Tektronix Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes MDO4014-3

Table of contents

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Overview
The world’s first oscilloscope with a built-in spectrum analyzer. For the first time ever, test engineers can capture time-correlated analog, digital and RF signals for a complete system view of a device. See both the time and frequency domain in a single glance. View the RF spectrum at any point in time to see how it changes with time or device state. Solve the most complicated design issues, quickly and efficiently, with an oscilloscope as integrated as the design. Transforming the way engineers test. Only from Tektronix.
Key features
  • Mixed-domain analysis
    • Time-correlated analog, digital, and RF signal acquisitions in a single instrument
    • Wave Inspector® controls provide easy navigation of timecorrelated data from both the time and frequency domains
    • Amplitude, frequency, and phase vs. time waveforms derived from RF input
    • Selectable spectrum time to discover and analyze how RF spectrum changes over time - even on a stopped acquisition
  • Spectral analysis
    • Dedicated front-panel controls for commonly performed tasks
    • Automated peak markers identify frequency and amplitude of spectrum peaks
    • Manual markers enable non-peak measurements
    • Trace types Include: Normal, Average, Max Hold, and Min Hold
    • Detection types include: +Peak, -Peak, Average, and Sample
    • Spectrogram display enables easy observation and insight into slowly changing RF phenomena
    • Automated measurements include: Channel Power, Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), and Occupied Bandwidth (OBW)
    • Trigger on RF power level
    • Triggered or Free Run spectral analysis
  • Optional serial triggering and analysis - serial protocol trigger, decode, and search for I2C, SPI, USB, Ethernet, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, RS-232/422/485/UART, MIL-STD-1553, and I2S/LJ/RJ/TDM10.
  • 4 in. (264 mm) bright XGA color display
  • Small footprint and lightweight - Only 5.8 in. (147 mm) deep and 11 lb. (5 kg)
Product Video
Terms & Conditions
  • Testers will be selected on the basis of quality of applications: we expect a full and complete description of why you want to test this particular product.
  • Testers are required to produce a full, comprehensive and well thought out review within 2 months of receipt of the product.
  • Failure to provide this review within the above timescale will result in the enrolee being excluded from future Road Tests.
RoadTest Reviews
Comment List
Anonymous
  • I'm scratching my head on this one, lol. I really liked the product video though. Very intuitive. Can't wait to read one of the reviews.

  • I'm one of the road testers and I've posted the first portion of my review. Let me know if you have any comments ro questions and I'll try to address them in the next installment.

  • After having used the MDO-4014-3 for about 6 months I will confirm that it is both suited for small workbenches and portable use, i would highly recommend the soft case if you are going to be toting it around. it is still a fairly large investment, and keeping it in good condition without a case would be more difficult.

     

    all of the application modules except for mdo4trig, will work with the other 4000 series scopes, this could save your company some coin instead of buying additional modules for other series scopes.

     

    The RF front end is more than sensitive enough to pick up distant radio stations with just a small piece of striped coax, and the 1Watt max input is 10x more most stand alone spectrum analysers, you can easily test many QRP rigs without worry of destroying the input.

     

    congratulations to the roadtesters chosen, and luck to the ones not chosen for future roadtests.

  • I am one of the Element 14 Road Testers selected to review the MDO4014-3.  It appears my name was spelled incorrectly in the reviewer selection announcement.  My last name is Archibald, not Archibold, thus the reason why a search did not reveal me as a member.

     

    I was in the Buenos Aires airport when I received the e-mail indicating I had been selected.  Being selected to review this instrument came as a very pleasant and very big surprise, but it also came as a daunting challenge.  The MDO4014-3 is a formidable instrument and I intend to provide a worthwhile review for Elelment 14 members.

     

    When I returned from Buenos Aires, a large Tektronix box was waiting for me.  I have powered up the insturment and explored a few of the basic features.  Tonight I am working through the logic analyzer side of the 'scope.  So far it is clear to me that this is a professional research grade instrument.  I have also discovered that this instrument is complex and novel enough that simple inquisitive investigation may not be sufficient.  I have already managed to lock up the spectrum analyzer to the point where I had to cycle the power to get it out of limbo.

     

    Look for an initial post in the Road Test section within a week.

     

    KInd regards,

    Mark Archibald

  • It should be apparent that at the end of the day Element 14 and the manufacturers want to sell stuff. They have no real interest in receiving negative feedback in any way. So common logic dictates that they do most certainly screen the applicants accordingly.

     

    Now to the discussion about frequency. Again, they want to sell. So fromt heir perspective it makes sense to select RoadTesters that have proven themselves useful with other reviews, particularly high-end reviews. After all, this here is a marketing gig for Element 14.

     

    Now I agree that it is not good that people who have never ever posted anything get a $ 12 000. One could argue that it's just fair to give newbies a chance. That may be true. But take note that there's probably a huge amount of people who signed up to the community solely go get the scope. When and if they post their review, they will probably disappear out of the community just as quick as they appeared.

  • @ Alex,

     

    I hope I made it clear that I wasn't in any way critical of the Road Testers themselves. If you got that impression then I'm truly sorry - especially you, because you have posted stuff in the past.

     

    MK

  • Hi guys,

     

    As one of the road testers in question i just wanted to chime in on this thread. Mainly because I'm feeling a bit personally attacked.

     

    First of all, yes, i have been extremely lucky. By some miracle, i have been selected for multiple road tests, and i can understand that many other users are offput by this. All i can say is that i was very honest in my road test applications, and have gotten lucky. I love testing new products and i am very grateful to element14 for these opportunities.

     

    Personally, Scopes and multimeters a couple products that i feel i am well qualified to review...i'm a full-time Magnetron Product Engineer: to me, scopes and multimeters are like an oven is to a baker...They are tools that are part of my daily life, to make my product...And yes, i am young my knowledge/experience is still growing...but i am a quick learner (especially with digital devices) and i do my best to provide a full well-thought-out review.

     

    With my first road test, an Agilent U1620A, i feel that i have highlighted some perks and drawbacks of the unit that other users and potential buyers should be aware of.

     

    I just received the Agilent U1273AX, and have posted a "initial thoughts" review. It's short and sweet...I apologize for the quality of my recording. It was a bit of a rush job (I am afraid that i was my own camera-man: The first time i shot i had the focus horibly off and i didn't realize this until 10pm Monday night when i went to edit it together...so i rushed to re-record my thoughts so that i could post). I will be posting another review for this unit in a couple weeks once i have had time to really test it...I will strive to improve both the quality of the recording and provide you with as much high quality content as possible (and i also plan to post a written copy as well).

     

    As for the Tek MDO4014-3...When i got the email i had been selected, i whooped and horayed in my car till my voice was horse...i honestly think this unt could greatly boost the efficiency of our testing and solve some problems/erks i have with current testing...i'm still waiting on the unit in the mail, but I'm really looking forward to testing it, and i hope that you all find my review insteresting and helpful....

     

    I certainly hope that no-one is angry with Element14 or myself...I am very grateful to Element14/newark/Premier farnel for the opportunities i have received, and i hope everyone has a chance to RoadTest some of this gear! For now, if anyone has questions about any of the units i have received, i would be more than happy to answer them. Please, just ask, i'm happy to do what i can image

     

    Take care, and have a great day!

    Alex Marconnet

     

    P.S. I am happy to take constructive critisism, and if there is any feature you would like me to focus on, or detial i you think i should cover, please just ask.

     

    P.P.S. It seems that Michael is upset with my "footprint" on element14: Now that i think about it, I read much and post little, so i'm not terribly visible except in my roadtest review. I will make an effort to post more!

     

    P.P.P.S. I have always loved how profesional and constructive element14 is. Please, let's all try to keep the forums upbeat and positive. image

  • Linas, if I was picking people to review products I'd not use random selection. If someone has already done a road test and has done a good job then surely they would be top of the list for the next road test having a proven track record.

     

    Knowing that if I got selected then a load of people would start critising me before they'd even seen the report does put me off.

     

    I don't think think there is anything wrong with the manufactures providing their input into selection process is an issue, they might for example be looking for testers who can demonstrate a particular feature or are in a geographic location even where they want to focus their marketting. The roadtest obviously has to be mutually benificial or manufacturers won't participate.

     

    If you want find out about the members selected, that's easy, you just click on their names top right of this page.

  • Chance to get review two items in a row would be P=(5/22*8) * (3*/(22*8))=0.000484=0.04%
    But this is not a random process