The new 6 Series MSO mixed signal oscilloscope is vertically identical in appearance to Tektronix’s popular 5 Series, but offers some additional features, Morgan said. This includes the ability to deliver a 25GS/s sample rate simultaneously over all four channels, designed to enable designers to accurately view up to 4 high-speed signals at one time.
This sample rate also means the instrument can deliver 16-bit resolution at 200MHz when using its high-res mode: a feature that will allow designers to see interfering signals on their power rails and measure them with a level of accuracy that Tektronix claims has “not previously been possible on a scope”.
A key feature, Morgan pointed to, is the easy upgradability of the 6 series, with 5 bandwidths available. “You can start with 1GHz today and update it to 8GHz the next, via a simple key code.”
The oscilloscope also boosts measurement confidence with low-noise inputs. The preamplifier ASIC, TEK061, lowers noise – with more than a 75% reduction from a typical oscilloscope at 1mV/div – particularly on signals that are hundreds of millivolts peak-to-peak.
Similar to the 5 Series, adding a TLP058 logic probe turns any of the instruments 4 FLexChannel inputs into eight digital inputs. The dual operating system has also been retained, with embedded or Linux as standard. But, if the user wishes, the system can also be operated in a Windows environment with a simple upgrade.
Tektronix has also released a range of new probes. The TDP7700 is a series of TriMode probes with bandwidths of 4, 6 or 8GHz. According to Tektronix, these probes will enable engineers to make the single-ended, differential, and common mode signal measurements required for high-speed bus analysis, without moving or changing probes. The probes also use TekFlex connector technology, which places active buffers at the probe tip for the best signal fidelity, while limiting mechanical stress on tiny test points and supports a variety of connectivity methods to the device under test.
The TAP4000 and TDP4000 probes extend the range of Tektronix’s active, single-ended and differential probes, respectively, and now support up to 4GHz bandwidth.
