HP / Agilent 8112A 50 MHz Pulse Generator

The HP/Agilent 8112A is a fully programmable 50 MHz pulse generator engineered for precision timing, triggering, and waveform synthesis in research, development, and production test environments. It delivers deterministic pulse control across five operating modes—Normal, Trigger, Gate, Ext Width, and Ext Burst—with external modulation capabilities for complex signal generation. The instrument combines fast edge transitions, wide amplitude range, and comprehensive triggering flexibility with an intuitive softkey interface and HP-IB programmability.

## Technical Specifications

**Pulse Generation**
• Frequency range: 1 Hz to 50 MHz
• Pulse width: 10.0 ns to 950 ms (±5% ±2 ns accuracy)
• Period: 20.0 ns to 950 ms
• Delay: 75.0 ns to 950 ms (±4 ns accuracy)
• Double pulse: 20.0 ns to 950 ms
• Duty cycle: 1% to 99% (±10% accuracy)
• Transition times: 5 ns typical (fixed); 6.5 ns to 95.0 ms (variable linear and cosine); ±5% ±2 ns accuracy
• Waveforms: Full pulse, ramps, haversines

**Output**
• Maximum amplitude (open circuit): 32 V peak-to-peak
• Maximum amplitude (50 Ω): 16 V peak-to-peak
• Output impedance: 50 Ω ±5%
• Output levels: –7.90 V to +8.00 V (high); –8.00 V to +7.90 V (low)
• Amplitude accuracy: ±1% ±3% ±40 mV
• Settling time: 100 ns + transition time

**Triggering & Control**
• Trigger sources: Internal, External
• Trigger modes: Burst, Gate, Trigger
• Ext Burst: 1 to 1999 pulses
• External modulation: Upper level, width, period, delay

## Key Features

• Nine store/recall memory locations for parameter sets
• Self-test and error recognition
• Output limit protection (high/low levels)
• HP-IB interface with full programmability
• Softkey operating concept
• State retention in memory

## Typical Applications

• Digital circuit characterization and timing validation
• Communication device testing and protocol simulation
• Timing system verification and calibration
• Production test automation with external triggering
• Modulated burst generation for complex waveform analysis

## Compatibility & Integration

HP-IB (GPIB) connectivity supports all programming functions including learn, status query, and instrument capability interrogation.