Tektronix MDO4000 mixed domain oscilloscope series

Tektronix has introduced what it claims is the first mixed domain oscilloscope that delivers the functionality of a scope and a spectrum analyser in a single instrument.

The MDO4000 mixed domain oscilloscope series gives users the ability to capture time-correlated analog, digital and RF signals for a complete system view.

More than 60% of oscilloscope users also use a spectrum analyser to troubleshoot embedded system designs with integrated wireless functionality, requiring them to work in both the time and frequency domain.

The instrument allows users to capture time-correlated analog, digital and RF signals across four analog, 16 digital and one RF channel.

The RF input frequency range extends to 6 GHz and provides a capture bandwidth of ≥1 GHz at all centre frequencies, 100 times wider than other spectrum analysers. Users can see up to four decoded serial and/or parallel buses at one time on the same display.

Due to this time correlation between domains, engineers can now make accurate timing measurements to understand delays and latencies between command/control events in their design and changes in the RF spectrum.

The oscilloscope also allows designers to see the RF spectrum of a signal at any point in time within a long acquisition to see how the spectrum changes over time or with device state.

By moving the Spectrum Time throughout the time domain acquisition, designers can see the RF spectrum for any point in their acquisition while simultaneously seeing their analog, digital and/or decoded buses at the same point in time.

Similarly, RF time domain traces are used to show how the amplitude, frequency or phase of the RF input signal changes relative to time. The RF time domain traces are shown in the same window as the analog, digital and serial/parallel bus decoded waveforms, providing instant insight into device operation.

In addition to the standard RF power level trigger, an optional module (MDO4TRIG) allows additional trigger types to use the RF power level as a source, enabling users to further isolate an RF event of interest.

Users can trigger on a specific pulse width, or look for a timeout event or runt, or even include the RF input in a logic pattern defined along with the analog and digital channels.

This ability to trigger on whatever the user is interested in regardless of whether it’s analog, digital, RF or some combination is a claimed industry first for the series.