Model 5328A

Theory of Operation

counting decades, output multiplexing logic, and synchronizers to generate precise timing signals for the main gate. The oscillator section contains the input/output logic to accept an external signal via the rear panel or an internal signal from the oven-regulated crystal oscillator.

4-54.The sample rate circuit controls the instrument display cycle. Inhibit, reset, main gate, transfer, and sample rate signals are generated in this circuit, as is the BCD digit address code for the strobed display. Generation of decimal point and annunciators and decoding of BCD data are accomplished by the display control circuits. Data out of the decade counting assembly or the input modules is decoded and displayed on the nine-digit LED display.

4-55.The A4 Function Selector serves as the main signal switch of the instrument. It routes input signals through multiplexer to the decade counting assembly and/or the time base. At the same time, it interacts with the display control circuits to determine the beginning and end of the display cycle. The precision main gate signal is created on the function selector through interaction with the time base assembly. The function selector also has extensive interaction with the input modules. It is the main receiver of the high-speed data from the modules and the originator and receiver of module arming pulses.

4–56.The flexibility of the 5328A comes from the ability of all these operating subsections to accept diverse data from input modules. This is accomplished through the use of a 4000-bit read-only memory (ROM) as the master control of the instrument. Located in the main counter section of the instrument, the ROM accepts the four-bit function code and the three-bit time base code from the front-panel switches or the HP-IB remote programming board. The ROM generates 32 bits of output data which are transmitted throughout the instrument to set-up each subsection for the particular measurement situation.

4-57. Input Section

4-58.The input modules are the main interface between the instrument and the outside elec- tronic environment. They accept input signals and convert them into the proper form to be handled by the main counter circuits.

4-59.The middle area of the input module section provides the 5328A with extended fre- quency capability (Channel C). A 50fl fuse-protected 500 MHz amplifier and Schmitt trigger feed the 500 MHz decade. Latches in this section strobe the ninth (least-significant) digit from the module onto the data bus and into the display. In functions not requiring an input from this module, ROM lines deactivate the output strobing circuitry and the ninth digit on the display goes blank.

4-60. Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-US) Section

4-61.The fourth section of the instrument, the HP-IB assembly provides for control of the counter by the HP-IB. Connected to the main instrument bus through a ribbon cable, the internally-mounted HP-IB board controls function, time base, cycle rate, arming, and other controls in the instrument.

4 - 6 2 . A 1 M O T H E R B O A R D

4-63.The A1 Motherboard consists of five sections, as follows:

a.Display control.

b.State control.

c.Oscillator.

d.Decade Counting Assembly.

e.Time Base.

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HP E42 manual Input Section, Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus HP-US Section, 2 . a 1 M O T H E R B O a R D