Research study on Digital Delay/Pulse Generators

[Emm]

Hello everyone,

I am doing a little bit of research on Digital Delay and Pulse Generators, and I would like to ask a question to anyone who works with that kind of equipment. How do you choose a DD/PG? The main criterion I guess should be it's function (DD/PG models are normally very specialized into a given application for its use), but I am looking for other choice criteria: are there more popular brands? More reliable models on a long term basis? What do you look for in a DD/PG?

Thank you in advance for your kind help.

P.S. I hope this is the right place to post this kind of question, if not please tell me and I will move it.

 

[johnbbahm]

How accurate do you need to be? A counter and some and gates with switches
can get you a pretty digital delay.
When I need good equipment for my own use, I look on ebay.
some of it is a little older, but some of the old HP is built like a tank.

 

[Emm]

Well, I am not actually going to use one right now (in a couple of months probably), so for now I just want to know in general how you choose DD/PGs. Your answer was very interesting, thank you. I went to check ebay for the products they have, and I've noticed there are mostly HP/Agilent pulse generators and Stanford Research Systems (SRS) digital delay generators being sold there. What about other brands, do you consider them as possibilities when you want to buy a generator, or simply go for the most available product? I am thinking in particular of BNC, Avtech, Quantum Composers, TTi (Thurlby Thandar), Tektronix ... I mean there is a lot of choice. How do you make sure you will make the right one? Comparing the specs of every model is kind of laborious (talking from experience lol).