Laureate™ Time Interval Meter
Resolution to 0.2 µs for time measurement of periodic events

Time Interval Meter by Laurel Electronics

Standard Features

Product Links

Specs
Mechanical
Serial I/O options
Power options
Relay options
Analog output option
Meter manual
Serial manual
Modbus manual
Setup software
Pricing

For periodic events with width from 1 µs to 199.999 s

Display resolution to 0.2 µs

Rep rated to 250 kHz
Inputs from NPN or PNP proximity switches, contact closures, digital logic, magnetic pickups down to 12 mV, or AC inputs up to 250 Vac
Trigger on positive or negative pulse edges
6-digit red or green LED display
Isolated 5, 10 or 24 Vdc excitation output to power sensors
Universal AC power, 85-264 Vac
External controls for reset, meter hold and decimal points
NEMA 4X, 1/8 DIN case
Certified to UL 61010C-1 (UL mark), EN 61010-1 (CE mark), and RoHS
Options:

Low voltage power: 10-48 Vdc or 12-32 Vac
2 or 4 output relays, electromechanical or solid state

1 or 2 isolated analog outputs: 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V, -10 to +10V

Serial communications: RS232, RS485, Modbus RS485, USB, USB-to-RS485 converter

Description

Electronic timer with 1 microsecond resolution

The Laureate A-to-B Time Interval Meter can display pulse width or time delay between individual pulses to a resolution of 0.2 µs. It can also display average pulse width or average time delay between multiple pulses.

Time interval is measured between inputs on channels A and B. Timing starts when a pulse is applied to Channel A (selectable positive or negative edge), and ends when a pulse is applied to Channel B (selectable positive or negative edge). In case of a single pulsed signal, the A and B inputs can be tied together. A positive or negative slope may be selected to start timing, and the opposite slope must be selected to stop timing. Timing is achieved by counting 5.5 MHz clock pulses. Multiple integral time intervals are averaged over a gate time which is selectable from 10 ms to 199.99 s and also controls the display update time.

Time interval can be displayed in seconds, milliseconds, or microseconds with 6-digit resolution. In the typical application, time is displayed in milliseconds with 1 µs resolution. For times less than 100 ms, display resolution down to 0.2 µs can be achieved by applying a multiplier of 10, moving the decimal point by one position, and averaging many time intervals.

The FR dual-channel signal conditioner board accepts inputs from proximity switches with PNP or NPN output, TTL or CMOS logic, magnetic pickups, contact closures, and other signals from 12 mV to 250 Vac. Jumper selections provide optimum operation for different sensor types and noise conditions. A built-in isolated 5, 10, or 24 Vdc excitation supply can power proximity switches and other sensors, and eliminate the need for an external power supply.

Designed for flexibility. Optional plug-in boards for communications and control include single or dual isolated analog output boards, dual or quad relay boards, and serial communications boards. Laureates may be powered from 85-264 Vac or optionally from 12-32 Vac or 10-48 Vdc. The display is available with red or green LEDs. The 1/8 DIN case meets NEMA 4X (IP65) specifications from the front when panel mounted. Any setup functions and front panel keys can be locked out for simplified usage and security.

Specifications

Display
Readout Range Indicators	6 LED digits, 7-segment, 14.2 mm (.56"), red or green. -999999 to +999999 Four LED lamps
Inputs
Types Grounding Channel A Frequency Channel B Frequency Minimum Signal Maximum Signal Noise Filter Contact Debounce	AC, pulses from NPN, PNP transistors, contact closures, magnetic pickups Common ground for channels A & B 0.005 Hz to 1 MHz 0.005 Hz to 250 kHz Nine ranges from (-12 to +12 mV) to (+1.25 to +2.1V). 250 Vac 1 MHz, 30 kHz, 250 Hz (selectable). 0, 3, 50 ms (selectable)
Time Interval Mode
Timing Start Timing Stop Periodic Timing Interval Gate Time Time Before Zero Output	Channel A pulse, + or - edges Channel B pulse, + or - edges Gate time + 30 ms + 0-2 time intervals Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s
Resolution
0 - 199.999 s 0 - 99.9999 s 0 - 9.99999 s 0 - .999999 s 0 - .099999 s	1 ms 100 µs 10 µs 1 µs 0.2 µs
Accuracy
Time Base Span Tempco Long-term Drift	Crystal calibrated to ±2 ppm ±1 ppm/°C (typ) ±5 ppm/year
Power
Voltage, standard Voltage, optional Frequency Power Isolation	85-264 Vac or 90-300 Vdc (DC operation not UL approved) 12-32 Vac or 10-48 Vdc DC or 47-63 Hz 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test
Excitation Output (standard)
5 Vdc 10 Vdc 24 Vdc Output Isolation	5 Vdc ±5%, 100 mA 10 Vdc ±5%, 120 mA 24 Vdc ±5%, 50 mA 50 Vdc to meter ground
Analog Output (optional)
Output Levels Current compliance Voltage compliance Scaling Resolution Isolation	4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V, -10 to +10V (single-output option) 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V (dual-output option) 2 mA at 10V ( > 5 kOhm load) 12V at 20 mA ( < 600 Ohm load) Zero and full scale adjustable from -99999 to +99999 16 bits (0.0015% of full scale) 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test (dual analog outputs share the same ground)
Relay Outputs (optional)
Relay Types Current Ratings Output common Isolation	2 Form C contact relays or 4 Form A contact relays (NO) 2 or 4 Form A, AC/DC solid state relays (NO) 8A at 250 Vac or 24 Vdc for contact relays 130 mA at 140 Vac or 180 Vdc for solid state relays Isolated commons for dual relays or each pair of quad relays 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test
Serial Data I/O (optional)
Board Selections Protocols Data Rates Digital Addresses Isolation	RS232, RS485, Modbus RS485, USB, USB-to-RS485 converter Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, simpler Laurel ASCII 300 to 19200 bps 247 (Modbus), 31 (Laurel ASCII), 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test
Environmental
Operating Temp. Storage Temp. Relative Humidity Protection	0°C to 60°C -40°C to 85°C 95% at 40°C, non-condensing NEMA-4X (IP-65) when panel mounted
Signal Connections

Application Examples

Time Interval Mode for Time Delay
	For periodic pulses applied to A and B channels, time delays can be measured down to 0.2 µs resolution from the rising or falling edge of A to the rising or falling edge of B (selectable).
Time Interval Mode for Pulse Width
	The width of periodic pulses (t1 or t2) can be measured by tying the A and B channels together. As for time delay, readings are averaged over a user-selectable gate time.
Timing Process Dynamics with a Panel Meter and Time Interval Meter
	The start and stop pulses used for timing can be generated by the dual relay board in a Laureate panel meter or digital counter. For instance, the start and stop pulse edges can be created as temperature passes two alarm setpoints, or temperature cycles in a hysteresis control mode.
Replacing an Oscilloscope with a Laureate Time Interval Meter
	An oscilloscope is great for viewing and timing pulses in a lab. However, in fixed installations where digital timing accuracy and control outputs are required, a low-cost Laureate time interval meter will be the instrument of choice. Resolution to 0.2 µs is feasible.

Instrumenting a Pulsed Laser System Using Laureate Counters

Some of the many possibilities in instrumenting a pulsed laser system with Laureate dual-channel counters.

Ordering Guide
Laureate™ Time Interval Meters
Click on the radio buttons to build a model number with pricing (shown below the Ordering Guide).