulse timing
• Test automation with external triggering

## Compatibility & Integration

External triggering supports frequencies from DC to 20 MHz with 1 V sensitivity. TTL-compatible output integrates directly with digital systems. Switchable output impedance accommodates both 50 ohm and high-impedance loads. Trigger output delivers standardized levels for system synchronization.