[time-nuts] Frequency Counter Choice

[Magnus Danielson]

Hi,

Small correction, 5371A and 5370A are different beasts. The 5370A has 20
ps resolution and the 5371A has 200 ps resolution. So, the 5371A is
about the same performance as the 53132A at 150 ps resolution. I work
with 5372A which is essentially a 5371A with hardware histogram and a
few other things.

I have both 5370A and 5371A.

The 5371A and 5372A actually can do linear regression processing for
frequency estimation, a historic note that predates this capability of
the Philips/Fluke/Pendulum counters to the best of my knowledge.

PS. I also have a 5370C, which is a flat-bed scanner from HP.

Cheers,
Magnus

On 2020-10-22 15:33, Tom Van Baak wrote:
> Avoid the 53181A; too limited. Both the 53131A / 53132A are
> "universal" counters so they do frequency, period, time interval, and
> lots more.
>
> They are very useful counters. The rs232 talk-only mode makes it very
> easy to collect data on a PC. No programming required. The 53132A has
> a bit higher resolution than a 53131A so that's a plus. But if you
> plan to use the external reference the 53131A accepts 5/10 MHz while
> the 53132A, last I checked, will only accept 10 MHz.
>
> A lower cost alternative is the TAPR/TICC. If you already have a
> commercial counter I would recommend looking at the TICC as your next
> counter. As this is your first counter I would recommend a 53131/53132
> over the TICC. The TICC is "headless" and has only hard-coded CMOS
> digital inputs. The hp units have all the physical front panel
> buttons, status LED's and live display. Plus the comprehensive input
> conditioning features. And useful frequency gate time or digits modes,
> etc. Lots of cool features. Built-in statistics too.
>
> The 5371A is a beast. But it you can get it working it has 10x better
> performance than a 53132A.
>
> /tvb
>
>
> On 10/22/2020 4:50 AM, Giorgio Barinetti wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> As a newbie in the field, I've collected, by chance, some frequency
>> standards.
>>
>> Now is the time to measure them, and see how they perform.
>>
>> I've inherited a 5371, but something tells me that is not the right
>> instrument - and maybe is even faulty.
>>
>> So, I'm in the need to buy a counter to use togheter with TimeLab.
>>
>> Choices are many, but I'll try to avoid the "older" machines lile
>> 5370 or 5335. The 531xx series seems nice ( money apart )
>> But again : which one between the 3 ? 53131, 53132 or 53181 ?
>>
>> Can somebody shed some light, and maybe help even to found a baseline
>> for us beginners ?
>>
>> Regards,
>> IZ2JGB
>> Giorgio
>>
>> My NTP servers: (ntpd on FreeBSD - PPS in via Serial)
>>
>> HP/Symmetricom 55300A  https://www.ntppool.org/scores/93.41.196.243
>>
>> Efratom Rb/Xc GPSDO https://www.ntppool.org/scores/95.255.136.126
>>
>>
>>
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>
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