RoadTest: Tektronix TBS1102C Digital Oscilloscope
Author: geralds
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Test Equipment
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Oscilloscopes at entry class
What were the biggest problems encountered?: USB connection. Hardware also software. As well a problem I encountered was, if the USB connection was loosing the firmware freeze and the TBS1102C was rebooting. After booting, once or twice, the scope the firmware seemed to freeze and showed wrong signals. After set to the default setup by pushing the button "default setup" the firmware worked normally.
Detailed Review:
Greetings Tektronix, greetings Randall rscasny !
Thank you very much for letting me take part in this roadtest for testing the TBS1102C.
First impression:
The delivery was problem-free, all parts that are described in the delivery note were available.
After switching on the TBS1102C, booting took about 30 seconds until the start screen is displayed in a stable manner.
The last device and measurement settings are activated when the device is switched on again.
For better understanding, I switched first from the English to the German language then I set the date and time, then I checked the firmware version.
Then I set the basic settings by pressing the button "Default Setup".
Starting the TBS1102C, initialization within 30 seconds during setup, warming up in the first minute.
1st measurement with the TBS1102C
TBS1102C_ starting the1st measurement (the probes were adjust before)
All of them worked well.
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Application:
For the application, I used the oscilloscope's test signal and two development boards for simple tests.
On the Microchip Curiosity-HPC I used the PWM generator and on the click board I simply used the 12MHz oscillator.
With the UNO and the Honeywell board I used the humidity sensor with it's I2C port.
This was enough for showing the applications with the TBS1102.
First thinking about:
What does the TBS1102C provide? The attached datasheet as well the manual are telling it us.
What is inside the TBS- scopes? The document 3GW_29364_0_HR.pdf shows some mainboards of such o-scopes.
What are the differences between some scope at this class?
Tektronix has made some comparisons.
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Everything first - please read the manuals for details as I will show everything in a global description.
Just like I'm going to tell what I found out about the features and what was missing; so that I don't do a doctorate dissertation.
Adjust the probes:
Since each device has its own impedance, nominal 50 Ohm, the probes must be adjusted on the built-in trimmers before use.
The TPP0100 probe reaches up to 100MHz and the BNC connector has a C-trimmer for setting the signal edges of a square wave signal.
As a comparison, I still used my old Hameg O-Scope and used its probe HZ51.
This probe, it reaches up to 150MHz, has two setting options. The first is at the measuring tip, there is set for the LF edge.
The second is at the BNC connector, there is set for the HF edge (the corners of the square-wave signals will fine-tuned; if wrong adjusting also the amplitude will be manipulated).
More details can be found in the manual and in the help menu.
TPP0100 - HZ51 Hameg HM1503 used for compensating the impedances of the probes and used for comparing the zoom functions.
How to compensating the impedance of the probes.
Compensation the probe properties to the scope is a standard exercise and always necessary. Finished.
The point I see here is that the test signal terminals are open and could be shorted.
- We know that current/voltage sources should always be designed as a socket.
Here with the TBS1102C, in contrast to the other devices, also from Tektronix devices.
As can be seen in comparison to the Hameg HM1503, these sockets are used, and the advantage is
that the shield line terminates directly at the probe tip and not with a loop wire, which affects the impedance in detail.
The second thought is, as can be seen in the comparison between the probes TPP0100 and HZ51:
The HZ51 has two setting options so that the square edges can be adjusted more precisely,
which is important for the HF setting (as can be seen when switching the test signal from 1kHz to 1MHz).
This is also a point I would like for the TBS1102C - a switchable square wave test signal.
Well, the compensation option for the TPP is in the BNC connector, which makes it easier -
"simply because the cable on the test object is an" extension "of the signal wire".
However, the probe cable always has a different impedance than the test object and it must therefore be adapted.
So I see the advantage of two to three setting options on the probe cable, which is also done with the corresponding
Tektronix HF probes in order to really reduce the repercussions of the supply cable, regardless of whether the measurement is low or high frequency.
So I would like to see at least two setting options for a 100MHz cable.
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/Argument/ "it is just an EDU scope" --- NO, this argument does not count. "cheap, cheaper, cheapest" /or vice versa / - this is not a good argument.
Note:
I always think positively - promoting great products.
The TBS1102C is a good oscilloscope, but with limitations that I miss a lot.
I am a fan of Tektronix! The first time I came into contact with Tektronix equipment was in 1978.
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What does the TBS1102C provide:
Key features include:
■ Bandwidth variants 50 MHz, 70 MHz, 100 MHz and 200 MHz
/ The bandwidths of the TBS 1000C series cannot be purchased as an option. Each device is manufactured with the defined bandwidth, which is then defined in its device name.
So, e.g. a TBS1102C, 100MHz with 2 measuring inputs, or TBS1202C, 200MHZ with 2 measuring inputs, are separate devices and must be purchased as such./
■ 2 channel models
■ Large 7 inch WVGA wide-screen colour display
■ Sample Rates of 1 GS/s on all Channels
■ Up to 20K points record length on every channel
■ Up to 5,000 waveforms/second capture rate
■ Supports 32 automated measurements
■ Edge, Runt and Pulse Width triggers
■ FFT analysis for waveform spectrum analysis
■ USB 2.0 Host ports for quick and easy storage of screen images, instrument settings, and waveforms to USB flash drives; installing firmware updates; and loading waveforms and settings from saved files
■ USB 2.0 Device port for direct PC control of the oscilloscope using TekVISA connectivity, and other remote connectivity tools that support USBTMC
■ Scope Intro provides a built-in overview of oscilloscope concepts and an introduction to the controls and features
■ Help Everywhere displays graphics and short text descriptions when you access the menus for most oscilloscope settings
■ Courseware function provides on-oscilloscope teaching instruction, with hundreds of courses available on the Tektronix Education Web page and the ability to easily create courses specific to your education needs
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So let's go with some applications. I stepped thru the user manual.
I do not describe the buttons as well the front end, this will be described well in the manual step by step.
I just will show the most used measuring applications, also the "special features" of the TBS1102C.
HELP - The TBS1102C offers a excellent help under the HELP menu.
Under the help categories you can find:
- Course
- Scope intro
- Help Everywhere
You can find a very detailed description about the scope in / oscilloscope basics /, in / TBS1000C overview/, and in / TekSmartLab /.
In the course menu you will find fine tutorials, described in detail, with interactive instructions on how to prepare, set up and carry out measurements step by step.
What I found out by walking thru:
Some of the description texts are printed double, in English as well in German (my preferred language, in other languages may be also double texts)
Walking thru the HELP menu:
Walking thru the UTILITY menu:
The menus working well.
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APPLICATIONS:
With the Microchip Curiosity-HPC as well with the Arduino UNO combined with the Honeywell sensor shield I started the measurement series.
I show the individual measurements with corresponding videos and describe in text what I have found. Unfortunately my voice doesn't fit right now, sorry, so these videos are silent.
As shown above, after switching on and booting, the TBS1102C is ready to start within 30 seconds, in its basic position. But, the scope needs warming up about 30 minutes.
After a weekly or depending on the series of measurements, the probes should be checked and readjusted to compensation regularly.
You should also push the "DefaultSetup" button regularly to bring the device to its basic position. You can let the scope do the set measurement automatically with the "Autoset" button.
Autoset is a fast way to acquire and display a waveform.
Autoset automatically sets the trigger type to edge, sets the threshold level to 50% of the signal level, and analyses the input signal and adjusts the oscilloscope acquisition,
horizontal, and vertical settings to display five to six waveform cycles. Autoset is ideal for quickly displaying a repeating signal waveform.
If the measurement results are unsatisfactory, the measurements can be reworked using e.g. Trigger, Horizontal-Aquire, Vertical-channels, or with the onboard tools "Measurements".
The tools can be found under the menu "MEASURE" - simply push the button and it appears that menu for selecting the measurements.
The vertical channels can be labelled with pre-set labels, or by typing a free label text.
// It works fine. //
What I found out:
The multipurpose knob at scrolling thru the list as well scrolling thru the function list works very good.
But in that case after pushing this button for selecting the item, this knob runs very fast toward and a bit too "slippery" so that a pushing can occur at the next item.
In this case I would suggest making a mechanically gently stronger multi-purpose knob. Very light, just so that the scroll wheel cannot turn any further.
Walking thru "LABEL":
Measure:
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Trigger:
Trigger Ch1 or Ch2, if the frequencies are close to each other or further away.
Cursor:
Automatic measurements:
When selecting the 32 automatic measurements, a total of 6 memory locations are available for the two vertical input channels.
So you are already limited if you have to make several measurements for both channels at the same time. Careful division of the measurement series is therefore important.
Now there are videos in which the automatic measurements are also switched on for the series of measurements.
The selection and setting of the applications worked without any problems; except for the multifunction button mentioned above, which was quite easy, rather too easy to turn.
I suggest that each vertical channel should have 6 memory locations.
So, I would suggest a firmware update.
In addition - the cursors should also be coupled with the measurement signals. With certain measurements this only works with the time / frequency cursors.
(e.g. FFT) So, it should be possible to switch all cursors to the signals.
Rising - edge:
Falling - edge:
ZOOM:
The zoom function is a very practical function, in this way you can see details more closely.
Compared to the analogue scope Hameg HM1503, two time bases are used here.
This enables a simultaneous display of the waveform on the screen, in normal view and zoomed view, as well as the view of the waveform position.
With the TBS1102C, zoom is simply activated with the "Zoom" button, the signal is then shown magnified by 10 times and the corresponding menu items are activated for this.
This function works well. In addition, two videos on how to set this.
Automatic measurement period with cursor - use with a PWM signal:
XY - display mode:
The XY display mode plots the signal amplitude of channel 1 (X) against the amplitude of channel 2 (Y), where channel 1 is the horizontal axis and channel 2 is the vertical axis.
XY display mode is useful for showing signal phase or frequency relationships between periodic signals. The resulting XY plots are called Lissajou patterns.
XY - 2 phase sine signal - on the clock generator board measure the 12MHz oscillator signal
XY - sine moves to the ratio of the pulse width
FFT - tuneable sawtooth waveform
The Math function:
Application with the Arduino UNO and the Honeywell sensor shield with the humidity sensor
For the next measurements I used the serial interface with the I2C protocol.
The period, burst and RUNT trigger have been examined for these measurements.
I also used the Tektronix software OpenChoiceDesktop Appliction (TDSPCS1), Kickstart and TekScope.
TBS1102C_I2C_Burst
TBS1102C_I2C_Periode-Burst:
I2C - RUNT trigger:
Software:
Tektronix offers fine, powerful analysis software for the TBS1102C.
These can be downloaded from this website:
https://de.tek.com/search?keywords=TBS1102C&type[0]=type:software
Tek - OpenChoiceDesktop Appliction (TDSPCS1):
Device selector 
"RUNT trigger" / image storing
"I2C protocol" / dataset storing 
This software work so far well. But it needs a lot of PC CPU time resources, so about over 20%. Hm... it is a fine image of the front-end, real view of the buttons, may be....
Kickstart:
This software is very easy to use. It work very well. You need a license (sorry, it's a bit expensive) to work with it.
TekScope:
TekScope is by far the most modern and flexible analysis software from Tektronix.
You can find more information via this link.
https://www.tek.com/software/tekscope-pc-analysis-software
However, before you can download this software you have to register.
After checking the user data (USA law, due to export regulations it will be checked accordingly, which takes about 2 working days) you can complete the registration and the download link will be activated.
After installing and downloading the appropriate license for this front end, you can use the functions for displaying the measured values saved by the measuring device.
You can still NOT! Establish a connection to the measuring device, you have to buy the appropriate licenses!
So - it is basically a picture book display program as long as no device license is installed!
For me that was a stressful situation for the time being, because normally I expected that at least one cable connection with the device would be visible.
So it really took two days to read everything on the website, to wait for the answer to my support request, and then to install the ordered license (you get a link to download the license file via email) on the PC.
Well... now I can test the trial version for 14 days.
Fortunately, I waited until the end of the last few days with testing via TekScope, otherwise no test series for this road test would have been possible. Uff...
So, for the serial protocol measure I need a one year subscription license (cost about 200 USD).
-> The TecScope PC Waveform Analysis Software contains ALL what you need for the supported equipment's. But you must pay for this every year in form of a license.
| TekScope Base Package | |
|---|---|
TekScope PC Analysis Software $0.00
free to use as image viewer |
Multiscope analysis package Multi-Scope Analysis Remotely connect and acquire data directly from your oscilloscopes to view and analyze the data from all channels simultaneously on the same screen. Analyze data from up to 32 channels and 4 scopes. 1yr $3,000 Perpetual $7,500
Jitter Measurements and Analysis Package Jitter Measurements and Analysis Advanced Jitter and Eye Analysis - Jitter, Eye, Amplitude, Time Measurements 1yr $1,200 Perpetual $2,900
Low Speed Protocol Package Low Speed Protocol I2C, I3C, SPI, RS-232, SPMI, I2S, LJ, RJ, TDM, CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, SENT, 100B-T1 Automotive Ethernet, Mil-STD-1553, ARINC-429, Spacewire, USB 2.0, eUSB2, PSI5, SVID, 10 Base-T / 100 Base-TX Ethernet, MDIO, NRZ, 8b/10b, MIPI D-PHY, Manchester, SDLC, 1-Wire, MIPI C-PHY CSI/DSI 1yr $2,500 Perpetual $6,300
Power Integrity Analysis Package Power Integrity Analysis Digital Power Management and Analysis - Ripple Analysis, Transient Analysis, Power Sequence Analysis, Jitter Analysis Power Management Serial Decode and Analysis (SPMI) 1yr $850 Perpetual $2,000
SpectrumView Analysis Package SpectrumView Analysis Any analog signal may be presented as a waveform, spectrum, or both. Time domain waveforms and spectrum are synchronized. Waveform and spectrum display may be independently adjusted. Settings are made with spectrum analyzer controls such as Center Frequency, Span, and Resolution Bandwidth (RBW). 1yr $650 Perpetual $1,600
Power Electronics Package Power Electronics Analysis Advanced Power Analysis - Input Measurements, Amplitude Measurements, Timing Measurements, Switching Measurements, Output Measurements Magnetic Analysis - Inductance Measurements, Magnetic Property Plot, Magnetic Loss Measurements, Current vs. Integral of Voltage Plot Inverter Motor Drive Analysis - Input Analysis, Ripple Analysis, Output Analysis 1yr $850 Perpetual $2,200
This license you need for the TBS1102C: Remote Analysis for Bench Oscilloscopes Package Remote Analysis for Bench Oscilloscopes Remotely connect and acquire real-time data directly from your bench oscilloscope. Make analysis and decode all essential protocols - I2C, SPI, RS-232/422/485/UART, CAN, CAN-FD, LIN. 1yr $200 Perpetual $500 |
Greetings Randall rscasny
At the beginning for this roadtest in Februar, I asked for this license.
Well paying every year makes the TBS1102C very expensive. I explained in summary.
If it possible, is there a way to get the perpetual license?
What have I encountered:
Please see the videos:
The application, measure the I2C protocol:
TekScope-TBS1102C_I2C waveform what I want to decode
TekScope software hang again after waveform refresh - Problem USB connection TBS1102C and TekVISA
Because the USB connection between the PC and the TBS1102C no longer works properly, the TekScope can no longer be closed properly.
I had to stop the program using the task manager.
But the USB search continues. Tek-VISA also no longer displayed the connection. The TBS1102C suddenly restarted, so its firmware hung up.
After restart the TekScope and the TBS1102C //// (...waiting for the next crash?)
TekVISA - Problem checking the checkbox in the USB menu item.
Summary:
The automatic measurements I used with the TBS1102C worked fine.
The problems I found during the measurements are described above.
However, at times it happened that the "Background Brightness" utility in the utilities did not work correctly.
When scrolling with the multifunction knob to set the values, the counted value is sometimes not shown on the display. The value is already counted in the background, but it only becomes visible when the button is pressed.
If I get out of this menu item and then I go back to the brightness setting and set it again, then increment and decrement are actually displayed.
So it seems that some background programs do not work properly, so that they sometimes fail.
I had the biggest problems with the USB interface from the TBS1102C to the PC.
This actually led to the failure of the PC software and failure (hang up) of the oscilloscope firmware, so that the oscilloscope automatically rebooted.
The videos in connection with the TekScope software show these problems, total crashes.
I even restarted the PC to be on the safe side!
The TEK OCD software has its own problem:
At times it requires over 20% PC CPU resources on my PC. So, there seems to be some overhead in the background that is slowing the system down a lot.
The thick and colorful natural views of the software's front-end images probably consume a lot of software code.
TEK-Visa is probably a very outdated driver program because it keeps losing the USB port.
In addition, you cannot switch on the automatic USB search, you can just switch on the other interface searches.
USB:
If you disconnect the USB cable connection from the TBS1102C to the PC while it is active,
then the TekScope crash, the Tek-Visa looses the USB and the oscilloscope hang. The oscilloscope will then automatically reboot (watchdog?).
However, the TBS1102C is recommended, but with a few drawbacks.
The important thing for me here is:
It would really be an advantage if the protocols and decoders for the serial interface measurements are already built into the device.
It is clearly also a question of license costs.
But! Please compare the similar oscilloscopes as from Rigol and Keysight and others.
These already have this interface measurement built in as a standard and this devices cost much less than this TBS1102C.
Ok, some of them have not a spectrum analyser. But they have a touch screen as well as they have much analogue channels, more built in functions, then the TBS1000 series.
In the discussion on your website at TekScope, there is the question of whether the software license on the PC or in the device.
I would like to tell you right away: Install in the device!
Because what if the PC fails, the hard drive crashes and the connections are constantly lost, e.g. the USB (or LAN) here,
then this is extremely expensive and frustrating at the same time, because you have to constantly repair it.
Total cost can be "astronomic", all licenses are bounded to the host-ID!!! What if the harddisk crash? - All is done.
Because the software was crashing I had must restart my computer! This is a no-go for an application like TekScope.
The measurements require real-time measurements! - USB with the PC, connected to an external real-time equipment is by no means the solution.
I'm really a fan to the Tektronix as I mentioned above. This oscilloscope was my favorite what I worked with!
Maybe something was wrong with the installation of the TekScope but I think it wasn't, I checked it multiple times.
A hardware connection within the devices / software must be absolutely stable (yes, with the exception of the exceptions) because we believe this at this point and use it as a reference and error isolation.
Seen in this way, I can recommend the TBS1102C very well as a stand-alone device, if - if the "Serial interface protocol analysis" option is built into the device.
Then a source of error due to a relatively unstable USB (PC tasks, threads, are not realtime, ergo USB is not realtime) connection is eliminated.
I will use the TBS1102C as well! It has some fine features.
Ah yes, an idea:
At front there is the USB port for saving the datasets. - Idea: you can for example use this USB port as an input for an logical analyser, or not? Why not? It would be fine, if some extensions are connected on the TBS.
The Function button on the TBS can be used for this advanced function, or not? - This key has only one task at the moment, to play coarse / fine for the setting wheel. If you give it more tasks, this button will definitely be happy.
Thank you very much, that a was selected to be a part of this roadtest!
It was a honour for me.
Best Regards
Gerald
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Edit the Review, April 13.:
Greetings Tektronix, greetings Randall rscasny
Now after I checked once more the USB also the software TekScope as well as the TekView it looks that the USB connection seems stabile.
One of the possible points. what is to do:
Close all active programs and unplug all unnecessary USB devices from the PC during installing the TekView and the TekScope.
Yesterday I disconnected the Arduino UNO and the TBS1102C from the USB, then I restarted the computer. The keyboard and the mouse stayed connected.
After that I checked the TekView - and yes, then it was possible to check the USB checkbox in the menu item "Search Criteria" .
And then I reconnected the o-scope and the Arduino UNO to the PC and well, all the time until now the USB stayed stabile; no more was breaking the connection.
TekScope - aquire was succesful
But one point:
Every time the TekScope overwrites the settings in the TBS1102C with values that are stored in the TekScope by default but are not compatible with the TBS1000 series.
For example that where values for a GHz oscilloscope; giga samples or so by default. Also the probes by default are 1GHz probes.
- or the horizontal time: the TBS needs 1, 2, 4, 10; and so on... the TekScope does switch to other values per default.
So my suggestion is that beginners in particular should help:
When I choose a device like this TBS1000 series, it would be nice if I could already choose the device from a list of supported devices by default. The parameters for this device would then apply and match.
It is difficult for beginners to program from the beginning after installing the software.
If you already have such great software, it certainly isn't a big deal to include such a list of devices.
Querying the data via the USB connection is not easy, however, since this does not take place in real time, since the data packet keeps failing and a complete data packet was not always transmitted. Sometimes worked probably sometimes did not.
Best Regards
Gerald
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Top Comments
Thank you very much Gerald, you are giving me a lot of clues so that I can make a less impulsive decision.
Now I use an inexpensive 8 channel logic analyzer capable of analyzing signals up to 6Mhz and an…
Hi,
Yes, this feature is nice.
I don't know that there is in all models implemented. I think this features are in EDU models of such oscope.
In the bigger one oscopes I think there are other, more informative…
Comprehensive review Gerald - thanks.
Your work on this highlights the need to look carefully at the software support and licensing on modern scopes and the need to include this in evaluating the total…