PYRAMID GENERATOR USED TO CALIBRATE AND TEST HIGH QUALITY OSCILLOSCOPES |
BRAND NEW -- CALIBRATED -- WARRANTED |
YOU TUBE DEMONSTRATION |
Another earlier purchaser, Mr. Bruce P., of Oxford Michigan has also been kind enough to prepare a YouTube demonstration of the PG in action.
The YouTube demonstration can be accessed by clicking here to view the video.
Both presenters cover the operation of the PG using calibrated analog and digital oscilloscopes in a most complete and professional
manner.
HISTORY BEHIND THE PYRAMID GENERATOR
FEATURES OVERVIEW |
MANUAL |
THE MODE SWITCH |
If you want to view the Pyramid Period switch the MODE switch to PERIOD, the frequency division ratio will be 1-2-5.
If you want to view the individial Pyramid steps, switch the MODE switch to STEP, the frequency division ratio will be 1-2-4.
DISPLAY |
The single waveform picture shows 10 steps up at 50µS/DIV. The PG is set to position 7 (50µS/DIV) and the MODE switch is in the STEP
position. The 50µS/DIV steps show clearly the accurate step transition at each vertical graticule line. This setting is the
best one to use while calibrating the horizontal timebase on an oscilloscope.
THE FRONT PANEL |
VERTICAL |
HORIZONTAL |
Selector Switch Position | MODE Switch In PERIOD Position. Each STEP duration is: | MODE Switch In PERIOD Position. Each PERIOD duration is: |
---|---|---|
1 | Variable | Variable |
2 | 2mS/DIV | 50mS |
3 | 1mS/DIV | 20mS |
4 | 500µS/DIV | 10mS |
5 | 200µS/DIV | 5mS |
6 | 100µS/DIV | 2mS |
7 | 50µS/DIV | 1mS |
8 | 20µS/DIV | 500µS |
9 | 10µS/DIV | 200µS |
10 | 5µS/DIV | 100µS |
11 | 2µS/DIV | 50µS |
12 | 1µS/DIV | 20µS |
THE PERIOD SIGNAL |
Selector Switch Position | MODE Switch In STEP Position. Each 1-2-4 PERIOD duration is: | MODE Switch In PERIOD Position. Each 1-2-5 PERIOD duration is: |
---|---|---|
1 | Variable | Variable |
2 | 40mS/DIV | 50mS |
3 | 20mS/DIV | 20mS |
4 | 10mS/DIV | 10mS |
5 | 4mS/DIV | 5mS |
6 | 2mS/DIV | 2mS |
7 | 1mS/DIV | 1mS |
8 | 400µS/DIV | 500µS |
9 | 200µS/DIV | 200µS |
10 | 100µS/DIV | 100µS |
11 | 40µS/DIV | 50µS |
12 | 20µS/DIV | 20µS |
TRIGGERING |
THREE TEST SETUPS USING THE PG |
1) TRIGGERING
Connect the STEP OUTPUT to the vertical input on the UUT. Trigger the UUT internally and obtain a stable display. Slowly rotate the
UUT TRIG LEVEL control CW and CCW. Change the UUT TRIGgering SLOPE from positive to negative and watch the display as you rotate the
TRIG LEVEL. If the triggering is working properly you should be able to see the UUT trigger on successively higher or lower levels
of the PG waveform as the TRIG LEVEL and SLOPE controls are rotated.
2) VERTICAL AMPLITUDE
Connect the STEP OUTPUT to the vertical input of the UUT, connect the PERIOD output to the EXTernal TRIGger input on the UUT.
Obtain a stable signal with one full cycle of 20 stair steps. Adjust the VERT POSition control so the very bottom of the PG
waveform is on a lower graticule line. Adjust the UUT internal vertical gain control to obtain exactly 3 Volts peak-to-peak
waveform on the UUT screen. You have now calibrated the vertical deflection on the UUT.
3) HORIZONTAL LINEARITY
Obtain a stable display as in 2) above. Again, trigger on the PG PERIOD output. Operate the PG's MODE switch to STEP. Rotate the UUT
V/DIV control to see 10 steps from the PG on the UUT. Adjust the internal horizontal gain potentiometer inside the UUT to obtain a
step at each vertical graticule mark. You have now calibrated the horizontal sweep on the UUT. It is a good idea to check each
setting of the TIME/DIV switch on the UUT against the output of the PG. Doing this will confirm that the precision resistors and
capacitors forming the UUT time constants are within tolerance.
Please click here to get or clarify information on the PG test setups..
FREQUENCY LIMITATIONS OF THE OUTPUT WAVEFORM |
WARRANTY |
The PG carries an unlimited 6-month warranty after receipt by the original buyer provided that there is no indication of mistreatment
RETURN RIGHTS |
PACKING AND SHIPPING |
Insurance is mandatory for all international shipments and optional, but recommended, for CONUS shipments. Insurance fees
are in addition to the purchase price and must be negotated after the purchase date but before shipping. Please include insurance
fees and a note to me requesting insurance when paying.
PAYMENT |
All financial transactions must be made through PayPal.
RESERVATIONS |
Seller reserves the right to reject bids from private, hidden, annoying or negative feedback bidders.
FEEDBACK |
BIDDING INFORMATION |
PYRAMID GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS |
VERTICAL DEFLECTION | |||||||
UUT 50Ω Input Impedance | UUT 1 MΩ Input Impedance | |
---|---|---|
Output Amplitude | 0.3V Peak-to-peak | 3V Peak-to-peak |
Rise Time | 30nS | 200nS |
Fall Time | 50nS | 200nS |
Accuracy | +/- 2% | +/- 3% on Selector Switch ranges 1 to 9. +/-5% on Selector Switch ranges above 9. |
HORIZONTAL DEFLECTION | |||||||
Selector Switch Position | STEP output with MODE Switch in PERIOD position | PERIOD output with MODE Switch in PERIOD position |
---|---|---|
1 | Variable, potentiometer controlled | Variable, potentiometer controlled |
2 | 2mS/DIV | 50mS |
3 | 1mS/DIV | 20mS |
4 | 500µS/DIV | 10mS |
5 | 200µS/DIV | 5mS |
6 | 100µS/DIV | 2mS |
7 | 50µS/DIV | 1mS |
8 | 20µS/DIV | 500µS |
9 | 10µS/DIV | 200µS |
10 | 5µS/DIV | 100µS |
11 | 2µS/DIV | 50µS |
12 | 1µS/DIV | 20µS |
Accuracy | +/- 50 PPM on all ranges | +/- 50 PPM on all ranges |
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS |
CONTROL | FUNCTION |
---|---|
BATTERY | Connects the battery to the electronics. No standby current is drawn in the 0 position. |
LED | Warns the operator that the battery voltage is falling below 8V and that the unit will soon be out of calibration. LED flashes for 1 S upon power on. |
MODE | Used to modify the internal electronics such that the 1-2-5 sequence is maintained in the PERIOD position and a 1-2-4 sequence in the STEP position in both the STEP and PERIOD position of the MODE switch. |
PERIOD Output BNC | A 6 Volt square wave used to test the external triggering capabilities of the UUT. Output is high on the count up portion of the Pyramid waveform and low on the down count portion. Rise and fall times are about 100nS. Zo=1K. |
STEP Waveform Output BNC | The Pyramid waveform output BNC |
Selector Switch | A twelve position switch used to select the output waveform frequency. |
Variable fRequency potentiometer | Used only in position 1 of the selector switch to vary the output waveform PERIOD. |
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES |
PROPERTY | SPECIFICATION |
---|---|
Housing | The Pyramid Generator is housed in a Hammond 1590BB die-cast aluminum enclosure measuring 4.5" X 3.5" X 1.25". A die-cast bottom lid is held in place with four Phillips head screws. |
Finish | The Pyramid Generator case and base plate are powder coated a light blue non-metallic finish with bright white legends on the front panel. Bright finish matching solid aluminum knobs are used on the front panel. |
Feet | Four stick-on feet are provided |
Battery | The Pyramid Generator uses one standard alkaline 9 Volt battery held in place by a sturdy metal clip. Battery replacement requires removal of four Phillips flat head screws on the bottom lid. No standby current is drawn when the BATTERY switch is in the 0 position. |
Weight | The Pyramid Generator weighs under 1 pound with battery installed. |
Shipping | The Pyramid Generator is shipped via USPS Priority Mail unless instructed otherwise. International shipping uses Priority International or the buyers choice. |
Congratulations, you made it to THE END |