Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) | Subject: PFM3000
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2008
Handheld frequency counter has budget
price tag
Despite its compact size and low cost, the PFM3000 frequency counter can resolve low frequencies to 0.001mHz.
The PFM3000 from Thurlby Thandar Instruments is a UK-made handheld frequency counter that can measure signals from below 3Hz to above 3GHz Its low cost of GBP 115 puts it in the price category of a handheld multimeter
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 12 May 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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Despite its compact size and low cost, the PFM3000 incorporates several advanced features.
It uses the "reciprocal counting" measurement technique to achieve high measurement resolution at all frequencies.
The system yields up to 8-digit resolution per second of measurement time, and can resolve low frequencies to 0.001mHz.
Two measurement ranges are provided.
Range A covers from below 3Hz to above 125MHz via a high impedance input.
Range B covers from below 80MHz to above 3000MHz via a 50ohm input.
Sensitivity is typically better than 15mV across the range, rising to 25mV at 2.5GHz and 50mV at 3GHz.
Period measurement is provided for signals in the range from 8ns to 330ms.
A selectable lowpass filter is provided to reduce the noise on lower frequency signals.
A hold key allows readings to be frozen on the display whenever required.
Low power consumption circuitry ensures long battery life, and a push to measure facility is also incorporated.
This provides an immediate reading on the press of a key followed by an automatic power down after 15 seconds, thus ensuring maximum battery life when continuous signal monitoring is not required.
The PFM3000 is housed in a robust ABS case measuring 81 x 173 x 30mm and weighing less than 200g.
A large high-contrast LCD with 11.5mm-high characters is incorporated.
The display incorporates 15 annunciators covering measurement function, measurement time, units, overflow, trigger activity and low battery.
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