THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
3GHz low-cost high resolution handheld frequency counter
PFM3000
tti-test.com
Designed and built in Europe by:
Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd.
Glebe Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. PE29 7DR United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1480 412451 Fax: +44 1480 450409
Email: sales@tti-test.com Web: www.tti-test.com
Brochure Part No. 82100-1360
PFM3000 3 GHz low-cost high resolution handheld frequency counter
MEASUREMENT FUNCTIONS
Frequency (Range A)
Frequency Range: 3Hz to 125MHz
Resolution: 10-7Hz to 100Hz (see Note)
Frequency (Range B)
Frequency Range: 80MHz to >3000MHz
Resolution: 1Hz to 10kHz (see Note)
Period (Range A only)
Period Range: 8ns to 330ms
Resolution: 10-7ns to 1us (see Note)
Measurement Time
Selectable as 10s, 1s or 0.1s. (Note that for the 0.1s setting the effective measurement time
is 0.3 seconds).
Resolution
The displayed resolution depends upon the measurement time and the input frequency.
Eight digits (or nine using an overflow indication) are displayed for a 10s measurement time.
Seven or eight digits are displayed for a 1s measurement time, and six or seven digits for 0.1s
depending upon the input frequency. Usable resolution may be further reduced by noise,
particularly at low frequencies.
Accuracy
Measurement accuracy is the sum of the timebase accuracy and measurement resolution plus
one count.
TIMEBASE
Crystal Oscillator Frequency: 10MHz
Initial Oscillator Adjustment Error: ± 2ppm (closed-case adjustable by user)
Oscillator Temperature Coefficient: Typically less than ± 0.3ppm/°C 18°C to 28°C,
±10ppm –20°C to 70°C
Oscillator Ageing Rate: <± 5ppm/year
OPERATING FUNCTIONS
Press to measure
With the power switch off, pressing any of the function select keys will power the instrument
up in the corresponding function. The instrument will automatically switch off 15 seconds
after the last key press.
Hold
Pressing the Hold key will stop further measurements being made and the current measured
value will remain in the display until the Hold key is pressed again.
Noise filter
The Filter key controls a low pass filter, with a cut-off frequency of about 50kHz, to ensure
more stable readings at low frequencies.
Signal activity indicator
When no input signal is detected the Trig indicator will be off, indicating that no measurement
is possible. The gate time indicator flashes until the first measurement interval is complete.
INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
Input A
Input Impedance: 1MW//20pF (AC coupled)
Frequency Range: <3Hz to >125MHz
Sensitivity: Sinewave - 15mVrms 10Hz-125MHz
Input B
Input Impedance: 50W (AC coupled)
Frequency Range: <80MHz to >3000MHz
Sensitivity: Sinewave - 15mVrms 80MHz-2GHz, 50mVrms to 3GHz
Maximum Input Voltage
Input A and Input B: 30Vdc; 30Vrms 50Hz/60Hz reducing to 1Vrms above 1MHz
Note that the inputs will not be damaged if subjected to an accidental short-term connection to a
50/60Hz line voltage not exceeding 250V rms.
DISPLAY
No. of Digits: 8 full digits plus overflow indicator for 8.5 digits
Size of Digits: 11.5mm (0.45”)
Annunciators: 15 annunciators
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Battery Type: 9V PP3 alkaline
Battery Life: Typically 20 hours
Low Batt. Indicator: ‘Bat’ shows in display when approximately 10% of battery life remains
GENERAL
Operating Range: +5°C to +40°C, 20% to 80% RH
Storage Range: -20°C to +60°C
Environmental: Indoor use at altitudes up to 2000m Pollution Degree 2
Size: 81mm x 178mm x 30mm (W x L x D)
Weight: 190gms excluding battery
Electrical Safety: Complies with EN61010-1
EMC: Complies with EN61326
Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd. operates a policy of continuous development and reserves the
right to alter specifications without prior notice.
3 Hz to > 3000 MHz in two overlapping ranges
High input sensitivity over the full frequency range
High impedance measurement up to 125 MHz
Reciprocal counting technique gives superior resolution
Period measurement from 3 Hz to 125 MHz
Battery operation; handheld format with tilt-stand
Push-to-measure function with auto power-down
Large 8+ digit display with full range of annunciators
Selectable measurement time; display hold function
Noise filter for low frequency measurements
Wide frequency range and high resolution
The PFM3000 offers high sensitivity frequency measurement from 3Hz to
more than 3GHz in two overlapping ranges. Period measurement is also
provided from 8ns to 330ms.
The PFM3000 uses a continuous reciprocal measurement technique to
provide high resolution at all frequencies with rapid update.
It offers high sensitivity across the whole frequency range. A low pass filter
can be selected to reduce high frequency signal noise at lower frequencies.
A
Large and clear display
Despite its compact dimensions, the PFM3000 incorporates a large 8 digit
LCD. Annunciators are provided for measurement function, measurement
time, overflow, trigger activity, low battery, and measurement units.
Low power consumption and push-to-measure
Despite its wide frequency range the PFM3000 has a power consumption
that enables it to operate for many hours from a PP3 size battery.
A push-to-measure capability gives an instantaneous reading followed by
an automatic power down after 15 seconds. This provides greatly extended
battery life where continuous monitoring of the signal is not required.
Bench-top use
The PFM3000 has the performance needed for many bench-top applications,
and its built-in tilt stand sets the display at a convenient angle.
