Tektronix MSO54 4 Channel 1GHz Mixed Signal Oscilloscope

Tektronix MSO54 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope

The 5 Series MSO offers better visibility into complex systems by offering four, six and eight channel models with a large 15.6-inch high-definition (1,920 x 1,080) display. Many applications, such as embedded systems, three-phase power electronics, automotive electronics, power supply design, and DC-to-DC power converters, require the observation of more than four analog signals to verify and characterize device performance, and to debug challenging system issues.

Most engineers can recall situations in which they were debugging a particularly difficult problem and wanted greater system visibility and context, but the scope they were using was limited to two or four analog channels. Using a second scope involves significant effort to align trigger points, difficulty in determining timing relationships across the two displays, and documentation challenges.

And while you might assume that a six and eight channel scope would cost 50% or 100% more than a four-channel scope, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that six channel models are only ~25% more than four channel models and eight channel models are only ~67% more than four channel models. The additional analog channels can pay for themselves quickly by enabling you to keep current and future projects on schedule.

The 5 Series MSO redefines what a Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (MSO) should be. FlexChannel technology enables each channel input to be used as a single analog channel, eight digital logic inputs (with the TLP058 logic probe), or simultaneous analog and spectrum views with independent acquisition controls for each domain. Imagine the flexibility and configurability this provides. With an eight FlexChannel model, you can configure the instrument to look at eight analog and zero digital signals. Or seven analog and eight digital. Or six analog and 16 digital, five analog and 24 digital and so on. You can change the configuration at any time by simply adding or removing TLP058 logic probes, so you always have the right number of digital channels.

Previous-generation MSOs required tradeoffs, with digital channels having lower sample rates or shorter record lengths than analog channels. The 5 Series MSO offers a new level of integration of digital channels. Digital channels share the same high sample rate (up to 6.25 GS/s), and long record length (up to 500 Mpoints) as analog channels.