Tau-Tron SRX-1101 Bit Error Rate Receiver GPIB RS-232 Phase Clock Adjust BERT

Tau-Tron SRX-1101 Bit Error Rate Receiver GPIB RS-232 Phase Clock Adjust BERT

The Tau-Tron SRX-1101 is a benchtop Bit Error Rate (BER) receiver designed for testing digital transmission systems. Manufactured by Tau-Tron, a unit of General Signal, based in Westford, Massachusetts, it measures error rates in digital data streams and provides synchronization, error counting, and data pattern analysis in a single instrument. It interfaces with a test system via GPIB (IEEE-488) or RS-232, allowing remote control and data logging in automated test environments.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Tau-Tron (a unit of General Signal), Westford, MA, USA
• Model: SRX-1101
• Type: Bit Error Rate Receiver (BERT)
• Form Factor: Benchtop
• AC Input: 90–132 VAC or 180–264 VAC, 47–440 Hz
• Power: 190 VA / 120W maximum
• Fuse (115V line): 2-1/2 AMP Slow Blow
• Fuse (230V line): 1-1/4 AMP Slow Blow
• Remote Interface: GPIB (IEEE-488) and RS-232 (DB-25), rear panel
• Control Modes: Local, Remote, Return to Local
• Clock Phase Adjust: front-panel dial, range 0–3400
• Data Input (DATA): 1.7V P-P Max, 50Ω, BNC front panel
• Clock Input (CLOCK): 1V P-P, 50Ω, BNC front panel
• Data Monitor Output: 500mV P-P, 50Ω, BNC
• Clock Sync Output: 500mV P-P, 50Ω, BNC
• Pattern Sync Output: TTL, BNC
• Count Inhibit Input: TTL, BNC
• Error Counter Display: 7-segment LED, scientific notation (e.g. 0.00 E-00), with Overflow indicator
• Error Rate Modes: Auto and Manual
• Error Rate Display: Frequency (MHz), Error Rate, Total Errors, Exponent
• Data Patterns: 2^-1 and 2^n-1 selectable
• Synchronization: Auto, Override, Sync Mode; indicators for In Sync, Sync Loss; Reset function
• Data Monitor: Data Loss, Data Latched, Data Level, Data Delay indicators
• Rear Panel: RS-232 (DB-25), GPIB (IEEE-488), IEC AC inlet with line voltage selector, cooling fan
• Country of Manufacture: USA
• Included: Unit only; no accessories or manual included

Applications

Bit Error Rate testers (BERTs) like the Tau-Tron SRX-1101 are used to verify the integrity of digital transmission links by sending a known data pattern through a system and comparing the received data to detect errors. The SRX-1101 receiver works in conjunction with a companion BERT transmitter (such as the Tau-Tron STX series) to characterize digital communication circuits including T1/E1 lines, modems, multiplexers, and other serial data links. The GPIB and RS-232 interfaces allow integration into automated test systems for production test or lab characterization. Tau-Tron instruments were widely used in telecom and datacom test environments from the 1980s through the 1990s, when digital transmission testing was critical to telephone network build-out and equipment qualification. The phase clock adjust feature allows fine alignment of the sampling clock relative to the incoming data eye, which is important for margin testing and stress testing of receiver circuits. Units like this remain useful for maintaining and troubleshooting legacy digital transmission equipment and for educational purposes in telecommunications labs.