Test & Measurement


Oscilloscopes cover 200 MHz-1GHz

2 March 2011 Test & Measurement

LeCroy released new lines of WaveSurfer MXs-B and MSO MXs-B oscilloscopes ranging from 200 MHz to 1 GHz bandwidth. The new instruments deliver sample rates up to 10 GSps and memory of 25 Mpts, as well as feature set enhancements which include a powerful Sequence Mode data acquisition capability. This is in addition to debug tools such as WaveStream Fast Viewing Mode, WaveScan Search and Find, a wide variety of serial data trigger and decode packages plus the LabNotebook documentation and report generator. Adding to their flexibility, the MSO MXs-B models provide 18 digital channels that can sample at 1 GSps for debugging analog and digital mixed-signal systems.

WaveSurfer uses a bright 10,4” colour display to allow room for everything including time-correlated views of mixed-signal systems and non-time domain analysis.

Capturing complex signals can require different types of acquisition modes: for very slow signals roll mode is helpful, for very fast signals repetitive sample is effective. Sequence mode is a versatile acquisition mode that segments the oscilloscope memory and combines up to 10 000 acquisitions into a single, sequential waveform. This technique enables capturing of very fast pulses in rapid succession with trigger rates of up to 1,25 million waveforms per second. Additionally, sequence mode can be used to optimise memory usage by only capturing data when data is present, ignoring large spans of dead time between pulses or bursts. In the end, all the waveforms are displayed and time stamped for further analysis.

WaveScan provides the ability to locate unusual events in a single capture (ie, capture and search), or ‘scan’ for an event in any acquisitions over a long period of time. Users can select from more than 20 search modes (frequency, rise time, duty cycle, etc), apply a search condition and begin scanning. Since the scanning modes are not simply copies of the hardware triggers, the utility and capability is much higher. For instance, there is no frequency trigger in any oscilloscope, yet WaveScan allows frequency to be quickly scanned for. This allows the user to accumulate a data set of unusual events that are separated by hours or days, enabling faster debugging.

Users can efficiently create complete and detailed waveform reports directly in the oscilloscope. An all-in-one solution for annotating and sharing information, LabNotebook simplifies results recording and report generation by eliminating the multistep processes that often involve several pieces of equipment. LabNotebook enables users to focus on results rather than the process, as it saves all displayed waveforms and the relevant DSO setups with the saved waveform. The user can add freehand notes with a stylus or as text and convert the complete report to pdf, rtf or html. Reports can then be printed or e-mailed directly from the scope.

The serial data trigger and decode options for WaveSurfer provide time saving tools for serial bus debug and validation. The serial data trigger will quickly isolate events on a bus, eliminating the need to set manual triggers. Protocol decoding is shown directly on the waveform with an intuitive, colour-coded overlay and presented in binary, hex or ASCII. Decoding on the WaveSurfer is fast even with long memory and zooming in to the waveform shows precise byte-by-byte decoding. To further simplify the debug process, all decoded data can be displayed in a table below the waveform grid. Selecting an entry in the table with the touch screen will display just that event. Additionally, built-in search functionally will find specific decoded values.

MSO MXs-B and the WaveSurfer MXs-B offers tools for trigger and decode of a broad set of popular serial data signals such as I²C, SPI, UART, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, USB, ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, MIPI D-PHY, DigRF3G and Digital Audio.

For more information contact Comtest, +27 (01)11 608 8520, [email protected], www.comtest.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

High-speed AWG generates up to 20 sine waves
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
Spectrum Instrumentation has released a new firmware option for its range of versatile 16-bit Arbitrary Waveform Generators, with sampling rates up to 1,25 GS/s and bandwidths up to 400 MHz.

Read more...
Digitisers upgraded with pulse generator option
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
Spectrum Instrumentation has added the Digital Pulse Generator option to its ultrafast digitisers (with up to 10 GS/s speed) and arbitrary waveform generators.

Read more...
Network Master Pro to provide support of OpenZR+
Tamashi Technology Investments Test & Measurement
Anritsu Corporation has introduced the 400G (QSFP-DD) multi-rate module MU104014B that supports the new interface standard.

Read more...
Upgrade brings extra layer of detection to Fluke’s acoustic imagers
Comtest Test & Measurement
The firmware 5.0 update helps to boost efficiency and allows maintenance technicians to scan large areas quickly, and visually pinpoint technical issues before they become critical.

Read more...
Companies collaborate on EnviroMeter
Avnet Silica Test & Measurement
STMicroelectronics and Mobile Physics have joined forces to create EnviroMeter for accurate air-quality monitoring on smartphones. Time-of-flight optical sensing enables an accurate personal air quality monitor and smoke detector.

Read more...
PCB test points
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
Maintaining these access points in the final production versions will prove invaluable during the life of the equipment for service, adjustment, and debug, or repair activities.

Read more...
RFID reader
Test & Measurement
The EXA81 from Brady turns any smartphone or tablet into a personal radar that can pick up radio signals from all RFID-labelled items.

Read more...
Proximity sensor with VCSEL
Avnet Abacus Test & Measurement
Vishay’s newest small package proximity sensor, the VCNL36828P, combines low idle current with an I2C interface and smart dual slave addressing.

Read more...
CNH data output devices for AI applications
Altron Arrow Test & Measurement
STMicroelectronics’ CH family of time-of-flight sensor devices feature compact and normalised histogram (CNH) data output for artificial intelligence applications requiring raw data from a high-performance multizone ToF sensor.

Read more...
Webinar: The key to smart occupancy
Test & Measurement
This one-hour session will allow the attendee to discover the company’s latest infrared sensor with high-sensitivity presence and motion detection capabilities.

Read more...