Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 360 subscribers
  • Views 770 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Integration, Integration, Integration. The Drive To Integrate More Bench Instruments Into The One Box

jmarrina

Hello Community,

My name is John Marrinan, and I'm your resistent expert on Oscilloscopes for the next few weeks. As an Field Application Engineer I see a huge range of uses for scopes in the modern world of technologoy and physics. If there are any questions you'd like to ask or comments on my posting I'd love to hear from you.


I recently started a discussion on how digital scopes are constanlty enabling T&M companies to improve feature/cost relationship in value scopes. Besides more features for less dollars, it’s important to recognize another key trend in oscilloscopes – integration of other functionality.  Likely many of you regularly use a spectrum analyzer, function generator, DVM, protocol analyzer, etc.  Today, you can add these functions into your oscilloscope.  Our recent MDO3000 mixed domain oscilloscope introduction is one example of that.  We call it the ultimate, integrated 6-in-1 oscilloscope but you can be the judge of that.  We’ve integrated a spectrum analyzer with performance specifications that rival a basic stand-alone spectrum analyzer, taken our popular AFG3000 function generator ASIC & code and integrated that in, along with many other features. 

 

The ultimate goal is to provide a bench-in-a-box.  Humorously, we’ve been asked when we’ll be adding a power supply to the MDO3000.  However, as you know, to get clean power supply signals requires a linear regulation supply, and those can be quite heavy not to mention wreak havoc on your circuits by introducing crosstalk.  I don’t anticipate we’ll be crossing that technological hurdle.  I guess you can’t please everyone…

 

But, I want to hear from you.  What features and functions would you like to see added?  What do you need for this to be your complete bench in a box?


Other Discussions:

So Much More For The Student, Hobbyist and Lab Bench. How Entry Digital Scopes Now Give A Raft Of Features

Parents

  • Right now if I could use one word to describe the oscilloscope side of the current breed of Tek scopes it would be "polished".   Tek has been in the scope business for a long time and has really got it down to a science by now.  However, in the Spectrum analyzer business, they have a lot of catching up to do.

     

    I can understand how everyone wants the MDO3000 to be as good as an MDO4000, I am probably near the top of that list.  But with such a diversified product line, I also understand the need to have differentiating features.  If they put all the MDO4000 functionality into the MDO3000, would anyone honestly be willing to pay double the price for a 1.5" larger screen and a little better DANL?

     

    I think as far as the RF side of the Spectrum Analyzer goes, the biggest not so hard to add features that would make it better on the MDO3000:

    1. True Quasi-Peak detector

    2. Multiple switchable amplitude units (ie dBuV as well as dBm) - From what I can see the menu is already there for this, but the only choice is dBm

    3. Better integration of frequency specific correction factors for nonlinear cable/adapter losses

    4. Ability to enter a PreAmp gain factor so the analyzer will display the correct value and lower the DANL appropriately when an external (non tekvpi) preamp is connected

     

    On the MDO4000 the biggest missing feature besides the above that keep it from being taken very seriously as a spectrum analyzer at its price point is the lack of a Tracking Generator.


    Another nice feature would be an integrated broadband preamp option (I see they have a little 9db unit that plugs into the TekVPI which I have never used, I primarily use a HP 8447F H64 which is about 25db from 9khz to 1.3Ghz to improve the sensitivity/DANL on the MDO3000.

     

    I did kind of like the older blue UI, still not sure how I feel about the black theme on the MDO3000.

     

    The MDO3000 DVM option was really poorly done in my opinion.  If it wasn't free with registration, I probably would have complained more.  This is probably because I am spoiled and know what it is and to have used a *REAL* integrated DMM in a Tektronix oscilloscope.  lt's old enough, that most people don't even remember it.  It was in the old THS700 series.  It was a true dmm that had banana jack FLOATING ISOLATED inputs, and did ohms, diode check, audible continuity, ACV, DCV, datalogging, etc.  It was a really cool feature that was lost after this series.  The main problem with the MDO3000's DMM is it has all the same limitations of the oscilloscope probe with regard to common mode voltage input, grounding, etc.  It really doesn't do anything I can't do with the "add measurement" button other than maybe a larger font.  It can not replace a DVM, unless you put a P5200 high voltage differential probe on the input, and then it only does voltage.  No resistance or other measurements are supported.  An integrated true DMM with isolated differential inputs would definitely be a good addition to this mid range MDO3000.  Should it replace a 12 digit benchtop meter, no... But considering Tek's relationship with Fluke now, this feature should be easier and better than ever to add to this product line.

Reply

  • Right now if I could use one word to describe the oscilloscope side of the current breed of Tek scopes it would be "polished".   Tek has been in the scope business for a long time and has really got it down to a science by now.  However, in the Spectrum analyzer business, they have a lot of catching up to do.

     

    I can understand how everyone wants the MDO3000 to be as good as an MDO4000, I am probably near the top of that list.  But with such a diversified product line, I also understand the need to have differentiating features.  If they put all the MDO4000 functionality into the MDO3000, would anyone honestly be willing to pay double the price for a 1.5" larger screen and a little better DANL?

     

    I think as far as the RF side of the Spectrum Analyzer goes, the biggest not so hard to add features that would make it better on the MDO3000:

    1. True Quasi-Peak detector

    2. Multiple switchable amplitude units (ie dBuV as well as dBm) - From what I can see the menu is already there for this, but the only choice is dBm

    3. Better integration of frequency specific correction factors for nonlinear cable/adapter losses

    4. Ability to enter a PreAmp gain factor so the analyzer will display the correct value and lower the DANL appropriately when an external (non tekvpi) preamp is connected

     

    On the MDO4000 the biggest missing feature besides the above that keep it from being taken very seriously as a spectrum analyzer at its price point is the lack of a Tracking Generator.


    Another nice feature would be an integrated broadband preamp option (I see they have a little 9db unit that plugs into the TekVPI which I have never used, I primarily use a HP 8447F H64 which is about 25db from 9khz to 1.3Ghz to improve the sensitivity/DANL on the MDO3000.

     

    I did kind of like the older blue UI, still not sure how I feel about the black theme on the MDO3000.

     

    The MDO3000 DVM option was really poorly done in my opinion.  If it wasn't free with registration, I probably would have complained more.  This is probably because I am spoiled and know what it is and to have used a *REAL* integrated DMM in a Tektronix oscilloscope.  lt's old enough, that most people don't even remember it.  It was in the old THS700 series.  It was a true dmm that had banana jack FLOATING ISOLATED inputs, and did ohms, diode check, audible continuity, ACV, DCV, datalogging, etc.  It was a really cool feature that was lost after this series.  The main problem with the MDO3000's DMM is it has all the same limitations of the oscilloscope probe with regard to common mode voltage input, grounding, etc.  It really doesn't do anything I can't do with the "add measurement" button other than maybe a larger font.  It can not replace a DVM, unless you put a P5200 high voltage differential probe on the input, and then it only does voltage.  No resistance or other measurements are supported.  An integrated true DMM with isolated differential inputs would definitely be a good addition to this mid range MDO3000.  Should it replace a 12 digit benchtop meter, no... But considering Tek's relationship with Fluke now, this feature should be easier and better than ever to add to this product line.

Children
No Data