Which oscilloscope to look for? 300-500MHz BW - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: dzseki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 12:42:46 pm
content: Here we are again, yet another "which oscilloscope" thread, but as you might guessed my requirements are different than that of others'...So, I have a strange obsession with high bandwidth analog video signals (like VGA) with pixel clock beyond standard 1080P. An oscilloscope with 300+ MHz bandwidth is desired for these applications.For several years now my trusty companion is a HP 1720A oscilloscope, this is the base model of HP's fastest analog oscilloscope range, having 275MHz bandwidth (on paper at least), at that time this was the only scope for the purpose that I could afford. Over the years I gathered several 250MHz passive probes for it, and also got a HP 1120A 500MHz FET probe with all the dividers (which I intend to keep with any future oscilloscopes) .When doing measurements I either use direct probing ie. having the oscilloscope as the load for the circuit of interest, or for in circuit measurement I mostly use the FET probe. If I am not measuring the video stuff, then I am doing some audio trouble shooting and other not too demanding hobby projects.The thing is this oscilloscope was manufactured in 1977, so turning 42 this year (10 years older than me). While I don't have particular plan to ditch it, but I also can't expect to last for ever. Furthermore, as it seems it does not live up to its specs as far as bandwidth goes, since I hardly could measure rise times below 1.5ns while my pulse generator's rise time is confirmed to be 425ps with a 2.5GHz LeCroy scope. Nevertheless I can use this scope for the purpose still. The best thing I like about it is that it is completely silent, as there is no fan inside. This is important, because my workbench is located in our living room (small apartment)The idea is not new for me to look for a new oscilloscope, in fact I've had some, but none of them stayed for too long, here is the list:-Yokogawa DL1740: 4CH 500MHz scope with 500MS/s sampling on all channels or 1GS/s on two or less channels (20GS/s in ETS), 1MS memory. I got it as faulty (bad input preamp chip), but managed to fix it, although a few days later an other input preamp chip blew up for no reason, got it fixed, but this raised the red flag to not hold on to this scope for too long, Sold it locally with 3 more spare input chips -just in case... Functionally it was a nice scope, but had an odd cubature not fitting well in to my bench, also had a loud fan, and the bad reliabilty...-HP 54503A: 4CH 500MHz scope, with 20MS/s sampling. This was advertised as a dead unit, but was so cheap I could not resist, and bought it for curiosity. Eventually got this fixed as well, and my general impression on this unit was generally very positive, but the low capture rate (especially with vectors or measurements on) made me sell this unit as well, oh and this one also had a loud fan.-Currently I am playing with a GaGe CompuScope 82G scope card, what got me in this is the 2GS/s sample rate (one channel), and reasonable memory depth at 2MS. This is a nice one, and is a great supplement for the HP 1720A (some things being better, some things worse). But now I also have this for sale, although I won't be sad if there will be no taker for it, although as I've found out I'd prefer an all in one solution instead.I was thinking about getting into the Tek 2465 line or a 485, but if I am honest these aren't a real step towards the future.So is there any scope you can recommend that has:- 2-4 Channels (no logic functionality required)- Is "digital" with reasonable capture rate and possibility to extract data, etc.- Having 300-500Mhz bandwith on repetitive signals, and single shot bandwidth of >150MHz- reasonably quiet operation- Can be aquired for cheap on used market (<500€)

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 12:58:49 pm
content: Quote from: dzseki on January 28, 2019, 12:42:46 pmAt these frequencies thedetailsof the probing become important.Don't forget that the risetimes of the probe and scope rise as sqrt(t12+t22), and that a "high impedance" *10 probe's input impedance at 200MHz is ~50ohms - which can significantly load/slug the source.My preference is for a "resistive divider Z0" probe, since a *10 probe's input impedance is 500ohms. You can homebrew these, unlike conventional probes.Of course you need a scope with a 50ohm input, preferably not a scope with a 1Mohm//20pF input with an added 50ohm resistor in parallel. The Tek 485 hastwoinput attenuators, one 1Mohm//20pf, one 50ohm.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 01:03:25 pm
content: I'm not finding much sub 500 pounds, but did find these:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektronix-TDS-640A-Four-Channel-Digitizing-Oscilloscope-500MHz-2GS-s/192763485832?hash=item2ce1995e88:g:XewAAOSwJ3RcGjG1:rk:13:pf:01GHz auction:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektronix-digital-oscilloscope-TDS-784A-1-GHz/183651838359?hash=item2ac280a997:g:SWYAAOSwLKhcScLt:rk:27:pf:0

author: dzseki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 01:19:07 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on January 28, 2019, 12:58:49 pmYes, I know about that, that’s why I pointed out that if bandwidth is concern then I mostly reach for my FET probe.The HP 1720A also has a switchable genuine 50 Ohm input, however it employs a unified attenuator, the input capacitance is 11pF though.As for the rise time I am also aware of the propagation of the rise times, that’s why there is a problemKnowing the source has 425ps rise time, but my scope showing 1.5ns rise time, doing the math backwards yields ~1.44ns rise time for the scope, whereas it should be <1.3ns

author: dzseki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 01:20:09 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 28, 2019, 01:03:25 pmThanks Dave, will study these scopes, honestly I was not following the "newer" Tek scopes...

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 10:16:26 pm
content: The Tektronix TDS500 and TDS700 series are choices which fall inside your budget but expect these scopes to have problems (leaking capacitors, bad NVRAMs and bad displays). Also the NuColor color displays aren't for everyone. I get an instant headache from them. If you don't mind a fixer upper then an HP / Agilent 54815A or hp 54825A may be an option. AFAIK the first can be hacked into the second to double the samplerate. The big advantage of the HP scopes is that you don't need any external equipment (besides a BNC cable) to calibrate them and the platform is PC based so parts are easier to find.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 10:38:01 pm
content: Quote from: dzseki on January 28, 2019, 12:42:46 pmFor just a bit more you can have the latest andnewwith 3 yr warranty:https://www.siglenteu.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds2000x-e/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2019, 12:07:12 am
content: 730 euro (ex VAT) isn't a bit more. It is 50% over budget! And the older high-end oscilloscopes usually have features geared towards doing accurate high frequency measurements. I have an 1GHz R&S RTM3004 on my bench but if I need to do really accurate time measurements which require a very stable trigger (ps level) then I pull out my HP 54845A.

author: dzseki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2019, 09:19:59 am
content: As I was thinking about it I realized that I've never bought any oscilloscope in a "known good" condition, only as-is units those I got fixed up sooner or later, or they worked right away. I think I'll stick to this habit further on, that would ease somewhat on my price constraits...I did a bit "homework" and thought I'd share what I found. For now I focused on vintage HP/Agilent scope models as these are what I am most familiar with.54522/42A-C: 2-4ch, 500MHz, 2GS/s on any channel, 32kpts memory, green CRT or color TFT.pros: can be found reasonably cheap, FFT up to the full memory sizecons: difficult data retrieval (floppy, GPIB), relatively small memory, no color/intensity grading on signals54615B/16B/16C: 2ch, 500MHz, 1-2GS/s, 5kpts memory, green CRT or color TFTpros: maybe found at a reasonable price, relatively compact sizecons: difficult data retrieval (GPIB or RS232?), even smaller memory, FFT only on 1024 points54810A/15A/20A/25A (infiniium): 2-4ch, 500MHz, 1-2GS/s, 32kpts memory, Windows based, color TFTpros: color grading available, FFT up to memory size, LAN connectivitycons: most expensive, relaitve small memory, biggest, quirks of the Windows PC background54641A/42A (MegaZoom): 2ch, 350-500MHz, 2GS/s, 8Mpts memory, green CRTpros: intensity grading, relatively compact size, big memorycons: difficult data retrieval, FFT only on 2048 pointsThere is no clear winner, but based only on specs (not considering (knowing) any particular reliability issues etc.) I feel the 5464x is the most suitable followed by the 54522/42 leaving the entry level infiniiums to the end.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2019, 03:07:46 am
content: I have the 54522A and I love it. One of the last US-made units from HP (also, from right before Agilent re-branding), and it shows it. Solid, lab instrumentation grade materials. Nothing cheap on it, inside or outside. The 5464x series looks like today's cheaply made, plasticky scopes. Probably made in Malaysia, right after moving manufacturing our of the US.Having said that, specs are pretty good on the 5464xs. Memory is far better than the one I have - how important is that, though? I'm sure it would absolve itself well of tasks.For me, from my research and advice from valued friends, I am sure I made the right decision. The HP 54522A seems just about the last scope from HP's glory period, yet having modern specifications, and not costing an arm and a leg. I just had mine with calibration for less than 500 USD. It was about 14,000 USD in 1996, or just about 23,000 USD today's value. That's a hefty chunk of cash, and telling of its quality.