HP 214A

HP 214A Pulse Generator

The HP 214A Pulse Generator is a versatile instrument designed to produce variable repetition rate, variable width, and variable amplitude pulses. It was manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1964 and is part of the company’s early pulse generator product line.

Key Features

• Pulse Width: 50 ns to 10 ms in 5 decade ranges, with a continuously adjustable vernier.
• Pulse Amplitude: 0.2 to 100 volts in a 1, 2, 5, 10 sequence (9 ranges), with a vernier that reduces the output of the 0.2 setting to 80 mV and provides continuous adjustment between ranges.
• Rise and Fall Time: Less than 13 ns on 20-volt and lower ranges and the -50 volt range, less than 15 ns on the +50 volt range, and typically less than 10 ns with vernier set for maximum attenuation.
• Repetition Rate: Internal: 10 cps to 1 MHz (5 ranges), continuously adjustable vernier. External: DC to 1 MHz.
• Trigger: Internal and external triggering with adjustable level from -40V to +40V, positive or negative slope, and sensitivity less than 0.5V peak.
• Output Impedance: 50 ohms on all ranges of 50 volts amplitude and below, approximately 1500 ohms on the 100-volt range.
• Maximum Duty Cycle: 10% on 100 and 50 volt ranges, 25% on 20 volt range, 50% on 10 volt and lower ranges.
• Power: 115 or 230V, 50 to 60 cps, 325 watts.

Applications

The HP 214A Pulse Generator is suitable for a variety of applications including:

• Telecommunications Equipment Testing: It provides high power pulses up to 200 watts, making it ideal for testing complex telecommunications equipment.
• Logic Circuit Stimulation: It can be used to simulate electric phenomena and trigger oscilloscopes.
• Radar and TV/Cable TV System Testing: Its wide range of pulse widths and amplitudes makes it versatile for testing different types of electronic systems.

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 475 x 180 x 475 mm / 18.7 x 7.1 x 18.7 inch.
• Weight: Net 15.8 kg / 34 lb 12.8 oz.

References

1. HP 214A Pulse Generator Manual - https://aolab.fer.hr/_download/repository/Manual_HP_214A_Pulse_Generator.pdf
2. Radiomuseum.org - https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/hewlett_pa_pulse_generator_214a.html
3. HP Memory Project - https://www.hpmemoryproject.org/wb_pages/wall_b_page_10e.htm