HP / Agilent 8116A 50 MHZ PULSE/FUNCTION GENERATOR

The HP/Agilent 8116A is a 50 MHz pulse/function generator that combines waveform synthesis and pulse generation in a single microprocessor-controlled instrument. It delivers sine, triangle, ramp, square, pulse, haversine, havertriangle, and DC outputs across a 1 mHz to 50 MHz frequency range with 3-digit resolution. The unit operates with 10.0 mVpp to 16.0 Vpp amplitude into 50 ohm ±5% impedance, with voltage doubling into high-impedance loads.

## Technical Specifications

**Frequency & Timing:**
• Range: 1 mHz to 50 MHz (3-digit resolution)
• Accuracy (pulse mode, 50% duty cycle): ±3% ±0.3 mHz below 100 kHz; ±5% above 100 kHz
• Stability: ±2% over 1 hour; ±5% over 24 hours
• Pulse width: 10.0 ns to 999 ms (±5% ±2 ns accuracy)
• Jitter: <0.1% + 100 ps (pulse mode, 50% duty cycle)
• Edge transitions: <7 ns

**Output & Amplitude:**
• Amplitude range: 10.0 mVpp to 16.0 Vpp
• Output impedance: 50 ohm ±5%
• Offset range: 0.00 V to ±7.95 V (0.00 V to ±795 mV for amplitude < 100 mVpp)
• Offset accuracy: 0.5% of setting ±1% of amplitude ±40 mV

**Duty Cycle:**
• Range: 10% to 90% (20% to 80% above 1 MHz; 50% above 10 MHz)
• Accuracy: ±0.5 digits (±3 digits above 1 MHz)

**Modulation:**
Frequency modulation supports ±5% maximum deviation with 1 V/1% sensitivity and DC to 20 kHz modulating frequency. Amplitude modulation provides ±2.5 V for 100% modulation (DC to 1 MHz). Pulse width modulation spans 10 ns to 1 s with 10:1 maximum ratio. VCO operation covers 2 decades within the 1 MHz–50 MHz range (0.1 V to 10 V sensitivity, DC to 1 kHz modulating frequency).

## Key Features

• Fully programmable with microprocessor control and auto-vernier adjustment
• Configurable high/low levels or amplitude/offset programming for device compatibility
• Built-in limit feature protects connected devices
• Standard modes: Normal, Trigger, Gate, External Width
• Optional logarithmic sweep (Option 001) with user-selectable start/stop frequencies and sweep times from 10 ms to 500 seconds per decade

## Typical Applications

Protocol testing, timing characterization, device validation, and signal injection across telecommunications, digital electronics, and analog circuit design.

## Compatibility & Integration

The 50 ohm output impedance with high-impedance load doubling accommodates both matched and unmatched test configurations. Modulation inputs and external sweep control enable integration with automated test systems and closed-loop measurement setups.