# Tektronix FCA3020 20 GHz / 100 ps Timer/Counter/Analyzer (Pre-Owned) # Tektronix FCA3020 20 GHz / 100 ps Timer/Counter/Analyzer (Pre-Owned) ## Key Features At A Glance - Three Input C frequency tiers across the series — 300 MHz, 3 GHz, and 20 GHz models — with up to 3 input channels - Single-shot time resolution from 100 ps (FCA3000 Series) to 50 ps (FCA3100 Series), with values displayed up to 14 digits - 12 digit/s frequency resolution, 0.001° phase resolution, and voltage resolution down to 1 mV across the series - GPIB (IEEE 488.2) and USB device ports with full SCPI programmability plus an emulation mode for plug-and-play ATE replacement - Graphical analysis on the built-in display: measurement statistics, histograms, trend plots, and Allan deviation - Deep internal memory up to 3.75M readings, 250k readings/s capture to memory, and up to 15k readings/s block transfer - Optional medium- or high-stability oven time base and optional TimeView (TVA3000) modulation domain analysis software - 3-year standard warranty; ships with National Instruments LabVIEW SignalExpress Tektronix Edition (Limited Edition) software The Tektronix FCA3000 and FCA3100 Series are timer/counter/analyzers that pack many different measurement functions into one feature-rich instrument. The series comes standard with deep internal memory and a fast 250k samples/s data transfer rate to internal memory, while a multi-parameter display shows auxiliary measurements alongside the main measurement so results can be read at a glance. Comprehensive analysis modes — measurement statistics, histograms, and trend plots — give an engineer the tools to analyze a signal quickly and accurately. High resolution is critical for R&D and production testing on demanding designs, and the FCA Series is built to deliver fast, precise measurements for those applications. A zero dead-time measurement technique and continuous time-stamping of trigger events ensure correct Allan Deviation measurements — capabilities described as vital for mechanical and medical measurements where every single cycle must be measured. Limit-qualifying capability lets you isolate one cluster in a calculation, important for applications such as verifying the jitter of digital pulses that appear in discrete clusters in CD players or in HDB3-coded data. ValueTronics stocks and holds its own inventory in a 20,000 square-foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois, which lets us match the right instrument to an engineer's application and ship it promptly. Every pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house against the manufacturer's specifications before it leaves our facility, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received. That combination of held inventory and in-house verification is what stands behind each FCA-Series order. ## Brand Heritage Tektronix, founded in 1946, was acquired by Danaher Corporation in 2007 and became part of Fortive Corporation when Fortive was spun off from Danaher in 2016. The Tektronix brand has remained in continuous use throughout these corporate ownership changes. ## Compare Other Models in This Series The FCA3000 and FCA3100 Timer/Counter/Analyzer Series share a common architecture — deep internal memory, a 250k measurement/s capture rate, a multi-parameter graphical display, and SCPI/GPIB and USB connectivity — while differing in measurement resolution and the set of advanced functions each provides. Across both series, Input C frequency coverage is offered in 300 MHz, 3 GHz, and 20 GHz model variants. The FCA3000 Series provides 100 ps single-shot time resolution and 3 mV voltage resolution, while the FCA3100 Series provides 50 ps single-shot time resolution and 1 mV voltage resolution. Both series deliver 12 digit/s frequency resolution and the same graphical analysis modes. Each model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing for the pre-owned configuration you select. Choose the frequency tier and series that fit your application, then review that model's page for its specific specifications and current availability. The FCA3000 is the 300 MHz, 100 ps single-shot model of the series, pairing inputs A and B (DC to 300 MHz) with the series' standard analysis modes, multi-parameter display, and 750k-reading internal memory. The comparison table that follows summarizes the differences between the two series. The FCA3100 Series adds functions not present on the FCA3000 Series: Totalize and Time Interval Error (TIE) measurements, a programmable pulse output, continuous measurements, and a talker-only GPIB/USB output. It also offers a larger 3.75M-reading internal memory versus 750k readings, finer 50 ps time and 1 mV voltage resolution versus 100 ps and 3 mV, and faster transfer rates (15k vs 5k readings/s in block mode; 650 vs 500 individually triggered measurements/s). Within each series, the models differ by Input C frequency coverage — 300 MHz, 3 GHz, or 20 GHz — with the 20 GHz models (FCA3020 and FCA3120) additionally supporting burst frequency and PRF measurements. Refer to each model's own row in the comparison table for the functions and ranges specific to that model. Model Max Frequency Single-shot Time Resolution Voltage Resolution **FCA3020** 20 GHz 100 ps 3 mV FCA3000 300 MHz 100 ps 3 mV FCA3003 3 GHz 100 ps 3 mV FCA3100 300 MHz 50 ps 1 mV Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below. ## Accessories Supplied - Timer/Counter - Line cord - Calibration certificate - Quick Start User Manual - CD-ROM with user manual (English, French, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, Japanese) - Programmer's Guide - Technical Specifications - Trial version of TimeView Software - CD-ROM with National Instruments LabVIEW SignalExpress Tektronix Edition, Limited Edition Software ## Product Core & Specifications Specification Value Frequency A, B, C Mode Normal, Back-to-Back (FCA3100 Series) Range (Input A, B) 0.001 Hz to 300 MHz; 300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger mode Range (Input C) 100 MHz to 3 GHz or 300 MHz to 20 GHz Resolution 12 digits in 1 s measuring time (normal); 11 digits in 1 s measuring time (back-to-back) Aux Parameters Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p Frequency Burst A, B, C (FCA3020 and FCA3120 – 20 GHz Only) Functions Frequency in burst (in Hz), PRF (in Hz) Range Input A, B, C: See Frequency spec. Minimum Burst Duration Down to 40 ns Minimum Pulses in Burst (Input A, B) 3 (6 above 160 MHz) Minimum Pulses in Burst (Input C) 3 × prescaler factor PRF Range 0.5 Hz to 1 MHz Start Delay 10 ns to 2 s, 10 ns resolution Aux Parameters PRF Period A, B, C Mode Single, Average, Back-to-Back (FCA3100 Series) Range (Input A, B) 3.3 ns to 1000 s (single, average); 4.0 µs to 1000 s (back-to-back) Range (Input C) 10 ns down to 50 ps Resolution 100 ps (single); 12 digit/s avg. (FCA3000 Series). 50 ps (single); 12 digit/s avg. (FCA3100 Series) Aux Parameters Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p Ratio A/B, B/A, C/A, C/B Range (10⁻⁹) to 10¹¹ Input Frequency (Input A, B) 0.1 Hz to 300 MHz; 300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger mode Input Frequency (Input C) 3 or 20 GHz Aux Parameters Freq 1, Freq 2 Time Interval A to B, B to A, A to A, B to B Range Normal calculation: 0 ns to +10⁶ s; Smart calculation: –10⁶ s to +10⁶ s Resolution 100 ps single (FCA3000 Series); 50 ps single (FCA3100 Series) Min Pulse Width 1.6 ns Smart Calculation Smart Time Interval to determine sign (A before B or A after B) Positive and Negative Pulse Width A, B Range 2.3 ns to 10⁶ s Min Pulse Width 2.3 ns Aux Parameters Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p Rise and Fall Time A, B Range 1.5 ns to 10⁶ s Trigger Levels 10% and 90% of signal amplitude Min Pulse Width 1.6 ns Aux Parameters Slew rate, Vmax, Vmin Time Interval Error (TIE) A, B Description Normalized period back-to-back measurements, calculated as TIE(k) = k \* TREF - ∑TI, when TI = Individual Period Back-to-Back and TREF = Reference Period Value. Positive and Negative Duty Factor A, B Range 0.000001 to 0.999999 Frequency Range 0.1 Hz to 300 MHz Aux Parameters Period, pulse width Phase A Relative B, B Relative A Range –180° to +360° Resolution Single cycle: 0.001° to 10 kHz, decreasing to 1° >10 MHz. Resolution can be improved by averaging (statistics) Frequency Range Up to 160 MHz Aux Parameters Freq (A), Va/Vb (in dB) Totalize A, B (FCA3100 Series) Mode Tot A, Tot B, Tot A+B, Tot A–B, Tot A/B Range 1 to 10¹⁰ counts Frequency Range Up to 160 MHz Start Control Manual, start arming Stop Control Manual, stop arming, timed Aux Parameters Other Totalize functions Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p A, B Range –50 V to +50 V, –5 V to +5 V (limited by max input voltage without damage, see Input A, B) Frequency Range DC, 1 Hz to 300 MHz Mode Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p Resolution 3 mV (FCA3000 Series); 1 mV (FCA3100 Series) Uncertainty (5 V range, typical) DC, 1 Hz to 1 kHz 1% + 15 mV Uncertainty (5 V range, typical) 1 kHz to 20 MHz 3% + 15 mV Uncertainty (5 V range, typical) 20 to 100 MHz 10% + 15 mV Uncertainty (5 V range, typical) 100 to 300 MHz 30% + 15 mV Aux Parameters Vmin, Vmax, Vp-p > **Important:** Maximum voltage without damage on Inputs A and B (1 MΩ): 350 V (DC + AC peak) to 440 Hz, falling to 12 V RMS at 1 MHz on the X1 setting; on the 50 Ω setting, 12 V RMS (unprotected input). > **Important:** Please specify power plug when ordering. > **Important:** Every FCA Series timer/counter/analyzer comes backed with a three-year standard warranty. > **Important:** Standard internal memory depth may vary by configuration or build; the datasheet's comparison table lists 3.5M results for the FCA3100 Series while the GPIB specification and feature list state 3.75M readings. Verify the installed depth on your instrument. > **Important:** Signal connection cables (e.g., BNC test cables) are not included in the standard delivery; the appropriate cables must be ordered separately (see Recommended Accessories and Software). > Recommended pairing: add the Tektronix TVA3000 TimeView modulation domain analysis software to extend the instrument into a high-performance modulation domain analyzer for capturing and analyzing fast frequency changes. ## About this Pre-Owned unit This pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships and is backed by our pre-owned warranty. To confirm its exact condition, firmware revision, installed options, or included accessories for your application before ordering, contact our Test Architects. - Warranty included - Functional verification included - Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data. - Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm). ValueTronics supplies both new and used test and measurement equipment. New units ship factory-sealed, exactly as received from the manufacturer; every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house at our 20,000 sq ft secure facility in Elgin, Illinois before it ships. Our Test Architects can help you select the condition, calibration, and configuration that fit your application. **Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.** ## Details - **Price:** 6580.0 USD - 7140.0 USD - **Vendor:** Tektronix - **Type:** Freq Coun - **Tags:** FCA3020, Freq Coun, Frequency Counter, Inc., Manufacturers, Model 3020, Other Equipment, Pre-Owned, product_manual_group_3, Product_used, Tektronix ## Variants | Variant | Price | Available | |---------|-------|-----------| | None | 6580.00 USD | In stock | | NIST Traceable | 6860.00 USD | In stock | | NIST Traceable with Full Data | 7000.00 USD | In stock | | ISO IEC 17025 Accredited | 7140.00 USD | In stock | ## Images - Tektronix FCA3020 20 GHz / 100 ps Timer/Counter/Analyzer (Pre-Owned) --- > Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/fca3020-tektronix-frequency-counter-used) > Updated: 2026-06-02