Review: Micsig TO1102 Tablet-scope

Specifications and first impressions

The device reviewed is the TO1102, which is part of the TO1000 series comprising 4 models:

• 2 Channels / 70 MHz (TO1072)
• 4 Channels / 70 MHz (TO1074)
• 2 Channels / 100 MHz (TO1102)
• 4 Channels / 100 MHz (TO1104)

The maximum sampling frequency is 1 GSa/s if only one channel is used, or 500 MSa/s if two channels are used (1 GSa/s = 1 billion (10^9) samples per second). For the stated bandwidth of 100 MHz, that’s pretty well correct, not quite so much for the four-channel version where the sampling frequency goes down to 250 MSa/s per channel. On the tested unit, the –3 dB bandwidth was a little over 110 MHz, but curiously the attenuation started (very slowly) from 20 MHz. One point to which you should pay attention: the signal frequency (displayed in clear) is not correct if the vertical sensitivity results in your signal appearing over less than a third of the screen.
 

Apart from this detail, I was agreeably surprised to find that the the frequency of 99.9563 MHz shown on the screen of my old HF generator was shown on the oscilloscope with the value of… 99.9563 MHz, which shows a good accuracy of measurement.

An HDMI output (not often seen on an oscilloscope) lets you duplicate the image on an external screen or a video projector. That’s handy for training sessions!

 

31 types of automatic measurement are offered, among which are Period, Duty Cycle, Pulse Width, Rise Time and Fall Time, Phase, etc. One finds the classic trigger modes: DC, AC, with or without HF or LF filtering (to assure correct triggering even with signals with superimposed HF or hum).

The memory depth, which corresponds to the number of samples saved and replayed, is 28 Mpts (or 2 x 14 Mpts in 2 chanel mode). This is sufficient to give good precision even on long one-shot captures (SingleSeq).

The vertical resolution (resolution of the analog to digital converter) is 8 bits, the standard value of instruments of this category, and sufficient for most applications (the pros who need a resolution of 12 or 14 bits would look in another category of equipment).

Strangely, the manual gives a maximum sensitivity of 1 mV/div, but the tested unit went down to 500 µV/div. I’m not complaining!
The scope is delivered with two MP130 probes (300 MHz bandwidth) and offers a display with 256 intensity levels (which gives a better rendering of complex and changing signals with modulation or unstable phase)

The input noise level (probe not connected) is less than 1 mV, that’s quite acceptable.

"Touch my screen!" or "the power of touch "

What would a tablet-scope be without a touch screen? Here you can control several parameters with a simple slide of the finger(s). Being able to move the trigger thresholds and the traces on the screen (on the two axes of amplitude and time) is extraordinarily practical. To place or move the horizontal or vertical cursors you need two fingers, to zoom, three. It was in the user manual (which I habitually don’t read) that I found these clever tricks.

If you don’t like touching the screen, for fear of leaving marks or simply because it’s out of reach, you can always connect a mouse…. corded or wireless!