Hewlett-Packard 54118A High Bandwidth Trigger

The Hewlett-Packard 54118A High Bandwidth Trigger is a specialized trigger module that extends the measurement capabilities of compatible HP and Agilent oscilloscopes by enabling precise triggering on high-frequency and fast-transition signals. This module enhances oscilloscope performance across demanding applications including lightwave communications, pulsed RF, and gigabit logic environments where conventional triggering falls short.

– Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 500 MHz to 18 GHz
• Jitter: Less than 1.7 ps RMS at 18 GHz
• Trigger Input Impedance: Nominal 50 Ω
• Trigger Input Voltage (Maximum Safe): ±2 Vdc
• Power Input: SMB cable from four-channel test set rear panel

– Key Features

• True event triggering for high-frequency and fast-transition signals
• Bandwidth Limit (BW Limit) function applies low-pass filtering to approximately 100 MHz, stabilizing trigger performance in noisy environments
• Hysteresis control with two selectable modes: Normal mode meets standard trigger sensitivity specifications; High Sensitivity mode disables hysteresis for maximum response to high-frequency signals but risks mistriggers on noisy lower-frequency content
• Front panel controls: Arming Level, Trigger Level, and Holdoff
• Supports pseudo-random bit stream eye patterns and microwave signal analysis

– Typical Applications

The 54118A excels in lightwave communications testing, pulsed RF measurement, gigabit logic characterization, and microwave signal analysis where trigger jitter and signal fidelity are critical to measurement accuracy.

– Compatibility & Integration

The module integrates with HP 54750 Series, HP 54120 Series, HP 54121A, and HP 83480A Series oscilloscopes. Power is delivered via SMB connector from the compatible four-channel test set rear panel, requiring no external power supply.