Which Oscilloscopes are Independent Channels? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: simon christo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 03:27:04 pm
content: Hi there.Im looking around for a oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 150Mhz or greater, and onlylooking for 2 or 4 independent channels.Which in your view would be the best choices?Thanks Simon.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 03:29:19 pm
content: I'm fairly sure that all 2 channel scopes have independent controls (assuming that's what you mean).

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 03:37:00 pm
content: They do share the horizontal sweep rate though, seems like I've heard of scopes with multiple timebases but I've never personally encountered one.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 04:09:04 pm
content: Quote from: simon christo on April 29, 2019, 03:27:04 pmWhat exactly do you mean by "independent channels"?Separate vertical controls? Separate timebases? Galvanically isolated from each other?Quote from: james_s on April 29, 2019, 03:37:00 pmOscilloscopes with independent timebases were never very common and even less so with digital storage oscilloscopes. The 4-bay Tektronix 7000 series analog oscilloscopes supported it. Offhand I do not know of any DSOs which did even though it should be easier to implement.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 04:14:40 pm
content: A trick on a DSO is to use zoom mode if you want to see two time bases. If you add alternate triggering into the mix (like the recent GW Instek scopes have) you can have two timebases with 4 individually triggered channels on screen (if the oscilloscope is a 4 channel model).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 09:03:23 pm
content: Quote from: simon christo on April 29, 2019, 03:27:04 pmWelcome to the forum.Your actual needs and budget might dictate your best choice.There are so many things to consider when selecting a scope, sampling rate, mem depth, display size, connectivity I/O's, does it come with free options of the functionality you need ? Processor speed, 50 ohm inputs or not.........and the list goes on !Have a think about your 'must haves' and come back to us.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 09:05:27 pm
content: if by independent channels you mean electrically insulated channels.. you don't have many choices. one of the best is still the age old tektronix TPS. an atrociously old platform that still sells because there's not much else available on the market

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 09:09:57 pm
content: Quote from: JPortici on April 29, 2019, 09:05:27 pmAh yes, isolated channel scopes.As there is little modern of note available and if needing some memory depth too the best choice is to get differential probes and couple them to a modern DSO and have the additional features they offer that the old workhorses don't.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 09:46:18 pm
content: i'm still waiting for the promised renewal of the TPS line..IIRC the R&S Scope rider should have two/four isolated channels, as the TPS it is aimed at car technicians and engineers, power supply design. Besides the isolated channels and battery operation it has some automotive options you then find on the RTE, despite the fact that it shares the same software platform as the RTB, RTM and RTAfucking market segmentation..I've used it for a couple of days..Compared to the TPSBigger, better screen. Touch screen200 times the memory (500kS vs 2.5kS) and surely more wfm/sbase price is almost the sameserial decoder and triggerno power analysis optionDon't know if battery pack is user replaceable, you can still find the one for the tek (also original if you want to spend some hundred euros)

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 10:39:06 pm
content: The Keysight U1600s are isolated, only 2 channels though, decent memory.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 05:41:54 am
content: from the same OPhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/oscilloscope-non-alternating-between-channels-type/i have a feeling he is not a native english speaker, despite the flagsure it would be nice if he tried to explain himself better with an example

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2019, 11:32:25 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on April 29, 2019, 04:09:04 pmAlso posible that he is asking about independent aquisition rate, as in TDS644 as opposed (for example) to the TDS540.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 02:53:12 am
content: Quote from: Neomys Sapiens on May 01, 2019, 11:32:25 pmThat could be and I should have included it but it is a pretty obscure requirement.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 03:56:58 am
content: Quote from: simon christo on April 29, 2019, 03:27:04 pmSimon, hunted through you posts and it seems you want to step forward from the DSO that currently doesn't meet your needs to higher BW and Single shot behavior typical of a DSO.Have a good look at the 2ch 200 MHz SDS1202X-E at just USD379.Here's a link to a pic:https://siglentna-qwavztc8hvq2w.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/sds1000x-e-char1.png?1556769367232