Tektronix DPO/DSA70000D oscilloscope series

Four DPO/DSA70000D series oscilloscope models with real-time sampling rates up to 100 GS/s on two channels and 33 GHz analog bandwidth on four channels have been released.

Models for 25 and 33 GHz bandwidths are claimed to provide the highest level of measurement accuracy for fast electrical signals across multiple channels.

Incorporating fast technology using IBM’s 8HP silicon germanium (SiGe) chipset, engineers have integrated high-speed bipolar transistors directly on the same die as standard CMOS, enabling the oscilloscopes to deliver what is believed to be the fastest rise time on multiple channels of any real-time oscilloscope. This high-sensitivity, low noise measurement capability is required for accurate characterisation of high speed optical, RF and serial data measurements beyond 20 Gbps data rates.

The oscilloscopes achieve a number of benefits for users working on high-performance systems and silicon. Key advancements include: 100 GS/s on two channels and 50 GS/s on four channels both at 33 GHz bandwidth for the DPO/DSA73304D; first to offer 33 GHz bandwidth on four channels with 10 terasamples equivalent time sampling; rise time of sub 20 ps rise time signals; input sensitivity at 62.5 mV full scale (6.25 mV/div) for better visibility of low amplitude signalling, common in LVDS-based standards; fast time to answer with quicker access to data, measurement analysis including 8b/10b serial decode, fast waveform data transfer within the instrument and new custom region-based qualification using visual trigger capability; the DPOJET jitter and timing analysis toolset is being updated to support jitter separation of bounded uncorrelated jitter; with 76% of users using third-party software, the oscilloscopes introduce DataStore, a data processing pathway. With third-party tools like MATLAB or Microsoft .NET languages, users can insert waveform data processing algorithms directly into the scope’s application and display system; for signal access, up to 33 GHz bandpass support is provided through its TekConnect channel interface.

With fibre speeds now at 100 Gbps and beyond, engineers are trying to accurately verify optical modulation techniques for efficient fibre transport. The DPO/DSA70000D provides the 4-channel accuracy required for PM-QPSK modulation analysis.

The series works with the coherent lightwave signal analyser from Optametra, for visualisation and measurement of optical PM-QPSK or QAM16 and other complex-modulated signals.