1510A Portable Signal Generator and Calibrator
A portable signal source for calibration, testing, troubleshooting, and system monitoring
The 1510A Precision Portable Signal Generator and Calibrator is a must-have for engineers and technicians working in a variety of fields – from routine troubleshooting and maintenance, to calibrating and tuning advanced equipment such as eddy current probes, strain gauge amplifiers, or charge amplifiers for jet turbine vibration analysis.
- Portable and Rugged – Take the 1510A on the road on the production floor. Its compact form factor and rugged design includes spill proof keyboard which makes it ideal for power plants, service work and outdoor use.
- High accuracy – The 1510A provides voltage and frequency signals with 0.05% accuracy.
- Dual frequency synthesizers – The 1510A features two independent digital synthesizers for accurate and independent control of signals.
- Twin mode signal outputs – The 1510A provides CHARGE signals for simulating the signals from accelerometers, and voltage signals for simulating signals from VELOCITY and other voltage generating sensors.
- Multiple output wave shapes – The 1510A has the flexibility to generating SINE, SQUARE, TRIANGLE or SAWTOOTH waveforms for vibration signals. DC signals can be generated as an offset or as an independent output signal. Timing pulses with variable duty cycles can also be synthesized.
- True engine speed signals – The 1510A produces tachometer generator speed signals as well as odd-tooth type signals for simulating all types of engine and machinery speed signals.
- JOG function – The 1510A allows users to slowly vary output signal parameters to aid in detecting “sweet spots” or finding critical signal values.
- Automatic sweep function – The sweep function of the 1510A allows simulation of machinery startups and shutdowns.
- Rechargeable batteries – The 1510A operates for several hours on a single charge of its built-in NiMH batteries. This offers great flexibility in where and how you use your new calibrator.
- Flexible programming – Up to 40 different “settings” can be SAVED and RECALLED instantly to make test set-up fast, easy, and repeatable.
- Programming Port – The built-in USB port permits remote control of the 1510A as well as re-calibration and pre-programming of control memories and calibration with optional software.
| Channel A | |
|---|---|
| Sine Wave Signal | |
| Voltage range (0.1 Hz to 100 kHz) | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Voltage accuracy (10 mV to 10 V) | |
| • 10 Hz to 20 Hz | 0.15% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 20 Hz to 30 kHz | 0.05% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 30 kHz to 50 kHz | 0.07% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 50 kHz to 80 kHz | 0.08% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 80 kHz to 100 kHz | 0.10% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| Charge range (10 Hz to 100 kHz) | 1 to 9999.9 pC PEAK |
| Charge accuracy (10 to 10000 pC) • 10 Hz to 30 kHz | 0.20% ±0.1 pC of setting |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV or 0.1 pC |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 to 99999.9 Hz |
| Distortion | |
| • 10 Hz to 50 kHz | <0.5% |
| • 50 kHz to 100 kHz | <3.0% |
| Frequency accuracy | |
| • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Variable phase (all Channel A wave signals) | 0 to 360° |
| Square Wave Signal | |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Charge range | 0 to 9999.9 pC PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV or 0.1 pC |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Frequency accuracy • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Rise/fall time (10 to 90%) | : ≤3.0 µs |
| Asymmetry | <3% at 10 khz |
| Overshoot | <2% |
| Accuracy | 0.1% typical, 0.25% maximum of setting |
| Triangle Wave and Sawtooth Wave Signals | |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Charge range | 0 to 9999.9 pC PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV or 0.1 pC |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Frequency accuracy • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Accuracy | 0.1% typical, 0.25% maximum of setting |
| DC Output – Standard | |
| Voltage range | ±9.9999 VDC |
| Voltage accuracy | 0.05% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| • The standard DC output can be generated alone or simultaneously with a wave signal (AC signal) in order to provide an offset. | |
| DC Output – Microvolt | |
| Voltage range | ±1 µV to ±99.999 mVDC |
| Voltage accuracy | 0.05% ±5 µV of setting |
| Resolution | 0.1 µV |
| • The microvolt DC output is generated under closed-loop control in order to ensure accuracy. Microvolt accuracy is based on use of special RG58/U coaxial cable. At low microvolt signal levels, connector metal dissimilarities can cause false readings. | |
| Connectors | |
| Type | |
| • CHAN A Volts | Channel A voltage signal. BNC connector (female). |
| • CHAN A PC DE | Channel A charge signal – differential output. 3-pin MIL-C/DTL-5015 type connector (MS310x). |
| • CHAN A PC SE | Channel A charge signal – single-ended output. Microdot 10-32 type connector. |
| Impedance (connector) | 50 Ω |
| Channel B | |
| Sine Wave Signal | |
| Voltage range (0.1 Hz to 100 kHz) | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Voltage accuracy (10 mV to 10 V) | |
| • 10 Hz to 20 Hz | 0.15% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 20 Hz to 30 kHz | 0.05% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 30 kHz to 50 kHz | 0.07% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 50 kHz to 80 kHz | 0.08% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| • 80 kHz to 100 kHz | 0.10% ±0.1 mV of setting |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 to 99999.9 Hz. Note: Channel B frequency can also be configured as a ratio of the Channel A frequency. See Pulse (speed/ratio) function below. |
| Distortion | |
| • 10 Hz to 50 kHz | <0.75% |
| • 50 kHz to 100 kHz | <3.0% |
| Frequency accuracy • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Variable phase | 0 to 360° |
| (all Channel B wave signals) | Channel B frequency can also be configured as a ratio of the Channel A frequency. See Pulse (speed/ratio) function below. |
| • Channel B sine wave signal specifications are the same as for Channel A, except for distortion (10 Hz to 50 kHz) and that Channel B does not support a charge signal. | |
| Square Wave Signal | |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Frequency accuracy • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Rise/fall time (10 to 90%) | ≤3.0 µs |
| Asymmetry | <3% at 10 khz |
| Overshoot | <2% |
| Accuracy | 0.1% typical, 0.25% maximum of setting |
| • Channel B square wave signal specifications are the same as for Channel A except that Channel B does not support a charge signal. | |
| Triangle Wave and Sawtooth Wave Signals | |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range | 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Frequency accuracy • 3 Hz to 100 kHz | ±0.005% of setting |
| Accuracy | 0.1% typical, 0.25% maximum of setting |
| • Channel B triangle wave and sawtooth wave signal specifications are the same as for Channel A except that Channel B does not support a charge signal | |
| Pulse (speed/ratio) Function | |
| Signal type | Sine, square, single pulse or odd pulse |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range (ratio) | 0.1 to 100 times the Channel A frequency, in steps of 0.1 |
| Single-pulse Function | |
| Signal type | 1-cycle sine or ½-cycle square (TTL) |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Pulse duty cycle | 3 to 100% |
| Frequency range (fixed) | 1 Hz to 100 kHz |
| Frequency range (ratio) | 0.1 to 100 times the Channel A frequency, in steps of 0.1 |
| Odd-pulse Function | |
| Signal type | Long (larger) or short (smaller) |
| Signal size | 0 to 999% of base pulse |
| Number of base pulses between odd pulse | 1 to 100 |
| Voltage range | 0 to 9.9999 V PEAK |
| Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| Qualifier/rectifier type | RMS, PEAK or PK-PK |
| Frequency range (fixed) | 1 to 99999.9 Hz |
| Frequency range (ratio) | 0.1 to 100 times the Channel A frequency, in steps of 0.1 |
| Sweep Function | |
| Sweep time | 1 to 999 s (16.6 min) |
| Sweep time step | 1 s |
| Configurable options | Start frequency, stop frequency and sweep time |
| User controls | Start (go), pause and cancel |
| Channels | A alone or A and B together |
| • Channel B is swept synchronously with Channel A if the Channel B frequency is configured as a ratio of the Channel A frequency. The phase between Channel A and Channel B is preserved during a sweep. | |
| Connectors | |
| Type | |
| • CHAN B | Channel B voltage signal. BNC connector (female). |
| Impedance (connector) | 50 Ω |
| Electrical | |
| Power source | Battery operated. Four rechargeable NiMH AA (LR6 / 15A) batteries. |
| Operating time | Up to 6 hours. Note: Battery life varies depending upon the type of signals being generated and the loads that are being driven. |
| Battery charger | 115/230 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 400 mA input. 9 VDC, 1.5 A output. |
| Environmental | |
| Temperature range | 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F) Note: Specifications are stated at 25°C (77°F) under no-load conditions, after a 30 minute (minimum) warm-up time. |
| Approvals | |
| Conformity | CE marking, European Union (EU) declaration of conformity |
| Environmental management | RoHS compliant (2002/95/EC) |
| User Interface | |
| Display | Backlit black and white LCD display. 4-lines of 18-characters (128 × 64 pixels). |
| Controls | |
| Keypad | 16-button spill-proof keypad: • 12 data entry keys (0-9, backspace, decimal separator, on/off). • 4 function (“soft”) keys that depend on the operating mode, defined by displayed prompts. |
| Memory | 40-memory locations to save and recall settings. Note: Saving and recalling frequently used configurations reduces set-up time and can help to ensure consistency between tests. |
| Connectors | |
| Battery charger port | Used to recharge the internal NiMH batteries. |
| The 1510A can also be continuously operated using power provided via this connector. | |
| Communications port | Used to remotely control and program the 1510A using optional software. USB 1.0 Type-A receptacle (socket). |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions (height × width × depth) | 19 × 11 × 5.7 cm (7.5 × 4.25 × 2.25") |
| Weight | 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) approx. |
- Cabling and wiring troubleshooting
- Audio signal simulation
- Vibration signal simulation – accelerometers and velocity probes
- Machinery speed signal simulation
- Low-voltage bridge sensor signal simulation
- Calibration of:
- Monitoring systems
- Charge amplifiers
- Avionics equipment
The 1510 Portable Precision Signal Generator
An Introduction to the 1510 Portable Signal Generator
Using the 1510A Portable Signal Generator with the PBS-4100+
How to Simulate, Calibrate and Verify Field Sensor Transmission with a Portable Signal Generator
The MTI 1510A is a sophisticated two-channel, battery-powered, microprocessor-controlled direct digital signal generator. Its rugged exterior design with battery-powered use makes it the ideal troubleshooting and diagnostic tool for deployment in the field.
It can generate a sine wave, a square wave, a sawtooth wave and triangle continuous signals on both channels as well as single pulse and odd pulses on the B channel to simulate tachometer output pulses.
Why two channels?
The main reason for two channels is to be able to create a phase shift in the A to B output signals as may be encountered in a piece of rotating equipment (such as a jet engine).
What makes the 1510A so unique?
- Compact size
- Portable, AA battery-operated (NiMH)
- Rugged
- High precision
- Programmable
- Dual charge output
- Backlit display
How Companies Use the 1510A Portable Signal Generator and Calibrator
- Calibrating monitoring systems
- Calibrating charge amplifiers
- Calibrating avionics equipment
- Cable testing
- Wire testing
- Machinery speed signal simulation
- Data acquisition systems testing
- Gas turbine instruments testing
- Bridge circuit simulation
- Correlating new equipment
- Instrument calibration
- Sensor diagnosis
- Vibration signal simulation
- Audio signal simulation
- Simulating transducer
Why Clients Choose the 1510A
“The precision is the most important thing. We love the precision…We also like the ability to vary phase output between two channels is an amazing feature. Before the 1510A we had no way to do this.” – Jim W. (Power company, South Carolina)
“Portability is key. We need to be all over the plant with it.” –Harold S (Company engineer, Florida)
“We like our unit because of its portability and ruggedness. It’s easily shipped from one location to another without anything breaking.” – Gregg J. (Medical manufacturing company)
About MTI Instruments
MTI Instruments is a US-based, leading provider of non-contact physical measurement tools and condition-based monitoring systems. Precision is our passion. We are ISO 9001:2015-certified. Visit our website.
Clients Who Trust MTI
About MTI Instruments
MTI Instruments is a US-based, leading provider of non-contact physical measurement tools and condition-based monitoring systems. Precision is our passion. We are ISO 9001:2015-certified. Visit our website.
Clients Who Trust MTI
