Philips PM5193 programmable synthesizer
Item
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Title
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Philips PM5193 programmable synthesizer
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Identifier
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51
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Release date
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1987
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Description
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The Philips PM5193 is a programmable synthesizer / function generator capable of generating frequencies up to 50 MHz. Apart from sine, square and triangle waves the device can also generate sawtooth, pulses and the unusual haversine.
When operating in sine wave mode the output can be AM or FM modulated. These sine wave outputs can also be sweept, send in bursts or gated using the external gate.
What makes this instruments unique is its complex setup between Digital Frequency Synthesizer (DFS), Phase Locked Loop (PLL), modulator and pulse generator sections. While the device is predominantly build using TTL chips and thus IC's, the DAC in the DFS is entirely hand crafted using current sources, fast transistors and resistor ladders. When reading the service manual it is evident the designers of the DAC where very proud of achieving 3MHz speed in 1987 and who could blame them!
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Current state
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Fully working, recently restored LCD display and replaced memory backup cells.
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Acquisition date
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8 November 2025
