CNT-104S
Multi-Channel Frequency Analyzer
- Category: Multi-Channel Frequency Analyzer
- Manufacturer: Pendulum Instruments
- Input channels: 4 parallel input channels, to 400 MHz
- Optional RF channel: Channel C, 3 GHz or 10 GHz base hardware (10 GHz upgradable by software to 15 / 20 / 24 GHz)
- Time resolution: < 7 ps
- Frequency resolution: Up to 13 digits/s
- Data sheet: Download PDF
- External link: Official product page
Overview
The CNT-104S is Pendulum Instruments' ultra-high-performance multi-channel frequency and time interval analyzer, a new architecture offering 4 parallel input channels in a single bench-top unit to track frequency, phase and time simultaneously and gap-free. Time resolution is better than 7 ps, frequency resolution reaches 13 digits per second, the continuous measurement speed runs to 20 million results per second and fast block measurement to 170,000 per second. Beyond the four base channels (to 400 MHz) an optional RF input channel is available, with 3 GHz or 10 GHz hardware, the latter upgradable by software to 15, 20 or 24 GHz. The CNT-104S is also a modulation domain analyzer (MDA), capturing very fast frequency or phase/time change in real time, and it supports multi-stop (1 start, 3 stop) time-of-flight measurement. A Gbit Ethernet interface, a large colour touch screen and a built-in web server are standard, which suits oscillator manufacturing, volume production test and physics research.
Key features
- Four parallel channels, gap-free — Four parallel input channels measure frequency, time, phase and TIE at once and gap-free, so one instrument replaces four traditional frequency counters.
- Ultra-high resolution and speed — Better than 7 ps time resolution, frequency resolution to 13 digits per second, continuous measurement to 20 million results per second, and block measurement to 170k meas/s.
- Modulation domain analyzer (MDA) — Modulation domain analysis is built in, capturing very fast frequency or phase/time change in real time, for FM, FSK, BPSK, PWM and PPM work.
- RF input to 24 GHz — Beyond the 400 MHz base channels, an optional RF input channel with 10 GHz base hardware upgrades by software to 15, 20 or 24 GHz.
- Multi-stop time interval measurement — Multi-stop time interval measurement with 1 start and 3 stop events, for time-of-flight work in physics research.
- Colour touch screen and remote control — A large colour touch screen with intuitive menus, Gbit Ethernet as standard and a built-in web server for remote control and data transfer.
Typical applications
- Volume acceptance test of oscillators and frequency components — One CNT-104S measures 4 DUTs at once with zero dead time, at rates to 170,000 measurements per second, replacing the four frequency counters a test system used to need and compressing both per-unit test cost and changeover time. Stacked in a 2U rack it gives 8 parallel counting channels in one shelf, which suits volume final test of oscillators, VCOs and crystal components.
- Phase comparison of atomic clocks and standard frequency sources — Its 7 ps single-shot resolution makes the CNT-104S the core instrument for 1 pps phase comparison in a metrology laboratory; two synchronized units monitor up to 8 clock inputs at once, comparing atomic clocks against each other with no external switch, which is what calibrating time interval and compensating for systematic error requires.
- Frequency dynamics and modulation verification — Developing an RF transceiver, a PLL synthesizer or a frequency-hopping communications system, the CNT-104S captures frequency transients, settling time and the synthesizer's switching behaviour continuously, and supports time-frequency analysis of FM, FSK, BPSK, PWM and PPM schemes — so an engineer locates a design problem fast and shortens the verification loop.
Key specifications
Key specifications for CNT-104S, as published by Pendulum Instruments. For the full datasheet or a customized configuration, please get in touch.
| Input channels | 4 parallel input channels, to 400 MHz |
|---|---|
| Optional RF channel | Channel C, 3 GHz or 10 GHz base hardware (10 GHz upgradable by software to 15 / 20 / 24 GHz) |
| Time resolution | < 7 ps |
| Frequency resolution | Up to 13 digits/s |
| Measurement speed | 20M results/s |
| Block measurement speed | Up to 170k meas/s |
| Sample interval per channel | 50 ns |
| Timebase options | TCXO / 2x OCXO (temperature-compensated and oven-controlled crystal oscillators) |
| Optional pulse generator | 0.5 Hz to 100 MHz |
| Interfaces | Gbit Ethernet as standard; USB 2.0 (hardware ready); WiFi (external USB dongle); web server remote control |
| Display | Large colour touch screen, wireless mouse supported, graphical and numeric side by side |
| Rack option | Rackmount adapter (option 22/05), for 8 parallel counters in 19", 2U of rack space |
Frequently asked questions
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