Description of the Mixed Domain Oscilloscope

Published:2011/8/30 21:46:00 Author:Li xiao na From:SeekIC

The function of an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyser has been integrated in a mixed domain oscilloscope by Tektronix. Two personas of MDO4000 are widely integrated, which allows the spectrum of parts of scope traces to be displayed on-demand. It is estimated that more than 60% of oscilloscope users use a spectrum analyser to troubleshoot embedded system designs with integrated wireless functionality. The MDO4000 Series is the first oscilloscope ever to combine the functionality of a spectrum analyser to offer a unique toolset.

A fast-ADC-and-large-memory architecture, which is developed from existing scope hardware, is embedded in the instrument. One ADC offers the spectrum analysis via a digital signal processor, and another ADC offers four scope channels. By allowing users to capture time-correlated analogue, digital and RF signals across four analogues, 16 digital and one RF channel, time correlation makes the MDO4000 go beyond typical spectrum analyser behaviour.

The RF input frequency offers a capture bandwidth of over 1GHz at all centre frequencies, which can reach 6GHz. The peak value of the peak value is 100 times of the ordinary analyser. Four decoded serial and/or parallel buses can be displayed at the same time. With the time correlation between domains, engineers are able to make accurate timing measurements to understand delays and latencies between command / control events in their design and changes in the RF spectrum, for example, viewing the spectrum as a VCO/PLL turns on, or measuring the transition characteristics of a frequency hopping RF signal.

The EMI, which is dependent on the device state, can offer a time correlated system view across both domains. At any point in time within a long acquisition, the RF spectrum can see how the spectrum changes over time or with device state. A ’spectrum time’ on-screen concept was invented by Tektronix to simplify the user interface. With this concept, the users can see the RF spectrum when they are seeing the seeing their analogue, digital and/or decoded buses.

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