TEKTRONIX 3 Series Mixed Domain Oscilloscope MDO32 and MDO34



TEKTRONIX 3 series mixed domain oscilloscopes MDO32 and MDO34

Overview and Scope of Application

The specification and performance verification manual for the Tektronix 3 series hybrid domain oscilloscope (with 2 channels for MDO32 and 4 channels for MDO34) covers three major modules: hardware parameters (analog bandwidth of 100MHz-1GHz, maximum sampling rate of 5GS/s, and 16 optional digital channels), multi domain functionality (oscilloscope+spectrum analyzer+arbitrary function generator+digital voltmeter), and performance verification process (20+tests including input impedance, DC balance, analog bandwidth, etc.). The key indicator range is clearly defined (such as maximum input voltage of 300VRMS, display average noise level ≤ -109dBm/Hz), and standardized testing steps are provided (including required equipment list, wiring diagram, data recording table), while emphasizing safety specifications (CAT II). Provide complete technical guidance for instrument calibration, troubleshooting, and compliance verification, including installation category and grounding requirements.

Model differences and core parameters

Model Features MDO32 (2 channels) MDO34 (4 channels) Remarks

Analog bandwidth 100MHz-1GHz 100MHz-1GHz model sampling rate 5GS/s, other 2.5GS/s

Digital channel 16 channels (3-MSO option) 16 channels (3-MSO option) input capacitor 8pF, minimum signal swing 500mVpp

Spectrum analysis 9kHz-1GHz (standard)/3GHz (3-SA3 option) 9kHz-1GHz (standard)/3GHz (3-SA3 option) Display average noise level ≤ -109dBm/Hz

AFG function 1 channel (3-AFG option) 1 channel (3-AFG option) Output waveform includes 13 types such as sine wave, square wave, pulse, etc

Size and weight 370 × 252 × 148.6mm, 5.26kg (1GHz) 370 × 252 × 148.6mm, 5.31kg (1GHz) requires 50.8mm heat dissipation space on the right and rear

Detailed explanation of core hardware specifications

1. Key parameters of simulation channel

Parameter Category Specification Range Remarks

Under the bandwidth of 100MHz/200MHz/350MHz/500MHz/1GHz 1mV/div, the bandwidth of the 1GHz model has been reduced to 150MHz

Sampling rate of 1-5GS/s, maximum 5GS/s when 1-2 channels are activated, and maximum 2.5GS/s when 3-4 channels are activated

Input impedance 1M Ω (± 1%) or 50 Ω (± 1%) 1M Ω input capacitor 13pF ± 2pF

Maximum input voltage 1M Ω: 300VRMS (CAT II); 50 Ω: 5VRMS (peak ≤± 20V) 1M Ω drops to 5VRMS above 450MHz

DC gain accuracy ± 1.5% (5mV/div and above), ± 2.0% (2mV/div), ± 2.5% (1mV/div), with an additional decrease of 0.1% per ℃ above 30 ℃

2. Digital channel (3-MSO option) parameters

Parameter specifications

Number of channels 16 (D0-D15)

Input resistance 101k Ω (typical value)

Input capacitance 8pF (typical value)

Threshold range -15V~+25V

Threshold accuracy ± [130mV+3% x threshold setting] (SPC needs to be performed)

Minimum detectable pulse 2.0ns (requires P6316 probe)

Skew 500ps between channels (typical value)

3. Parameters of spectrum analyzer

Parameter specifications

Frequency range 9kHz-1GHz (standard); 9kHz-3GHz (3-SA3 option)

Resolution bandwidth (RBW) 20Hz-150MHz (1-2-3-5 sequence adjustment)

Display average noise level (DANL) 9kHz-50kHz: ≤ -109dBm/Hz; 5MHz-2GHz：≤-136dBm/Hz

Stray response second harmonic ≤ -55dBc; 3rd harmonic ≤ -53dBc

Phase noise (1GHz CW) 10kHz offset: ≤ -81dBc/Hz; 1MHz offset: ≤ -118dBc/Hz

4. Parameters of any function generator (3-AFG option)

Parameter specifications

13 types of output waveforms including sine wave, square wave, pulse, and ramp

Frequency range: sine wave 0.1Hz-50MHz; Square wave 0.1Hz-25MHz

Range of amplitude 50 Ω load: 10mVpp-2.5Vpp; High resistance load: 20mVpp-5Vpp

DC offset ± 1.25V (50 Ω); ± 2.5V (high resistance)

Rise/fall time 5ns (10% -90%, square wave)

Distortion sine wave ≤ 1% (50 Ω, 1kHz)

Performance verification process

1. Verify the prerequisites

The instrument needs to be preheated in an environment of 18 ℃ -28 ℃ for at least 10 minutes;

Perform signal path compensation (SPC) (path: Utility → Calibration → Run SPC), if the temperature change exceeds 5 ℃, it needs to be re executed;

The oscilloscope and testing equipment need to be connected to the same AC power circuit (to avoid errors caused by ground offset).

2. Core test items and steps (example)

Qualification criteria for key steps of testing equipment in testing projects

Input impedance (1M Ω/50 Ω) DC voltage source, impedance measuring instrument 1. Connect the voltage source to channel 1; 2. Set the vertical gear to 10mV/div/100mV/div; 3. Measure impedance values of 1M Ω: 990k Ω -1.01M Ω; 50 Ω: 49.5 Ω -50.5 Ω

DC balanced 50 Ω terminal load 1. Channel connected to 50 Ω terminal; 2. Set the vertical gear to 1mV/div-1V/div; 3. Convert the measurement mean to divisions 1mV/div (50 Ω): ± 0.5div; 2mV/div and above: ± 0.2div

Analog bandwidth sine wave generator 1. Input 10MHz signal (8div amplitude); 2. Adjust to the maximum bandwidth frequency; 3. Calculate the gain (Vbw pp/Vin pp) with a gain ≥ 0.707 (-3dB point)

Random noise free (internal noise) 1. Disconnect all inputs; 2. Set up a 50 Ω terminal with full bandwidth; 3. Measure AC RMS noise at 100mV/div level: 1GHz model ≤ 3.1mV; 100MHz model ≤ 2.85mV

Digital threshold accuracy DC voltage source, P6316 probe 1. Connect the probe to the voltage source; 2. Set a threshold of 0V/4V; 3. Record Vs - (high → low) and Vs+(low → high) 0V: ± 0.1V; 4V: 3.78V-4.22V

3. List of Testing Equipment (Table 3)

Minimum requirements for device name, example model

DC voltage source 3mV-100V, ± 0.1% accuracy Fluke 9500B (equipped with 9530 module)

Sine wave generator 9kHz-3GHz, ± 4% amplitude accuracy Anritsu MG3690C

Power meter+sensor -30dBm -+10dBm Rhode&Schwarz NRX (with NRP-Z98)

Frequency counter 0.1Hz-50MHz, 5ppm accuracy Tektronix FCA3000

Digital Multimeter (DMM) DC ± 0.1%, AC RMS ± 0.2% Tektronix DMM4040

Safety and Maintenance

1. Safety regulations

Grounding requirements: A 3-pin power cord must be used, and the grounding conductor must be reliably connected to the ground. Disconnecting the grounding is prohibited;

Input restrictions: Maximum 300VRMS (CAT II) for 1M Ω channel, maximum 5VRMS for 50 Ω channel, overvoltage may damage terminal resistance;

Operation taboos: Do not plug or unplug probes/cables with power on, do not use in damp (>90% RH) or explosive environments, and do not operate after removing the instrument cover.

2. Maintenance and Calibration

Firmware upgrade: 1 Download firmware. img from the official website to USB; 2. Turn off the oscilloscope and plug it into a USB port; 3. Automatic upgrade upon startup (power off prohibited);

Calibration cycle: recommended to be 1 year, with a reference frequency error accumulation of ± 10ppm/year (including aging and temperature effects);

Self check and diagnosis: Path: Utility → Self Test. If it fails, it will enter extended diagnosis and can be exited by pressing MENU OFF (it can be temporarily used when the fault does not affect the measurement).

Key issue

Question 1:3: The simulated bandwidth of the 3 series MDO is related to the vertical gear. What is the actual bandwidth of the 1GHz model at different vertical gears? How to confirm whether the bandwidth is qualified through performance verification?

Answer:

1、 Actual bandwidth of different vertical gears for 1GHz models

The simulated bandwidth of the 1GHz model decays with decreasing vertical gear, and the specific corresponding relationship is as follows:

Vertical gear (Volts/Div) 50 Ω input bandwidth 1M Ω input bandwidth (typical value)

10mV/div - 1V/div DC - 1.0GHz DC - 1.0GHz

5mV/div - 9.98mV/div DC - 500MHz DC - 500MHz

2mV/div - 4.98mV/div DC - 350MHz DC - 350MHz

1mV/div - 1.99mV/div DC - 150MHz DC - 150MHz

2、 Bandwidth performance verification steps (taking 50 Ω input as an example)

Equipment connection: Connect a sine wave generator (such as Fluke 9500B) to oscilloscope channel 1 via a 50 Ω coaxial cable, with the generator output impedance set to 50 Ω;

Oscilloscope settings:

Reset according to Default Setup;

Set the Acquisition Mode to Sample;

Add peak to peak measurement (Measure → Amplitude → Peak to Peak → Add);

Channel 1 setting: Termination=50 Ω, Vertical Scale=corresponding test gear (such as 1mV/div);

Signal input: The generator outputs a 10MHz sine wave, adjust the amplitude to display 8div on the screen (such as outputting 8mVpp at 1mV/div level), and record the peak value (Vin pp) at this time;

Bandwidth test: Adjust the generator frequency to the maximum bandwidth corresponding to this gear (e.g. 1mV/div corresponds to 150MHz), and record the peak value (Vbw pp) at this time;

Qualification judgment: Calculate the gain as Vbw-pp/Vin pp. If the gain is ≥ 0.707 (-3dB point), the bandwidth is qualified.

Question 2: How to test the threshold accuracy of the digital channel (3-MSO option) of the 3 series MDO? What are the key operational details to pay attention to during testing?

Answer:

1、 Testing steps for threshold accuracy of digital channels

Equipment preparation: DC voltage source (such as Fluke 9500B), P6316 digital probe, BNC-to-0.1 inch pin adapter;

Probe connection: P6316 probe Group 1 is connected to a voltage source, and an adapter is used to match the interface;

Oscilloscope settings:

Reset according to Default Setup;

Activate the digital channel (D15-D0 button → Turn All On);

Set digital channel threshold (such as 0V or 4V): D15-D0 menu → Thresholds → Enter target value;

Trigger setting: Trigger → Source=Target digital channel (such as D0), Slope=Rising/Falling;

Threshold measurement (taking 0V threshold as an example):

Vs - (high to low switching voltage): Set the voltage source to -400mV, gradually increase by 20mV until the channel displays a stable low level (blue), and record the voltage as Vs - at this time;

Vs+(low to high switching voltage): Set the voltage source to+400mV, gradually -20mV until the channel displays a stable high level (green), and record the voltage as Vs+at this time;

Calculate the average threshold: VSAvg=(Vs -+Vs+)/2;

Qualification judgment: The 0V threshold must meet the requirement of * * -0.1V ≤ VSAvg ≤ 0.1V * *, and the 4V threshold must meet the requirement of 3.78V ≤ VSAvg ≤ 4.22V.

2、 Key operational details

Probe grounding: All 8 grounding channels of P6316 probe need to be connected to user grounding to avoid threshold deviation caused by poor grounding;

Voltage stepping: After adjusting the voltage each time, wait for 3 seconds to ensure that the channel state is stable before recording to avoid transient interference;

Trigger slope switching: When measuring Vs -, use the Rising slope, and when measuring Vs+, use the Falling slope to ensure that the trigger point is consistent with the level switching;

Multi channel testing: After testing each channel (such as D0), set its Display to Off and activate the next channel (such as D1) to avoid interference between channels.

Question 3: How to test the display average noise level (DANL) in the spectrum analyzer function of the 3 series MDO? What are the DANL qualification standards for different frequency ranges?

Answer:

1、 DANL testing steps (no input signal, only 50 Ω terminal required)

Equipment connection: oscilloscope RF input connected to 50 Ω feedthrough terminal, no external signal input;

Oscilloscope settings:

Reset according to Default Setup;

Activate RF channel (RF button → On);

Set Trace mode: RF menu → Traces → Average=On, Normal=Off;

Detection mode: Detection Method → Manual → Average;

Reference level: Vertical Settings → Ref Level=-15dBm;

Frequency range setting and measurement:

9kHz-50kHz: Orizontal → Start=9kHz, Stop=50kHz, move the Marker (Multipurpose knob a) to the highest noise point, and record the DANL value;

50kHz-5MHz：Start=50kHz，Stop=5MHz，Center=2.525MHz， Record the highest noise level;

5MHz-2GHz (3-SA3 option): Start=5MHz, Stop=2GHz, Center=1GHz, Span=10MHz, record the highest noise value;

2GHz-3GHz (3-SA3 option): Start=2GHz, Stop=3GHz, Center=2.5GHz, Span=10MHz, record the highest noise value;

Data processing: Ignore stray signals above the noise level (refer to the "residual response" specification) and only record the noise baseline value.

2、 DANL qualification standards for different frequency ranges

Frequency range standard (without 3-SA3) 3-SA3 option typical values (better than standard)

9kHz-50kHz ≤-109dBm/Hz ≤-109dBm/Hz ≤-113dBm/Hz

50kHz-5MHz ≤-126dBm/Hz ≤-126dBm/Hz ≤-130dBm/Hz

5MHz-1GHz ≤-136dBm/Hz ≤-136dBm/Hz ≤-140dBm/Hz

1GHz-2GHz - ≤-136dBm/Hz ≤-140dBm/Hz

2GHz-3GHz - ≤-126dBm/Hz ≤-130dBm/Hz

3、 Testing precautions

Terminal matching: A 50 Ω terminal must be used, otherwise impedance mismatch may cause high noise measurement;

Stray elimination: If there is significantly higher than the base noise at a certain frequency point (such as 1.25GHz, 2.5GHz), the noise values on both sides of the noise should be recorded, rather than the noise itself;

Average time: In the low-frequency range (such as 9kHz-50kHz), wait for 60 seconds to ensure that the average trace is stable before reading.