Inspired by the finding that over 60% of oscilloscope users also use a spectrum analyzer to troubleshoot embedded system designs with integrated wireless functionality, Tektronix has developed the world’s first mixed domain oscilloscope (MDO), which provides the functionality of an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer in a single instrument. The new MDO4000 Mixed Domain Oscilloscope series gives engineers the unique ability to capture time-correlated analogue, digital and RF signals for a complete system view. 

With the MDO4000, engineers can replace a scope and a spectrum analyzer by a single instrument. The MDO4000 also surpasses typical spectrum analyzer functionality by allowing users to capture time-correlated analogue, digital and RF signals on several channels.  Time correlation between the domains allows users to can make accurate timing measurements to understand delays and latencies between command/control events in their design and changes in the RF spectrum.

The MDO4000 also allows designers to view the RF spectrum of a signal at any point in time within a long acquisition to see how it changes over time or with device state.  By scrolling the spectrum time through the time domain acquisition, they can see the RF spectrum at any point in the acquisition along with the analogue, digital and/or decoded bus signals at the same point in time.

An optional module supports additional trigger modes using the RF power level as a source, enabling users to isolate RF events of interest.  Users can trigger on a specific pulse width, look for a timeout event or a runt, or even include the RF input in a logic pattern defined along with the analogue and digital channels.  This ability to trigger on whatever the user is interested in, regardless of whether it’s analogue, digital, RF or some combination of the three, represents another industry first for the MDO4000 series.

 

Image: Tektronix