[time-nuts] Inexpensive Alternative to a 5120A

jimlux jimlux at earthlink.net
Fri Oct 7 16:08:35 EDT 2016


On 10/7/16 12:03 PM, Cube Central wrote:
> Thanks again, Bob.  I've just ordered the controller you suggested.
> No wonder I was running into a mental block, as the port on the back
> of the 5335A counter says "HP IB" and there was all this talk of
> "GPIB" and I simply didn't put 2 and 2 together.
>
GPIB == HPIB == IEEE-488

HP invented it, so they, of course, call it HPIB.



> I gather that the Ethernet one will work over a standard LAN and that
> the Timelab software will have no issue finding it (once configured?)
> I should - and am about to - start reading on how to set up that
> controller.  I was thinking that the USB one might be more direct
> into a neighboring computer, but not knowing anything about it, will
> go with your suggestion.

It's easy to configure.. I give it a static IP (e.g. 192.168.1.100), and 
then you're off to the races..


>
> This certainly opens up many new avenues for me to continue learning
> as I am ready for this next step to bring a PC to bear on
> measurements.  I am glad that I had the accidental foresight to get
> the correct TIC!  Thanks again and any further suggestions on where
> to start (especially what to plug into what as described below which
> I found helpful) is greatly appreciated.
>
> -Randal R. (at CubeCentral)
>
> -----Original Message----- From: time-nuts
> [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On Behalf Of Bob Stewart Sent:
> Friday, 07 October, 2016 12:43 To: Discussion of precise time and
> frequency measurement <time-nuts at febo.com> Subject: Re: [time-nuts]
> Inexpensive Alternative to a 5120A
>
> Here's the one I recommend:
> http://prologix.biz/gpib-ethernet-controller.html
>
> No, it's not a $35 adapter, but IMO it's worth every dime because 1)
> it's ethernet and not USB and 2) I can write C programs to interface
> it without knowing anything about the underlying GPIB protocol.
> Also, Timelab talks to it just fine.   (Disclaimer:  I have no
> financial or other relationship with the Prologix people.)
>
> For your timing tests, you'll probably want to connect a cable from
> the 10MHz TIME BASE out in the back to channel B in the front.  Send
> the 1PPS to Channel A and use Function Time A->B.  To measure two
> 10MHz signals, connect them to A and B and route the 1PPS signal to
> the arming input on the back.
>
> Bob
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> AE6RV.com
>
> GFS GPSDO list: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/GFS-GPSDOs/info
>
> From: Cube Central <cubecentral at gmail.com> To: 'Discussion of precise
> time and frequency measurement' <time-nuts at febo.com> Sent: Friday,
> October 7, 2016 1:32 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Inexpensive
> Alternative to a 5120A
>
> Thanks Bob, I hope your cold improves, and I thank you for that
> answer.
>
> As I happen to have a HP 5335A and I think it has the options 10 and
> 30.  So from there, you are saying that the next step would be a GPIB
> adapter.  Here be dragons, as I have never used anything with GPIB
> before.  I am happy to order one today if you (or someone) could
> point to exactly the one I should get (perhaps an e-bay link?) or are
> all these pretty much standard?
>
> I also have a very nice GPSDO thanks to Nick Sayer's project:
> https://hackaday.io/project/6872-gps-disciplined-xcxo
>
> I assume that things will become clear the more I research GPIB and
> adapters?  I think that is the missing piece I was looking for in
> order to really use the Timelab software.
>
> Thanks again for the help, all you time-nuts, as I seem to be ready
> to take the next step...
>
> -Randal R. (at CubeCentral)
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: time-nuts
> [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On Behalf Of Bob Stewart Sent:
> Friday, 07 October, 2016 11:21 To: Discussion of precise time and
> frequency measurement <time-nuts at febo.com> Subject: Re: [time-nuts]
> Inexpensive Alternative to a 5120A
>
> Hi Randal, I've got a bad cold, so I can only hope this response is
> rational. To begin with, you need some sort of Time Interval Counter
> (TIC), as well as some way to get the measurements from it into your
> computer.  Once you get that, then you get a free copy of John Miles'
> indispensable Timelab software and have at it. A beginner setup might
> consist of an HP 5335A, which can be found cheaply, and a GPIB
> adapter.  Be sure to get a 5335A with the high stability OCXO; i.e.
> the venerable HP 10811.  You can find both on ebay, but the usual
> cautions apply.  Personally, I prefer the Prologix Ethernet GPIB
> adapter.  It's pricey at about $200, but it's the easiest for mere
> mortals to interface to with custom programs that you may be tempted
> to write. If you want to get a bit better than that, then you'll
> probably go with an HP 5370A with a 10811.  Other companies make good
> TICs, as well.  At some point you'll probably want to get a better
> standard than the 10811 in your counter, so you'll consider either a
> Rubidium standard or a Cesium standard.  Personally, I'd avoid the
> FE-5680s on ebay, as they're not as stable as you'd expect them to
> be.  But, other people may disagree.  Cesium standards aren't cheap -
> unless you happen to make the score of a lifetime as another time-nut
> did with a PRS-45A. You can also use a GPSDO as a reference.  I sell
> a new one, and you can find good surplus units on ebay at various
> prices.  Different GPSDOs will have different qualities.  They all
> suffer from to extent from ionospheric drift.  Older units with older
> receivers probably have the most, but I'm not an expert on GPSDO
> selection. So, with all that said, start with the cheapest you can
> afford, and then decide whether you really want to get into serious
> time-nuttery.  It's not an inexpensive hobby, even at the low end.
> But it's probably cheaper than a diet of loose women and beer!
>
> Bob - AE6RV
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> AE6RV.com
>
> GFS GPSDO list: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/GFS-GPSDOs/info
>
> From: Cube Central <cubecentral at gmail.com> To: 'Discussion of precise
> time and frequency measurement' <time-nuts at febo.com> Sent: Friday,
> October 7, 2016 11:52 AM Subject: [time-nuts] Inexpensive Alternative
> to a 5120A
>
> I saw that someone was using one of these:
> http://www.microsemi.com/products/timing-synchronization-systems/test-measurement/test-sets/5120a
>
>  ...and the more I looked at it, the more I wanted one.  However, I
> couldn't get a price for one, but only quotes.  This can only mean
> that they are really expensive and out of reach of mere mortal novice
> time-nut like myself.
>
> Is there an alternative that someone could point me to that would
> cost only a couple hundred rather than (what I expect) is a couple
> thousand?  How would I go about gathering the data needed for these
> nifty ADEV graphs I see floating about in here?
>
> Could there be a kit or something that I can plug into a PC?  I
> really don't even know where to start looking?
>
> Thanks - in advance - for any suggestions!
>
> -Randal R. (at CubeCentral)
>
>
>
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