Test equipment supplier Tektronix Inc. has been revamping its line of oscilloscopes in recent months to meet current user testing needs. The company first did this with its 5 and 6 Series scopes. Now, the company has updated its 3 and 4 Series mixed-signal oscilloscopes (MSOs).
Key to the 3 and 4 Series oscilloscopes is a highly intuitive touchscreen user interface, which is reportedly the largest and highest resolution display in its class. The large touchscreens are designed to show the greater amount of information required by engineers, including complex waveforms and multiple data readouts.
The 3 Series oscilloscope has a 13.3-in. display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, while the 4 Series has an 11.6-in. display with similar 1920 x 1080 resolution. Both scopes continue to incorporate a full complement of traditional front panel controls as well. Thus, users can double-tap the appropriate readout or measurement on the display instead of having to navigate through multiple menus.
Besides the large display, the scope has enhanced measurement capability. According to the company, the 4 Series is the first scope in its class to have six input channels. Moreover, the company’s FlexChannel™ technology allows any input channel to be converted from an analog to eight digital channels, by simply connecting a logic probe.
The 4 Series offers bandwidths to 1.5 GHz, compared to 1 GHz previously, and uses 12-bit rather than eight-bit analog-to-digital converters for high vertical resolution. The instrument is available with bandwidths starting at 200 MHz and can be equipped with an arbitrary function generator and a digital voltmeter/frequency counter. A Spectrum View feature enables time-correlated frequency domain analysis with independent spectrum controls.
The sampling rate for the 4 Series is 6.25 GS/s on all channels. The standard record length is 31.25 Mpoints, with 62.5 Mpoints optional.
The 3 Series incorporates a built-in spectrum analyzer offering frequencies to 3 GHz, with a separate RF input and specifications comparable to a standalone analyzer. The oscilloscope is available with 16 digital input channels for mixed-signal analysis. Other options include comprehensive serial protocol debugging and triggering, power measurement, and an automatic frequency generation set.
The 3 Series is available in bandwidths starting at 100 MHz. Sampling rates are 2.5 or 5 GS/s on all analog and up to 8.25 GS/s on digital channels with 121.2 ps timing resolution. The standard record length is 10 Mpoints.
Both instruments use the company’s TekVPI probe interface and can use the full range of the company’s probes to measure voltage and current.
The list price for the 3 Series MSO is $3,850, while the 4 Series is priced from $7,550.