Author Topic: HP-5384A as a Counter?  (Read 1371 times)

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Offline SeoulBigChrisTopic starter

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HP-5384A as a Counter?
« on: August 01, 2021, 08:27:22 am »
I'm embarrassed to ask this, but I can't find it in a quick scan through the manual. If I get one of the HP-5384A frequency counter, or a similar one from that era, Can it be put in a simple counter-only mode? You know, just to count events. I could swear that I used this functionality back in my younger years, but I could be recalling a another brand or model.
 

Offline bd139

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2021, 08:45:40 am »
5384A can’t count events unfortunately, only do frequency and period measurements. You will need another counter for that.
 

Offline SeoulBigChrisTopic starter

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2021, 01:12:26 pm »
I’ve found a cousin, the 5316A which is classified as a universal counter.
 

Offline bd139

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2021, 01:20:14 pm »
Yes that’d do the job. Those are quite nice counters. If you want the best of both worlds and some more then the 5334B is a good one to look out for too.

The 5334B can be retrofitted with an OCXO module and 1.3GHz option cheaply. I’ve done both of those before.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2021, 01:22:34 pm by bd139 »
 

Offline SeoulBigChrisTopic starter

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2021, 09:50:48 pm »
Out of curiosity, what differentiates a universal counter from a frequency counter? It seems to be that adding the ability to tally events / totalizing function to a frequency counter is merely a matter of firmware to display the data in a different manner. You’re already thresholding pulses, counting pulses, and have a gate — I don’t see that additional circuitry would be needed.

What would be an equivalent universal counter from the 34401A DMM era, if you happen to know off the top of your head ?
 

Offline TimFox

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2021, 10:01:00 pm »
Simple frequency counters are just that—only measure frequency with a discrete set of counting times.
Universal counters add capabilities for period, period averaging, totalizing (count ch A while ch B is high), frequency ratio (A/B), sometimes computing frequency from reciprocal of measured period, etc.  Back in the day, this (except for reciprocal frequency) was done in hardware.
 

Offline bd139

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2021, 10:29:31 pm »
Regarding counter from 34401A era you’d be looking for the 53131A. Like the 34401A they still command serious money though, especially with channel 3 and OCXO options.

Also like the 34401A’s the VFDs are a bit hit and miss now.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2021, 10:31:49 pm by bd139 »
 

Offline SeoulBigChrisTopic starter

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2021, 11:00:13 pm »
Tim, yeah, I get that. I guess my question was more coming from the point of view of the HP 5384A that I originally posted about. This seems to have a lot of the "advanced" functionality you describe, and I was just surprised that a simple totalizing mode wasn't available.
 

Offline TimFox

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2021, 11:06:32 pm »
Different price points--not everyone needed totalize mode.
 

Offline SeoulBigChrisTopic starter

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Re: HP-5384A as a Counter?
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2021, 04:39:43 am »
Well, wish me luck. Got a used HP-5384A for about $200 on the way. Should arrive in a couple days.
 


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