The Agilent / HP 3457A has seven functions with 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 digits of resolution extendable to 7 1/2 digits at reading rates from 1 reading every 2 seconds to 1350 rds/s and basic DC volts accuracy as good as 5 ppm. In addition, the input of the 3457A can be expanded up to ten channels with either of the optional plug-in multiplexer assemblies. On the bench, the front panel operation is extremely flexible and comprehensive. In systems, the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB) is standard.

The 3457A combines superb analog measuring capability with equally powerful measurement management. More than 1000 readings or whole measurement sequences can be stored in the 3457A for convenient and fast measurement throughput. The present dmm setup can be stored in the non-volatile state memory for convenient reconfiguration of the dmm.

Additional power from math functions can be obtained by using PASS/FAIL limit testing, NULL, SCALE, THERMISTOR linearization, and others. The power of total electronic calibration, including AC volts, makes it easy to maintain instrument performance.

Keeping with HP's long tradition of systems oriented digital multimeters, the 3457A has all the systems features you've come to expect plus more to make interfacing to your computer even easier - features like flexible formatting of ASCII, 16 bit binary, or 32 bit binary data and buffer memory so that you can take measurements with the 3457A at its highest speed. In addition, you'll find the VOLTMETER COMPLETE output and EXTERNAL TRIGGER input signals ideal for synchronizing other instrumentation with the 3457A. Finally, programmable front-rear terminal switching lets you measure two separate inputs without a scanner.

Another first for the 3457A DMM is an easy-to-use dmm language-HPML. Designed so that software written for today's multimeter will fit tomorrow's, HPML only asks you to define the parameters necessary to accomplish your measurement. For example, if you want to make a measurement on a 9 volt DC signal with .01% resolution, the command sequence is "DCV, 9, .01".

Either one of three different optional assemblies may be used with the 3457A for different measurement capabilities. Using the multiplexer assemblies with enable up to ten signal channels to be scanned either sequentially or randomly. All of the functional capability offered through the normal front and rear input terminals is available for multiple inputs. Using the high voltage assembly allows single channel measurement of either AC or DC voltages at the rear panel.

For measurement flexibility, the 44491A Armature Relay Multiplexer Assembly offers eight two-wire channels and two current/actuator channels. Under software control, the eight two-wire channels can be reconfigured to four 4-wire ohm channels. The two current channels offer automatic make-before-break switching so that the path for current as high as 1.5 A is never broken. In addition, these two channels can be used as external device actuator channels. Each channel can switch up to 150V. The general purpose multiplexer can close a channel and make a measurement at a maximum rate of 33 channels per second.

For higher speed scanning, the 44492A Reed Relay Multiplexer Assembly offers ten two-wire channels. The 44492A is useful for switching DCV, ACV, AC+DCV, two wire ohms, frequency and period measurement signals with a maximum amplitude of 125 V. The Reed Relay Multiplexer can close a relay and make a measurement at a maximum rate of 300 channels per second.

For measurement of voltages up to 1414 V peak, the 44497A High Voltage Assembly offers a 1000:1 attenuator input (channel 1) for the high voltage measurements. In addition, the other rear terminal input (channel 0) can be utilized to perform conventional VDC, VAC, Two-wire and Four-wire Ohms, Period, Frequency, DCI, and ACI measurements. Using the 44497A with the 3457A in the 6 1/2 digit mode will yield a resolution of 1 mV for a 1000 V input. Implementing the MATH Scale function will have the 3457A LCD display the measurement results in the correct units of kilovolts.