User Manual

2
Introduction
The TF960 is a portable, battery-operated, universal counter with a large 0.5" 10-digit liquid
crystal display (LCD). The frequency range is from below 0.001Hz to over 6GHz and
measurement functions include frequency, period, ratio, pulse width and count.
The instrument uses a high quality temperature compensated internal frequency reference which
has a low aging rate and is stable to within ±1ppm over the full temperature range. Its short
warm-up time allows accurate measurements to be made even under portable battery powered
conditions.
Input A has configurable coupling (AC or DC), input impedance (1MΩ or 50Ω), attenuation
(1:1 or 5:1), threshold (fully variable) and active edge and can be used for frequencies in the
range 0.001Hz to over 125MHz. Input B is a nominal 50Ω input for frequencies in the range
80MHz to 3GHz. Input C is a nominal 50Ω input with an N-type connector for frequencies in the
range 1GHz to over 6GHz. An External Reference input is provided and changeover from the
internal timebase is automatic when an external reference standard is connected.
For frequency, period and frequency ratio functions the instrument uses a reciprocal counting
technique to provide high resolution at all frequencies. 8 significant digits of answer are
produced in a 1 second measurement time, 9 digits in 10s and 10 digits in 100s with a granularity
of less than 2 counts in the least significant digit.
Indicators show measurement input configuration & function, measurement time & status,
external reference connection, low battery and the units of the measurement which may be Hz,
kHz, MHz, ns, us, ms or s.
The instrument has a USB interface which allows it to be remotely controlled using serial
communication via a computer’s USB port. The remote commands of predecessor instruments,
the TF830 and the TF930, are compatible with the TF960 command set
The instrument operates from internal rechargeable NiMH batteries which give typically 24 hours
operating life. The universal AC charger supplied will recharge the batteries in less than 4 hours
and can be used for continuous AC operation. The instrument will also automatically be powered
from a standard USB port when connected (whether remote control is in use or not) but this will
not charge the batteries.
This instrument is fully compliant with EN61010-1 Safety and EN61326 EMC standards.