Tektronix combines scope with spectrum analyser in multi-function instrument

Tektronix has introduced a range of mixed domain oscilloscopes which incorporate a spectrum analyser. The same instrument can also be configured with options for a logic analyser, protocol analyser, arbitrary function generator and 4-digit digital voltmeter.

As a result the fully configured the MDO3000 can be a six function instrument.

According to Dave Farrell general manager, Mainstream Oscilloscopes at Tektronix, market research has shown that “25% of scope users use a spectrum analyser multiple times a week”.

The MDO3000 oscilloscope has 2 or 4 analogue input channels with bandwidth ranging from 100MHz to 1GHz, and it incorporates for the first time what Farrell called “an entry-level spectrum analyser”. The spectrum analyser comes as standard with the scope, 9kHz up to the 1GHz bandwidth of the scope.

The RF input frequency on any model can be extended to 3GHz.

The basic scope is the same as the previous MSO/DPO3000 mixed-signal oscilloscope series. It includes 125 trigger combinations, automated serial and parallel bus analysis, Wave Inspector controls and optional automated power measurements round out the feature-set, and ensure comprehensive tools for every stage of debug.

The multi-instrument capability is extended with options for a 50MHz arbitrary function generator with a 128k point waveform memory, 16-channel logic analyser with a 500Msample/s sample rate and 10 million points record length and a protocol analyser.

There are nine optional serial protocol analysis packages – I2C, SPI, RS-232, USB 2.0, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, MIL-STD-1553, and audio.

There is also an integrated digital voltmeter (DVM) provides 4-digit AC RMS, DC, or AC+DC RMS voltage measurements, as well as 5-digit frequency measurements. The DVM comes free when an MDO3000 product is registered with the manufacturer.

Tektronix is also offering for the first time a 3.9pF passive voltage probe for the instrument.

Prices range from £2,250 for the base-level 2-channel scope and spectrum analyser without any options