[time-nuts] FSA3011 Frequency Stability Analyzer, HP 8405A or TAPR TIC

[timeok at timeok.it]

   Hi Perrier,

   The HP8405A is an analog vector analyzer that allows you to make phase measurements like the oscilloscope with Lissajous shapes. This method is the simplest one but allows quite approximate measurements and does not give you a complete view of stability (Allan Deviation).

   The TICC and the FSA3011 are more advanced systems that both require a laptop and a TIMELAB sw (free) but give you a complete view of the stability parameters both in the short and long term.

   To use TICC you need an additional 10/5 MHz to 1PPS divider like the TADD-2, mini PPS divider.

   https://tapr.org/kits_t2-mini.html

   The TICC is in the order of 205 $ the FSA3011 is around 470 $.

   The performance difference seem to be the Test Set noise floor. The FSA3011 seem to be ten time better but I am not sure, for this reason I am asking more info about this new unit.

   Luciano

   www.timeok.it


   Da "time-nuts" time-nuts-bounces at lists.febo.com
   A time-nuts at lists.febo.com
   Cc "Perry Sandeen" sandeenpa at yahoo.com
   Data Tue, 30 Jul 2019 06:04:34 +0000 (UTC)
   Oggetto [time-nuts] FSA3011 Frequency Stability Analyzer, HP 8405A or TAPR TIC
   Yo Bubba Dudes!,
   I've been following the discussion of the FSA3011 with great interest.
   Now I'm not in the upper levels of TN esoteric knowledge or have a burning desire to ever get there.   After seeing some small reference somewhere I looked at the HP 8405A on ebay and the price range seemed comparable to the FSA3011. Now the HP 8405 is a huge beast but i was thinking that it might be easier for me to use.  I'm interested in just 5 and 10 MHz oscillator comparison.  I know nothing about computer programs or writing any code.
   I also looked at the TAPR TIC.
   So my conclusion are:
   The FSA3011 may be technically the best BUT it seems to be having some teething problems and I don't really know about what programs it runs or needs.
   The HP 8405A is a big beast, but it maybe simpler for me to run and get the results I want which is stopping around 10 to ^12th. But I may have to watch it for a long time.
   The TAPR TIC is small (needed) cheaper (also a plus) and seems to run available software. but needs a dedicated laptop, which is not a real problem. I also have several extra HP 18011's available.

   Your opinions are gratefully solicited,
   Regards,
   Perrier

   Perrier

   If I can just download programs AFAIK I could use the TAPR TIC as I have a spare laptop that I could dedicate for its use.  The two advantaages
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