Tektronix Blood Glucose Meter 524A User Manual

User Manual  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A  
Digitizing Oscilloscopes  
070-8710-01  
Please check for change information at the rear  
of this manual.  
First Printing: July 1993  
Revised: November 1993  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
WARRANTY  
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from  
the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair  
the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product.  
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the  
warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for  
packaging and shipping the defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid.  
Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the  
Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any  
other charges for products returned to any other locations.  
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate  
maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting  
from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage  
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; or c) to service a product that has been modified or  
integrated with other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing  
the product.  
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER  
WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES  
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR  
REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR  
BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT,  
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE  
VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
German Postal Information  
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer  
We hereby certify that the TDS 520A, TDS 524A, TDS 540A, and TDS 544A Oscilloscopes and all  
factory-installed options complies with the RF Interference Suppression requirements of Postal Regulation Vfg.  
243/1991, Amended per Vfg. 46/1992  
The German Postal Service was notified that the equipment is being marketed.  
The German Postal Service has the right to re-test the series and to verify that it complies.  
TEKTRONIX  
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs  
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daß der/die/das TDS 520A, TDS 524A, TDS 540A, and TDS 544A Oscilloscopes und  
alle fabrikinstallierten Optionen in Übereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der Amtsblatt-Verfügung Vfg.  
243/1991 und Zusatzverfügung 46/1992 funkentstört sind.  
Der Deutschen Bundespost wurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerätes angezeigt und die Berechtigung zur  
Überprüfung der Serie auf Einhalten der Bestimmungen eingeräumt.  
TEKTRONIX  
NOTICE to the user/operator:  
The German Postal Service requires that Systems assembled by the operator/user of this instrument must also  
comply with Postal Regulation, Vfg. 243/1991, Par. 2, Sect. 1.  
HINWEIS für den Benutzer/Betreiber:  
Die vom Betreiber zusammengestellte Anlage, innerhalb derer dieses Gerät eingesetzt wird, muß ebenfalls den  
Voraussetzungen nach Par. 2, Ziff. 1 der Vfg. 243/1991, genügen.  
NOTICE to the user/operator:  
The German Postal Service requires that this equipment, when used in a test setup, may only be operated if the  
requirements of Postal Regulation, Vfg. 243/1991, Par. 2, Sect. 1.8.1 are complied with.  
HINWEIS für den Benutzer/Betreiber:  
Dieses Gerät darf in Meßaufbauten nur betrieben werden, wenn die Voraussetzungen des Par. 2, Ziff. 1. 8.1 der  
Vfg. 243/1991 eingehalten werden.  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
EC Declaration of Conformity  
We  
Tektronix Holland N.V.  
Marktweg 73A  
8444 AB Heerenveen  
The Netherlands  
declare under sole responsibility that the  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Digitizing Oscilloscopes  
meet the intent of Directive 89/336/EEC for Electromagnetic Compatibility.  
Compliance was demonstrated to the following specifications as listed in the official  
Journal of the European Communities:  
EN 50081–1 Emissions:  
EN 55022  
EN 55022  
Radiated  
Conducted  
EN 60555–2 Power Harmonics  
EN 50082–1 Immunity:  
IEC 801–2  
Electrostatic Discharge  
RF Radiated  
Fast Transients  
IEC 801–3  
IEC 801–4  
IEC 801–5  
Surge  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Welcome  
This is the User Manual for the TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes.  
The Getting Started section familiarizes you with the operation of the digitizing  
oscilloscope.  
Operating Basics covers basic principles of the operation of the oscilloscope.  
These articles help you understand why your instrument works the way it  
does.  
The Reference section teaches you how to perform specific tasks. See  
page 3-1 for a complete list of tasks covered in that section.  
The Appendices provide an options listing, an accessories listing, and other  
useful information.  
The following documents are related to the use or service of the digitizing  
oscilloscope.  
Related Manuals  
The TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes Programmer Manual (Tektronix  
part number 070–8709–01) describes using a computer to control the  
digitizing oscilloscope through the GPIB interface.  
The TDS Family Option 05 Video Trigger Instruction Manual (Tektronix  
part number 070–8748–00) describes use of the video trigger option (for  
TDS oscilloscopes equipped with that option only).  
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, 544A, & 644A Reference (Tektronix part  
number 070–8711–01) gives you a quick overview of how to operate your  
digitizing oscilloscope.  
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Performance Verification (Tektronix  
part number 070–8712–01) tells how to verify the performance of the  
digitizing oscilloscope.  
The TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Service Manual (Tektronix part  
number 070–8713–01) provides information for maintaining and servicing  
your digitizing oscilloscope to the module level.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Welcome  
In the Getting Started and Reference sections, you will find various proce-  
dures which contain steps of instructions for you to perform. To keep those  
instructions clear and consistent, this manual uses the following conventions:  
Conventions  
In procedures, names of front panel controls and menu labels appear in  
boldface print.  
Names also appear in the same case (initial capitals, all uppercase, etc.)  
in the manual as is used on the oscilloscope front panel and menus. Front  
panel names are all upper case letters, for example, VERTICAL MENU,  
CH 1, etc.  
Instruction steps are numbered. The number is omitted if there is only  
one step.  
When steps require that you make a sequence of selections using front  
panel controls and menu buttons, an arrow ( ) marks each transition  
between a front panel button and a menu, or between menus. Also,  
whether a name is a main menu or side menu item is clearly indicated:  
Press VERTICAL MENU Coupling (main) DC (side) Band-  
width (main) 100 MHz (side).  
Using the convention just described results in instructions that are graphi-  
cally intuitive and simplifies procedures. For example, the instruction just  
given replaces these five steps:  
1. Press the front panel button VERTICAL MENU.  
2. Press the main menu button Coupling.  
3. Press the side-menu button DC.  
4. Press the main menu button Bandwidth  
5. Press the side menu button 100 MHz  
Sometimes you may have to make a selection from a popup menu: Press  
TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (popup). In this example, you  
repeatedly press the main menu button Type until Edge is highlighted in  
the pop-up menu.  
Welcome  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Table of Contents  
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
v
Getting Started  
Product Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Start Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Setting Up for the Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Example 3: Automated Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Example 4: Saving Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
1-1  
1-3  
1-6  
1-7  
1-13  
1-17  
1-23  
Operating Basics  
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
2-1  
2-3  
2-13  
2-19  
2-25  
2-30  
Reference  
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Acquisition Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Autoset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Color (TDS 524A & TDS 544A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Cursor Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Delayed Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Display Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Edge Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Fast Fourier Transforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
3-1  
3-3  
3-10  
3-12  
3-17  
3-22  
3-28  
3-34  
3-38  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Table of Contents  
File System (Optional on TDS 520A & TDS 540A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Hardcopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Horizontal Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Limit Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Logic Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Measurement System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Probe Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Probe Cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Probe Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Probe Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Pulse Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Remote Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Saving and Recalling Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Saving and Recalling Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Selecting Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Signal Path Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Vertical Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Waveform Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Waveform Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Waveform Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
3-55  
3-59  
3-67  
3-68  
3-73  
3-78  
3-86  
3-97  
3-104  
3-110  
3-112  
3-119  
3-126  
3-130  
3-133  
3-136  
3-138  
3-140  
3-142  
3-147  
3-150  
3-154  
3-159  
3-162  
Appendices  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Appendix B: Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Appendix C: Packaging for Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
A-1  
A-9  
A-23  
A-25  
Glossary  
Index  
Contents  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Safety  
Please take a moment to review these safety precautions. They are provided  
for your protection and to prevent damage to the digitizing oscilloscope. This  
safety information applies to all operators and service personnel.  
These two terms appear in manuals:  
Symbols and Terms  
statements identify conditions or practices that could result in  
damage to the equipment or other property.  
statements identify conditions or practices that could result in  
personal injury or loss of life.  
These two terms appear on equipment:  
CAUTION indicates a personal injury hazard not immediately accessible  
as one reads the marking or a hazard to property including the equipment  
itself.  
DANGER indicates a personal injury hazard immediately accessible as  
one reads the marking.  
This symbol appears in manuals:  
Static-Sensitive Devices  
These symbols appear on equipment:  
DANGER  
High Voltage  
Protective  
ground (earth)  
terminal  
ATTENTION  
Refer to  
manual  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Safety  
Observe all of these precautions to ensure your personal safety and to pre-  
vent damage to either the digitizing oscilloscope or equipment connected to it.  
Specific Precautions  
Power Source  
The digitizing oscilloscope is intended to operate from a power source that will  
not apply more than 250 V  
between the supply conductors or between  
RMS  
either supply conductor and ground. A protective ground connection, through  
the grounding conductor in the power cord, is essential for safe system  
operation.  
Grounding the Digitizing Oscilloscope  
The digitizing oscilloscope is grounded through the power cord. To avoid  
electric shock, plug the power cord into a properly wired receptacle where  
earth ground has been verified by a qualified service person. Do this before  
making connections to the input or output terminals of the digitizing oscillo-  
scope.  
Without the protective ground connection, all parts of the digitizing oscillo-  
scope are potential shock hazards. This includes knobs and controls that may  
appear to be insulators.  
Use the Proper Power Cord  
Use only the power cord and connector specified for your product. Use only a  
power cord that is in good condition.  
Use the Proper Fuse  
To avoid fire hazard, use only the fuse specified in the parts list for your  
product, matched by type, voltage rating, and current rating.  
Do Not Remove Covers or Panels  
To avoid personal injury, do not operate the digitizing oscilloscope without the  
panels or covers.  
Electric Overload  
Never apply a voltage to a connector on the digitizing oscilloscope that is  
outside the voltage range specified for that connector.  
Do Not Operate in Explosive Atmospheres  
The digitizing oscilloscope provides no explosion protection from static dis-  
charges or arcing components. Do not operate the digitizing oscilloscope in  
an atmosphere of explosive gases.  
Safety  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Product Description  
Your Tektronix digitizing oscilloscope is a superb tool for acquiring, displaying,  
and measuring waveforms. Its performance addresses the needs of both  
benchtop lab and portable applications with the following features:  
500 MHz maximum analog bandwidth.  
1 Gigasample/second maximum digitizing rate (TDS 540A & 544A);  
500 Megasamples/second maximum digitizing rate (TDS 520A & 524A).  
Four-channel acquisition — the TDS 544A & 540A offer four full-featured  
channels; the TDS 520A & 524A offer two full-featured channels and two  
channels with limited vertical scale selections: 100 mV, 1 V, and 10 V.  
Waveform Math — Invert a single waveform and add, subtract, multiply,  
and divide two waveforms. On instruments with Option 2F: Advanced DSP  
Math (standard on the TDS 524A & 544A), integrate or differentiate a  
single waveform or perform an FFT (fast fourier transform) on a waveform  
to display its magnitude or phase versus its frequency.  
Eight-bit digitizers.  
Up to 15,000-point record length per channel (50,000-point optional).  
Full GPIB software programmability. Hardcopy output using RS-232 or  
Centronics ports (Optional on TDS 520A & 540A) and the GPIB.  
Complete measurement and documentation capability.  
Intuitive graphic icon operation blended with the familiarity of traditional  
horizontal and vertical knobs.  
On-line help at the touch of a button.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Product Description  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Start Up  
Before you use the digitizing oscilloscope, ensure that it is properly installed  
and powered on.  
To ensure maximum accuracy for your most critical measurements, you  
should know about signal path compensation.  
Before You Begin  
Signal Path Compensation  
Be sure you compensate your oscilloscope for the surrounding temperature.  
This action, called Signal Path Compensation (SPC), ensures maximum  
possible accuracy for your most critical measurements. See Signal Path  
Compensation on page 3-138 for a description of and operating information  
on this feature.  
To properly install and power on the digitizing oscilloscope, do the following:  
Operation  
Installation  
1. Be sure you have the appropriate operating environment. Specifications  
for temperature, relative humidity, altitude, vibrations, and emissions are  
included in the TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Performance Verification  
manual (Tektronix part number 070–8712–01).  
2. Leave space for cooling. Do this by verifying that the air intake and ex-  
haust holes on the sides of the cabinet (where the fan operates) are free  
of any airflow obstructions. Leave at least 5.1 cm (2 inches) free on each  
side.  
To avoid electrical shock, be sure that the power cord is discon-  
nected before checking the fuse.  
3. Check the fuse to be sure it is the proper type and rating (see Figure 1-1).  
You can use either of two fuses. Each fuse requires its own cap (see  
Table 1-1). The digitizing oscilloscope is shipped with the UL approved  
fuse installed.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Start Up  
4. Check that you have the proper electrical connections. The digitizing  
oscilloscope requires 90 to 250 VAC  
63 Hz, and may require up to 300 W.  
, continuous range, 47 Hz to  
RMS  
5. Connect the proper power cord from the rear-panel power connector (see  
Figure 1-1) to the power system.  
Power Connector  
Principal Power Switch  
Fuse  
Figure 1-1: Rear Panel Controls Used in Start Up  
Table 1-1: Fuse and Fuse Cap Part Numbers  
Fuse  
Fuse Part  
Number  
Fuse Cap Part  
Number  
.25 inch × 1.25 inch (UL 198.6, 3AG):  
6 A FAST, 250 V.  
159–0013–00  
200–2264–00  
5 mm × 20 mm (IEC 127): 5 A (T),  
250 V.  
159–0210–00  
200–2265–00  
Front Cover Removal  
Remove the front cover by grasping its left and right edges and snapping it off  
of the front subpanel. (When reinstalling, align and snap back on.)  
Power On  
1. Check that the rear-panel principal power switch is on (see Figure 1-1).  
The principal power switch controls all AC power to the instrument.  
2. If the oscilloscope is not powered on (the screen is blank), push the  
front-panel ON/STBY button to toggle it on (see Figure 1-2).  
The ON/STBY button controls power to most of the instrument circuits.  
Power continues to go to certain parts even when this switch is set to  
STBY.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Start Up  
Once the digitizing oscilloscope is installed, it is typical to leave the princi-  
pal power switch on and use the ON/STBY button as the power switch.  
ON/STBY Button  
Figure 1-2: ON/STBY Button  
Self Test  
Check the self test results. The digitizing oscilloscope automatically performs  
power-up tests each time it is turned on. It will come up with a display screen  
that states whether or not it passed self test. (If the self test passed, the  
status display screen will be removed after a few seconds.)  
If the self test fails, call your local Tektronix Service Center. Depending on the  
type of failure, you may still be able to use the oscilloscope before it is serv-  
iced.  
Power Off  
Toggle the ON/STBY switch to turn off the oscilloscope.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Setting Up for the Examples  
All the examples use the same setup. Once you perform this setup, you do  
not have to change the signal connections for any of the other examples.  
Remove all probes and signal inputs from the input BNC connectors along the  
lower right of the front panel. Then, using one of the probes supplied with the  
digitizing oscilloscope, connect from the CH 1 connector to the PROBE  
COMPENSATION connectors (see Figure 1-3).  
Figure 1-3: Connecting a Probe for the Examples  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
In this first example you learn about resetting the digitizing oscilloscope,  
displaying and adjusting a waveform, and using the autoset function.  
All examples in the tutorial begin by resetting the digitizing oscilloscope to a  
known factory default state. Reset the oscilloscope when you begin a new  
task and need to “start fresh” with known default settings.  
Resetting the  
Digitizing  
Oscilloscope  
1. Press the save/recall SETUP button to display the Setup menu (Fig-  
ure 1-4).  
SETUP Button  
Figure 1-4: SETUP Button Location  
The digitizing oscilloscope displays main menus along the bottom of the  
screen. Figure 1-5 shows the Setup main menu.  
OK Confirm Factory Init  
Menu Item and Button  
Recall Factory Setup  
Menu Item and Button  
Figure 1-5: The Displayed Setup Menu  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
2. Press the button directly below the Recall Factory Setup menu item.  
The display shows side menus along the right side of the screen. The  
buttons to select these side menu items are to the right of the side menu.  
Because an accidental instrument reset could destroy a setup that took a  
long time to create, the digitizing oscilloscope asks you to verify the  
Recall Factory Setup selection (see Figure 1-5).  
3. Press the button to the right of the OK Confirm Factory Init side menu  
item.  
NOTE  
This manual uses the following notation to represent the sequence  
of selections you made in steps 1, 2 and 3: Press save/recall SET-  
UP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory Init  
(side).  
Note that a clock icon appears on screen. The oscilloscope displays this  
icon when performing operations that take longer than several seconds.  
4. Press SET LEVEL TO 50% (see Figure 1-6) to be sure the oscilloscope  
triggers on the input signal.  
SET LEVEL TO 50% Button  
Figure 1-6: Trigger Controls  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
Figure 1-7 shows the display that results from the instrument reset. There are  
several important points to observe:  
Display Elements  
The trigger level bar shows that the waveform is triggered at a level near  
50% of its amplitude (from step 4).  
The trigger position indicator shows that the trigger position of the wave-  
form is located at the horizontal center of the graticule.  
The channel reference indicator shows the vertical position of channel 1  
with no input signal. This indicator points to the ground level for the  
channel when its vertical offset is set to 0 V in the vertical menu; when  
vertical offset is not set to 0 V, it points to the vertical offset level.  
The trigger readout shows that the digitizing oscilloscope is triggering on  
channel 1 (Ch1) on a rising edge, and that the trigger level is about  
200–300 mV.  
The time base readout shows that the main time base is set to a horizon-  
tal scale of 500 s/div.  
The channel readout indicates that channel 1 (Ch1) is displayed with DC  
coupling. (In AC coupling, ~ appears after the volts/div readout.) The  
digitizing oscilloscope always displays channel 1 at reset.  
Trigger Level  
Bar  
Trigger Position Indicator  
Channel Reference Indicator  
Trigger Readout  
Time Base Readout  
Channel Readout  
Figure 1-7: The Display After Factory Initialization  
Right now, the channel, time base, and trigger readouts appear in the grati-  
cule area because a menu is displayed. You can press the CLEAR MENU  
button at any time to remove any menus and to move the readouts below the  
graticule.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
The display shows the probe compensation signal. It is a 1 kHz square wave  
of approximately 0.5 V amplitude. You can adjust the size and placement of  
the waveform using the front-panel knobs.  
Adjusting the  
Waveform Display  
Figure 1-8 shows the main VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL sections of the  
front panel. Each has SCALE and POSITION knobs.  
1. Turn the vertical SCALE knob clockwise. Observe the change in the  
displayed waveform and the channel readout at the bottom of the display.  
Figure 1-8: The VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL Controls  
2. Turn the vertical POSITION knob first one direction, then the other.  
Observe the change in the displayed waveform. Then return the wave-  
form to the center of the graticule.  
3. Turn the horizontal SCALE knob one click clockwise. Observe the time  
base readout at the bottom of the display. The time base should be set to  
200 s/div now, and you should see two complete waveform cycles on  
the display.  
When you first connect a signal to a channel and display it, the signal dis-  
played may not be scaled and triggered correctly. Use the autoset function  
and you should quickly get a meaningful display.  
Using Autoset  
When you reset the digitizing oscilloscope, you see a clear, stable display of  
the probe compensation waveform. That is because the probe compensation  
signal happens to display well at the default settings of the digitizing oscillo-  
scope.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
1. To create an unstable display, slowly turn the trigger MAIN LEVEL knob  
(see Figure 1-9) first one direction, then the other. Observe what happens  
when you move the trigger level above the highest part of the displayed  
waveform. Leave the trigger level in that untriggered state.  
2. Press AUTOSET (see Figure 1-10) and observe the stable waveform  
display.  
MAIN LEVEL Knob  
Figure 1-9: TRIGGER Controls  
AUTOSET Button  
Figure 1-10: AUTOSET Button Location  
Figure 1-11 shows the display after pressing AUTOSET. If necessary, you can  
adjust the waveform now by using the knobs discussed earlier in this exam-  
ple.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform  
Figure 1-11: The Display After Pressing Autoset  
NOTE  
If the corners on your displayed signal look rounded or pointed (see  
Figure 1-12), then you may need to compensate your probe. The  
Probe Compensation section on page 3-110 explains how to com-  
pensate your probe.  
Figure 1-12: Display Signals Requiring Probe Compensation  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms  
In this example you learn how to display and control more than one waveform  
at a time.  
The VERTICAL section of the front panel contains the channel selection  
buttons. These are CH 1, CH 2, CH 3, CH 4, and MORE (Figure 1-13); on the  
TDS 620A & 524A, they are CH 1, CH 2, AUX 1, AUX 2, and MORE.  
Adding a Waveform  
Figure 1-13: The Channel Buttons and Lights  
Each of the channel (CH) buttons has a light above its label. Right now, the  
CH 1 light is on. That light indicates that the vertical controls are set to adjust  
channel 1.  
The following steps add a waveform to the display.  
1. If you are not continuing from the previous example, follow the instruc-  
tions on page 1-6 under the heading Setting Up for the Examples.  
2. Press SETUP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory  
Init (side).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms  
3. Press AUTOSET.  
4. Press CH 2.  
The display shows a second waveform, which represents the signal on  
channel 2. Since there is nothing connected to the CH 2 input connector,  
this waveform is a flat line.  
There are several other important things to observe:  
The channel readout on the display now shows the settings for both  
Ch1 and Ch2.  
There are two channel indicators at the left edge of the graticule.  
Right now, they overlap.  
The light next to the CH 2 button is now on, and the CH 1 light is off.  
Because the knobs control only one channel at a time, the vertical  
controls are now set to adjust channel 2.  
The trigger readout still indicates that the trigger is detecting trigger  
events on Ch1. The trigger source is not changed simply by adding a  
channel. (You can change the trigger source by using the TRIGGER  
MENU button to display the trigger menu.)  
5. Turn the vertical POSITION knob clockwise to move the channel 2 wave-  
form up on the graticule. You will notice that the channel reference indica-  
tor for channel 2 moves with the waveform.  
6. Press VERTICAL MENU Coupling (main).  
The VERTICAL MENU button displays a menu that gives you control  
over many vertical channel parameters (Figure 1-14). Although there can  
be more than one channel displayed, the vertical menu and buttons only  
adjust the selected channel.  
Each menu item in the Vertical menu displays a side menu. Right now,  
the Coupling item in the main menu is highlighted, which means that the  
side menu shows the coupling choices. At the top of the side menu, the  
menu title shows the channel affected by the menu choices. That always  
matches the lighted channel button.  
7. Press (side) to toggle the selection to 50 . That changes the input  
coupling of channel 2 from 1 M to 50 . The channel readout for chan-  
nel 2 (near the bottom of the graticule) now shows an indicator.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms  
Ch2 Reference Indicator  
Side Menu Title  
Figure 1-14: The Vertical Main Menu and Coupling Side Menu  
Pressing a channel (CH) button sets the vertical controls to that channel. It  
also adds the channel to the display if that waveform is not already displayed.  
Changing Controls  
to Another Channel  
1. Press CH 1.  
Observe that now the side menu title shows Ch1 (Figure 1-15), and that  
the light above CH 1 is lighted. The highlighted menu item in the side  
menu has changed from the 50 channel 2 setting to the 1 M imped-  
ance setting of channel 1.  
2. Press CH 2 (side) to toggle the selection to 1 M . That returns the  
coupling impedance of channel 2 to its initial state.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms  
Side Menu Title  
Figure 1-15: The Menus After Changing Channels  
Pressing the WAVEFORM OFF button removes the waveform for the current-  
ly selected channel. If the waveform you want to remove is not already se-  
lected, select that channel using the channel (CH) button.  
Removing a  
Waveform  
1. Press WAVEFORM OFF (under the vertical SCALE knob).  
Since the CH 2 light was on when you pressed the WAVEFORM OFF  
button, the channel 2 waveform was removed.  
The channel (CH) lights now indicate channel 1. Channel 1 has become  
the selected channel. When you remove the last waveform, all the CH  
lights are turned off.  
2. Press WAVEFORM OFF again to remove the channel 1 waveform.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
In this example you learn how to use the automated measurement system to  
get numeric readouts of important waveform characteristics.  
To use the automated measurement system, you must have a stable display  
of your signal. Also, the waveform must have all the segments necessary for  
the measurement you want. For example, a rise time measurement requires  
at least one rising edge, and a frequency measurement needs at least one  
complete cycle.  
Displaying  
Automated  
Measurements  
1. If you are not continuing from the previous example, follow the instruc-  
tions on page 1-6 under the heading Setting Up for the Examples.  
2. Press SETUP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory  
Init (side).  
3. Press AUTOSET.  
4. Press MEASURE to display the Measure main menu (see Figure 1-16).  
Figure 1-16: Measure Main Menu and Select Measurement Side Menu  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
5. If it is not already selected, press Select Measrmnt (main). The readout  
for that menu item indicates which channel the measurement will be  
taken from. All automated measurements are made on the selected  
channel.  
The Select Measurement side menu lists some of the measurements that  
can be taken on waveforms. There are many different measurements  
available; up to four can be taken and displayed at any one time. Press-  
ing the button next to the –more– menu item brings up the other mea-  
surement selections.  
6. Press Frequency (side). If the Frequency menu item is not visible, press  
–more– (side) repeatedly until the Frequency item appears. Then press  
Frequency (side).  
Observe that the frequency measurement appears within the right side of  
the graticule area. The measurement readout includes the notation Ch1,  
meaning that that measurement is taken on the channel 1 waveform. (To  
take a measurement on another channel, select that channel, and then  
select the measurement.)  
7. Press Positive Width (side) –more– (side) Rise Time (side) ➞  
Positive Duty Cycle (side).  
All four measurements are displayed. Right now, they cover a part of the  
graticule area, including the displayed waveforms.  
8. To move the measurement readouts outside the graticule area, press  
CLEAR MENU (see Figure 1-17).  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
Press here to  
remove menus  
from screen.  
Figure 1-17: Four Simultaneous Measurement Readouts  
The Measure menu lets you remove measurements you no longer want  
displayed. You can remove any one measurement, or you can remove them  
all with a single menu item.  
Removing  
Measurement  
Readouts  
Press MEASURE Remove Measrmnt (main) Measurement 1, Mea-  
surement 2, and Measurement 4 (side) to remove those measurements.  
Leave the rise time measurement displayed.  
By default, the measurement system will use the 10% and 90% levels of the  
waveform for taking the rise time measurement. You can change these values  
to other percentages or change them to absolute voltage levels.  
Changing the  
Measurement  
Reference Levels  
To examine the current values, press Reference Levels (main) High Ref  
(side).  
The General Purpose Knob  
The general purpose knob, the large knob, is now set to adjust the high  
reference level (Figure 1-18).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
General Purpose Knob  
Setting and Readout  
General Purpose  
Knob Icon  
Highlighted Menu Item with  
Boxed Readout Value  
Figure 1-18: General Purpose Knob Indicators  
There are several important things to observe on the screen:  
The knob icon appears at the top of the screen. The knob icon indicates  
that the general purpose knob has just been set to adjust a parameter.  
The upper right corner of the screen shows the readout High Ref: 90%.  
The High Ref side menu item is highlighted, and a box appears around  
the 90% readout in the High Ref menu item. The box indicates that the  
general purpose knob is currently set to adjust that parameter.  
Turn the general purpose knob left and right, and then use it to adjust the high  
level to 80%. That sets the high measurement reference to 80%.  
Hint: To make large changes quickly with the general purpose knob, press the  
SHIFT button before turning the knob. When the light above the SHIFT button  
is on and the display says Coarse Knobs in the upper-right corner, the  
general purpose knob speeds up significantly.  
The Numeric Keypad  
Any time the general purpose knob is set to adjust a numeric parameter, you  
can enter the value as a number using the keypad instead of using the knob.  
Always end the entry of a number by pressing the ENTER (  
).  
The numeric keypad also provides multipliers for engineering exponents, such  
as m for milli, M for mega, and for micro. To enter these multiplier values,  
press the SHIFT button, then press the multiplier.  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
1. Press Low Ref (side).  
2. On the numeric keypad, press the 2, the 0, and the ENTER (  
) but-  
tons, which sets the low measurement reference to 20%. Observe that  
the rise-time value has changed.  
3. Press Remove Measrmnt (main) All Measurements (side). That  
returns the display to its original state.  
You have seen how to display up to four individual automated measurements  
on screen. You can also pop up a display of almost all of the automated  
measurements available in the Select Measrmnts side menus. This snap-  
shot of measurements is taken on the waveform currently selected using the  
channel selection buttons.  
Displaying a  
Snapshot of  
Automated  
Measurements  
As when displaying individual measurements, you must have a stable display  
of your signal, and that signal must have all the segments necessary for the  
measurement you want.  
1. Press Snapshot (main) to pop up a snapshot of all available single  
waveform measurements. (See Figure 1-19).  
Figure 1-19: Snapshot of Channel 1  
The snapshot display includes the notation Ch 1, meaning that the mea-  
surements displayed are taken on the channel 1 waveform. You take a  
snapshot of a waveform in another channel by first selecting that channel  
using the channel selection buttons.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 3: Automated Measurements  
The snapshot measurements do not continuously update. Snapshot  
executes a one-time capture of all measurements and does not update  
those measurements unless it is performed again.  
2. Press Again (side) to do another snapshot and update the snapshot  
measurements.  
3. Press Remove Measrmnt (main) to remove the snapshot display. (You  
can also press CLEAR MENU, but a new snapshot will be executed the  
next time you display the Measure menu.)  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 4: Saving Setups  
This example shows you how to save all the settings of the digitizing oscillo-  
scope and how to recall the setup later to quickly re-establish the previously  
saved state. The oscilloscope provides several storage locations where you  
can save the setups. With the file system (optional on the TDS 620A &  
TDS 640A), you can also save setups to a floppy disk.  
Besides being able to save several complete setups, the digitizing oscillo-  
scope remembers all the parameter settings when you power it off. That  
feature lets you power on and continue where you left off without having to  
reconstruct the state of the digitizing oscilloscope.  
First, you need to create an instrument setup you want to save. The next  
several steps establish a two-waveform display with a measurement on one  
waveform. The setup created is complex enough that you might prefer not to  
go through all these steps each time you want that display.  
Saving a Setup  
1. If you are not continuing from the previous example, follow the instruc-  
tions on page 1-6 under the heading Setting Up for the Examples.  
2. Press SETUP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory  
Init (side).  
3. Press AUTOSET.  
4. Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main) Frequency (side).  
(Press the –more– side menu item if the Frequency selection does not  
appear in the side menu.)  
5. Press CH 2 CLEAR MENU.  
6. Press SETUP Save Current Setup (main) to display the Setup main  
menu (see Figure 1-20).  
Note that the setup locations shown in the side menu are labeled  
either user or factory. If you save your current setup in a location  
labeled user, you will overwrite the user setup previously stored  
there. If you work in a laboratory environment where several people  
share the digitizing oscilloscope, check with the other users before  
you overwrite their setup. Setup locations labeled factory have the  
factory setup stored as a default and can be used to store current  
setups without disturbing previously stored setups.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Example 4: Saving Setups  
Figure 1-20: Save/Recall Setup Menu  
7. Press one of the To Setup side menu buttons to store the current instru-  
ment settings into that setup location. Remember which setup location  
you selected for use later.  
There are more setup locations than can be listed at one time in the side  
menu. The –more– side menu item gives you access to all the setup  
locations.  
Once you have saved a particular setup, you can change the settings as  
you wish, knowing that you can come back to that setup at any time.  
8. Press MEASURE Positive Width (side) to add that measurement to  
the display.  
To recall the setup, Press SETUP Recall Saved Setup (main) Recall  
Recalling a Setup  
Setup (side) for the setup location you used in the last exercise. The positive  
width measurement is now removed from the display because you selected it  
after you saved the setup.  
This completes the tutorial. You can restore the default settings by pressing  
SETUP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory Init (side).  
Getting Started  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Overview  
This section describes the basic concepts of operating the digitizing oscillo-  
scope. Understanding the basic concepts of your digitizing oscilloscope will  
help you use it much more effectively.  
The first part, At a Glance, quickly shows you how the oscilloscope is orga-  
nized and gives some very general operating instructions. It also contains an  
overview of all the main menus. This part includes:  
Front Panel Map  
Rear Panel Map  
Display Map  
Basic Menu Operation  
Menu Map  
The second part explains the following concepts:  
The triggering system, which establishes conditions for acquiring sig-  
nals. Properly set, triggers can convert displays from unstable jumbles or  
blank screens into meaningful waveforms. See Triggering on page 2-13.  
The acquisition system, which converts analog data into digital form.  
See Acquisition on page 2-19.  
The waveform scaling and positioning system, which changes the  
dimensions of the waveform display. Scaling waveforms involves increas-  
ing or decreasing their displayed size. Positioning means moving them  
up, down, right, or left on the display. See Scaling and Positioning Wave-  
forms on page 2-25.  
The measurement system, which provides numeric information on the  
displayed waveforms. You can use graticule, cursor, and automated  
measurements. See Measurements on page 2-30.  
At the end of each topic, For More Information will point you to sources where  
more information can be found.  
To explore these topics in more depth and to read about topics not covered in  
this section, see Reference. Page 3-1 lists the topics covered.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Overview  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
The At a Glance section contains illustrations of the display, the front and rear  
panels, and the menu system. These will help you understand and operate  
the digitizing oscilloscope. This section also contains a visual guide to using  
the menu system.  
Front Panel Map —  
Left Side  
File System,  
page 3-55  
(Optional on  
TDS 640A &  
TDS 620A)  
Side Menu  
Buttons,  
page 2-7  
ON/STBY Switch,  
Main Menu Buttons,  
page 2-7  
CLEAR MENU  
Removes Menus  
from the Display  
page 1-3  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Front Panel Map —  
Right Side  
Measurement System,  
page 3-86  
Color, page 3-12 (TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Display Modes, page 3-28  
Remote Communication, page 3-126  
Cursor Measurements, page 3-17  
Hardcopy, page 3-59  
File System, page 3-55  
Saving and Recalling  
Waveforms, page 3-133  
File System, page 3-55 (Optional  
on TDS 620A & TDS 640A)  
Acquisition Modes,  
page 3-3  
Cursor Measurements,  
page 3-17  
Saving and Recalling Setups,  
page 3-130  
Autoset, page 3-10  
Help, page 3-67  
Status, page 3-140  
Selecting Channels,  
page 3-136  
WaveformMath,  
page 3-159  
VerticalControl,  
page 3-147  
Zoom,  
page  
3-162  
Ground  
Probe Compensation,  
page 3-110  
Horizontal Control,  
page 3-68  
Triggering, page 3-142  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Rear Panel Map  
GPIB  
Connector  
page 3-126  
Centronics Connector  
(Optional on TDS 620A (Optional on TDS 620A  
& TDS 640A) & TDS 640A)  
RS-232 Connector  
Principal Power Switch,  
page 1-3  
Fuse,  
page 1-3  
Serial Number  
Power Connector,  
page 1-3  
Rear Panel  
Connectors  
(on TDS 540A &  
544A only)  
Security  
Bracket  
VGA Output  
(Color with TDS 524A  
& TDS 644A,  
Monochrome with  
TDS 620A &  
SIGNAL OUTPUT –  
(Provides CH3 analog signal output)  
AUX TRIGGER INPUT –  
(Provides auxiliary trigger signal input)  
TDS 640A)  
MAIN TRIGGER OUTPUT –  
(Provides main trigger (TTL) output)  
DELAYED TRIGGER OUTPUT –  
(Provides delayed trigger (TTL) output)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Display Map  
When present, the general  
purpose knob makes coarse  
adjustments; when absent,  
fine adjustments  
The value entered with  
the general purpose  
knob  
The acquisition  
status, page 3-3  
Trigger position (T),  
page 3-142  
The waveform  
record icon  
Indicates position of  
vertical bar cursors in  
the waveform record,  
page 3-147  
Shows what part of the waveform  
record is displayed, page 3-68  
Trigger level on  
Cursor  
measurements,  
page 3-17  
waveform (may be  
an arrow at right  
side of screen  
instead of a bar)  
The side menu  
with choices of  
specific actions  
Channel level  
and waveform  
source  
Trigger  
parameters,  
page 3-144  
Vertical scale,  
page 3-147  
Horizontal scale  
and time base  
type, page 3-68  
The main menu with  
choices of major  
actions  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
To Operate a Menu  
1. Press front-panel menu button.  
(Press SHIFT first if button  
label is blue.)  
2. Press one of these buttons to  
select from main menu.  
3. Press one of these buttons to  
select from side menu (if  
displayed).  
4. If side menu item has an ad-  
justable value (shown in re-  
verse video), adjust it with the  
general purpose knob or  
keypad.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
To Operate a Pop-Up  
Menu  
Press  
to display pop-ups.  
Press here to  
remove menus  
from screen.  
Press it again  
to make selection.  
Alternatively, press  
SHIFT first to make  
selection in the opposite  
direction.  
A pop-up selection changes the  
other main menu titles.  
At a Glance  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Menu Map  
Press these but-  
tons:  
To bring up these menus:  
Acquire Menu  
(see page 3-3)  
Application Menu  
(see the Programmer  
manual for more details)  
Cursor Menu  
(see page 3-17)  
Delayed Trigger Menu  
(see page 3-22)  
Display Menu – Color  
(TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
(see page 3-12 )  
Display Menu – Display  
(TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
(see page 3-28)  
Display Menu – Display  
(TDS 520A & TDS 540A)  
(see page 3-28)  
Horizontal Menu  
(see page 3-68)  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Press these button
Hardcopy Menu  
(TDS 620A & TDS 640A)  
(see page 3-59)  
Hardcopy Menu  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
(see page 3-59)  
Main Trigger Menu – Edge  
(see page 3-34)  
Main Trigger Menu – Logic  
(see page 3-78)  
Main Trigger Menu –Pulse  
(see page 3-119)  
Measure Menu  
(see page 3-86)  
More Menu  
(see page 3-159)  
Save/Recall Setup Menu  
(see page 3-130)  
Save/Recall Waveform Menu  
(see page 3-133)  
Status Menu  
(see page 3-140)  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Press these buttons:  
To bring up these menus:  
Utility Menu – Calibration  
(see page )  
Utility Menu – Config  
(see pages )  
Utility Menu – Diagnostics  
(see the Service manual)  
Utility Menu – I/O – GPIB  
(see page 3-126)  
Utility Menu – I/O – RS232  
(optional on TDS 620A &  
TDS 640A) (see page 3-126)  
Vertical Channel Menu  
(see page 3-147)  
Zoom Menu  
(see page 3-162)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
At a Glance  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
This section describes the edge trigger of the main trigger system and ex-  
plores, in a general sense, the topic of triggering. This oscilloscope also has  
logic and pulse triggers in the main trigger system and a delayed trigger  
system. They are described in Section 3.  
Triggers determine when the digitizing oscilloscope starts acquiring and  
displaying a waveform. They help create meaningful waveforms from unsta-  
ble jumbles or blank screens (see Figure 2-1).  
Triggered Waveform  
Untriggered Waveforms  
Figure 2-1: Triggered Versus Untriggered Displays  
The trigger event establishes the time-zero point in the waveform record, and  
all points in the record are located in time with respect to that point. The  
digitizing oscilloscope continuously acquires and retains enough sample  
points to fill the pretrigger portion of the waveform record (that part of the  
waveform that is displayed before, or to the left of, the triggering event on  
screen).  
When a trigger event occurs, the digitizing oscilloscope starts acquiring  
samples to build the posttrigger portion of the waveform record (displayed  
after, or to the right of, the trigger event). Once a trigger is recognized, the  
digitizing oscilloscope will not accept another trigger until the acquisition is  
complete.  
The basic trigger is the edge trigger. An edge trigger event occurs when the  
trigger source (the signal that the trigger circuit monitors) passes through a  
specified voltage level in a specified direction (the trigger slope).  
You can derive your trigger from various sources.  
Trigger Sources  
Input channels — the most commonly used trigger source is any one of  
the four input channels. The channel you select as a trigger source will  
function whether it is displayed or not.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
AC Line Voltage — this trigger source is useful when you are looking at  
signals related to the power line frequency. Examples include devices  
such as lighting equipment and power supplies. Because the digitizing  
oscilloscope generates the trigger, you do not have to input a signal to  
create the trigger.  
Auxiliary Trigger — this trigger source is useful in digital design and  
repair. For example, you might want to trigger with an external clock or  
with a signal from another part of the circuit. To use the auxiliary trigger,  
connect the external triggering signal to the Auxiliary Trigger input con-  
nector on the oscilloscope rear panel (TDS 640A & TDS 644A only).  
The digitizing oscilloscope provides three standard triggers for the main  
trigger system: edge, pulse, and logic. Option 05 provides a video trigger. The  
standard triggers are described in individual articles found in the Reference  
section. A brief definition of each type follows:  
Types  
Edge — the “basic” trigger. You can use it with both analog and digital  
test circuits. An edge trigger event occurs when the trigger source (the  
signal the trigger circuit is monitoring) passes through a specified voltage  
level in the specified direction (the trigger slope).  
Pulse — special trigger primarily used on digital circuits. Three classes of  
pulse triggers are width, runt, and glitch. Pulse triggering is available on  
the main trigger only.  
Logic — special trigger primarily used on digital logic circuits. You select  
Boolean operators for the trigger sources. Triggering occurs when the  
Boolean conditions are satisfied. There are two kinds of logic triggers,  
state and pattern. (Logic triggers are available on the main trigger system  
only.)  
Video — (with option 05) special trigger used on video circuits. It helps  
you investigate events that occur when a video signal generates a hori-  
zontal or vertical sync pulse. Supported classes of video triggers include  
NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and high definition TV signals.  
The trigger mode determines how the oscilloscope behaves in the absence of  
a trigger event. The digitizing oscilloscope provides two different trigger  
modes, normal and automatic.  
Trigger Modes  
Normal — this trigger mode lets the oscilloscope acquire a waveform  
only when it is triggered. If no trigger occurs, the oscilloscope will not  
acquire a waveform. (You can push FORCE TRIGGER to force the  
oscilloscope to make a single acquisition.)  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
Automatic — this trigger mode (auto mode) lets the oscilloscope acquire  
a waveform even if a trigger does not occur. Auto mode uses a timer that  
starts after a trigger event occurs. If another trigger event is not detected  
before the timer times out, the oscilloscope forces a trigger anyway. The  
length of time it waits for a trigger event depends on the time base set-  
ting.  
Be aware that auto mode, when forcing triggers in the absence of valid trig-  
gering events, does not sync the waveform on the display. In other words,  
successive acquisitions will not be triggered at the same point on the wave-  
form; therefore, the waveform will appear to roll across the screen. Of course,  
if valid triggers occur the display will become stable on screen.  
Since auto mode will force a trigger in the absence of one, auto mode is  
useful in observing signals where you are only concerned with monitoring  
amplitude level. Although the unsynced waveform may “roll” across the  
display, it will not freeze as it would in normal trigger mode. Monitoring of a  
power supply output is an example of such an application.  
When a trigger event is recognized, the oscilloscope disables the trigger  
system until acquisition is complete. In addition, the trigger system remains  
disabled during the holdoff period that follows each acquisition. You can set  
holdoff time to help ensure a stable display.  
Holdoff  
For example, the trigger signal can be a complex waveform with many possi-  
ble trigger points on it. Though the waveform is repetitive, a simple trigger  
might get you a series of patterns on the screen instead of the same pattern  
each time.  
Digital pulse trains are good examples (see Figure 2-2). Each pulse looks like  
any other, so many possible trigger points exist. Not all of these will result in  
the same display. The holdoff period allows the digitizing oscilloscope to  
trigger on the correct edge, resulting in a stable display.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
Acquisition  
Interval  
Acquisition  
Interval  
Trigger Points  
Trigger Level  
Holdoff  
Holdoff  
Triggers are Not Recognized During Holdoff Time  
Holdoff  
Figure 2-2: Trigger Holdoff Time Ensures Valid Triggering  
Holdoff is settable from 0% (minimum holdoff available) to 100% (maximum  
available). To see how to set holdoff, see Mode & Holdoff on page 3-37. The  
minimum and maximum holdoff varies with the horizontal scale. See Holdoff,  
Variable, Main Trigger in the TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Performance  
Verification Manual, Section 2 on Specification, Typical Characteristics for  
typical minimum and maximum values.  
Trigger coupling determines what part of the signal is passed to the trigger  
circuit. Available coupling types include AC, DC, Low Frequency Rejection,  
High Frequency Rejection, and Noise Rejection:  
Coupling  
DC coupling passes all of the input signal. In other words, it passes both  
AC and DC components to the trigger circuit.  
AC coupling passes only the alternating components of an input signal.  
(AC components above 10 Hz are passed if the source channel is in  
1 M coupling; above 200 kHz are passed in 50 coupling.) It removes  
the DC components from the trigger signal.  
High frequency rejection removes the high frequency portion of the trig-  
gering signal. That allows only the low frequency components to pass on  
to the triggering system to start an acquisition. High frequency rejection  
attenuates signals above 30 kHz.  
Low frequency rejection does the opposite of high frequency rejection.  
Low frequency rejection attenuates signals below 80 kHz.  
Noise Rejection lowers trigger sensitivity. It requires additional signal  
amplitude for stable triggering, reducing the chance of falsely triggering  
on noise.  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
The adjustable trigger position defines where on the waveform record the  
Trigger Position  
trigger occurs. It lets you properly align and measure data within records. The  
part of the record that occurs before the trigger is the pretrigger portion. The  
part that occurs after the trigger is the posttrigger portion.  
To help you visualize the trigger position setting, the top part of the display  
has an icon indicating where the trigger occurs in the waveform record. You  
select in the Horizontal menu what percentage of the waveform record will  
contain pretrigger information.  
Many users find displaying pretrigger information a valuable troubleshooting  
technique. For example, if you are trying to find the cause of an unwanted  
glitch in your test circuit, it may prove valuable to trigger on the glitch and  
make the pretrigger period large enough to capture data before the glitch. By  
analyzing what happened before the glitch, you may uncover clues about the  
source of the glitch.  
The slope control determines whether the oscilloscope finds the trigger point  
on the rising or the falling edge of a signal (see Figure 2-3).  
Slope and Level  
You set trigger slope by selecting Slope in the Main Trigger menu and then  
selecting from the rising or falling slope icons in the side menu that appears.  
The level control determines where on that edge the trigger point occurs (see  
Figure 2-3).  
Positive-Going Edge  
Negative-Going Edge  
Trigger Level Can be  
Adjusted Vertically  
Trigger Slope Can be Positive or Negative  
Figure 2-3: Slope and Level Controls Help Define the Trigger  
The digitizing oscilloscope lets you set the main trigger level with the trigger  
MAIN LEVEL knob.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
As mentioned earlier in this section there is also a delayed trigger system that  
provides an edge trigger (no pulse or logic triggers). When using the delayed  
time base, you can also delay the acquisition of a waveform for a user-speci-  
fied time or a user-specified number of delayed trigger events (or both) after a  
main trigger event.  
Delayed Trigger  
See Delayed Triggering, on page 3-22.  
See Edge Triggering, on page 3-34.  
See Horizontal Controls, on page 3-68.  
See Logic Triggering, on page 3-78.  
See Pulse Triggering, on page 3-119.  
See Triggering, on page 3-142.  
For More  
Information  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
Acquisition is the process of sampling the analog input signal, converting it  
into digital data, and assembling it into a waveform record. The oscilloscope  
creates a digital representation of the input signal by sampling the voltage  
level of the signal at regular time intervals (Figure 2-4).  
+5.0 V  
+5.0 V  
0 V  
0 V  
0 V  
0 V  
–5.0 V  
–5.0 V  
Input Signal  
Sampled  
Points  
Digital  
Values  
Figure 2-4: Acquisition: Input Analog Signal, Sample, and Digitize  
The sampled points are stored in memory along with corresponding timing  
information. You can use this digital representation of the signal for display,  
measurements, or further processing.  
You specify how the digitizing oscilloscope acquires data points and as-  
sembles them into the waveform record.  
The trigger point marks time zero in a waveform record. All record points  
before the trigger event make up the pretrigger portion of the the waveform  
record. Every record point after the trigger event is part of the posttrigger  
portion. All timing measurements in the waveform record are made relative to  
the trigger event.  
Sampling and  
Digitizing  
Each time it takes a sample, the oscilloscope digitizer produces a numeric  
representation of the signal. The number of samples may be larger than the  
number of points in your waveform record. In fact, the oscilloscope may take  
several samples for each record point (Figure 2-5).  
Interval for One Waveform Record Point  
Samples For a  
Record Point  
Figure 2-5: Several Points May be Acquired for Each Point Used  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
The digitizer can use the extra samples to perform additional processing,  
such as averaging or looking for minimum and maximum values.  
The digitizing oscilloscope creates a waveform record containing a user-spe-  
cified number of data points. Each record point represents a certain voltage  
level that occurs a determined amount of time from the trigger event.  
Record Length  
The number of points that make up the waveform record is defined by the  
record length. You can set the record length in the Horizontal menu. The  
digitizing oscilloscope provides record lengths of 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, and  
15000 points.  
You can order option 1M that provides a maximum record length of 50,000  
points. That option is available only at the time of original purchase; it cannot  
be installed later.  
Sampling  
Sampling is the process of converting the analog input signal to digital data  
for display and processing (see Figure 2-6). The two general methods of  
sampling are real-time and equivalent-time.  
Real-Time Sampling — In real-time sampling, the oscilloscope digitizes all  
the points it acquires after one trigger event (see Figure 2-6). Use real-time  
sampling to capture single-shot or transient events.  
Record Points  
Sampling Rate  
Figure 2-6: Real-Time Sampling  
Two factors that affect real-time sampling on the digitizing oscilloscope are  
interleaving and interpolation.  
Interleaving refers to the ability of the digitizing oscilloscope to attain higher  
digitizing speeds by combining the efforts of several digitizers. For example, if  
you want to digitize on all channels at one time (four on the TDS 644A and  
TDS 640A and two on the TDS 524A and TDS 620A), each of those channels  
can digitize at a maximum real-time speed of 250 Megasamples/second (per  
channel).  
If you use two channels, the TDS 644A and TDS 640A oscilloscopes can  
combine the efforts of two digitizers to each channel and acquire at 500  
Megasamples/second (per channel).  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
If you focus on only one channel at the maximum possible real-time rate, the  
TDS 524A and TDS 620A oscilloscopes can acquire at 500 Megasamples/  
second using both its digitizers, while the TDS 644A and TDS 640A oscillo-  
scopes can combine all four digitizers and acquire at 1 Gigasample/second.  
Depending on how many channels you are using and the speed of the time  
base, at some point the digitizing oscilloscope will not be able to get enough  
samples to create a waveform record. (See the discussion on page 2-22 for  
more details about when that happens.) At that point, the digitizing oscillo-  
scope will create the waveform record in one of two ways depending on  
whether you have limited the oscilloscope to real-time sampling or enabled  
equivalent-time sampling (you make that choice in the Acquisition menu).  
If you have restricted it to real-time sampling, the digitizing oscilloscope uses  
a process called interpolation to create the intervening points in the waveform  
record. There are two options for interpolation: linear or sin(x)/x.  
Linear interpolation computes record points between actual acquired samples  
by using a straight line fit. It assumes all the interpolated points fall in their  
appropriate point in time on that straight line. Linear interpolation is useful for  
many waveforms such as pulse trains.  
Sin(x)/x interpolation computes record points using a curve fit between the  
actual values acquired. It assumes all the interpolated points fall along that  
curve. That is particularly useful when acquiring more rounded waveforms  
such as sine waves. Actually, it is appropriate for general use, although it may  
introduce some overshoot or undershoot in signals with fast rise times.  
NOTE  
When using either type of interpolation, you may wish to set the  
display style so that the real samples are displayed intensified  
relative to the interpolated samples. The instructions under Display  
Style on page 3-28 explain how to turn on intensified samples.  
Equivalent-Time Sampling — The digitizing oscilloscope only uses  
equivalent-time sampling if you have enabled the equivalent-time option in the  
Acquisition menu and the oscilloscope is not able to get enough samples with  
which to create a waveform record.  
In equivalent-time (ET) sampling the oscilloscope acquires samples over  
many repetitions of the event (Figure 2-7). It should only be used on repetitive  
signals.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
Record Points  
1st Acquisition Cycle  
2nd Acquisition Cycle  
3rd Acquisition Cycle  
nth Acquisition Cycle  
Figure 2-7: Equivalent-Time Sampling  
The oscilloscope takes a few samples with each trigger event and eventually  
constructs a waveform record using the samples from multiple acquisitions.  
That feature lets you accurately acquire signals with frequencies much higher  
than the digitizing oscilloscope real-time bandwidth.  
The digitizing oscilloscope uses a type of equivalent-time sampling called  
random equivalent-time sampling. Although the samples are taken sequential-  
ly in time, they are random with respect to the trigger. That is because the  
oscilloscope sample clock runs asynchronously with respect to the input  
signal and the signal trigger. The oscilloscope takes samples independent of  
the trigger position and displays them based on the time difference between  
the sample and the trigger.  
The sampling speeds and the number of channels you choose affect the  
mode the digitizing oscilloscope uses to sample waveforms. Basically, if the  
time base is 200 ns or slower, the digitizing oscilloscope uses real-time sam-  
pling for creating waveform records when Fit to Screen is off.  
Selecting Sampling  
Mode  
When the time base is faster than 50 ns, the digitizing oscilloscope creates  
waveform records using equivalent-time sampling or interpolation. For speeds  
between 200 ns and 20 ns, the digitizing oscilloscope creates waveform  
records differently depending on the number of input channels and type of  
oscilloscope you are using (see Table 2-1).  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
Table 2-1: Sampling Mode Selection —  
100 ns/Div to 50 ns/Div (When Fit to Screen is Off)  
Instrument and  
Number of Channels  
100 ns/Div  
Real-time  
Real-time  
50 ns/Div  
TDS 544A & 540A,  
any 1 channel  
Real-time  
TDS 544A & 540A,  
any 2 channels  
Equivalent-time or  
interpolated real-time  
TDS 544A & 540A,  
3 or more channels  
Equivalent-time or  
interpolated real-time  
Equivalent-time or  
interpolated real-time  
TDS 524A & 520A,  
any 1 channel  
Real-time  
Equivalent-time or  
interpolated real-time  
TDS 524A & 520A, any Equivalent-time or  
2 channels interpolated real-time  
Equivalent-time or  
interpolated real-time  
The digitizing oscilloscope supports five acquisition modes.  
Acquisition Modes  
Sample  
Peak Detect  
Hi Res  
Envelope  
Average  
Sample acquisition mode, which acquires in real time, is the mode most  
commonly used. You can read about Sample and the other acquisition modes  
in Acquisition Modes, beginning on page 3-3.  
Bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies that an oscilloscope can acquire  
and display accurately (that is, with less than 3 dB attenuation).  
Bandwidth  
Coupling  
You can set different bandwidths with the digitizing oscilloscope. Lower band-  
width settings let you eliminate the higher frequency components of a signal.  
The TDS 600A series offers Full (500 MHz), 100 MHz, and 20 MHz band-  
width settings.  
You can couple your input signal to the digitizing oscilloscope three ways. You  
can choose between AC, DC, or Ground (GND). You can also set the input  
impedance.  
DC coupling shows both the AC and DC components of an input signal.  
AC coupling shows only the alternating components of an input signal.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition  
Ground (GND) coupling disconnects the input signal from the acquisition.  
Input impedance lets you select either 1 M or 50  
impedance.  
NOTE  
If you select 50 impedance with AC coupling, the digitizing oscillo-  
scope will not accurately display frequencies under 200 kHz.  
See Scaling and Positioning Waveforms, on page 2-25.  
See Acquisition Modes, on page 3-3.  
For More  
Information  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms  
Scaling and positioning waveforms means increasing or decreasing their  
displayed size and moving them up, down, right, and left on the display.  
Two display icons, the channel reference indicator and the record view, help  
you quickly see the position of the waveform in the display (see Figure 2-8).  
The channel reference icon points to the ground of the waveform record when  
offset is set to 0 V. This is the point about which the waveform contracts or  
expands when the vertical scale is changed. The record view, at the top of the  
display, indicates where the trigger occurs and what part of the waveform  
record is displayed.  
Record View  
Channel Reference Icon  
Original Position  
Positioned Vertically  
Positioned Horizontally  
Original Scale  
Scaled  
Scaled Horizontally  
Vertically  
Figure 2-8: Scaling and Positioning  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms  
You can adjust the vertical position of the selected waveform by moving it up  
or down on the display. For example, when trying to compare multiple wave-  
forms, you can put one above another and compare them, or you can overlay  
the two waveforms on top of each other. To move the selected waveform turn  
the vertical POSITION knob.  
Vertical System  
You can also alter the vertical scale. The digitizing oscilloscope shows the  
scale (in volts per division) for each active channel toward the bottom left of  
the display. As you turn the vertical SCALE knob clockwise, the value de-  
creases resulting in higher resolution because you see a smaller part of the  
waveform. As you turn it counter-clockwise the scale increases allowing you  
to see more of the waveform but with lower resolution.  
Besides using the position and scale knobs, you can set the vertical scale and  
position with exact numbers. You do that with the Vertical menu Fine Scale  
and Position selections and the general purpose knob and/or the keypad.  
Offset  
Vertical offset changes where the channel reference indicator is shown with  
respect to the graticule. Offset adds a voltage to the reference indicator  
without changing the scale. That feature allows you to move the waveform up  
and down over a large area without decreasing the resolution.  
Offset is useful in cases where a waveform has a DC bias. One example is  
looking at a small ripple on a power supply output. You may be trying to look  
at a 100 mV ripple on top of a 15 V supply. The range available with offset  
can prove valuable as you try to move and scale the ripple to meet your  
needs.  
Adjusting the horizontal position of waveforms moves them right or left on the  
display. That is useful when the record length of the waveform is so large  
(greater than 500 points) that the digitizing oscilloscope cannot display the  
entire waveform record at one time. You can also adjust the scale of the  
waveform. For example, you might want to see just one cycle of a waveform  
to measure the overshoot on its rising edge.  
Horizontal System  
You adjust the horizontal scale of the displayed waveform records using the  
horizontal SCALE knob and the horizontal position using the horizontal  
POSITION knob.  
The digitizing oscilloscope shows the actual scale in the bottom right of the  
display. The scale readout shows the time per division used. Since all live  
waveforms use the same time base, the digitizing oscilloscope only displays  
one value for all the active channels.  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms  
Aliasing  
When aliasing happens, you see a waveform with a frequency lower than the  
actual waveform being input or a waveform is not stable even though the light  
next to TRIG’D is lit. Aliasing occurs because the oscilloscope cannot sample  
the signal fast enough to construct an accurate waveform record (Figure 2-9).  
Actual High-Frequency Waveform  
Apparent Low-Frequency  
Waveform Due to Aliasing  
Sampled Points  
Figure 2-9: Aliasing  
One simple way to check for aliasing is to slowly change the horizontal scale  
(time per division setting). If the shape of the displayed waveform changes  
drastically, you may have aliasing.  
In order to represent a signal accurately and avoid aliasing, you must sample  
the signal more than twice as fast as the highest frequency component. For  
example, a signal with frequency components of 500 MHz would need to be  
sampled at a rate faster than 1 Gigasamples/second.  
There are various ways to prevent aliasing. Try adjusting the horizontal scale,  
or simply press the AUTOSET button. You can also counteract some aliasing  
by changing the acquisition mode in the Acquisition menu. For example, if  
you are using the sample mode and suspect aliasing, you may want to  
change to the peak detect mode. Since the peak detect mode searches for  
samples with the highest and lowest values, it can detect faster signal compo-  
nents over time.  
Delayed Time Base  
You can set a main time base and a delayed time base. Each time base has  
its own trigger. There are two types of delayed time base acquisitions. Each  
type is based on its triggering relationship to the main time base. These are  
delayed runs after main and delay triggerable (after time, events, or both)  
acquisitions.  
The delayed time base is useful in displaying events that follow other events.  
See Triggering on page 2-13 for more information on the delayed trigger.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms  
FastFrameTM  
TM  
You can define and enable FastFrame (also called “segmented memory”)  
on the TDS 600A. This feature lets you capture multiple acquisitions in the  
acquisition memory of a single channel. Figure 2-10 shows how FastFrame  
combines the desired captured records into one larger record. For example,  
FastFrame would let you store 10 records of 500 samples each into one  
record with a 5000 sample length.  
Real Time  
Fast Frame  
Figure 2-10: Fast Frame  
You can use zoom to see more detail without changing the acquired signal.  
When you press the ZOOM button, a portion of the waveform record can be  
expanded or compressed on the display, but the record points stay the same.  
Zoom  
Zoom is very useful when you wish to temporarily expand a waveform to  
inspect small feature(s) on that waveform. For example, you might use zoom  
to temporarily expand the front corner of a pulse to inspect its aberrations.  
Use zoom to expand it horizontally and vertically. After you are finished, you  
can return to your original horizontal scale setting by pressing one menu  
button. (The zoom feature is also handy if you have acquired a waveform  
while using the fastest time per division and want to further expand the wave-  
form horizontally.)  
Autoset lets you quickly obtain a stable waveform display. It automatically  
adjusts a wide variety of settings including vertical and horizontal scaling.  
Other settings affected include trigger coupling, type, position, slope, and  
mode and display intensities. Autoset on page 3-10 describes in detail what  
autoset does.  
Autoset  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms  
See Autoset, on page 3-10.  
For More  
Information  
See Delayed Triggering, on page 3-22.  
See Horizontal Control, on page 3-68.  
See Vertical Control, on page 3-147.  
See Zoom, on page 3-162.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurements  
The digitizing oscilloscope not only displays graphs of voltage versus time, it  
also can help you measure the displayed information (see Figure 2-11).  
Cursor  
Automated  
Readouts  
Measurements  
Graticule  
Ch 1  
Frequency  
100 MHz  
Ch 1 Period  
10 ns  
Cursors  
Figure 2-11: Graticule, Cursor and Automated Measurements  
The oscilloscope provides three measurement classes. They are: automated,  
cursors, and graticule measurements.  
Measurement  
Sources  
Automated Measurements  
You make automated measurements merely by pressing a few buttons. The  
digitizing oscilloscope does all the calculating for you. Because these mea-  
surements use the waveform record points, automated measurements are  
more accurate than cursor or graticule measurements.  
Press the MEASURE button for the automated measurement menus. These  
menus let you make amplitude (typically in volts; sometimes in %), time  
(typically in seconds or hertz), and area (in volt-seconds) measurements. You  
can select and display up to four measurements at a time. (See Table 3-5 on  
page 3-86 for a list of all the automatic measurements and their definitions.)  
You can make automated measurements on the entire waveform record or  
just on a specific part. The gating selection in the Measurement menu lets  
you use the vertical cursors to limit the measurement to a section of the  
waveform record.  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurements  
The snapshot selection in the Measurement menu lets you display almost all  
of the measurements at once. You can read about snapshot under Snapshot  
of Measurements, on page 3-95.  
Automated measurements use readouts to show measurement status. These  
readouts are updated as the oscilloscope acquires new data or if you change  
settings.  
Cursor Measurements  
Cursors are fast and easy-to-understand measurements. You take measure-  
ments by moving the cursors and reading their numeric values from the on  
screen readouts, which update as you adjust the position of the cursors.  
Cursors appear in pairs. One cursor is active and the other inactive. You  
move the active cursor (the solid line) using the general purpose knob. The  
SELECT button lets you select (toggle) which cursor bar is active or inactive.  
The inactive cursor is a dashed line on the display.  
To get the cursor menu, press the CURSOR button. There are three kinds of  
cursors available in that menu:  
Horizontal bar cursors measure vertical parameters (typically volts).  
Vertical bar cursors measure horizontal parameters (typically time or  
frequency).  
Paired cursors measure both vertical parameters (typically volts) and  
horizontal parameters (typically time or frequency).  
There are also two modes for cursor operation available in the cursor me-  
nu — independent and tracking (See Figure 2-12).  
Independent Mode  
Tracking Mode  
Only Selected Cursor  
Moves  
Both Cursors Move  
in Tandem  
Figure 2-12: Cursor Modes  
Independent mode cursors operate as was earlier described; that is, you  
move one cursor at a time (the active cursor) using the general purpose  
knob, and you use the SELECT button to toggle which cursor is active.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurements  
Tracking mode cursors operate in tandem: you move both cursors at the  
same time using the general purpose knob. To adjust the solid cursor  
relative to the dashed cursor, you push the SELECT button to suspend  
cursor tracking and use the general purpose knob to make the adjust-  
ment. A second push toggles the cursors back to tracking.  
You can read more detailed information about how to use cursors in Cursor  
Measurements, beginning on page 3-17.  
Graticule Measurements  
Graticule measurements provide you with quick, visual estimates. For exam-  
ple, you might look at a waveform amplitude and say “it is a little more than  
100 mV.”  
You can perform simple measurements by counting the number of major and  
minor graticule divisions involved and multiplying by the scale factor.  
For example, if you counted five major vertical graticule divisions between the  
minimum and maximum values of a waveform and knew you had a scale  
factor of 100 mV/division, then you could easily calculate your peak-to-peak  
voltage:  
5 divisions × 100 mV/division = 500 mV.  
NOTE  
AUX 1 and AUX 2 (TDS 524A & TDS 620A) can not be set to the  
volts per division needed to match video graticules.  
When you select the NTSC graticule, the volts per division of all selected  
channels is set to 143 mV/div (152 mV/div for PAL) where the divisions are  
those of the conventional graticule, not the divisions of the video graticules.  
For NTSC, the actual grid lines represent 10 IRE, and for PAL the lines are  
100 mV apart.  
See Appendix B: Algorithms, on page A-9, for details on how the digitizing  
oscilloscope calculates each automatic measurement.  
For More  
Information  
See Cursor Measurements, on page 3-17, for more information on cursor  
measurements.  
See Measurement System, on page 3-86, for more information on automatic  
measurements.  
See Tutorial Example 3: Automated Measurements, on page 1-17, for more  
information on automatic measurements.  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159, for using cursors to measure math  
waveforms.  
Operating Basics  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Overview  
This section describes the details of operating the digitizing oscilloscope. It  
contains an alphabetical list of tasks you can perform with the digitizing  
oscilloscope. Use this section to answer specific questions about instrument  
operation. These tasks include:  
Acquisition Modes  
Autoset  
Probe Cal  
Probe Compensation  
Probe Selection  
Color  
Cursor Measurements  
Delayed Triggering  
Display Modes  
Edge Triggering  
Pulse Triggering  
Remote Communication  
Saving and Recalling Setups  
Saving and Recalling Wave-  
forms  
Fast Fourier Trans-  
forms  
Selecting Channels  
Signal Path Compensation  
Status  
File System  
Hardcopy  
Help  
Triggering  
Horizontal Control  
Limit Testing  
Logic Triggering  
Measurement System  
Vertical Control  
Waveform Differentiation  
Waveform Integration  
Waveform Math  
Zoom  
Many of these tasks list steps you perform to accomplish the task. You should  
read Conventions on page ii of Welcome before reading about these tasks.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Overview  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
The acquisition system has several options for converting analog data into  
digital form. The Acquisition menu lets you determine the acquisition mode,  
whether or not to permit equivalent time sampling, and how to start and stop  
acquisitions.  
The digitizing oscilloscope supports five acquisition modes.  
Description of Modes  
Sample  
Peak Detect  
Hi Res  
Envelope  
Average  
The Sample, Peak Detect, and Hi Res modes operate in real-time on a single  
trigger event, provided the digitizing oscilloscope can acquire enough samples  
for each trigger event. Envelope and Average modes operate on multiple  
acquisitions. The digitizing oscilloscope averages or envelopes several wave-  
forms on a point-by-point basis.  
Figure 3-1 illustrates the different modes and lists the benefits of each. It will  
help you select the appropriate mode for your application.  
Sample Mode  
In Sample mode, the oscilloscope creates a record point by saving the first  
sample (of perhaps many) during each acquisition interval. (An acquisition  
interval is the time covered by the waveform record divided by the record  
length.) This is the default mode.  
Peak Detect Mode  
Peak Detect mode alternates between saving the highest sample in one  
acquisition interval and lowest sample in the next acquisition interval. Peak  
Detect mode only works with real-time, non-interpolated sampling.  
If you set the time base so fast that it requires real-time interpolation or  
equivalent-time sampling, the mode automatically changes from Peak Detect  
to Sample, although the menu selection will not change.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
Samples Acquired in Four  
Acquisition Intervals  
Acquisition  
Mode  
Displayed  
Record Points  
Waveform  
Drawn on CRT  
Interval 1  
2
3
4
Sample  
Uses first sample  
in interval  
Use for fastest acquisition rate.  
This is the default mode.  
Peak Detect  
Uses highest and lowest  
samples in two intervals  
Use to reveal aliasing and for glitch detection.  
Provides the benefits of enveloping with the  
speed of a single acquisition.  
Hi Res  
Calculates average of all  
samples in interval  
Use to reduce apparent noise.  
Provides the benefits of averaging  
with the speed of a single acquisition.  
Acquisition  
Mode  
Waveform  
Drawn on CRT  
Three Acquisitions from One Source  
2
Acquisition  
3
1
Envelope  
Finds highest and  
lowest record points over  
many acquisitions  
Uses Peak Detect Mode for Each Acquisition  
Use to reveal variations  
in the signal across time.  
Average  
Calculates average value for  
each record point over many  
acquisitions  
Uses Sample Mode for Each Acquisition  
Use to reduce apparent noise  
in a repetitive signal.  
Figure 3-1: How the Acquisition Modes Work  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
Hi Res Mode  
In Hi Res mode, the digitizing oscilloscope averages all samples taken during  
an acquisition interval to create a record point. That average results in a  
higher-resolution, lower-bandwidth waveform.  
This mode only works with real-time, non-interpolated sampling. If you set the  
time base so fast that it requires real-time interpolation or equivalent-time  
sampling, the mode automatically becomes Sample, although the menu  
selection will not change.  
A key advantage of Hi Res is its potential for increasing resolution regardless  
of the input signal. Table 3-1 and the equations shown below illustrate how  
you can obtain up to 15 significant bits with Hi res mode. Note that the resolu-  
tion improvements are limited to speeds slower than 400 ns/div. Also, resolu-  
tions above 15 bits are not allowed by internal hardware and computation  
limitations.  
Si = Sampling Interval for TDS 500A = 4 ns  
t = Sample Interval =  
= = 100 ns  
Nd = Number of points per decimation interval = = 25  
Resolution Enhancement (bits) = 2 extra bits  
Table 3-1: Additional Resolution Bits  
Time Base Speed  
400 ns and faster  
1 s to 2 s  
Bits of Resolution  
8 bits  
9 bits  
5 s to 10 s  
20 s to 50 s  
100 s to 200 s  
500 s  
10 bits  
11 bits  
12 bits  
13 bits  
1 ms to 2 ms  
14 bits  
5 ms and slower  
15 bits  
Envelope Mode  
Envelope mode lets you acquire and display a waveform record that shows  
the extremes in variation over several acquisitions. You specify the number of  
acquisitions over which to accumulate the data. The oscilloscope saves the  
highest and lowest values in two adjacent intervals similar to the Peak Detect  
mode. But Envelope mode, unlike Peak Detect, gathers peaks over many  
trigger events.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
After each trigger event, the oscilloscope acquires data and then compares  
the min/max values from the current acquisition with those stored from pre-  
vious acquisitions. The final display shows the most extreme values for all the  
acquisitions for each point in the waveform record.  
Average Mode  
Average mode lets you acquire and display a waveform record that is the  
averaged result of several acquisitions. This mode reduces random noise.  
The oscilloscope acquires data after each trigger event using Sample mode.  
It then averages the record point from the current acquisition with those  
stored from previous acquisitions.  
The acquisition readout at the top of the display (Figure 3-2) shows the state  
of the acquisition system (running or stopped). The “running” state shows the  
sample rate and acquisition mode. The “stopped” state shows the number of  
acquisitions acquired since the last stop or major change.  
Acquisition Readout  
Acquisition Readout  
Figure 3-2: Acquisition Menu and Readout  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
To bring up the acquisition menu (Figure 3-2) press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU.  
Operation  
Acquisition Mode  
To choose how the digitizing oscilloscope will create points in the waveform  
record:  
Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Mode (main) Sample, Peak Detect, Hi  
Res, Envelope, or Average (side).  
When you select Envelope or Average, you can enter the number of wave-  
form records to be enveloped or averaged using the keypad or the general  
purpose knob.  
NOTE  
If you selected the longest record length available in the Horizontal  
menu, then you cannot select Hi Res as your acquisition mode. This  
is because Hi Res mode uses twice the acquisition memory that the  
other acquisition modes use. If Hi Res and the longest horizontal  
record length were allowed to be selected at the same time, the  
oscilloscope would run out of memory.  
Repetitive Signal  
To limit the digitizing oscilloscope to real-time sampling or let it choose be-  
tween real-time or equivalent-time sampling:  
Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Repetitive Signal (main) ON or OFF  
(side).  
ON (Enable ET) uses both the real time and the equivalent time features  
of the digitizing oscilloscope.  
OFF (Real Time Only) limits the digitizing oscilloscope to real time  
sampling. If the digitizing oscilloscope cannot accurately get enough  
samples for a complete waveform, the oscilloscope will use the interpola-  
tion method selected in the display menu to fill in the missing record  
points. That is, it will use either the linear or sin(x)/x interpolation algo-  
rithm.  
See Acquisition on page 2-19 for details about sampling.  
Stop After  
You can choose to acquire exactly one waveform sequence or to acquire  
waveforms continuously under manual control.  
Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Stop After (main) RUN/STOP button  
only, Single Acquisition Sequence, or Limit Test Condition Met (side)  
(see Figure 3-3).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
Figure 3-3: Acquire Menu — Stop After  
RUN/STOP button only (side) lets you start or stop acquisitions by  
toggling the RUN/STOP button. Pressing the RUN/STOP button once will  
stop the acquisitions. The upper left hand corner in the display will say  
Stopped and show the number of acquisitions. If you press the button  
again, the digitizing oscilloscope will resume taking acquisitions.  
Press Single Acquisition Sequence (side). That selection lets you run a  
single sequence of acquisitions by pressing the RUN/STOP button. In  
Sample, Peak Detect, or Hi Res mode, the digitizing oscilloscope will  
acquire a waveform record with the first valid trigger event and stop.  
In Envelope or Average mode, the digitizing oscilloscope will make the  
specified number of acquisitions to complete the averaging or enveloping  
task.  
If the oscilloscope is in equivalent-time mode and you press Single  
Acquisition Sequence (side), it will continue to recognize trigger events  
and acquire samples until the waveform record is filled.  
Hint: To quickly select Single Acquisition Sequence without displaying the  
Acquire and Stop After menus, press SHIFT FORCE TRIG. Now the  
RUN/STOP button operates as just described. (You still must display the  
Acquire menu and then the Stop After menu to leave Single Acquisition  
Sequence operation.)  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Acquisition Modes  
Limit Test Condition Met (side) lets you acquire waveforms until wave-  
form data exceeds the limits specified in the limit test. Then acquisition  
stops. At that point, you can also specify other actions for the oscillo-  
scope to take, using the selections available in the Limit Test Setup  
main menu.  
NOTE  
In order for the digitizing oscilloscope to stop an acquisition when  
limit test conditions have been met, limit testing must be turned ON,  
using the Limit Test Setup main menu.  
Setting up limit testing requires several more steps. You can create the  
template waveform against which to compare incoming waveforms, using  
the Create Limit Test Template main menu item. You can then specify  
that the comparison is to be made, and the channel to compare against  
the template, using the Limit Test Sources main menu item.  
See Acquisition, on page 2-19.  
See Limit Testing, on page 3-73.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Autoset  
The autoset function lets you quickly obtain and display a stable waveform of  
usable size. Autoset automatically sets up the front panel controls based on  
the characteristics of the input signal. It is much faster and easier than a  
manual control-by-control setup.  
Autoset makes adjustments in these areas:  
Acquisition  
Display  
Horizontal  
Trigger  
Vertical  
NOTE  
Autoset may change vertical position in order to position the wave-  
form appropriately. It always sets vertical offset to 0 V.  
1. Press the Channel Selection button (such as CH 1) corresponding to your  
Operation  
input channel to make it active.  
2. Press AUTOSET.  
If you use autoset when one or more channels are displayed, the digitizing  
oscilloscope selects the lowest numbered channel for horizontal scaling and  
triggering. Vertically, all channels in use are individually scaled.  
If you use autoset when no channels are displayed, the digitizing oscilloscope  
will turn on channel one (CH 1) and scale it.  
Table 3-2 on the following page lists the autoset defaults.  
Autoset Defaults  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Autoset  
Table 3-2: Autoset Defaults  
Changed by Autoset to  
Control  
Selected channel  
Numerically lowest of the displayed  
channels  
Acquire Mode  
Sample  
Acquire Repetitive Signal  
Acquire Stop After  
Display Style  
On  
RUN/STOP button only  
Vectors  
Display Intensity — Overall  
(TDS 640A & TDS 620A)  
If less than 50%, set to 75%  
Display Format  
YT  
TM  
FastFrame  
Off  
Horizontal Position  
Horizontal Scale  
Horizontal Time Base  
Horizontal Record Length  
Limit Test  
Centered within the graticule window  
As determined by the signal frequency  
Main Only  
Unchanged  
Off  
Trigger Position  
Trigger Type  
Unchanged  
Edge  
Trigger Source  
Numerically lowest of the displayed  
channels (the selected channel)  
Trigger Level  
Midpoint of data for the trigger source  
Trigger Slope  
Trigger Coupling  
Trigger Holdoff  
Vertical Scale  
Vertical Coupling  
Positive  
DC  
0
As determined by the signal level  
DC unless AC was previously set.  
AC remains unchanged.  
Vertical Bandwidth  
Vertical Offset  
Zoom  
Full  
0 volts  
Off  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Color (TDS 524A & TDS 644A)  
The TDS 524A & TDS 644A can display information in different colors. The  
Color menu lets you choose palettes of colors and decide what colors to  
assign to what pieces of information.  
To bring up the Color menu:  
Operation  
1. Press DISPLAY to show the Display menu.  
2. Press Settings in the main menu until you select Color from the pop-up  
menu (see Figure 3-4).  
Figure 3-4: Display Menu — Setting  
Color lets you alter color settings for various display components such as  
waveforms and text. Display lets you adjust the style, intensity level, grati-  
cule, and format features. For more information on display, see Display on  
page 3-28.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Color  
Choose Palette  
You can choose a palette of 13 colors from a menu of pre-set palettes.  
1. Choose the starting palette by selecting Palette from the main menu.  
2. Select one of the available palettes in the side menu. Choose from Nor-  
mal, Bold, Hardcopy Preview or Monochrome.  
3. If you are using a persistence display and wish to vary the color of each  
point depending on its persistence, choose Persistence Palettes. Then  
choose Temperature, Spectral, or Gray Scale from the resulting side  
menu. Choose View Palette to preview your selection on the display.  
Press Persistence Palette to quit preview mode. Press Clear Menu to  
return to the Palette menu.  
NOTE  
Use at higher room temperatures or with higher intensity display  
formats, such as the white fields in the Hardcopy Preview palette,  
can temporarily degrade display quality.  
You can select the Hardcopy Preview palette when using certain  
color hardcopy formats. The default colors in the hardcopy preview  
palette comprise a white background and fully saturated primary  
colors which generally produce the best result.  
Change Palette Colors  
You can change the current palette colors. You do this by selecting a color  
and varying its hue, lightness, and saturation. Hue is the wavelength of light  
reflected from the surface. It varies continuously along the color spectrum as  
produced by a rainbow. Lightness refers to the amount of light reflected from  
the surface. It varies from black, to the nominal color, to white. Saturation is  
the intensity of color. Completely desaturated color is gray. Completely satu-  
rated color of any hue is that color at its most intense level.  
1. Select the main menu Change Colors item (see Figure 3-5).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Color  
ScrTxt  
Figure 3-5: Display Menu — Palette Colors  
2. Select one of the 13 colors by pressing (repeatedly) Color in the side  
menu.  
3. If you want to use the factory default for this color, press the side menu  
Reset to Factory Color.  
4. Choose Hue from the side menu and use the general purpose knob or  
keypad to select the desired hue. Values range from 0 to 359. Sample  
values are: 0 = blue, 60 = magenta, 120 = red, 180 = yellow, 240 = green,  
and 360 = cyan.  
5. Choose Lightness from the side menu and use the general purpose  
knob or keypad to select the lightness you desire. A value of 0 results in  
black. A value of 50 provides the nominal color. A value of 100 results in  
white.  
6. Choose Saturation from the side menu and use the general purpose  
knob or keypad to select the saturation you desire. A value of 100 pro-  
vides a pure color. A value of 0 provides gray.  
Set Math Waveform Color  
To define math waveform colors:  
1. Choose to define math waveform colors by selecting the main menu Map  
Math item.  
2. Select one of the three math waveforms by pressing Math in the side  
menu.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Color  
3. If you want to assign the selected math waveform to a specific color,  
press Color and cycle through the choices.  
4. If you want the selected math waveform to be the same color as the  
waveform it is based on, select Color Matches Contents. If the math  
waveform is based on dual waveforms, the math waveform will use the  
color of the first constituent waveform.  
To return to the factory defaults, select Reset to Factory Color.  
Set Reference Waveform Color  
To define reference waveform colors:  
1. Press Map Reference in the main menu (see Figure 3-6).  
2. Select one of the four reference waveforms by pressing Ref in the side  
menu.  
3. To assign the selected reference waveform to a specific color, press  
(repeatedly) Color and choose the value.  
4. To make the selected reference waveform the same color as the wave-  
form it is based on, select Color Matches Contents.  
To return to the factory defaults, select Reset to Factory Color.  
Figure 3-6: Display Menu — Map Reference Colors  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Color  
Select Options  
To define what color to show where a waveform crosses another waveform:  
1. Press the Options main menu item.  
2. Select that you wish to use a special color to mark collision zones by  
toggling Collision Contrast in the side menu to ON.  
Restore Colors  
To restore colors to their factory default settings:  
1. Press the main menu Restore Colors item (see Figure 3-7).  
2. Select what you wish to restore by pressing Reset Current Palette To  
Factory, Reset All Palettes To Factory or Reset All Mappings To  
Factory in the side menu.  
Figure 3-7: Display Menu — Restore Colors  
See Display Modes, on page 3-28.  
For More  
Information  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Cursor Measurements  
Use the cursors to measure the difference (either in time or voltage) between  
two locations in a waveform record.  
Cursors are made up of two markers that you position with the general pur-  
pose knob. You move one cursor independently or both cursors in tandem,  
depending on the cursor mode. As you position the cursors, readouts on the  
display report measurement information.  
Description  
There are three cursor types: horizontal bar, vertical bar, and paired (Fig-  
ure 3-8).  
Horizontal bar cursors measure vertical parameters (typically volts).  
Vertical bar cursors measure horizontal parameters (typically time or frequen-  
cy).  
Horizontal Bar Cursors  
Vertical Bar Cursors  
Paired Cursors  
Figure 3-8: Cursor Types  
Paired cursors measure both vertical parameters (typically volts) and horizon-  
tal parameters (typically time) simultaneously.  
Look at Figure 3-8. Note that each of the two paired cursors has a long  
vertical bar paired with an X. The Xs measures vertical parameters (typically  
volts); the long vertical bars measure horizontal parameters (typically time or  
frequency). (See Cursor Readouts on page 3-18 for more information.)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Cursor Measurements  
NOTE  
When cursors measure certain math waveforms, the measurement  
may not be of time, frequency, or voltage. Cursor measurement of  
those math waveforms that are not of time, frequency, or voltage is  
described in Waveform Math, which begins on page 3-159.  
There are two cursor modes: independent and tracking (see Figure 3-9).  
Independent Mode  
Tracking Mode  
Only Selected Cursor  
Moves  
Both Cursors Move  
in Tandem  
Figure 3-9: Cursor Modes  
In independent mode you move only one cursor at a time using the general  
purpose knob. The active, or selected, cursor is a solid line. Press SELECT  
to change which cursor is selected.  
In tracking mode you normally move both cursors in tandem using the general  
purpose knob. The two cursors remain a fixed distance (time or voltage) from  
each other. Press SELECT to temporarily suspend cursor tracking. You can  
then use the general purpose knob to adjust the distance of the solid cursor  
relative to the dashed cursor. A second push toggles the cursors back to  
tracking.  
The cursor readout shows the absolute location of the selected cursor and the  
difference between the selected and non-selected cursor. The readouts differ  
depending on whether you are using H Bars or V Bars.  
Cursor Readouts  
H Bars: the value after shows the voltage difference between the  
cursors. The value after @ shows the voltage of the selected cursor  
relative to ground (see Figure 3-10). With the video trigger option, you  
can also display the voltage in IRE units.  
V Bars: the value after shows the time (or frequency) difference be-  
tween the cursors. The value after @ shows the time (frequency) of the  
selected cursor relative to the trigger point. With the video trigger option,  
you can also display the line number.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Cursor Measurements  
In FastFrame mode, the @ shows the time position of the selected cursor  
relative to the trigger point of the frame that the selected cursor is in. The  
shows the time difference between the two cursors only if both cursors  
are in the same frame.  
Paired: the value after one shows the voltage difference between the  
the two Xs; the other shows the time (or frequency) difference between  
the two long vertical bars. The value after @ shows the voltage at the X  
of the selected cursor relative to ground (see Figure 3-11).  
In FastFrame mode, the shows the time difference between the two  
cursors only if both cursors are in the same frame.  
Cursor Readout (H Bars)  
Non-selected Cursor  
(Dashed Line)  
Selected Cursor  
(Solid Line)  
Figure 3-10: H Bars Cursor Menu and Readouts  
Paired cursors can only show voltage differences when they remain on  
screen. If the paired cursors are moved off screen horizontally, Edge will  
replace the voltage values in the cursor readout.  
To take cursor measurements, press CURSOR to display the Cursor menu  
(Figure 3-10).  
Operation  
Function  
Select the type of cursors you want using the Function menu item:  
Press CURSOR Function (main) H Bars, V Bars, Paired, or Off (side).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Cursor Measurements  
Position of Vertical Bar Cursors  
(Useful for Locating Cursors  
Outside the Display)  
Cursor Readout (Paired)  
Non-selected Cursor  
(Dashed Vertical Bar)  
Selected Cursor  
(Solid Vertical Bar)  
Figure 3-11: Paired Cursor Menu and Readouts  
Mode  
Select the cursor mode you want using the Mode menu item.  
1. Press CURSOR Mode (main) Independent or Tracking (side):  
Independent makes each cursor positionable without regard to the  
position of the other cursor.  
Tracking makes both cursors positionable in tandem; that is, both  
cursors move in unison and maintain a fixed horizontal or vertical  
distance between each other.  
2. Use the general purpose knob to move the selected (active) cursor if  
Independent was selected in step 1. Press SELECT to change which  
cursor is active and moves. A solid line indicates the active cursor, and a  
dashed line the inactive cursor.  
or  
Use the general purpose knob to move both cursors in tandem if Track-  
ing was selected in step 1. Press SELECT to temporarily suspend cursor  
tracking; then use the general purpose knob to adjust the distance of the  
solid cursor relative to the dashed cursor. Press SELECT again to re-  
sume tracking. A solid line indicates the adjustable cursor and a dashed  
line the fixed cursor.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Cursor Measurements  
Time Units  
You can choose to display vertical bar cursor results in units of time or fre-  
quency. If you have Option 5 Video, you can also display the results in terms  
of video line number.  
Press CURSOR Time Units (main) seconds or 1/seconds (Hz) or,  
with Option 5, video line number (side).  
Amplitude Units  
If you are measuring NTSC signals, you can choose to display vertical read-  
ings in IRE units. If you are trying to do this, you should have option 05 Video  
Trigger installed as it would be difficult to trigger on composite video wave-  
forms without option 05.  
Press CURSOR Amplitude Units (main) IRE (NTSC)  
To return to normal:  
Press CURSOR Amplitude Units (main) Base  
Cursor Speed  
You can change the cursors speed by pressing SHIFT before turning the  
general purpose knob. The cursor moves faster when the SHIFT button is  
lighted and the display reads Coarse Knobs in the upper right corner.  
See Measurements, on page 2-30.  
For More  
Information  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159, for information on cursor units with  
multiplied waveforms.  
See Fast Fourier Transforms on page 3-38, Waveform Differentiation on  
page 3-150, and Waveform Integration on page 3-154, if your oscilloscope is  
equipped with Option 2F Advanced DSP Math (standard on the TDS 524A &  
TDS 644A), for information on cursor units with integrated, differentiated, and  
FFT waveforms.  
See the TDS Family Option 05 Video Trigger Interface, if your oscilloscope is  
equipped with the video trigger option, for information on cursor units with  
video waveforms.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
The TDS 600A Series oscilloscopes provide a main time base and a delayed  
time base. The delayed time base, like the main time base, requires a trigger  
signal and an input source dedicated to that signal. You can only use delay  
with respect to the main edge trigger and certain classes of main pulse trig-  
gers.  
There are two different ways to delay the acquisition of waveforms: delayed  
runs after main and delayed triggerable. Only delayed triggerable uses the  
delayed trigger system.  
Delayed runs after main looks for a main trigger, then waits a user-defined  
time, and then starts acquiring (see Figure 3-12).  
Wait for  
Main  
Trigger  
Wait  
User-Specified  
Time  
Acquire  
Data  
Figure 3-12: Delayed Runs After Main  
Delayed triggerable looks for a main trigger and then, depending on the type  
of delayed trigger selected, makes one of the three types of delayed trigger-  
able mode acquisitions listed below (see Figure 3-13).  
Wait for  
Wait for  
Main  
Trigger  
Wait  
User-Specified  
Time  
Delayed  
Trigger  
Event  
Acquire  
Data  
Delayed Triggerable  
After Time  
Wait the  
User-Specified  
Number of Delayed  
Trigger Events  
Delayed Triggerable  
After Events  
Wait the  
Wait  
User-Specified  
Time  
Delayed Triggerable  
After Events/Time  
User-Specified  
Number of Delayed  
Trigger Events  
Figure 3-13: Delayed Triggerable  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
After Time waits the user-specified time, then waits for the next delayed  
trigger event, and then acquires.  
After Events waits for the specified number of delayed trigger events and  
then acquires.  
After Events/Time waits for the specified number of delayed trigger  
events, then waits the user-specified time, and then acquires.  
The digitizing oscilloscope is always acquiring samples to fill the pretrigger  
part of the waveform record. When and if delay criteria are met, it takes  
enough posttrigger samples to complete the delayed waveform record and  
then displays it. Refer to Figure 3-14 for a more detailed look at how delayed  
records are placed in time relative to the main trigger.  
NOTE  
When using the delayed triggerable mode, the digitizing oscillo-  
scope provides a conventional edge trigger for the delayed time  
base. The delayed time base will not trigger if the main trigger type  
(as defined in the Main Trigger menu) is logic, if the main trigger  
type is edge with its source set to auxiliary (not available on the  
TDS 524A & TDS 620A), or if the main trigger type is pulse with the  
runt trigger class selected.  
You use the Horizontal menu to select and define either delayed runs after  
main or delayed triggerable. Delayed triggerable, however, requires further  
selections in the Delayed Trigger menu.  
Operation  
Delayed Runs After Main  
1. Press HORIZONTAL MENU Time Base (main) Delayed Only  
(side) Delayed Runs After Main (side). Use the general purpose knob  
or the keypad to set the delay time.  
If you press Intensified (side), you display an intensified zone on the  
main timebase record that shows where the delayed timebase record  
occurs relative to the main trigger. For Delayed Runs After Main mode,  
the start of the intensified zone corresponds to the start of the delayed  
timebase record. The end of the zone corresponds to the end of the  
delayed record.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
Pretrigger Record  
Posttrigger Record  
Delayed Runs After Main  
Delayed Trigger Waveform Record  
Main Trigger Point  
Main  
Trigger  
Source  
Time Delay  
(From Horiz Menu)  
Start Posttrigger Acquisition  
Delayed Triggerable By Events  
Delayed Trigger Waveform Record  
Main Trigger Point  
Main  
Trigger  
Source  
Delayed  
Trigger  
Source  
Start Posttrigger  
Acquisition (Trigger on nth  
Delayed Trigger Event)  
Waiting for nth Event  
(Where n=5)  
Delayed Triggerable By Time  
Delayed Trigger Waveform Record  
Main Trigger Point  
Main  
Trigger  
Source  
Delayed  
Trigger  
Source  
Time Delay  
(From Delay Trig Menu)  
Start Posttrigger Acquisition  
(First Trigger After Delay)  
Delayed Triggerable By Events/Time  
Delayed Trigger Waveform Record  
Main Trigger Point  
Main  
Trigger  
Source  
Delayed  
Trigger  
Source  
Start Posttrigger Acquisition  
Time Delay  
(From Delay Trig Menu)  
Waiting for nth Event  
(Where n=4)  
Figure 3-14: How the Delayed Triggers Work  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
Delayed Triggerable  
You must make sure that the Main Trigger menu settings are compatible with  
Delayed Triggerable.  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU.  
2. If Type is set to Logic, press Type (main) to change it to either Edge or  
Pulse as fits your application. Logic type is incompatible with Delayed  
Triggerable.  
3. If Source is set to Auxiliary (not available on the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A), press Source (main). Select any source other than Auxiliary  
from the side menu according to your application.  
4. Press HORIZONTAL MENU Time Base (main) Delayed Only  
(side) Delayed Triggerable (side).  
NOTE  
The Delayed Triggerable menu item is not selectable unless incom-  
patible Main Trigger menu settings are eliminated. (See the steps at  
the beginning of this procedure.) If such is the case, the Delayed  
Triggerable menu item is dimmer than other items in the menu.  
By pressing Intensified (side), you can display an intensified zone that  
shows where the delayed timebase record may occur (a valid delay  
trigger event must be received) relative to the main trigger on the main  
time base. For Delayed Triggerable After mode, the start of the intensified  
zone corresponds to the possible start point of the delayed time base  
record. The end of the zone continues to the end of main time base, since  
a delayed time base record may be triggered at any point after the delay  
time elapses.  
To learn how to define the intensity level of the normal and intensified  
waveform, see Display Modes on page 3-28.  
Now you need to bring up the Delayed Trigger menu so you can define  
the delayed trigger event.  
5. Press SHIFT DELAYED TRIG Delay by (main) Triggerable After  
Time, Events, or Events/Time (side) (Figure 3-15).  
6. Enter the delay time or events using the general purpose knob or the  
keypad. If you selected Events/Time, use Time (side) and Events (side)  
to switch between setting the time and the number of events.  
Hint: You can go directly to the Delayed Trigger menu (see step 5). By  
selecting one of Triggerable After Time, Events, or Events/Time, the  
oscilloscope automatically switches to Delayed Triggerable in the Hori-  
zontal menu. You will still need to display the Horizontal menu if you wish  
to leave Delayed Triggerable.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
The Source menu lets you select which input will be the delayed trigger  
source.  
7. Press Source (main) Ch1, Ch2, Ch3 (Ax1 on the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A), Ch4 (Ax2 on the TDS 524A & TDS 620A), or Auxiliary (not  
available on the TDS 524A & TDS 620A) (side).  
Figure 3-15: Delayed Trigger Menu  
8. Press Coupling (main) DC, AC, HF Rej, LF Rej, or Noise Rej (side)  
to define how the input signal will be coupled to the delayed trigger. For  
descriptions of these coupling types, see Triggering on page 2-13.  
9. Press Slope (main) to select the slope that the delayed trigger will occur  
on. Choose between the rising edge and falling edge slopes.  
When using Delayed Triggerable mode to acquire waveforms, two trigger  
bars are displayed. One trigger bar indicates the level set by the main  
trigger system; the other indicates the level set by the delayed trigger  
system.  
10. Press Level (main) Level, Set to TTL, Set to ECL, or Set to 50%  
(side).  
Level lets you enter the delayed trigger level using the general pur-  
pose knob or the keypad.  
Set to TTL fixes the trigger level at +1.4 V.  
Set to ECL fixes the trigger level at –1.3 V.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Delayed Triggering  
NOTE  
When you set the Vertical SCALE smaller than 200 mV, the oscillo-  
scope reduces the Set to TTL or Set to ECL trigger levels below  
standard TTL and ECL levels. That happens because the trigger  
level range is fixed at  
next smaller setting after 200 mV) the trigger range is  
center. At 100 mV (the  
V which  
is smaller than the typical TTL (+1.4 V) or ECL (–1.3 V) level.  
Set to 50% fixes the delayed trigger level to 50% of the peak-to-peak  
value of the delayed trigger source signal.  
See Triggering, on page 2-13.  
See Triggering, on page 3-142.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
The digitizing oscilloscope can display waveform records in different ways.  
The Display menu lets you adjust the oscilloscope display style, intensity  
level, graticule, and format.  
To bring up the Display menu:  
Operation  
1. Press DISPLAY to show the Display menu.  
2. On the TDS 644A & TDS 524A, press Setting in the main menu until you  
select Display from the pop-up menu.  
Display lets you adjust the style, intensity level, graticule, and format features  
described below. Color (TDS 644A & TDS 524A) lets you alter color settings  
for various display components such as waveforms and text. For more in-  
formation on color, see Color on page 3-12.  
Display Style  
Press DISPLAY Style (main) Vectors, Intensified Samples, Dots,  
Infinite Persistence, or Variable Persistence (side) (Figure 3-16).  
Figure 3-16: Display Menu — Style  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
Vectors has the display draw vectors (lines) between the record points.  
Dots display waveform record points as dots.  
Intensified Samples also displays waveform record points as dots.  
However, the points actually sampled are displayed in the Zone color  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A) or intensified relative to the interpolated points.  
In addition to choosing Intensified Samples in the side menu, the oscilloscope  
must be interpolating (equivalent time must be off) or Zoom must be on with  
its horizontal expansion greater that 1X. See interpolation on page 2-21; see  
Zoom beginning on page 3-162.  
Variable Persistence lets the record points accumulate on screen over  
many acquisitions and remain displayed only for a specific time interval.  
In that mode, the display behaves like that of an analog oscilloscope. You  
enter the time for that option with the keypad or the general purpose  
knob. On color instruments, record points are also displayed with colors  
that vary depending on the points persistence. See Choose Palette on  
page 3-13.  
Infinite Persistence lets the record points accumulate until you change  
some control (such as scale factor) causing the display to be erased.  
Intensity  
Intensity lets you set text/graticule and waveform intensity (brightness) levels.  
To set the intensity:  
Press DISPLAY Intensity (main) Overall (TDS 640A & TDS 620A),  
Text/Grat, Waveform, or Contrast (TDS 640A & TDS 620A) (side). Enter the  
intensity percentage values with the keypad or the general purpose knob.  
All intensity adjustments operate over a range from 20% (close to fully off) to  
100% (fully bright).  
Contrast (TDS 640A & TDS 620A) operates over a range from 100% (no  
contrast) to 250% (intensified portion at full brightness).  
NOTE  
The Intensified setting for Timebase in the horizontal menu causes  
a zone on the waveform to be displayed in the Zone color  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A) or intensified relative to the rest of the  
waveform. If the contrast is set to 100%, you won’t be able to  
distinguish the intensified portion from the rest of the waveform  
because both are the same brightness.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
Display Readout  
Readout options control whether the trigger indicator, trigger level bar, and  
current date and time appear on the display. The options also control what  
style trigger level bar, long or short, is displayed.  
1. Press DISPLAY Readout (main).  
2. Toggle Display ‘T’ @ Trigger Point (side) to select whether or not to  
display ‘T’ indicating the trigger point. You can select ON or OFF. (The  
trigger point indicates the position of the trigger in the waveform record.)  
3. Press Trigger Bar Style (side) to select either the short or the long  
trigger bar or to turn the trigger bar off. (See Figure 3-17. Note that both  
styles are shown for illustrating purposes, but you can only display one  
style at a time.)  
The trigger bar is only displayed if the trigger source is an active, dis-  
played waveform. Also, two trigger bars are displayed when delay trigger-  
able acquisitions are displayed — one for the main and one for the  
delayed timebase. The trigger bar is a visual indicator of the trigger level.  
Sometimes, especially when using the hardcopy feature, you may wish to  
display the current date and time on screen. For more information about  
displaying and setting date and time, see Date/Time Stamping Your  
Hardcopy on page 3-62.)  
4. Press Display Date/Time (side) to turn it on or off. Push Clear Menu to  
see the current date and time.  
Trigger Point Indicator  
Trigger Bar—Long Style  
–or–  
Trigger Bar—Short  
Style  
Figure 3-17: Trigger Point and Level Indicators  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
Filter Type  
The display filter types are sin(x)/x interpolation and linear interpolation. For  
more information see the Concepts section, page 2-21.  
Press DISPLAY Filter (main) Sin(x)/x Interpolation or Linear Interpo-  
lation (side).  
NOTE  
When the horizontal scale is set to rates faster than 50 ns/div, or  
when using the ZOOM feature to expand waveforms horizontally,  
interpolation occurs. (The filter type, linear or sin(x)/(x), depends on  
which is set in the Display menu.) Otherwise, interpolation is not  
needed. See Sampling and Digitizing on page 2-19 for a discussion  
of sampling including interpolation.  
Graticule Type  
To change the graticule:  
Press DISPLAY Graticule (main) Full, Grid, Cross Hair, Frame,  
NTSC or PAL (side).  
Full provides a grid, cross hairs and a frame.  
Grid displays a frame and a grid.  
Cross Hair provides cross hairs, and a frame.  
Frame displays just a frame.  
NTSC provides a grid useful for measuring NTSC-class waveforms.  
PAL provides a grid useful for measuring PAL-class waveforms.  
NOTE  
Selecting either NTSC or PAL graticules automatically changes the  
vertical scale, position settings, coupling, and sets to zero any  
vertical offset of any channel displayed. These settings are not  
restored after switching to other graticule types. Therefore, you  
might wish to recall the factory setup or other stored setup after  
selecting a different graticule.  
Format  
There are two kinds of format: YT and XY.  
YT is the conventional oscilloscope display format. It shows a signal voltage  
(the vertical axis) as it varies over time (the horizontal axis).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
XY format compares the voltage levels of two waveform records point by  
point. That is, the digitizing oscilloscope displays a graph of the voltage of one  
waveform record against the voltage of another waveform record. This mode  
is particularly useful for studying phase relationships.  
To set the display axis format:  
Press DISPLAY Format (main) XY or YT (side).  
When you choose the XY mode, the input you have selected is assigned to  
the X-axis, and the digitizing oscilloscope automatically chooses the Y-axis  
input (see Table 3-3).  
Table 3-3: XY Format Pairs  
X-Axis Channel  
(User Selectable)  
Y-Axis Channel  
(Fixed)  
Ch 1  
Ch 2  
Ch 3 (TDS 644A & TDS 640A)  
(Aux 1 on the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A)  
Ch 4 (TDS 644A & TDS 640A)  
(Aux 2 on the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A)  
Ref 1  
Ref 3  
Ref 2  
Ref 4  
For example, if you press the CH 1 button, the digitizing oscilloscope will  
display a graph of the channel 1 voltage levels on the X-axis against the  
channel 2 voltage levels on the Y-axis. That will occur whether or not you are  
displaying the channel 2 waveform in YT format. If you later press the WAVE-  
FORM OFF button for either channel 1 or 2, the digitizing oscilloscope will  
delete the XY graph of channel 1 versus channel 2.  
Since selecting YT or XY affects only the display, the horizontal and vertical  
scale and position knobs and menus control the same parameters regardless  
of the mode selected. Specifically, in XY mode, the horizontal scale will  
continue to control the time base and the horizontal position will continue to  
control which portion of the waveforms are displayed.  
XY format is a dot-only display, although it can have persistence. The Vector  
style selection has no effect when you select XY format.  
You cannot display Math waveforms in XY format. They will disappear from  
the display when you select XY.  
NOTE  
Use at higher room temperatures or with higher intensity display  
formats, such as the white fields in the Hardcopy palette, can  
temporarily degrade display quality.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Display Modes  
See Acquisition, on page 2-19.  
See Color, on page 3-12.  
For More  
Information  
See Measurements, on page 2-30.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Edge Triggering  
An edge trigger event occurs when the trigger source passes through a  
specified voltage level in a specified direction (the trigger slope). You will likely  
use edge triggering for most of your measurements.  
You can select the edge source, coupling, slope, level, and mode (auto or  
normal).  
The Trigger readout shows some key trigger parameters (Figure 3-18).  
Edge Trigger  
Readouts  
Main Time Base Time/Div  
Main Time Base  
Main Trigger  
Source = Ch 1  
Main Trigger  
Slope = Rising Edge  
Main Trigger  
Level  
Figure 3-18: Edge Trigger Readouts  
The Edge Trigger menu lets you select the source, coupling, slope, trigger  
level, mode, and holdoff.  
Operation  
To bring up the Edge Trigger menu:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (pop-up) (see Figure 3-19).  
Source  
To select which source you want for the trigger:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (pop-up) ➞  
Source (main) Ch1, Ch2, Ch3 (Ax1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), Ch4  
(Ax2 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), AC Line, or Auxiliary (TDS 640A &  
TDS 644A) (side).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Edge Triggering  
Figure 3-19: Main Trigger Menu — Edge Type  
Coupling  
To select the coupling you want:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (pop-up) Cou-  
pling (main) DC, AC, HF Rej, LF Rej, or Noise Rej (side).  
DC passes all of the input signal. In other words, it passes both AC and  
DC components to the trigger circuit.  
AC passes only the alternating components of an input signal (above  
30 Hz). It removes the DC component from the trigger signal.  
HF Rej removes the high frequency portion of the triggering signal. That  
allows only the low frequency components to pass on to the triggering  
system to start an acquisition. High frequency rejection attenuates signals  
above 30 kHz.  
LF Rej does the opposite of high frequency rejection. Low frequency  
rejection attenuates signals below 80 kHz.  
Noise Rej provides lower sensitivity. Noise Rej requires additional signal  
amplitude for stable triggering, reducing the chance of falsely triggering  
on noise.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Edge Triggering  
Slope  
To select the slope that the edge trigger will occur on:  
1. Press the TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (pop-up) ➞  
Slope (main).  
2. Alternatives for slope are the rising and falling edges.  
Level  
Press the TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge (pop-up) ➞  
Level (main) Level, Set to TTL, Set to ECL, or Set to 50% (side).  
Level lets you enter the trigger level using the general purpose knob or  
the keypad.  
Set to TTL fixes the trigger level at +1.4 V.  
Set to ECL fixes the trigger level at –1.3 V.  
NOTE  
When you set the volts/div smaller than 200 mV, the oscilloscope  
reduces the Set to TTL or Set to ECL trigger levels below standard  
TTL and ECL levels. That happens because the trigger level range  
is fixed at  
center. At 100 mV (the next small-  
V, which is smaller  
er setting after 200 mV) the trigger range is  
than the typical TTL (+1.4 V) or ECL (–1.3 V) level.  
Set to 50% fixes the trigger level to approximately 50% of the peak-to-  
peak value of the trigger source signal.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Edge Triggering  
Mode & Holdoff  
You can change the holdoff time and select the trigger mode using this menu  
item. See Triggering on page 2-13 for more details.  
1. Press the TRIGGER MENU Mode & Holdoff (main) Auto or Nor-  
mal (side).  
In Auto mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform after a specific  
time has elapsed even if a trigger does not occur. The amount of time  
the oscilloscope waits depends on the time base setting.  
In Normal mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform only if there is  
a valid trigger.  
2. To change the holdoff time, press Holdoff (side). Enter the value in %  
using the general purpose knob or the keypad.  
If you want to enter a large number using the general purpose knob, press the  
SHIFT button before turning the knob. When the light above the SHIFT button  
is on and the display says Coarse Knobs in the upper right corner, the  
general purpose knob speeds up significantly.  
You can set holdoff from 0% (minimum holdoff available) to 100% (maximum  
available). See Holdoff, Variable, Main Trigger in the TDS 520A, 524A, 540A,  
& 544A Performance Verification Manual, Section 2 on Specifications, Typical  
Characteristics for typical minimum and maximum values.  
Holdoff is automatically reset to 0% when you change the main time base  
time/division setting. However, it is not reset if you change the delayed time  
base time/division (that is, when the time base setting in the Horizontal menu  
is Intensified or Delayed Only).  
See Triggering, on page 2-13.  
See Triggering, on page 3-142.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Advanced DSP Math (optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A), provides the Fast  
Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT allows you to transform a waveform from a  
display of its amplitude against time to one that plots the amplitudes of the  
various discrete frequencies the waveform contains. Further, you can also  
display the phase shifts of those frequencies. Use FFT math waveforms in  
the following applications:  
Testing impulse response of filters and systems  
Measuring harmonic content and distortion in systems  
Characterizing the frequency content of DC power supplies  
Analyzing vibration  
Analyzing harmonics in 50 and 60 cycle lines  
Identifying noise sources in digital logic circuits  
The FFT computes and displays the frequency content of a waveform you  
acquire as an FFT math waveform. This frequency domain waveform is  
based on the following equation:  
Description  
Where:  
x(n) is a point in the time domain record data array  
X(k) is a point in the frequency domain record data array  
n is the index to the time domain data array  
k is the index to the frequency domain data array  
N is the FFT length  
j is the square root of 1  
The resulting waveform is a display of the magnitude or phase angle of the  
various frequencies the waveform contains with respect to those frequencies.  
For example, Figure 3-20 shows the non-transformed impulse response of a  
system in channel 2 at the top of the screen. The FFT-transformed magnitude  
and phase appear in the two math waveforms below the impulse. The hori-  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
zontal scale for FFT math waveforms is always expressed in frequency per  
division with the beginning (left-most point) of the waveform representing zero  
frequency (DC).  
The FFT waveform is based on digital signal processing (DSP) of data, which  
allows more versatility in measuring the frequency content of waveforms. For  
example, DSP allows the oscilloscope to compute FFTs of source waveforms  
that must be acquired based on a single trigger, making it useful for measur-  
ing the frequency content of single events.  
Normal Waveform of  
an Impulse Response  
FFT Waveform of the  
Magnitude Response  
FFT Waveform of the  
Phase Response  
Figure 3-20: System Response to an Impulse  
To obtain an FFT of your waveform:  
Operation  
1. Connect the waveform to the desired channel input and select that chan-  
nel.  
2. Adjust the vertical and horizontal scales and trigger the display (or press  
AUTOSET).  
The topic Offset, Position, and Scale, on page 3-46, provides in depth  
information about optimizing your setup for FFT displays.  
3. Press MORE to access the menu for turning on math waveforms.  
4. Select a math waveform. Your choices are Math1, Math2, and  
Math3 (main).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Figure 3-21: Define FFT Waveform Menu  
5. If the selected math waveform is not FFT, press Change Math Definition  
(side) FFT (main). See Figure 3-21.  
6. Press Set FFT Source to (side) repeatedly until the channel source  
selected in step 1 appears in the menu label.  
7. Press Set FFT Vert Scale to (side) repeatedly to choose from the follow-  
ing vertical scale types:  
dBV RMS — Magnitude is displayed using log scale, expressed in dB  
relative to 1 V  
where 0 dB =1 V  
.
RMS  
RMS  
Linear RMS — Magnitude is displayed using voltage as the scale.  
Phase (deg) — Phase is displayed using degrees as the scale,  
where degrees wrap from –180 to +180 .  
Phase (rad) — Phase is displayed using radians as the scale, where  
radians wrap from – to + .  
The topic Considerations for Phase Displays, on page 3-49, provides in  
depth information on setup for phase displays.  
8. Press Set FFT Window to (side) repeatedly to choose from the following  
window types:  
Rectangular — Best type for resolving frequencies that are very  
close to the same value but worst for accurately measuring the  
amplitude of those frequencies. Best type for measuring the frequen-  
cy spectrum of non-repetitive signals and measuring frequency  
components near DC.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Hamming — Very good window for resolving frequencies that are  
very close to the same value with somewhat improved amplitude  
accuracy over the rectangular window.  
Hanning — Very good window for measuring amplitude accuracy  
but degraded for resolving frequencies.  
Blackman-Harris — Best window for measuring the amplitude of  
frequencies but worst at resolving frequencies.  
The topic Selecting the Window, on page 3-51, provides in depth informa-  
tion on choosing the right window for your application.  
9. If you did not select Phase (deg) or Phase (rad) in step 7, skip to  
step 12. Phase suppression is only used to reduce noise in phase FFTs.  
10. If you need to reduce the effect of noise in your phase FFT, press Sup-  
press phase at amplitudes < (side).  
11. Use the general purpose knob (or the keypad if your oscilloscope is so  
equipped) to adjust the phase suppression level. FFT magnitudes below  
this level will have their phase set to zero.  
The topic Adjust Phase Suppression, on page 3-50, provides additional  
information on phase suppression.  
12. Press OK Create Math Wfm (side) to display the FFT of the waveform  
you input in step 1 (see Figure 3-22).  
Figure 3-22: FFT Math Waveform in Math1  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Cursor Measurements of an FFT  
Once you have displayed an FFT math waveform, use cursors to measure its  
frequency amplitude or phase angle.  
1. Be sure MORE is selected in the channel selection buttons and that the  
FFT math waveform is selected in the More main menu.  
2. Press CURSOR Mode (main) Independent (side) Func-  
tion (main) H Bars (side).  
3. Use the general purpose knob to align the selected cursor (solid line) to  
the top (or to any amplitude on the waveform you choose).  
4. Press SELECT to select the other cursor. Use the general purpose knob  
to align the selected cursor to the bottom (or to any amplitude on the  
waveform you choose).  
5. Read the amplitude between the two cursors from the : readout. Read  
the amplitude of the selected cursor relative to either 1 V  
(0 dB),  
RMS  
ground (0 volts), or the zero phase level (0 degrees or 0 radians) from the  
@: readout. (The waveform reference indicator at the left side of the  
graticule indicates the level where phase is zero for phase FFTs.)  
Figure 3-23 shows the cursor measurement of a frequency magnitude on  
an FFT. The @: readout reads 0 dB because it is aligned with the 1 V  
RMS  
level. The : readout reads 24.4 dB indicating the magnitude of the  
frequency it is measuring is –24.4 dB relative to 1 V  
waveform is turned off in the display.  
. The source  
RMS  
The cursor units will be in dB or volts for FFTs measuring magnitude and  
in degrees or radians for those FFTs measuring phase. The cursor unit  
depends on the selection made for Set FFT Vert Scale to (side). See  
step 7 on page 3-40 for more information.  
6. Press V Bars (side). Use the general purpose knob to align one of the  
two vertical cursors to a point of interest along the horizontal axis of the  
waveform.  
7. Press SELECT to select the alternate cursor.  
8. Align the selected cursor to another point of interest on the math wave-  
form.  
9. Read the frequency difference between the cursors from the : readout.  
Read the frequency of the selected cursor relative to the zero frequency  
point from the @: readout.  
The cursor units will always be in Hz, regardless of the setting in the  
Time Units side menu. The first point of the FFT record is the zero  
frequency point for the @: readout.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Figure 3-23: Cursor Measurement of an FFT Waveform  
10. Press Function (main) Paired (side).  
11. Use the technique just outlined to place the vertical bar of each paired  
cursor to the points along the horizontal axis you are interested in.  
12. Read the amplitude between the X of the two paired cursors from the  
top-most : readout. Read the amplitude of the short horizontal bar of the  
selected (solid) cursor relative to either 1 V  
(0 dB), ground (0 volts), or  
RMS  
zero phase level (0 degrees or 0 radians) from the @: readout. Read the  
frequency between the long horizontal bars of both paired cursors from  
the bottom : readout.  
Automated Measurements of an FFT  
You can also use automated measurements to measure FFT math wave-  
forms. Use the same procedure as is found under Waveform Differentiation  
on page 3-151.  
There are several characteristics of FFTs that affect how they are displayed  
and should be interpreted. Read the following topics to learn how to optimize  
the oscilloscope setup for good display of your FFT waveforms.  
Considerations for  
Using FFTs  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
The FFT Frequency Domain Record  
The following topics discuss the relation of the source waveform to the record  
length, frequency resolution, and frequency range of the FFT frequency  
domain record. (The FFT frequency domain waveform is the FFT math  
waveform that you display.)  
FFTs May Not Use All of the Waveform Record — The FFT math  
waveform is a display of the magnitude or phase data from the FFT frequency  
domain record. This frequency domain record is derived from the FFT time  
domain record, which is derived from the waveform record. All three records  
are described below.  
Waveform Record — the complete waveform record acquired from an input  
channel and displayed from the same channel or a reference memory. The  
length of this time domain record is user-specified from the Horizontal menu.  
The waveform record is not a DSP Math waveform.  
FFT Time Domain Record — that part of the waveform record that is input to  
the FFT. This time domain record waveform becomes the FFT math wave-  
form after it is transformed. Its record length depends on the length of the  
waveform record defined above.  
FFT Frequency Domain Record — the FFT math waveform after digital signal  
processing converts data from the FFT time domain record into a frequency  
domain record.  
Figure 3-24 compares the waveform record to the FFT time domain record.  
Note the following relationships:  
For waveform records 10 K points in length, the FFT uses all of the  
waveform record as input.  
For waveform records >10 K points, the first 10 K points of the waveform  
record becomes the FFT time domain record.  
Each FFT time domain record starts at the beginning of the acquired  
waveform record.  
The zero phase reference point for a phase FFT math waveform is in the  
middle of the FFT time domain record regardless of the waveform record  
length.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
FFT Time Domain Record =  
Waveform Record  
Waveform Record 10 K  
Zero Phase  
Reference  
FFT Time Domain Record = 10k  
Waveform Record > 10 K  
Zero Phase  
Reference  
Figure 3-24: Waveform Record vs. FFT Time Domain Record  
FFTs Transform Time Records to Frequency Records — The FFT  
time domain record just described is input for the FFT. Figure 3-25 shows the  
transformation of that time domain data record into an FFT frequency domain  
record. The resulting frequency domain record is one half the length of the  
FFT input because the FFT computes both positive and negative frequencies.  
Since the negative values mirror the positive values, only the positive values  
are displayed.  
FFT Time Domain Record  
FFT  
FFT Frequency Domain Record  
Figure 3-25: FFT Time Domain Record vs. FFT Frequency Domain  
Record  
FFT Frequency Range and Resolution — When you turn on an FFT  
waveform, the oscilloscope displays either the magnitude or phase angle of  
the FFT frequency domain record. The resolution between the discrete fre-  
quencies displayed in this waveform is determined by the following equation:  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Where:  
form  
F is the frequency resolution.  
Sample Rate is the sample rate of the source waveform.  
FFT Length is the length of the FFT Time Domain wave-  
record.  
The sample rate also determines the range these frequencies span; they  
span from 0 to  
the  
sample rate is often referred to as the Nyquist frequency or point.) For exam-  
ple, a sample rate of 20 Megasamples per second would yield an FFT with a  
range of 0 to 10 MHz. The sample rates available for acquiring data records  
vary over a range the limits of which depend on your oscilloscope model. TDS  
oscilloscopes display the sample rate in the acquisition readout at the top of  
the oscilloscope screen.  
Offset, Position, and Scale  
The following topics contain information to help you display your FFT proper-  
ly.  
Adjust for a Non-Clipped Display To properly display your FFT wave-  
form, scale the source waveform so it is not clipped.  
You should scale and position the source waveform so it is contained on  
screen. (Off screen waveforms may be clipped, resulting in errors in the  
FFT waveform).  
Alternately, to get maximum vertical resolution, you can display source  
waveforms with amplitudes up to two divisions greater than that of the  
screen. If you do, turn on Pk-Pk in the measurement menu and monitor  
the source waveform for clipping.  
Use vertical position and vertical offset to position your source waveform.  
As long as the source waveform is not clipped, its vertical position and  
vertical offset will not affect your FFT waveform except at DC. (DC  
correction is discussed below.)  
Adjust Offset and Position to Zero for DC Correction — Normally, the  
output of a standard FFT computation yields a DC value that is twice as large  
as it should be with respect to the other frequencies. Also, the selection of  
window type introduces errors in the DC value of an FFT.  
The displayed output of the FFT on TDS oscilloscopes is corrected for these  
errors to show the true value for the DC component of the input signal. The  
Position and Offset must be set to zero for the source waveform in the  
Vertical menu. When measuring the amplitude at DC, remember that 1 VDC  
equals 1 V  
and the display is in dB.  
RMS  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Record Length  
Most often, you will want to use a short record length because more of the  
FFT waveform can be seen on screen and long record lengths can slow  
oscilloscope response. However, long record lengths lower the noise relative  
to the signal and increase the frequency resolution for the FFT. More impor-  
tant, they might be needed to capture the waveform feature you want to  
include in the FFT.  
To speed up oscilloscope response when using long record lengths, you can  
save your source waveform in a reference memory and perform an FFT on  
the saved waveform. That way the DSP will compute the FFT based on  
saved, static data and will only update if you save a new waveform.  
Acquisition Mode  
Selecting the right acquisition mode can produce less noisy FFTs.  
Set up in Sample or Normal Mode — Use sample mode until you have set  
up and turned on your FFT. Sample mode can acquire repetitive and nonre-  
petitive waveforms and does not affect the frequency response of the source  
waveform.  
Hi Res and Average Reduce Noise — After the FFT is set up and dis-  
played, it might be useful to turn on Hi Res mode, on TDS models so  
equipped, to reduce the effect of noise in the signal. Hi Res operates on both  
repetitive and nonrepetitive waveforms; however, it does affect the frequency  
response of the source waveform.  
If the pulse is repetitive, Average mode may be used to reduce noise in the  
signal at a cost of slower display response. Average operates on repetitive  
waveforms only, and averaging does affect the frequency response of the  
source waveform.  
Peak Detect (on TDS models so equipped) and Envelope mode can add  
significant distortion to the FFT results and are not recommended for use with  
FFTs.  
Zoom and Interpolation  
Once you have your waveform displayed optimally, you may magnify (or  
reduce) it vertically and horizontally to inspect any feature you desire. Just be  
sure the FFT waveform is the selected waveform. (Press MORE, then select  
the FFT waveform in the More main menu. Then use the Vertical and Hori-  
zontal SCALE knobs to adjust the math waveform size.)  
If you wish to see the zoom factor (2X, 5X, etc.) you need to turn Zoom on:  
press ZOOM On (side). The vertical and horizontal zoom factors appear  
on screen.  
Whether Zoom is on or off, you can press Reset Zoom Factors (side) to  
return the zoomed FFT waveform to no magnification.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Zoom always uses either sin(x)/x or linear interpolation when expanding  
displayed waveforms. To select the interpolation method: press DISPLAY ➞  
Setting (main) Display (pop-up) Filter (main) Sin(x)/x or Linear  
(side), or if your oscilloscope does not have color, press DISPLAY Fil-  
ter (main) Sin(x)/x or Linear (side)  
If the source waveform record length is 500 points, the FFT will use 2X Zoom  
to increase the 250 point FFT frequency domain record to 500 points. There-  
fore, FFT math waveforms of 500 point waveforms are always zoomed 2X or  
more with interpolation. Waveforms with other record lengths can be zoomed  
or not and can have minimum Zooms of 1X or less.  
Sin(x)/x interpolation may distort the magnitude and phase displays of the  
FFT depending on which window was used. You can easily check the effects  
of the interpolation by switching between sin(x)/x and linear interpolation and  
observing the difference in measurement results on the display. If significant  
differences occur, use linear interpolation.  
Undersampling (Aliasing)  
Aliasing occurs when the oscilloscope acquires a source waveform with  
frequency components outside of the frequency range for the current sample  
rate. In the FFT waveform, the actual higher frequency components are  
undersampled, and therefore, they appear as lower frequency aliases that  
“fold back” around the Nyquist point (see Figure 3-26).  
The greatest frequency that can be input into any sampler without aliasing is  
frequency. Since source waveforms often have a fundamental  
frequency that does not alias but have harmonic frequencies that do, you  
should have methods for recognizing and dealing with aliases:  
Be aware that a source waveform with fast edge transition times creates  
many high frequency harmonics. These harmonics typically decrease in  
amplitude as their frequency increases.  
Sample the source signal at rates that are at least 2X that of the highest  
frequency component having significant amplitude.  
Filter the input to bandwidth limit it to frequencies below that of the Ny-  
quist frequency.  
Recognize and ignore the aliased frequencies.  
If you think you have aliased frequencies in your FFT, select the source  
channel and adjust the horizontal scale to increase the sample rate. Since  
you increase the Nyquist frequency as you increase the sample rate, the alias  
signals should appear at their proper frequency.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Nyquist Frequency  
Point  
Frequency  
AliasedFrequencies  
Actual Frequencies  
Figure 3-26: How Aliased Frequencies Appear in an FFT  
Considerations for Phase Displays  
When you set up an FFT math waveform to display the phase angle of the  
frequencies contained in a waveform, you should take into account the refer-  
ence point the phase is measured against. You may also need to use phase  
suppression to reduce noise in your FFTs.  
Establish a Zero Phase Reference Point — The phase of each fre-  
quency is measured with respect to the zero phase reference point. The zero  
reference point is the point at the center of the FFT math waveform but  
corresponds to various points on the source (time domain) record. (See  
Figure 3-24 on page 3-45.)  
To measure the phase relative to most source waveforms, you need only to  
center the positive peak around the zero phase point. (For instance, center  
the positive half cycle for a sine or square wave around the zero phase point.)  
Use the following method:  
First be sure the FFT math waveform is selected in the More menu, then  
set horizontal position to 50% in the Horizontal menu. This positions the  
zero phase reference point to the horizontal center of the screen.  
In the Horizontal menu, vary the trigger position to center the positive  
peak of the source waveform at the horizontal center of screen. Alternate-  
ly, you can adjust the trigger level (knob) to bring the positive peak to  
center screen if the phase reference waveform has slow enough edges.  
When impulse testing and measuring phase, align the impulse input into the  
system to the zero reference point of the FFT time domain waveform:  
Set the trigger position to 50% and horizontal position to 50% for all  
record lengths less than 15 K. (Your model oscilloscope may not have  
record lengths of 15 K or longer — consult your User manual.)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
For records with a 15 K length, set the trigger position to 33%. Use the  
horizontal position knob to move the trigger T on screen to the center  
horizontal graticule line.  
For records with 30 K, 50 K, or 60 K lengths (not all lengths are available  
for all TDS models — consult your User manual), set the trigger position  
to 16.6%,10%, or 8.3%, respectively. Use the horizontal position knob to  
move the trigger T on screen and to the center horizontal graticule line.  
Trigger on the input impulse.  
Adjust Phase Suppression Your source waveform record may have a  
noise component with phase angles that randomly vary from pi to pi. This  
noise could make the phase display unusable. In such a case, use phase  
suppression to control the noise.  
You specify the phase suppression level in dB with respect to 1 V  
. If the  
RMS  
magnitude of the frequency is greater than this threshold, then its phase  
angle will be displayed. However, if it is less than this threshold, then the  
phase angle will be set to zero and be displayed as zero degrees or radians.  
(The waveform reference indicator at the left side of the graticule indicates  
the level where phase is zero for phase FFTs.)  
It is easier to determine the level of phase suppression you need if you first  
create a frequency FFT math waveform of the source and then create a  
phase FFT waveform of the same source. Do the following steps to use a  
cursor measurement to determine the suppression level:  
1. Do steps 1 through 7 of Operation that begins on page 3-39. Select dBV  
RMS (side) for the Set FFT Vert Scale to (side).  
2. Press CURSOR Mode (main) Independent (side) Func-  
tion (main) H Bars (side). Use the general purpose knob to align the  
selected cursor to a level that places the tops of the magnitudes of fre-  
quencies of interest above the cursor but places other magnitudes com-  
pletely below the cursor.  
3. Read the level in dB from the @: readout. Note the level for use in step 5.  
4. Press MORE (main) Change Waveform Definition menu (side).  
Press Set FFT Vert Scale to (side) repeatedly to choose either Phase  
(rad) or Phase (deg).  
5. Press Suppress Phase at Amplitudes (side). Use the general purpose  
knob (or keypad if your oscilloscope is so equipped) to set phase sup-  
pression to the value obtained using the H Bar cursor. Do not change the  
window selection or you will invalidate the results obtained using the  
cursor.  
FFT Windows  
To learn how to optimize your display of FFT data, read about how the FFT  
windows data before computing the FFT math waveform. Understanding FFT  
windowing can help you get more useful displays.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Windowing Process — The oscilloscope multiplies the FFT time domain  
record by one of four FFT windows before it inputs the record to the FFT  
function. Figure 3-27 shows how the time domain record is processed.  
The FFT windowing acts like a bandpass filter between the FFT time domain  
record and the FFT frequency domain record. The shape of the window  
controls the ability of the FFT to resolve (separate) the frequencies and to  
accurately measure the amplitude of those frequencies.  
Selecting a Window You can select your window to provide better  
frequency resolution at the expense of better amplitude measurement accura-  
cy in your FFT, better amplitude accuracy over frequency resolution, or to  
provide a compromise between both. You can choose from these four win-  
dows: Rectangular, Hamming, Hanning, and Blackman-Harris.  
In step 8 (page 3-40) in Displaying an FFT, the four windows are listed in  
order according to their ability to resolve frequencies versus their ability to  
accurately measure the amplitude of those frequencies. The list indicates that  
the ability of a given window to resolve a frequency is inversely proportional to  
its ability to accurately measure the amplitude of that frequency. In general,  
then, choose a window that can just resolve between the frequencies you  
want to measure. That way, you will have the best amplitude accuracy and  
leakage elimination while still separating the frequencies.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
FFT Time Domain Record  
Xs  
FFT Window  
FFT Time Domain Record  
After Windowing  
FFT  
FFT Frequency Domain Record  
Figure 3-27: Windowing the FFT Time Domain Record  
You can often determine the best window empirically by first using the window  
with the most frequency resolution (rectangular), then proceeding toward that  
window with the least (Blackman-Harris) until the frequencies merge. Use the  
window just before the window that lets the frequencies merge for best com-  
promise between resolution and amplitude accuracy.  
NOTE  
If the Hanning window merges the frequencies, try the Hamming  
window before settling on the rectangular window. Depending on the  
distance of the frequencies you are trying to measure from the  
fundamental, the Hamming window sometimes resolves frequencies  
better than the Hanning.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
Window Characteristics — When evaluating a window for use, you may  
want to examine how it modifies the FFT time domain data. Figure 3-28  
shows each window, its bandpass characteristic, bandwidth, and highest side  
lobe. Consider the following characteristics:  
The narrower the central lobe for a given window, the better it can resolve  
a frequency.  
The lower the lobes on the side of each central lobe are, the better the  
amplitude accuracy of the frequency measured in the FFT using that  
window.  
Narrow lobes increase frequency resolution because they are more  
selective. Lower side lobe amplitudes increases accuracy because they  
reduce leakage.  
Leakage results when the FFT time domain waveform delivered to the  
FFT function contains a non-integer number of waveform cycles. Since  
there are fractions of cycles in such records, there are discontinuities at  
the ends of the record. These discontinuities cause energy from each  
discrete frequency to “leak” over on to adjacent frequencies. The result is  
amplitude error when measuring those frequencies.  
The rectangular window does not modify the waveform record points; it  
generally gives the best frequency resolution because it results in the most  
narrow lobe width in the FFT output record. If the time domain records you  
measured always had an integer number of cycles, you would only need this  
window.  
Hamming, Hanning, and Blackman-Harris are all somewhat bell-shaped  
widows that taper the waveform record at the record ends. The Hanning and  
Blackman/Harris windows taper the data at the end of the record to zero;  
therefore, they are generally better choices to eliminate leakage.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Fast Fourier Transforms  
FFT Window Type  
Bandpass Filter  
-3 dB Bandwidth  
Highest Side Lobe  
0.89  
-13 dB  
Rectangular Window  
1.28  
1.28  
1.28  
–43 dB  
–32 dB  
–94 dB  
Hamming Window  
Hanning Window  
Blackman-Harris  
Window  
Figure 3-28: FFT Windows and Bandpass Characteristics  
Care should be taken when using bell shaped widows to be sure that the  
most interesting parts of the signal in the time domain record are positioned in  
the center region of the window so that the tapering does not cause severe  
errors.  
See Waveform Differentiation, on page 3-150.  
See Waveform Integration, on page 3-154.  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159.  
For More  
Information  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
File System (Optional on TDS 620A &  
TDS 640A)  
The File Utilities menu, which comes with the Hardcopy, Save Setup, and  
Save Waveforms menus, gives you a variety of features for managing the  
floppy disk.  
The File Utilities menu lets you delete, rename, copy, print files, create a new  
directory, operate the confirm delete and overwrite lock, and format disks.  
Operation  
To bring up the File Utilities menu:  
1. Press the SETUP button to bring up the Save/Recall Setup menu, or  
press the WAVEFORM button to bring up the Save/Recall Waveform  
menu, or press the Shift HARDCOPY button to bring up the Hardcopy  
menu.  
2. Press File Utilities in the main menu to bring up the File Utilities side  
menu. (see Figure 3-29).  
Figure 3-29: File Utilities  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
File System  
NOTE  
The amount of free space on the disk is shown in the upper right  
corner of the display. The digitizing oscilloscope shows the amount  
in K bytes. To convert the amount to bytes, you simply multiply the  
K bytes amount times 1024. Thus, the 711 kB shown in Figure 3-29  
= 711 Kbytes * 1024 bytes/K = 728,064 bytes.  
Delete  
To delete a file or directory, turn the general purpose knob until it scrolls the  
cursor over the name of the file or directory to delete. Then, press the side  
menu Delete button.  
To delete all files in the file list, set the cursor to the *.* selection.  
The digitizing oscilloscope deletes directories recursively. That means it  
deletes both the directories and all their contents.  
Rename  
To rename a file or directory, turn the general purpose knob until it scrolls the  
cursor over the name of the file or directory to delete. For example, to rename  
the target file whose default name is TEK????? set the cursor over its name.  
Then, press the side menu Rename button.  
The labelling menu should appear. Turn the general purpose knob or use the  
main-menu arrow keys to select each letter. Press Enter Char from the main  
menu to enter each letter. When you have entered the name, press the side  
menu OK Accept item (See Figure 3-30).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
File System  
Figure 3-30: File System — Labelling Menu  
Copy  
To copy a file or directory, turn the general purpose knob until it scrolls the  
cursor over the name of the file to copy. Then, press the side menu Copy  
button. The file menu will reappear with the names of directories to copy to.  
Select a directory and press the side-menu button labelled Copy <name> to  
Selected Directory.  
To copy all files, select the *.* entry.  
The digitizing oscilloscope copies all directories recursively. That means it  
copies both the directories and all their contents.  
Print  
To print a file, turn the general purpose knob until it scrolls the cursor over the  
name of the file to print. Then, press the side-menu Print button.  
The Print-To side menu should appear. Select the port to print to from GPIB,  
RS-232, or Centronics. (See Figure 3-30) Then the digitizing oscilloscope  
will send the file in its raw form out the port. The device (printer) receiving the  
file must be capable or printing the particular file format.  
Create Directory  
To create a new directory, press the side menu Create Directory button.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
File System  
The labelling menu should appear. Turn the general purpose knob or use the  
main-menu arrow keys to select each letter. Press Enter Char from the main  
menu to enter each letter. When you have entered the name, press the side  
menu OK Accept item. (See Figure 3-30)  
Confirm Delete  
To turn on or off the confirm delete message, toggle the side menu Confirm  
Delete button.  
When the confirm delete option is OFF, the digitizing oscilloscope can im-  
mediately delete files or directories. When the confirm option is ON, the  
digitizing oscilloscope warns you before it deletes files and gives you a  
chance to reconsider  
Overwrite Lock  
To turn on or off the file overwrite lock, toggle the side menu Overwrite Lock  
button.  
When overwrite lock is on, the digitizing oscilloscope will not permit you to  
write over an existing file of the same name. An important reason to allow  
overwriting is to let you write files using a target file name that contains wild  
card characters (“?”). This means the digitizing oscilloscope creates sequen-  
tial files whose names are similar except for the sequential numbers that go in  
the real name in the place of the question marks.  
Format  
To format a 720 Kbyte or 1.44 Mbyte disk, turn the general purpose knob until  
it scrolls the cursor over the name of the drive to format in. (fd0:) Then, press  
the side menu Format button.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
You can get a copy of the digitizing oscilloscope display by using the hardco-  
py feature. Depending on the output format you select, you create either an  
image or a plot. Images are direct bit map representations of the digitizing  
oscilloscope display. Plots are vector (plotted) representations of the display.  
Different hardcopy devices use different formats. The digitizing oscilloscope  
supports the following formats:  
Hardcopy Formats  
HP Thinkjet inkjet printer  
HP Deskjet inkjet printer  
HP Laserjet laser printer  
Epson  
DPU-411/II portable thermal printer  
DPU-412 portable thermal printer  
PCX (PC Paintbrush)  
PCX Color (PC Paintbrush) (TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
TIFF (Tag Image File Format)  
BMP Mono (Microsoft Windows file format)  
BMP Color (Microsoft Windows file format) (TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
RLE Color (Microsoft Windows color image file format – compressed)  
(TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
EPS Mono Image (Encapsulated Postscript, mono-image)  
EPS Color Image (Encapsulated Postscript, color-image) (TDS 524A &  
TDS 544A)  
EPS Mono Plot (Encapsulated Postscript, mono-plot)  
EPS Color Plot (Encapsulated Postscript, color-plot)  
Interleaf  
HPGL Color Plot  
Some formats, particularly Interleaf, EPS, TIFF, PCX, BMP, and HPGL, are  
compatible with various desktop publishing packages. That means you can  
paste files created from the oscilloscope directly into a document on any of  
those desktop publishing systems.  
EPS Mono and Color formats are compatible with Tektronix Phaser Color  
Printers, HPGL is compatible with the Tektronix HC100 Plotter, and Epson is  
compatible with the Tektronix HC220 Printer.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
Before you make a hardcopy, you need to set up communications and hard-  
copy parameters. This discussion assumes that the hardcopy device is  
already connected to the GPIB port on the rear panel. If that is not the case  
see Connection Strategies on page 3-63.  
Operation  
Setting Communication Parameters  
To set up the communication parameters to talk to a printer attached directly  
to the oscilloscope GPIB port:  
Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) I/O (pop-up) Port ➞  
GPIB (pop-up) Configure (main) Hardcopy (Talk Only) (side).  
To set up the communication parameters to talk to a printer attached directly  
to the oscilloscope RS-232 port:  
Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) I/O (pop-up) Port ➞  
RS232 (pop-up) Hardware Setup (main).  
Press the side-menu Baud Rate, Stop Bits, Parity and Hard Flagging items  
and enter data as desired to match the hardcopy device  
(see Figure 3-31).  
Press Software Setup (main) and toggle the side-menu Soft Flagging item  
to turn software flagging on or off as desired.  
Figure 3-31: Utility Menu — System I/O  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
Setting Hardcopy Parameters  
To specify the hardcopy format, layout, and type of port using the hardcopy  
menu:  
1. Press SHIFT HARDCOPY MENU to bring up the Hardcopy menu.  
2. Press Format (main) Thinkjet, Deskjet, Laserjet, Epson, DPU-411,  
DPU-412, PCX, PCX Color (TDS 544A), TIFF, BMP Mono, BMP Color  
(TDS 544A), RLE Color (TDS 544A), EPS Mono Img, EPS Color  
Image (TDS 544A), EPS Mono Plt, EPS Color Plt, Interleaf, or HPGL  
(side). (Press –more– (side) to see all of these format choices.)  
3. Press SHIFT HARDCOPY MENU Layout (main) Landscape or  
Portrait (side) (see Figure 3-32).  
Landscape Format  
Portrait Format  
Figure 3-32: Hardcopy Formats  
4. Press SHIFT HARDCOPY MENU Port (main) to specify the output  
channel to send your hardcopy through. The choices are GPIB, RS-232,  
Centronics, and File (RS-232, Centronics, and File are optional on the  
TDS 520A & TDS 540A).  
If you choose File, the file-list scrollbar will appear. Turn the general  
purpose knob to select the desired file.  
5. For hardcopy formats that support palettes, press SHIFT HARDCOPY  
MENU Palette (main) Hardcopy or Current (side). Choose Hardco-  
py to have the hardcopy created using the Hardcopy Preview palette in  
the Color Palette menu. The default settings for this palette provide a  
white background. Choose Current to have the hardcopy created in colors  
that closely match the current display.  
Printing the Hardcopy  
You can print a single hardcopy or send additional hardcopies to the spool  
(queue) while waiting for earlier hardcopies to finish printing. To print your  
hardcopy(ies):  
Press HARDCOPY to print your hardcopy.  
While the hardcopy is being sent to the printer, the oscilloscope will display  
the message “Hardcopy in process — Press HARDCOPY to abort.”  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
To stop and discard the hardcopy being sent, press HARDCOPY again while  
the hardcopy in process message is still on screen.  
To add additional hardcopies to the printer spool, press HARDCOPY again  
after the hardcopy in process message is removed from the screen.  
You can add hardcopies to the spool until it is full. When the spool is filled by  
adding a hardcopy, the message “Hardcopy in Process — Press HARDCOPY  
to abort” remains displayed. You can abort the last hardcopy sent by pressing  
the button while the message is still displayed. When the printer empties  
enough of the spool to finish adding the last hardcopy it does so and then  
removes the message.  
To remove all hardcopies from the spool:  
Press SHIFT HARDCOPY MENU Clear Spool (main) OK Confirm  
Clear Spool (side).  
This oscilloscope takes advantage of any unused RAM when spooling hard-  
copies to printers. The size of the spool is, therefore, variable. The number of  
hardcopies that can be spooled depends on three variables:  
the amount of unused RAM  
the hardcopy format chosen  
the complexity of the display  
Although not guaranteed, usually about 2.5 hardcopies can be spooled before  
the oscilloscope must wait to send the rest of the third copy.  
Date/Time Stamping Your Hardcopy  
You can display the current date and time on screen so that they appear on  
the hardcopies you print. To date and time stamp your hardcopy:  
1. Press DISPLAY Readout Options (main) Display Date and Time  
(side) to toggle the setting to On.  
2. Press Clear Menu to remove the menu from the display so the date and  
time can be displayed (see Figure 3-33). (The date and time are removed  
from the display when menus are displayed.)  
3. Press HARDCOPY to print your date/time stamped hardcopy.  
If you need to set the date and time of the oscilloscope:  
4. Press SHIFT UTILITY Config (pop-up) Set Date & Time (main) ➞  
Year, Day Month, Hour, or Minute.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
Date and Time Display  
Figure 3-33: Date and Time Display  
5. Use the general purpose knob or the keypad to set the parameter you  
have chosen to the value desired. (The format when using the keypad is  
rd  
day.month. For example, use 23.6 for the 23 of June.)  
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to set other parameters as desired.  
7. Press OK Enter Date/Time (side) to put the new settings into effect. This  
sets the seconds to zero.  
NOTE  
When setting the clock, you can set to a time slightly later than the  
current time and wait for it to catch up. When current time catches  
up to the time you have set, pressing Ok Enter Date/Time (side)  
synchronizes the set time to the current time.  
8. Press CLEAR MENU to see the date/time displayed with the new set-  
tings.  
9. Press HARDCOPY to print your date/time stamped hardcopy.  
The ability of the digitizing oscilloscope to print a copy of its display in many  
formats (see page 3-59) gives you flexibility in choosing a hardcopy device. It  
also makes it easier for you to place oscilloscope screen copies into a desk-  
top publishing system.  
Connection  
Strategies  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
Strategies for actually printing a copy include:  
Send output straight to a printer/plotter.  
Send the data to a computer to print from there and/or to import into your  
favorite desktop publishing or other application package.  
Send your data to a floppy disk file (optional on the TDS 520A &  
TDS 540A) for later printing from a computer capable of reading the  
MS-DOS compatible floppy disk.  
Printing Directly to a Hardcopy Device  
You can connect the digitizing oscilloscope directly to a hardcopy device (see  
Figure 3-34). An example of a GPIB hardcopy device is the Tektronix HC100  
Plotter. Many printers, such as the Tektronix HC220, use Centronics inter-  
faces. Many hardcopy devices, including the HC100 with option 03, provide  
RS-232 support.  
Digitizing  
Oscilloscope  
Hardcopy Device  
(e.g., Tek HC100)  
GPIB, RS-232, or Centronics Cable  
Figure 3-34: Connecting the Digitizing Oscilloscope Directly to the  
Hardcopy Device  
Using a Controller  
You can put a controller with two ports between the digitizing oscilloscope and  
the hardcopy device (see Figure 3-35). Use a GPIB port to remotely request  
and receive a hardcopy from the digitizing oscilloscope. Use an RS-232 or a  
Centronics port on the controller to print output.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
GPIB Cable  
Centronics or  
RS-232 Cable  
PC Compatible  
Digitizing  
Oscilloscope  
Hardcopy Device  
Figure 3-35: Connecting the Digitizing Oscilloscope and Hardcopy  
Device Via a PC  
If your controller is PC-compatible and it uses the Tektronix GURU or  
S3FG210 (National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA) GPIB package, you can  
operate this setup as follows:  
1. Use the MS-DOS cd command to move to the directory that holds the  
software that came with your GPIB board. For example, if you installed  
the software in the GPIB-PC directory, type: cd GPIB-PC  
2. Run the IBIC program that came with your GPIB board. Type: IBIC  
3. Type: IBFIND DEV1 where “DEV1” is the name for the digitizing oscillo-  
scope you defined using the IBCONF.EXE program that came with the  
GPIB board.  
NOTE  
If you defined another name then, of course, use it instead of  
“DEV1”. Also, remember that the device address of the digitizing  
oscilloscope as set with the IBCONF.EXE program should match  
the address set in the digitizing oscilloscope Utility menu (typically,  
use “1”).  
4. Type: IBWRT “HARDCOPY START” Be sure the digitizing oscilloscope  
Utility menu is set to Talk/Listen and not Hardcopy (Talk Only) or you  
will get an error message at this step. Setting the digitizing oscilloscope  
Utility menu was described in the start of this Hardcopy section under the  
heading Setting Communication Parameters. Be sure to set the controller  
time-out longer than the time required to transfer the hardcopy.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Hardcopy  
5. Type: IBRDF <Filename>where <Filename> is a valid DOS file name  
you want to call your hardcopy information. It should be 8 characters  
long with up to a 3 character extension. For example, you could type  
“ibrdf screen1”.  
6. Exit the IBIC program by typing: EXIT  
7. Type: COPY <Filename> <Output port> </B> where <Filename> is the  
name you defined in step 5 and <Output port> is the PC output port your  
hardcopy device is connected to (such as LPT1 or LPT2). Copy the data  
from your file to your hardcopy device. First, ensure your printer or plotter  
is properly attached to your PC. Then copy the file. For example, if your  
file is called screen1 and your printer is attached to the lpt1 parallel port,  
type “copy screen1 lpt1: /B”.  
NOTE  
If you transmit hardcopy files across a computer network, use a  
binary (8-bit) data path.  
Your hardcopy device should now print a picture of the digitizing oscilloscope  
screen.  
See Remote Communication, on page 3-126.  
For More  
Information  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Help  
The on-line help system provides brief information about each of the digitizing  
oscilloscope controls.  
To use the on-line help system:  
Operation  
Press HELP to provide on-screen information on any front panel button, knob  
or menu item (see Figure 3-36).  
When you press that button, the instrument changes mode to support on-line  
help. Press HELP again to return to regular operating mode. Whenever the  
oscilloscope is in help mode, pressing any button (except HELP or SHIFT),  
turning any knob, or pressing any menu item displays help text on the screen  
that discusses that control.  
The menu selections that were displayed when HELP was first pressed re-  
main on the screen. On-line help is available for each menu selection dis-  
played at the time the HELP button was first pressed. If you are in help mode  
and want to see help on selections from non-displayed menus, you first exit  
help mode, display the menu you want information on, and press HELP again  
to re-enter help mode.  
Figure 3-36: Initial Help Screen  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Horizontal Control  
You can control the horizontal part of the display (the time base) using the  
horizontal menu and knobs.  
By changing the horizontal scale, you can focus on a particular portion of a  
waveform. By adjusting the horizontal position, you can move the waveform  
right or left to see different portions of the waveform. That is particularly  
useful when you are using larger record sizes and cannot view the entire  
waveform on one screen.  
Horizontal Knobs  
To change the horizontal scale and position, use the horizontal POSITION  
and horizontal SCALE knobs (see Figure 3-37). These knobs manage the  
time base and horizontal waveform positioning on the screen. When you use  
either the horizontal SCALE or POSITION knobs, you affect all the waveform  
records displayed.  
When you use either the horizontal SCALE or POSITION knobs, you affect  
all displayed waveform records. If you want the POSITION knob to move  
faster, press the SHIFT button. When the light above the shift button is on  
and the display says Coarse Knobs in the upper right corner, the POSITION  
knob speeds up significantly.  
Figure 3-37: Horizontal Controls  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Horizontal Control  
At the top of the display, the Record View shows the size and location of the  
waveform record and the location of the trigger relative to the display (see  
Figure 3-38). The Time Base readout at the lower right of the display shows  
the time/division settings and the time base (main or delayed) being referred  
to (see Figure 3-38).  
Horizontal Readouts  
Record View Readout  
Time Base Readout  
Figure 3-38: Record View and Time Base Readouts  
The Horizontal menu lets you select either a main or delayed view of the time  
base for acquisitions. It also lets you set the record length, set the trigger  
position, and change the position or scale.  
Horizontal Menu  
Main and Delayed Time Base  
To select between the Main and Delayed views of the time base:  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU Time Base (main) Main Only, Intensified,  
or Delayed Only (side).  
By pressing Intensified, you display a colored or intensified zone that shows  
where the delayed trigger record length could occur relative to the main  
trigger. The start of the zone corresponds to the possible start point of the  
delayed trigger. The end of the zone corresponds to the end of the delayed  
view of the time base.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Horizontal Control  
You also can select Delayed Runs After Main or Delayed Triggerable. For  
more information on how to use these two menu items, see Delayed Trigger-  
ing on page 3-22.  
Trigger Position  
To define how much of the record will be pretrigger and how much posttrigger  
information using the Trigger Position menu item:  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU Trigger Position (main) Set to 10%, Set  
to 50%, or Set to 90% (side), or use the general purpose knob or the keypad  
to change the value.  
Record Length and Fit To Screen  
To set the waveform record length, press HORIZONTAL MENU Record  
Length (main). The side menu lists various discrete record length choices.  
NOTE  
If you selected the longest record length available in the Horizontal  
menu, then you cannot select Hi Res as your acquisition mode. This  
is because Hi Res mode uses twice the acquisition memory that the  
other acquisition modes use. If Hi Res and the longest horizontal  
record length were allowed to be selected at the same time, the  
oscilloscope would run out of memory.  
To fit an acquired waveform to the visible screen, regardless of record length,  
press HORIZONTAL MENU Record Length (main). Then toggle Fit to  
Screen to ON from the side menu. This provides similar functionality to being  
in zoom mode and changing the time/division until the waveform fits the  
screen. To turn off this feature, toggle Fit to Screen to OFF.  
Horizontal Scale  
To change the horizontal scale (time per division) numerically in the menu  
instead of using the Horizontal SCALE knob:  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU Horiz Scale (main) Main Scale or  
Delayed Scale (side), and use the keypad or the general purpose knob to  
change the scale values.  
Horizontal Position  
You can set the horizontal position to specific values in the menu instead of  
using the Horizontal POSITION knob.  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU Horiz Pos (main) Set to 10%, Set to 50%  
or Set to 90% (side) to choose how much of the waveform will be displayed  
to the left of the display center.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Horizontal Control  
You can also control whether changing the horizontal position setting affects  
all displayed waveforms, just the live waveforms, or only the selected wave-  
form. The Horizontal Lock setting in the Zoom menu determines which wave-  
forms the horizontal position knob adjusts whether zoom is on or not. Specifi-  
cally, it acts as follows:  
None — only the waveform currently selected can be zoomed and posi-  
tioned horizontally  
Live — all channels (including AUX channels for the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A) can be zoomed and positioned horizontally at the same time  
All — all waveforms displayed (channels, math, and/or reference) can be  
zoomed and positioned horizontally at the same time  
See Zoom, on page 3-162 for the steps to set the horizontal lock feature.  
If you are using the FastFrame mode, you can jump to the desired frame.  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU Horizontal Position (main) Frame and  
use the general purpose knob or keypad to enter the frame to jump to. After  
you press Enter, that frame should appear on the display.  
FastFrameTM  
You can define and enable FastFrame (also called “segmented memory”).  
This feature lets you capture multiple acquisitions in the acquisition memory  
of a single channel.  
Press HORIZONTAL MENU FastFrame Setup (main) FastFrame  
(side) to toggle on or off the use of FastFrame (see Figure 3-39).  
Press Frame Length or Frame Count (side) and use the general purpose  
knob to enter FastFrame parameters. The frame length refers to the number  
of samples in each acquisition. The frame count refers to the number of  
acquisitions to store in the acquisition memory of the channel. The digitizing  
oscilloscope will set the record length to a value greater than or equal to the  
product of the frame count and the frame length. If the product exceeds the  
maximum available record length, the digitizing oscilloscope will reduce the  
frame length or frame count in size such that the product will fit the record  
length.  
Press Horiz Pos (main), then Frame (side), and use the general purpose  
knob to enter the number of a specific frame to view.  
If you shift the waveform right or left with the front-panel HORIZONTAL  
POSITION knob, the window next to the side-menu Frame button will indicate  
the frame number of the waveform at the center of the screen.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Horizontal Control  
Figure 3-39: Horizontal Menu — FastFrame Setup  
FastFrame Interactions — Envelope, Average, and HiRes form the  
envelope or average following the last frame of the concatenated record. For  
example, if average or HiRes acquisition modes are selected and the frame  
count is 10, segments 1 through 10 will show sample or HiRes frames, and  
frame 11 will show the average of frames 1 through 10. If there is not room for  
one additional frame, the envelope or average of the frames replaces the  
display of the last acquired frame.  
Average and envelope counts have no affect in FastFrame.  
You can press RUN/STOP to terminate a FastFrame sequence. If any frames  
were acquired, they are displayed. If no frames were acquired, the previous  
FastFrame waveform is displayed.  
Because FastFrame waveforms contain many triggers, trigger position indica-  
tors are removed from both the waveform and the record view when the  
selected channel, reference, or math waveform is a FastFrame waveform.  
In Equivalent Time, FastFrame defaults to off.  
See Scaling and Positioning Waveforms, on page 2-25.  
See Delayed Triggering, on page 3-22.  
See Zoom, on page 3-162.  
For More  
Information  
See Display Modes, on page 3-28.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Limit Testing  
Limit testing provides a way to automatically compare each incoming or math  
waveform against a template waveform. You set an envelope of limits around  
a waveform and let the digitizing oscilloscope find waveforms that fall outside  
those limits (see Figure 3-40). When it finds such a waveform, the digitizing  
oscilloscope can generate a hardcopy, ring a bell, stop and wait for your input,  
or any combination of these actions.  
Figure 3-40: Comparing a Waveform to a Limit Template  
When you use the limit testing feature, the first task is to create the limit test  
template from a waveform. Next, specify the channel to compare to the  
template. Then you specify the action to take if incoming waveform data  
exceeds the set limits. Finally, turn limit testing on so that the parameters you  
have specified will take effect.  
To access limit testing:  
Operation  
Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU to bring up the Acquire menu.  
Create Limit Test Template  
To use an incoming or stored waveform to create the limit test template, first  
select a source.  
1. Press Create Limit Test Template (main) Template Source (side) ➞  
Ch1, Ch2, Math1, Math2, Math3, Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, or Ref4 (side). (See  
Figure 3-41).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Limit Testing  
NOTE  
The template will be smoother if you acquire the template waveform  
using Average acquisition mode. If you are unsure how to do this,  
see Acquisition Modes on page 3-7.  
Once you have selected a source, select a destination for the template.  
2. Press Template Destination (side) Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, or Ref4.  
Figure 3-41: Acquire Menu — Create Limit Test Template  
Now create the envelope by specifying the amount of variation from the  
template that you will tolerate. Tolerance values are expressed in frac-  
tions of a major division. They represent the amount by which incoming  
waveform data can deviate without having exceeded the limits set in the  
limit test. The range is from 0 (the incoming waveform must be exactly  
like the template source) to 5 major divisions of tolerance.  
3. Press  
Limit (side). Enter the vertical (voltage) tolerance value using  
the general purpose knob or keypad.  
4. Press  
Limit (side). Enter the horizontal (time) tolerance value using  
the general purpose knob or keypad.  
5. When you have specified the limit test template as you wish, press OK  
Store Template (side). This action stores the specified waveform in the  
specified destination, using the specified tolerances. Until you have done  
so, the template waveform has been defined but not created.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Limit Testing  
If you wish to create another limit test template, store it in another des-  
tination to avoid overwriting the template you have just created.  
If you wish to view the template you have created, press the MORE  
button. Then press the button corresponding to the destination reference  
memory you have used. The waveform appears on the display.  
NOTE  
To view the waveform data as well as the template envelope, it  
might be useful to select the Dots display style (see Display Modes  
on page 3-28).  
Limit Test Sources  
Now specify the channel that will acquire the waveforms to be compared  
against the template you have created.  
1. Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Limit Test Sources (main) ➞  
Compare Ch1 to, Compare Ch2 to, Compare Ch3 to, Compare Ch4  
to, Compare Math1 to, Compare Math2 to or Compare Math3 to  
(side).  
2. Once you have selected one of the four channels or a math waveform as  
a waveform source from the side menu, press the same side menu button  
to select one of the reference memories in which you have stored a  
template.  
Valid selections are any of the four reference waveforms Ref1 through  
Ref4 or None. Choosing None turns limit testing off for the specified  
channel.  
NOTE  
Specify the same reference memory you chose as the template  
destination if you wish to use the template you just created.  
If you have created more than one template, you can compare one  
channel to one template and the other channel to another template.  
Limit Test Setup  
Now specify the action to take if waveform data exceeds the limits set by the  
limit test template.  
1. Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Limit Test Setup (main) to bring up a  
side menu of possible actions.  
2. Ensure that the side button corresponding to the desired action reads  
ON.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Limit Testing  
If you want to send a hardcopy command when waveform data  
exceeds the limits set, toggle Hardcopy if Condition Met (side) to  
ON. You can set the hardcopy system to send the hardcopy to the file  
system (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A). (Do not forget to  
set up the hardcopy system. See Hardcopy on page 3-59 for details.)  
If you want the bell to ring when waveform data exceeds the limits  
set, toggle Ring Bell if Condition Met (side) to ON.  
If you want the digitizing oscilloscope to stop when waveform data  
exceeds the limits set, toggle Stop After Limit Test Condition Met  
(side) to ON.  
NOTE  
The button labeled Stop After Limit Test Condition Met corre-  
sponds to the Limit Test Condition Met menu item in the Stop  
After main menu. You can turn this button on in the Limit Test  
Setup menu, but you cannot turn it off. In order to turn it off, press  
Stop After and specify one of the other choices in the Stop After  
side menu.  
Now that you have set up the instrument for limit testing, you must turn  
limit testing on in order for any of these actions to take effect.  
3. Ensure that Limit Test (side) reads ON. If it reads OFF, press Limit Test  
(side) once to toggle it to ON.  
When you set Limit Test to ON, the digitizing oscilloscope compares  
incoming waveforms against the waveform template stored in reference  
memory according to the settings in the Limit Test Sources side menu.  
You can compare a single waveform against a single template, more than one  
waveform against a single template, or more than one waveform with each  
one compared against its own template. How Limit Test operates depends on  
which type of these comparisons you choose.  
Single and Multiple  
Waveforms  
Single Waveform Comparisons  
When making a single waveform versus a single template comparison, con-  
sider the following operating characteristics:  
The waveform will be repositioned horizontally to move the first sample in  
the waveform record that is outside of template limits to center screen.  
The position of the waveform template will track that of the waveform.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Limit Testing  
Multiple Waveform Comparisons  
When comparing one or more waveforms, each against a common template  
or against its own template, consider the following operating characteristics:  
You should set Horizontal Lock to None in the Zoom side menu (push  
ZOOM and press (repeatedly) Horizontal Lock to None).  
With horizontal lock set as just described, the oscilloscope will reposition  
each waveform horizontally to move the first sample in the waveform  
record that is outside of template limits to center screen.  
If you are comparing each waveform to its own template, the position of  
each waveform template will track that of its waveform.  
If you are comparing two or more waveforms to a common template, that  
template will track the position of the failed waveform. If more than one  
waveform fails during the same acquisition, the template will track the  
position of the waveform in the highest numbered channel. For example,  
CH 2 is higher than CH 1.  
See Acquisition, on page 2-19.  
See Acquisition Modes, on page 3-3.  
See Display Modes, on page 3-28.  
See Zoom, on page 3-162.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
There are two classes of logic triggering: pattern and state.  
A pattern trigger occurs when the logic inputs to the logic function you select  
cause the function to become TRUE (or at your option FALSE). When you  
use a pattern trigger, you define:  
The precondition for each logic input — logic high, low, or do not care (the  
logic inputs are channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 for the TDS 640A & TDS 644A  
and 1, 2, Aux 1, and Aux 2 for the TDS 620A & TDS 524A)  
The Boolean logic function — select from AND, NAND, OR, and NOR  
The condition for triggering — whether the trigger occurs when the Bool-  
ean function becomes TRUE (logic high) or FALSE (logic low), and  
whether the TRUE condition is time qualified (see page 3-83).  
A state trigger occurs when the logic inputs to the logic function cause the  
function to be TRUE (or at your option FALSE) at the time the clock input  
changes state. When you use a state trigger, you define:  
The precondition for each logic input, channels 1, 2, and 3 for the  
TDS 640A & TDS 644A (1, 2, and Ax1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A)  
The direction of the state change for the clock input, channel 4 (Aux 2 for  
the TDS 620A & TDS 524A)  
The Boolean logic function — select from clocked AND, NAND, OR, and  
NOR  
The condition for triggering — whether the trigger occurs when the Bool-  
ean function becomes TRUE (logic high) or FALSE (logic low)  
Table 3-4 on page 3-80 lists the preconditions required for each logic function  
to issue a pattern or state logic trigger.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
At the bottom of the display, the Trigger readout shows some of the key  
parameters of the logic trigger (see Figure 3-42).  
Logic Trigger  
Readouts  
Ch 1, 2, 3 Inputs = High, Don’t Care, High  
Ch 4 Input =  
Rising Edge  
Trigger Class = State  
Logic = OR  
Figure 3-42: Logic Trigger Readouts  
NOTE  
When Logic is the selected trigger type, the threshold levels that  
help determine triggering are set for each channel individually in the  
Set Thresholds menu. Therefore, the Trigger Level readout will  
disappear on the display and the Trigger Level knob can be used  
to set the threshold level while the Main Trigger menu is set to  
Logic.  
Table 3-4 lists the definitions for the four types of logic functions available.  
Keep in mind the following operating modes for the two classes, pattern and  
state, of logic triggers as you apply the definitions.  
Definitions  
Pattern — At the end of trigger holdoff, the oscilloscope samples the inputs  
from all the channels. The oscilloscope then triggers if the conditions defined  
in Table 3-4 are met. (Goes TRUE or Goes FALSE must be set in the Trig-  
ger When menu. The other settings in that menu are described in Define a  
Time Qualified Pattern Trigger on page 3-83.)  
State — At the end of trigger holdoff, the oscilloscope waits until the edge of  
channel 4 (Aux 2 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A) transitions in the specified  
direction. At that point, the oscilloscope samples the inputs from the other  
channels and triggers if the conditions defined in Table 3-4 are met.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Table 3-4: Logic Triggers  
State Definition  
1,2  
Pattern  
AND  
Clocked AND  
If all the preconditions selected  
for the logic inputs are true,  
3
then the oscilloscope triggers.  
NAND  
Clocked NAND If not all of the preconditions se-  
3
lected for the logic inputs are  
true, then the oscilloscope trig-  
gers.  
OR  
Clocked OR  
If any of the preconditions se-  
lected for the logic inputs are  
3
true, then the oscilloscope trig-  
gers.  
NOR  
Clocked NOR  
If none of the preconditions se-  
lected for the logic inputs are  
3
true, then the oscilloscope trig-  
gers.  
1
Note that for State class triggers, the definition must be met at the time the clock input  
changes state. See the descriptions for Pattern and State in this section.  
2
The definitions given here are correct for the Goes True setting in the Trigger When menu.  
If that menu is set to Goes False, swap the definition for AND with that for NAND and for OR  
with NOR for both pattern and state classes.  
3
The logic inputs are channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 for the TDS 640A & TDS 644A and 1, 2, Aux 1  
and Aux 2 for the TDS 620A & TDS 524A when using Pattern Logic Triggers. For State Logic  
Triggers, channel 4 (Aux 2 for the TDS 620A & TDS 524A) becomes the clock input, leaving  
the remaining channels as logic inputs.  
The Logic Trigger menu (Figure 3-43) lets you select when to trigger (true or  
false), set the thresholds for each channel, select the mode (auto or normal),  
and adjust the holdoff.  
Operations Common  
to Pattern and State  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Pattern or State (pop-up).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Figure 3-43: Logic Trigger Menu  
Trigger When  
This menu item lets you determine if the oscilloscope will trigger when the  
logic condition is met (Goes TRUE) or when the logic condition is not met  
(Goes FALSE). (The True when less than and True when greater than  
menu items are only used for pattern logic triggering and are covered on  
page 3-83.)  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Pattern or State (pop-up) Trigger When (main) Goes TRUE or Goes  
FALSE (side).  
Set Thresholds  
To set the logic threshold for each channel:  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Pattern or State (pop-up) Set Thresholds (main) ➞  
Ch1, Ch2, Ch3 (Ax1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), or Ch4 (Ax2 on the  
TDS 620A & TDS 524A) (side).  
2. Use the MAIN TRIGGER LEVEL knob, the general purpose knob, or the  
keypad to set each threshold.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Mode & Holdoff  
You can change the holdoff time and select the trigger mode using this menu  
item.  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Pattern or State (pop-up) Mode & Holdoff (main) ➞  
Auto or Normal (side).  
In Auto mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform after a specific  
time has elapsed even if a trigger does not occur. The amount of time  
the oscilloscope waits depends on the time base setting.  
In Normal mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform only if there is  
a valid trigger.  
2. Press Holdoff (side). Enter the value in percent using the general pur-  
pose knob or the keypad.  
Depending on whether you chose the class Pattern or State, there are differ-  
ent menus for defining the channel inputs and the combinational logic.  
When you select Pattern, the oscilloscope will trigger on a specified logic  
combination of the four input channels. See page 3-80 for details on opera-  
tions common to both pattern and state triggers.  
Pattern Operations  
Define Inputs  
To set the logic state for each of the input channels (Ch1, Ch2, ...):  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Pattern (pop-up) Define Inputs (main) Ch1, Ch2,  
Ch3, or Ch4 (side). (On the TDS 620A & TDS 524A, Ch3 and Ch4 are  
replaced by Ax1 and Ax2.)  
2. Repeatedly press each input selected in step 1 to choose either High (H),  
Low (L), or Don’t Care (X) for each channel.  
Define Logic  
To choose the logic function you want applied to the input channels (see page  
3-79 for definitions of the logic functions for both pattern and state triggers):  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Pattern (pop-up) Define Logic (main) AND, OR, NAND, or NOR (side).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Define a Time Qualified Pattern Trigger  
You can also time qualify a pattern logic trigger. That is, you specify a time  
that the boolean logic function (AND, NAND, OR, or NOR) must be TRUE  
(logic high). You also choose the type of time qualification (greater or less  
than the time limit specified) as well as the time limit using the Trigger When  
menu selection.  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Pattern (pop-up) Trigger When (main) True for  
less than or True for more than (side).  
2. Use the knob and keypad to set the time in the side menu.  
When you select True for less than and specify a time using the general  
purpose knob, the input conditions you specify must drive the logic function  
high (TRUE) for less than the time you specify. Conversely, True for more  
than requires the boolean function to be TRUE for longer than the time you  
specify.  
Note the position of the trigger indicator in Figure 3-44. Triggering occurs at  
the point the logic function you specify is determined to be true within the time  
you specify. The digitizing oscilloscope determines the trigger point in the  
following manner:  
It waits for the logic condition to become true  
It starts timing and waits for the logic function to become false  
It compares the times and, if the time TRUE is longer (for True for more  
than) or shorter (for True for less than), then it triggers a waveform  
display at the point the logic condition became false. This time can be,  
and usually is, different from the time set for True for more than or True  
for less than.  
In Figure 3-44, the delay between the vertical bar cursors is the time the logic  
function is TRUE. Since this time is more (216 s) than that set in the True  
for more than menu item (150 s), the oscilloscope issues the trigger at that  
point, not at the point at which it has been true for 216 s.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Time Logic Function is TRUE  
Logic Function (AND) Becomes TRUE  
Logic Function Becomes FALSE and  
Triggers Acquisition  
Time Logic Function Must be TRUE  
Figure 3-44: Logic Trigger Menu — Time Qualified TRUE  
When you select State logic triggering, the oscilloscope uses channel 4  
(Aux 2 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A) as a clock for a logic circuit made from  
the rest of the channels. See page 3-80 for details on operations common to  
both pattern and state triggers.  
State Operations  
The state trigger logic works as follows: the oscilloscope waits until the fourth  
channel meets the selected slope and voltage threshold. It then checks the  
logic function applied to the first three channels, and if the function condition  
is as specified in the the Trigger When menu (Goes TRUE or Goes FALSE)  
a trigger occurs.  
Define Inputs  
To set the logic state for each of the input channels (Ch1, Ch2, ...):  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) State (pop-up) Define Inputs (main).  
2. Choose either High (H), Low (L), or Don’t Care (X) (side) for the first  
three channels. The choices for Ch4 (Aux 2 on the TDS 620A &  
TDS 524A) are rising edge and falling edge.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Logic Triggering  
Define Logic  
To choose the type of logic function you want applied to the input channels:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Logic (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
State (pop-up) Define Logic (main) AND, OR, NAND, or NOR (side).  
See Triggering, on page 2-13.  
See Triggering, on page 3-142.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
There are various ways to measure properties of waveforms. You can use  
graticule, cursor, or automatic measurements. This section describes auto-  
matic measurements; cursors and graticules are described elsewhere. (See  
Cursor Measurements on page 3-17 and Measurements on page 2-30.)  
Automatic measurements are generally more accurate and quicker than, for  
example, manually counting graticule divisions. The oscilloscope will continu-  
ously update and display these measurements. (There is also a way to dis-  
play all the measurements at once — see Snapshot of Measurements on  
page 3-95.)  
Automatic measurements calculate waveform parameters from acquired data.  
Measurements are performed over the entire waveform record or the region  
specified by the vertical cursors, if gated measurements have been re-  
quested. (See page 3-91 for a discussion of gated measurements.) They are  
not performed just on the displayed portions of waveforms.  
The TDS 600A Digitizing Oscilloscope provides you with 25 automatic mea-  
surements (see Table 3-5).  
The following are brief definitions of the automated measurements in the  
digitizing oscilloscope (for more details see Appendix C: Algorithms,  
page A-9).  
Definitions  
Table 3-5: Measurement Definitions  
Name  
Definition  
Amplitude  
Voltage measurement. The high value less the low value measured over the  
entire waveform or gated region.  
Amplitude = High – Low  
Area  
Voltage over time measurement. The area over the entire waveform or gated  
region in volt-seconds. Area measured above ground is positive; area below  
ground is negative.  
Cycle Area  
Voltage over time measurement. The area over the first cycle in the waveform,  
or the first cycle in the gated region, in volt-seconds. Area measured above  
ground is positive; area below ground is negative.  
Burst Width  
Cycle Mean  
Cycle RMS  
Timing measurement. The duration of a burst. Measured over the entire wave-  
form or gated region.  
Voltage measurement. The arithmetic mean over the first cycle in the waveform  
or the first cycle in the gated region.  
Voltage measurement. The true Root Mean Square voltage over the first cycle  
in the waveform or the first cycle in the gated region.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
Table 3-5: Measurement Definitions (Cont.)  
Definition  
Name  
Delay  
Timing measurement. The time between the MidRef crossings of two different  
traces or the gated region of the traces.  
Fall Time  
Timing measurement. Time taken for the falling edge of the first pulse in the  
waveform or gated region to fall from a High Ref value (default = 90%) to a Low  
Ref value (default =10%) of its final value.  
Frequency  
High  
Timing measurement for the first cycle in the waveform or gated region. The  
reciprocal of the period. Measured in Hertz (Hz) where 1 Hz = 1 cycle per sec-  
ond.  
The value used as 100% whenever High Ref, Mid Ref, and Low Ref values are  
needed (as in fall time and rise time measurements). Calculated using either  
the min/max or the histogram method. The min/max method uses the maxi-  
mum value found. The histogram method uses the most common value found  
above the mid point. Measured over the entire waveform or gated region.  
Low  
The value used as 0% whenever High Ref, Mid Ref, and Low Ref values are  
needed (as in fall time and rise time measurements). May be calculated using  
either the min/max or the histogram method. With the min/max method it is the  
minimum value found. With the histogram method, it refers to the most com-  
mon value found below the mid point. Measured over the entire waveform or  
gated region.  
Maximum  
Mean  
Voltage measurement. The maximum amplitude. Typically the most positive  
peak voltage. Measured over the entire waveform or gated region.  
Voltage measurement. The arithmetic mean over the entire waveform or gated  
region.  
Minimum  
Voltage measurement. The minimum amplitude. Typically the most negative  
peak voltage. Measured over the entire waveform or gated region.  
Negative Duty  
Cycle  
Timing measurement of the first cycle in the waveform or gated region. The  
ratio of the negative pulse width to the signal period expressed as a percent-  
age.  
Negative Over-  
shoot  
Voltage measurement. Measured over the entire waveform or gated region.  
Negative Width  
Timing measurement of the first pulse in the waveform or gated region. The  
distance (time) between MidRef (default 50%) amplitude points of a negative  
pulse.  
Peak to Peak  
Phase  
Voltage measurement. The absolute difference between the maximum and  
minimum amplitude in the entire waveform or gated region.  
Timing measurement. The amount one waveform leads or lags another in time.  
Expressed in degrees, where 360  
cycle.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
Table 3-5: Measurement Definitions (Cont.)  
Definition  
Name  
Period  
Timing measurement. Time it takes for the first complete signal cycle to happen  
in the waveform or gated region. The reciprocal of frequency. Measured in  
seconds.  
Positive Duty  
Cycle  
Timing measurement of the first cycle in the waveform or gated region. The  
ratio of the positive pulse width to the signal period expressed as a percentage.  
Positive Over-  
shoot  
Voltage measurement over the entire waveform or gated region.  
Positive Width  
Rise time  
RMS  
Timing measurement of the first pulse in the waveform or gated region. The  
distance (time) between MidRef (default 50%) amplitude points of a positive  
pulse.  
Timing measurement. Time taken for the leading edge of the first pulse in the  
waveform or gated region to rise from a Low Ref value (default = 10%) to a  
High Ref value (default = 90%) of its final value.  
Voltage measurement. The true Root Mean Square voltage over the entire  
waveform or gated region.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
The readout area for measurements is on the right side of the waveform  
Measurement Display  
window. You can display and continuously update as many as four measure-  
ments at any one time. When menus are displayed, the readouts appear in  
the graticule area. If the menu area is empty, then the readouts are displayed  
to the far right (see Figure 3-45).  
Measurement Readout Area  
Figure 3-45: Measurement Readouts  
To use the automatic measurements you first need to obtain a stable display  
of the waveform to be measured. Pressing AUTOSET may help. Once you  
have a stable display, press MEASURE to bring up the Measure menu (see  
Figure 3-46).  
Operation  
Selecting a Measurement  
Measurements are made on the selected waveform. The measurement  
display tells you the channel the measurement is being made on.  
1. Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main).  
2. Select a measurement from the side menu.  
The following are hints on making automatic measurements:  
You can only take a maximum of four measurements at a time. To  
add a fifth, you must remove one or more of the existing measure-  
ments.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
To vary the source for measurements, simply select the other channel  
and then choose the measurements you want.  
Be careful when taking automatic measurements on noisy signals.  
You might measure the frequency of the noise and not the desired  
waveform.  
Your digitizing oscilloscope helps identify such situations by displaying a  
low signal amplitude or low resolution warning message.  
Figure 3-46: Measure Menu  
Removing Measurements  
The Remove Measrmnt selection provides explicit choices for removing  
measurements from the display according to their readout position.  
Measurement 1 is the top readout. Measurement 2 is below it, and so forth.  
Once a measurement readout is displayed in the screen area, it stays in its  
position even when you remove any measurement readouts above it. To  
remove measurements:  
1. Press MEASURE Remove Measrmnt (main).  
2. Select the measurement to remove from the side menu. If you want to  
remove all the measurements at one time, press All Measurements  
(side).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
Gated Measurements  
The gating feature lets you limit measurements to a specified portion of the  
waveform. When gating is Off, the oscilloscope makes measurements over  
the entire waveform record.  
When gating is activated, vertical cursors are displayed. Use these cursors to  
define the section of the waveform you want the oscilloscope to measure.  
This is called the gated region.  
1. Press MEASURE Gating (main) Gate with V Bar Cursors (side)  
(see Figure 3-47).  
Figure 3-47: Measure Menu — Gating  
2. Using the general purpose knob, move the selected (the active) cursor.  
Press SELECT to change which cursor is active.  
Displaying the cursor menu and turning V Bar cursors off will not turn  
gating off. (Gating arrows remain on screen to indicate the area over  
which the measurement is gated.) You must turn gating off in the Gating  
side menu.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
NOTE  
Cursors are displayed relative to the selected waveform. If you are  
making a measurement using two waveforms, this can be a source  
of confusion. If you turn off horizontal locking and adjust the hori-  
zontal position of one waveform independent of the other, the  
cursors appear at the requested position with respect to the se-  
lected waveform. Gated measurements remain accurate, but the  
displayed positions of the cursors change when you change the  
selected waveform.  
High-Low Setup  
The High-Low Setup item provides two choices for how the oscilloscope  
determines the High and Low levels of waveforms. These are histogram and  
min-max.  
Histogram sets the values statistically. It selects the most common value  
either above or below the mid point (depending on whether it is defining  
the high or low reference level). Since this statistical approach ignores  
short term aberrations (overshoot, ringing, etc.), histogram is the best  
setting for examining pulses.  
Min-max uses the highest and lowest values of the waveform record. This  
setting is best for examining waveforms that have no large, flat portions at  
a common value, such as sine waves and triangle waves — almost any  
waveform except for pulses.  
To use the high-low setup:  
Press MEASURE High-Low Setup (main) Histogram or Min-Max  
(side). If you select Min-Max, you may also want to check and/or revise  
values using the Reference Levels main menu.  
Reference Levels  
Once you define the reference levels, the digitizing oscilloscope will use them  
for all measurements requiring those levels. To set the reference levels:  
1. Press MEASURE Reference Levels (main) Set Levels (side) to  
choose whether the References are set in % relative to High (100%) and  
Low (0%) or set explicitly in the units of the selected waveform (typically  
volts). See Figure 3-48. Use the general purpose knob or keypad to enter  
the values.  
% is the default selection. It is useful for general purpose applica-  
tions.  
Units is helpful for setting precise values. For example, if you are  
trying to measure specifications on an RS-232-C circuit, you can set  
the levels precisely to RS-232-C specification voltage values by  
defining the high and low references in units.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
2. Press High Ref, Mid Ref, Low Ref, or Mid2 Ref (side).  
High Ref — Sets the high reference level. The default is 90%.  
Mid Ref — Sets the middle reference level. The default is 50%.  
Low Ref — Sets the low reference level. The default is 10%.  
Mid2 Ref — Sets the middle reference level used on the second  
waveform specified in the Delay or Phase Measurements. The default  
is 50%.  
Figure 3-48: Measure Menu — Reference Levels  
Delay Measurement  
The delay measurement lets you measure from an edge on the selected  
waveform to an edge on another waveform. You access the Delay Measure-  
ment menu through the Measure main menu:  
Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main) Delay (side). This brings up  
the Measure Delay main menu (see Figure 3-49).  
Delay to To select the waveform you want to measure to, use the main  
menu item Delay to. The waveform you are measuring from is the selected  
waveform.  
1. Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main) Delay (side) Delay  
To (main) Measure Delay to.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
2. Press Measure Delay to (side) repeatedly to choose the delay to wave-  
form. The choices are Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4 (on the TDS 644A &  
TDS 640A); Ch1, Ch2, Ax1, Ax2 (on the TDS 524A & TDS 620A); and  
Math1, Math2, Math3, Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, and Ref4.  
Figure 3-49: Measure Delay Menu — Delay To  
Delay Edges — The main menu item Edges lets you specify which edges  
you want the delayed measurement to be made between.  
Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main) Delay (side) ➞  
Edges (main). A side menu of delay edges and directions will appear.  
Choose from one of the combinations displayed on the side menu.  
The upper waveform on each icon represents the from waveform and the  
lower one represents the to waveform.  
The direction arrows on the choices let you specify a forward search on both  
waveforms or a forward search on the from waveform and a backwards  
search on the to waveform. The latter choice is useful for isolating a specific  
pair of edges out of a stream.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
Creating the Delay Measurement — Once you have specified the  
waveforms you are measuring between and which edges to use, you need to  
notify the digitizing oscilloscope to proceed with the measurement.  
Press Delay To (main) OK Create Measurement (side).  
To exit the Measure Delay menu without creating a delay measurement,  
press CLEAR MENU, which returns you to the Measure menu.  
Sometimes you may want to see all of the automated measurements on  
screen at the same time. To do so, use Snapshot. Snapshot executes all of  
the single waveform measurements available on the selected waveform once  
and displays the results. (The measurements are not continuously updated.)  
All of the measurements listed in Table 3-5 on page 3-86 except for Delay  
and Phase are displayed. (Delay and Phase are dual waveform measure-  
ments and are not available with Snapshot.)  
Snapshot of  
Measurements  
The readout area for a snapshot of measurements is a pop up display that  
covers about 80% of the graticule area when displayed (see Figure 3-50). You  
can display a snapshot on any channel or ref memory, but only one snapshot  
can be displayed at a time.  
Snapshot Display  
Figure 3-50: Snapshot Menu and Readout  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Measurement System  
To use snapshot, obtain a stable display of the waveform to be measured.  
Pressing AUTOSET may help.  
1. Press MEASURE SNAPSHOT (main).  
2. Press either SNAPSHOT (main) or AGAIN (side) to take another snap-  
shot.  
NOTE  
The snapshot display tells you the channel that the snapshot is  
being made on.  
3. Push Remove Measrmnt.  
Considerations When Taking Snapshots  
Be aware of the following items when using snapshot:  
Be sure to display the waveform properly before taking a snapshot.  
Snapshot does not warn you if a waveform is improperly scaled (clipped,  
low signal amplitude, low resolution, etc.).  
To vary the source for taking a snapshot, simply select another channel,  
math, or ref memory waveform and then execute snapshot again.  
A snapshot is taken on a single waveform acquisition (or acquisition  
sequence). The measurements in the snapshot display are not continu-  
ously updated.  
Be careful when taking automatic measurements on noisy signals. You  
might measure the frequency of the noise and not the desired waveform.  
Note that pushing any button in the main menu (except for Snapshot) or  
any front panel button that displays a new menu removes the snapshot  
from display.  
Use High-Low Setup (page 3-92), Reference Levels (page 3-92), and  
Gated Measurements (page 3-91) with snapshot exactly as you would  
when you display individual measurements from the Select Measrmnt  
menu.  
See Appendix B: Algorithms, on page A-9.  
For More  
Information  
See Measurements, on page 2-30.  
See Tutorial Example 3: Automated Measurements, on page 1-17.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
The probe you use and how you connect it to a signal source affect the  
oscilloscope acquisition of the waveform record. Two important factors are  
ground lead inductance (introduced by the probe) and the physical layout of  
your circuit and component devices.  
For an amplitude measurement to be meaningful, you must give the measure-  
ment some point of reference. The probe offers you the capability of referenc-  
ing the voltage at its tip to ground. To make your measurement as accurate  
as possible, the probe ground lead should be connected to the ground refer-  
ence.  
Ground Lead  
Inductance  
However, when you touch your probe tip to a circuit, you are introducing new  
resistance, capacitance, and inductance into the circuit (see Figure 3-51).  
Probe  
Tip Inductance L  
R
t
source  
Probe  
in 10 M  
Probe  
10.0 pF  
V
source  
R
Ground Lead Inductance L  
gl  
Figure 3-51: A Probe Adds Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance  
For most circuits, the high input resistance of a passive probe has a negligible  
effect on the signal. The series inductances represented by the probe tip and  
ground lead, however, can result in a parasitic resonant circuit that may “ring”  
within the bandwidth of the oscilloscope. Figure 3-52 shows the effect of the  
same signal through the same probe with different ground leads.  
Ringing and rise time degradation may be hidden if the frequency of the  
induced ringing is beyond the bandwidth of the oscilloscope. If you know the  
self-inductance (L) and capacitance (C) of your probe and ground lead, you  
can calculate the approximate resonant frequency (f ) at which that parasitic  
0
circuit will resonate:  
Reducing the ground lead inductance will raise the resonant frequency.  
Ideally, the inductance is low enough that the resulting frequency is above the  
frequency at which you want to take measurements. For that purpose, the  
probes include several accessories to help reduce ground lead inductance.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
4 Inch Ground Lead  
Low-Inductance  
Ground Lead  
Figure 3-52: Signal Variation Introduced by Probe Ground Lead  
(1 ns/division)  
The following descriptions explain how to use many of the accessories that  
came with your probe. Figure 3-53 shows both standard and optional probe  
accessories and how they attach to your probe.  
Standard Probe  
Accessories  
These accessories either reduce ground lead inductance or make it physically  
easier to probe different kinds of circuits.  
Standard probe accessories include the following items.  
Retractable Hook Tip  
The retractable hook tip attaches to your signal test point for hands-free  
operation of the probe. The hook tip attaches to components having leads,  
such as resistors, capacitors, and discrete semiconductors. You can also grip  
stripped wire, jumpers, busses, and test pins with the retractable hook.  
For maximum flexibility with the hook tip, use one of the six-inch ground  
leads. For precise measurements at high frequency, however, long ground  
leads may have too much inductance. In these cases you can use one of the  
low-inductance probe tip configurations instead.  
To remove the hook tip, simply pull it off the probe. Reinstall it by pushing it  
firmly onto the ribbed ferrule of the probe tip (see Figure 3-53).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
Marker Ring  
(Standard)  
Marker Ring  
(Standard)  
Compact-to-Miniature  
Probe Tip Adapter  
(Optional)  
IC Protector Tip  
(Optional)  
Probe Tip-to-Circuit  
Board Adapter  
(Standard)  
Dual Lead Adapter  
(Optional)  
Probe Tip-to-Chassis  
Adapter (Optional)  
Slip-on  
Ground Lead  
(Standard)  
Alligator Clip  
Ground Lead  
(Standard)  
Retractable Hook Tip  
(Standard)  
TM  
Low Inductance  
Spring Tip (Optional)  
KlipChip  
(Standard)  
Low Inductance  
Ground Lead  
(Standard)  
Figure 3-53: Probe Accessories  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
Marker Rings  
The marker rings help you keep track of individual probes and signal sources  
when you have a complicated test setup. Use the marker rings whenever you  
want to identify a particular probe.  
Long Ground Leads  
Use long ground leads when a long reach is important and high-frequency  
information is not. Long ground leads are ideal for quick troubleshooting when  
you are looking for the presence or absence of a signal and are not con-  
cerned with the precision of the measurement.  
Because of the high inductance associated with long ground leads, you  
should not use them for precise measurements above approximately 30 MHz  
(or for pulses with rise times less than about 11 ns).  
You can choose between a ground lead terminated with an alligator clip and a  
lead terminated with a square-pin receptacle.  
Low-Inductance Ground Lead  
Low-inductance ground leads reduce ground lead inductance. Compared to a  
typical six-inch ground lead with an inductance of approximately 140 nH, the  
low-inductance tip assembly has an inductance of approximately 32 nH. That  
means that your measurements will be relatively free of probe-related high-  
frequency degradation up to approximately 250 MHz.  
The low-inductance tip has a partially insulated flexible ground pin that allows  
you to ground the probe and still have a limited amount of reach with the  
probe tip. Because the ground lead simply contacts the ground reference  
(instead of clipping onto it) you can move the probe around your device under  
test with ease. The assembly is well-suited to densely populated circuit  
boards and multi-pin connectors.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
Probe-Tip-to-Circuit Board Adapters  
The probe-tip-to-circuit board adapters let you design minimum inductance  
test points into your next circuit board. That adapter provides maximum  
performance for the probe, because it virtually eliminates ground inductance  
effects.  
Instructions for installing the probe tip-to-circuit board adapters are packaged  
with the adapters. For the best performance and ease of testing, Tektronix  
strongly recommends that you incorporate the probe tip-to-circuit board  
adapters (or the probe tip-to-chassis adapters described below) into your next  
design.  
To use your probe with these adapters, unscrew and remove the ribbed  
ferrule. Use the probe tip directly with the adapter.  
SMT KlipChipTM  
The SMT KlipChip provides hands-free attachment to a physically small  
signal or ground source. The low profile of the KlipChip allows you to grasp  
surface-mounted devices that the full-size retractable hook tip can not grip.  
You can use the KlipChip as a ground attachment, as a signal attachment, or  
to attach both to a ground and a signal.  
For a ground attachment, use the long ground lead (described on  
page 3-100) terminated with a pin receptacle, and connect the termination  
to the pin in one of the KlipChip shoulders.  
For a signal attachment, use a single-lead adapter (similar to the dual-  
lead adapter described on page 3-103), and connect the termination to  
the pin in one of the KlipChip shoulders.  
For both ground and signal attachment, combine two KlipChips with a  
dual-lead adapter, or use a single-lead adapter and a long ground lead.  
Optional probe accessories that you can order include the following:  
Optional Probe  
Accessories  
Low-Inductance Spring Tips  
The low-inductance spring tips can be used whenever you are measuring  
devices with fixed spacings. The spring-tip is ideal for repetitive production  
use. Select different length springs to match device spacings on a variety of  
components. Because the spring-tip ground lead simply contacts the ground  
reference (instead of clipping onto it) you can move the probe around your  
device-under-test with ease.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
Probe-Tip-to-Chassis Adapter  
The probe-tip-to-chassis adapter makes your test point accessible without  
removing instrument covers or panels. It provides an easy-access, low-induc-  
tance test point anywhere on your circuit. The probe-tip-to-chassis adapter  
has the same low inductance properties as the probe-tip-to-circuit board  
adapter described previously.  
To use your probe with these adapters, unscrew and remove the ribbed  
ferrule.  
Compact-to-Miniature Probe Tip Adapter  
The compact-to-miniature probe tip adapter allows you to use accessories  
that are designed to accept a larger probe tip. These accessories include the  
IC protector tip, single- and dual-lead adapters, and others.  
To install the adapter, unscrew and remove the ribbed ferrule, and screw the  
adapter on in its place. (The IC protector tip discussed below is installed on  
the adapter tip when shipped. Remove the protector tip by pulling it off before  
using the adapter with other accessories.)  
IC Protector Tip  
The IC protector tip simplifies probing inline IC packages. The shape of the IC  
protector guides the probe tip to the IC pin and prevents accidental shorting of  
pins by the probe tip. It is used with the compact-to-miniature probe tip adapt-  
er. When using that tip, the spacing (pitch) between leads should be greater  
than or equal to 0.100 inches (100 mils).  
Because the IC protector tip prevents you from using the low-inductance tips,  
you will have to use one of the longer ground leads. For that reason you  
should take into account ground lead inductance effects on measurements at  
frequencies greater than about 30 MHz.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Accessories  
Dual-Lead Adapter  
The dual-lead adapter makes an easy connection to 0.025 diameter connec-  
tor pins (see Figure 3-54). One lead connects to a ground reference pin, and  
the other to the signal pin. The adapter prevents burring and pin damage that  
can result when a retractable hook tip is used on soft pins. A single-lead  
adapter is also available. These adapters can also be used with the SMT  
KlipChip to provide access to very small signal and ground test points.  
Although the dual-lead adapter is an improvement over the long ground leads  
in terms of added inductance, measurements at frequencies greater than  
30 MHz may require using one of the low-inductance ground leads. Because  
of the length of the signal lead, the dual-lead configuration is also more  
susceptible to signal crosstalk than other tip configurations.  
Figure 3-54: Dual-Lead Adapter  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
This oscilloscope lets you compensate the entire signal path, from probe tip to  
digitized signal, to improve the gain and offset accuracy of the probe. By  
executing Probe Cal on a channel with its probe installed, you can optimize  
the oscilloscope capability to make accurate measurements using that chan-  
nel and probe.  
Run a Probe Cal anytime you wish to ensure that the measurements you  
make are made with the most accuracy possible. You should also run a Probe  
Cal if you have changed to a different probe since the last Probe Cal was  
performed.  
Probe Cal vs. Probe Type  
Some types of probes can be gain compensated, some can be offset com-  
pensated, and some can be compensated for both. Some probes cannot be  
compensated.  
If your probe has an attenuation factor of greater than 20X, it cannot be  
compensated. If you attempt to compensate such a probe you will get an  
error message.  
The digitizing oscilloscope cannot compensate probes whose gain and/or  
offset errors are too great ( 2% gain and/or 50 mV offset). If these errors  
are within specified limits for your probe, you may wish to use another probe.  
If they are not within specification, have your probe checked by service  
personnel.  
NOTE  
Probe Cal is not recommended with the P6139A passive probe.  
This probe typically has little gain and offset error, and therefore, the  
improvement in performance after a Probe Cal is not worth the time  
needed to do the Probe Cal. Probe Cal makes significant perfor-  
mance improvements when performed with active probes or older  
passive probes.  
If you are installing an active probe, such as the P6205, there are no prereq-  
uisites to performing this procedure. Start at step 1.  
Operation  
If you are compensating for a passive probe with this procedure you must first  
compensate the low frequency response of the probe. First, do steps 1 and 2  
below, and then perform the instructions found under Probe Compensation on  
page 3-110. Then continue with step 3 of this procedure.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
1. Install the probe on the input channel on which it is to be used.  
2. Power on the digitizing oscilloscope and allow a 20 minute warm-up  
before doing this procedure.  
3. Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) Cal (pop-up).  
4. Look at the status label under Signal Path in the main menu. If the status  
does not read Pass, perform a signal path compensation (Signal Path  
Compensation, page 3-138), and then continue with this procedure.  
5. Press the front-panel button corresponding to the input channel on which  
you installed the probe.  
6. Press VERTICAL MENU Cal Probe (main).  
Your oscilloscope will detect the type of probe you have installed and  
display screen messages and menu choices for compensation of  
probe gain, offset, or both (see Figure 3-55). The following steps will  
have you run probe gain, offset, or both depending on the probe the  
oscilloscope detects.  
7. If the message on screen is Probe Offset Compensation rather than  
Probe Gain Compensation, skip to step 15.  
8. Connect the probe tip to PROBE COMPENSATION SIGNAL; connect  
the probe ground lead to PROBE COMPENSATION GND.  
9. Press OK Compensate Gain (side).  
10. Wait for gain compensation to complete (one to three minutes).  
When gain compensation completes, the following actions occur:  
The clock icon will disappear.  
If offset compensation is required for the probe installed, the Probe  
Offset Compensation message will replace the Probe Gain Compen-  
sation message.  
If gain compensation did not complete successfully, you may get a  
“Probe is not connected” message (examine the probe connections to  
the digitizing oscilloscope, be sure the probe tip is properly installed in  
its retractor, etc., and repeat step 9).  
If gain compensation did not complete successfully, you may get the  
message “Compensation Error.” This error implies that the probe gain  
(2% error) and/or offset (50 mV) is too great to be compensated. You  
can substitute another probe and continue. Have your probe checked  
by service personnel.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
Figure 3-55: Probe Cal Menu and Gain Compensation Display  
11. If the Probe Offset Compensation message is displayed, continue with  
step 15; otherwise, continue with step 12.  
12. If the Compensation Error message is displayed, continue with step 13;  
otherwise continue with step 18.  
13. Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) Diag/Err (pop-up) Error  
Log (main). If there are too many error messages to be seen on screen,  
rotate the general purpose knob clockwise to scroll to the last message.  
14. Note the compensation error amount. Skip to step 19.  
15. Disconnect the probe from any signal you may have connected it to.  
Leave the probe installed on its channel.  
16. Press OK Compensate Offset (side).  
17. Wait for offset compensation to complete (one to three minutes).  
When offset compensation completes, the following occurs:  
The clock icon will disappear.  
If offset compensation did not complete successfully, you may get the  
message “Compensation Error.” This error implies that the probe  
offset scale (10% error) and/or offset (50 mV) is too great to be  
compensated. You can substitute another probe and continue. Have  
your probe checked by service personnel. You can also check the  
error log by doing steps 13 through 14.  
18. After the clock icon is removed, verify the word Initialized changed to  
Pass under Cal Probe in the main menu. (See Figure 3-55.)  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
19. If desired, repeat this procedure beginning at step 1 to compensate for  
other probe/channel combinations. But before you do so, be sure you  
take note of the following requirements:  
Remember to first low frequency compensate any passive probe you  
connect (see Prerequisites at the beginning of this procedure).  
Remember to connect all but simple passive probes to the oscillo-  
scope for a twenty minute warm up before running Probe Cal.  
The following topic contains information you should consider when using input  
channels that have stored a Probe Cal.  
Usage  
Changing Probes After a Probe Cal  
If a Probe Cal has never been performed on an input channel or if its stored  
Probe Cal data is erased using the Re-use Probe Calibration Data menu  
(discussed later), the oscilloscope displays Initialized status in its vertical  
menu. It also displays initialized whenever you remove a probe from an input.  
If you execute a successful Probe Cal on an input channel, the oscilloscope  
stores the compensation data it derived in non-volatile memory. Therefore,  
this data is available when you turn the oscilloscope off and back on, when  
you change probes, etc.  
When you install a probe or power on the oscilloscope with probes installed,  
the oscilloscope tests the probe at each input. Depending on the probe it finds  
on each input, it takes one of the following actions:  
If the probe has a complex oscilloscope interface (it can convey additional  
information, such as a unique identification number), the oscilloscope  
determines whether it is the same probe for which data was stored. If it is,  
the oscilloscope sets status to pass; if not, it sets the status to Initialized.  
If a probe has a simple oscilloscope interface, the oscilloscope can usual-  
ly determine if it has a different probe attenuation factor than that stored  
for the last Probe Cal. It can also determine if the last Probe Cal was for a  
probe with a complex interface. If either is the case, the probe installed is  
different from that stored for the last Probe Cal. Therefore, the oscillo-  
scope sets the status to Initialized.  
If a probe has a simple oscilloscope interface and the probe attenuation  
factor is the same as was stored at the last Probe Cal, the oscilloscope  
cannot determine whether it is the same probe. Therefore, it displays the  
Re-use Probe Calibration data? menu (see Figure 3-56).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
Figure 3-56: Re-use Probe Calibration Data Menu  
If the Re-use Probe Calibration data? menu is displayed, you can choose one  
of the following options:  
Press OK Use Existing Data (side) to use the Probe Cal data last stored  
to compensate the probe.  
Press OK Erase Probe Cal Data (side) to erase the Probe Cal data last  
stored and use the probe uncompensated.  
Press CLEAR MENU on the front panel to retain the Probe Cal data last  
stored and use the probe uncompensated.  
NOTE  
If the Re-use Probe Calibration data menu is displayed, do not  
select OK Use Existing Data if the probe currently installed is not  
of the same impedance stored for the Probe Cal. For example, if  
the last Probe Cal stored for a channel was done with a passive  
50 probe installed, do not install a passive 1 M probe and select  
OK Use Existing Data if the menu appears. If you do so, most of  
any signal you attempt to measure will not be coupled to the input  
channel because of the probe to oscilloscope impedance mismatch.  
Table 3-6 shows the action the oscilloscope takes based on the probe con-  
nected and user operation performed.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Cal  
Table 3-6: Probe Cal Status  
Type Probe Connected  
2
Probe  
Cal’d?  
No  
User  
1
3
4
Action  
Simple Interface  
Complex Interface  
Doesn’t  
Matter  
Initialized  
Initialized  
Yes  
Yes  
Power  
off  
Initialized  
(probe data is retained)  
Initialized  
(probe data is retained)  
Power  
on  
Can not detect different probe: Display Re-use Cal’d Probe:  
Probe Calibration Data menu  
Pass  
Different probe:  
Initialized  
Different probe:  
Initialized  
Yes  
Yes  
Disconnect Initialized  
Probe  
Initialized  
Connect  
Probe  
Can not detect different probe: Display Re-use Cal’d Probe:  
Probe Calibration Data menu  
Pass  
Different probe:  
Initialized  
Different probe:  
Initialized  
1
2
3
Refers to a channel input that was successfully compensated at the time Probe Cal was last executed for the input channel.  
If no probe is connected, the probe status in the vertical main menu is always initialized.  
A probe with a simple interface is a probe that can convey very limited information to the oscilloscope. Most passive probes (includ-  
ing those shipped with this instrument) have simple interfaces.  
4
A probe with a complex interface is a probe that can convey additional information. For instance, it might automatically set the  
oscilloscope input channel impedance to match the probe, send the oscilloscope a unique probe identification number, etc. Some  
optical probes and most active probes (such as the optional accessory P6205) have complex interfaces.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Compensation  
Passive probes require compensation to ensure maximum distortion-free  
input to the digitizing oscilloscope and to avoid high frequency amplitude  
errors (see Figure 3-57).  
Probe Compensated Correctly  
Probe Overcompensated  
Probe Undercompensated  
Figure 3-57: How Probe Compensation Affects Signals  
To compensate your probe:  
Operation  
1. Connect the probe to the probe compensation signal on the front panel.  
2. Press AUTOSET.  
NOTE  
When you connect an active probe to the oscilloscope (such as the  
P6205), the input impedance of the oscilloscope automatically  
becomes 50 . If you then connect a high resistance passive probe  
(like the P6139A) you need to set the input impedance back to  
1 M Step 4 explains how to change the input impedance.  
You now need to limit the bandwidth and change the acquisition mode.  
3. Press VERTICAL MENU Bandwidth (main) 20 MHz (side).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Compensation  
4. If you need to change the input impedance, press Coupling (main). Then  
toggle the side menu selection to get the correct impedance.  
5. Press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Mode (main) Hi Res (side).  
6. Adjust the probe until you see a perfectly flat top square wave on the  
display. Figure 3-58 shows where the adjustment is located.  
Figure 3-58: P6139A Probe Adjustment  
See Probe Accessories, on page 3-97.  
See Probe Selection, on page 3-112.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
The probes included with your digitizing oscilloscope are useful for a wide  
variety of tasks. However, for special measurement situations you sometimes  
need different probes. This section helps you select the right probe for the  
job.  
Once you have decided the type of probe you need, use Table 3-7  
(page 3-117) to determine the specific probe compatible with your TDS 600A  
Digitizing Oscilloscope. Or use Table 3-8 (page 3-118) if you want to select  
the probe by application.  
There are five major types of probes: passive, active, current, optical, and  
time-to-voltage probes. Most of these types are discussed here; see your  
Tektronix Products Catalog for more information.  
Passive voltage probes measure voltage. They employ passive circuit compo-  
nents such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. There are three common  
classes of passive voltage probes:  
Passive Voltage  
Probes  
General purpose (high input resistance)  
Low impedance (Z )  
O
High voltage  
General Purpose (High Input Resistance) Probes  
High input resistance probes are considered “typical” oscilloscope probes.  
The P6139A probes included with the digitizing oscilloscope are passive  
probes. The high input resistance of passive probes (typically 10 M ) pro-  
vides negligible DC loading and makes them a good choice for accurate DC  
amplitude measurements.  
However, their 8 pF to 12 pF (over 60 pF for 1X) capacitive loading can distort  
timing and phase measurements. Use high input resistance passive probes  
for measurements involving:  
Device characterization (above 15 V, thermal drift applications)  
Maximum amplitude sensitivity using 1X high impedance  
Large voltage range (between 15 and 500 V)  
Qualitative or go/no-go measurements  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
Low Impedance (ZO) Probes  
Low impedance probes measure frequency more accurately than general  
purpose probes, but they make less accurate amplitude measurements. They  
offer a higher bandwidth to cost ratio.  
These probes must be terminated in a 50 scope input. Input capacitance is  
much lower than high Z passive probes, typically 1 pF, but input resistance is  
also lower (500 to 5000 typically). Although that DC loading degrades  
amplitude accuracy, the lower input capacitance reduces high frequency  
loading to the circuit under test. That makes Z probes ideal for timing and  
O
phase measurements when amplitude accuracy is not a major concern.  
Z probes are useful for measurements up to 40 V.  
O
High Voltage Probes  
High voltage probes have attenuation factors in the 100X to 1000X range.  
The considerations that apply to other passive probes apply to high voltage  
probes with a few exceptions. Since the voltage range on high voltage probes  
varies from 1 kV to 20 kV (DC + peak AC), the probe head design is mechan-  
ically much larger than for a passive probe. High voltage probes have the  
added advantage of lower input capacitance (typically 2-3 pF).  
P6009  
P6015A  
Figure 3-59: The P6009 and P6015A High Voltage Probes  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
Active voltage probes, sometimes called “FET” probes, use active circuit  
elements such as transistors. There are three classes of active probes:  
Active Voltage  
Probes  
High speed active  
Differential active  
Fixtured active  
Active voltage measuring probes use active circuit elements in the probe  
design to process signals from the circuit under test. All active probes require  
a source of power for their operation. Power is obtained either from an exter-  
nal power supply or from the oscilloscope itself.  
NOTE  
When you connect an active probe to the oscilloscope (such as the  
P6205), the input impedance of the oscilloscope automatically  
becomes 50 . If you then connect a passive probe (like the  
P6139A) you need to set the input impedance back to 1 M Verti-  
cal Control on page 3-147 explains how to change the input imped-  
ance.  
High Speed Active Probes  
Active probes offer low input capacitance (1 to 2 pF typical) while maintaining  
the higher input resistance of passive probes (10 k to 10 M ). Like Z  
O
probes, active probes are useful for making accurate timing and phase mea-  
surements. However, they do not degrade the amplitude accuracy. Active  
probes typically have a dynamic range of  
V.  
Differential Probes  
Differential probes determine the voltage drop between two points in a circuit  
under test. Differential probes let you simultaneously measure two points and  
to display the difference between the two voltages.  
Active differential probes are stand-alone products designed to be used with  
50 inputs. The same characteristics that apply to active probes apply to  
active differential probes.  
Fixtured Active Probes  
In some small-geometry or dense circuitry applications, such as surface  
mounted devices (SMD), a hand-held probe is too big to be practical. You can  
instead use fixtured (or probe card mounted) active probes (or buffered  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
amplifiers) to precisely connect your instrument to your device-under-test.  
These probes have the same electrical characteristics as high speed, active  
probes but use a smaller mechanical design.  
Current probes enable you to directly observe and measure current wave-  
forms, which can be very different from voltage signals. Tektronix current  
probes are unique in that they can measure from DC to 1 GHz.  
Current Probes  
Two types of current probes are available: one that measures AC current only  
and AC/DC probes that utilize the Hall effect to accurately measure the AC  
and DC components of a signal. AC-only current probes use a transformer to  
convert AC current flux into a voltage signal to the oscilloscope and have a  
frequency response from a few hundred Hertz up to 1 GHz. AC/DC current  
probes include Hall effect semiconductor devices and provide frequency  
response from DC to 50 MHz.  
Use a current probe by clipping its jaws around the wire carrying the current  
that you want to measure. (Unlike an ammeter which you must connect in  
series with the circuit.) Because current probes are non-invasive, with loading  
typically in the milliohm to low range, they are especially useful where low  
loading of the circuit is important. Current probes can also make differential  
measurements by measuring the results of two opposing currents in two  
conductors in the jaws of the probe.  
Figure 3-60: A6303 Current Probe Used in the AM 503S Opt. 03  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
Optical probes let you blend the functions of an optical power meter with the  
high-speed analog waveform analysis capability of an oscilloscope. You have  
the capability of acquiring, displaying, and analyzing optical and electrical  
signals simultaneously.  
Optical Probes  
Applications include measuring the transient optical properties of lasers,  
LEDs, electro-optic modulators, and flashlamps. You can also use these  
probes in the development, manufacturing, and maintenance of fiber optic  
control networks, local area networks (LANs), fiber-based systems based on  
the FDDI and SONET standard, optical disk devices, and high-speed fiber  
optic communications systems.  
NOTE  
When you connect any level 2 probe to the oscilloscope, the input  
impedance of the oscilloscope automatically becomes 50 . If you  
then connect a high input impedance passive probe you need to set  
the input impedance back to 1 M Vertical Control, on page 3-147,  
explains how to change the input impedance.  
The instantaneous time-interval to voltage converter (TVC) continuously  
converts consecutive timing measurements to a time-interval versus time  
waveform.  
Time-to-Voltage  
Converter  
Timing variations typically appear as left-to-right motion, or jitter, on an oscillo-  
scope. Time base or trigger holdoff adjustments may improve display stability,  
but they do not show timing dynamics. The TVC untangles the often confus-  
ing waveforms and delivers a coherent real-time view.  
The TVC adds three measurement functions to the voltage versus time  
capability of your oscilloscope: time delay versus time, pulse-width versus  
time, and period versus time.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
Table 3-7 lists TDS 600A compatible probes classified by type.  
Probes by Type  
Table 3-7: TDS 600A Compatible Probes  
Probe Type  
Tektronix Model  
Description  
Passive, high impedance  
voltage  
P6139A (std.)  
P6101A  
10X, 500 MHz  
1X, 15 MHz  
Passive, SMD  
P6563AS  
P6156  
20X, 500 MHz  
Passive, low impedance Z  
10X, 3.5 GHz, for 50 inputs (1X, 20X, 100X optional)  
O
Passive, high voltage  
P6009  
P6015A  
100X,1.5 kV, DC + peak AC  
1000X, 20 kV, DC + peak AC  
Active, high speed voltage  
P6204  
DC to 1 GHz FET. DC Offset capability (requires Tektro-  
nix 1103 TekProbe Power Supply for offset capability)  
Active, high speed voltage  
Active, differential voltage  
Active, fixtured voltage  
P6205  
P6046  
DC to 750 MHz FET  
1X/10X, DC to 100 MHz  
A6501  
P6501  
Opt. 02  
Buffer Amplifier, 1 GHz, 1 M 10X  
Microprobe with TekProbe Power Cable, 750 MHz,  
1 M 10X  
Current  
AM 503S  
AM 503S  
Opt. 03  
AC/DC. Uses A6302 Current Probe.  
AC/DC. Uses A6303 Current Probe.  
P6021  
P6022  
AC. 120 Hz to 60 MHz.  
AC. 935 kHz to 120 MHz.  
CT-1/CT-2  
Designed for permanent or semi-  
permanent in-circuit installation  
CT-1: 25 kHz to 1 GHz, 50 input  
CT-2: 1.2 kHz to 200 MHz, 50 input  
Current Transformer for use with  
AM 503S and P6021. Peak pulse  
1 kA, 0.5 Hz to 20 MHz with AM 503S  
CT-4  
Logic Word Trigger  
P6408  
16 channel, one qualifier channel, TTL compatible, +5 V  
power supply required  
Optical  
P6701A  
P6703A  
P6711  
500 to 950 nm, DC to 850 MHz, 1 V/mW  
1100 to 1700 nm, DC to 1 GHz, 1 V/mW  
500 to 950 nm, DC to 250 MHz, 5 V/mW  
1100 to 1700 nm, DC to 300 MHz, 5 V/mW  
(Opto-Electronic Converters)  
P6713  
Time-to-Voltage Converter  
TVC 501  
Time delay, pulse width and period measurements  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Probe Selection  
Another way to classify probes is by application. Different applications de-  
mand different probes. Use Table 3-8 to select a probe for your application.  
Probes by  
Application  
Table 3-8: Probes by Application  
Telecommuni- Industrial  
Consumer/  
Computer  
Electronics  
High Energy  
Pulsed Power Regulatory, &  
Compliance  
Certification,  
cations &  
High-Speed  
Logic  
Electronics  
Probe Type  
Testing  
1
1,2  
1,2,3  
1,2,3  
1,2  
1,2,3  
1,2  
Passive, high-impedance P6139A  
voltage  
P6139A  
P6139A  
P6139A  
P6101A  
P6139A  
P6101A  
1
1,2  
1
P6101A  
P6101A  
P6101A  
1
1
1
P6563AS  
P6563AS  
P6563AS  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
Active, high-speed digital  
voltage  
P6205  
P6205  
P6205  
P6205  
P6205  
2,3  
P6204  
P6204  
w/1103 power  
2,3  
supply  
1,2,3  
1,2  
1,2,3  
Low impedance Z  
(low capacitance)  
P6156  
P6156  
O
1,2,3  
1,2  
1,2,3  
1,2,3  
Passive, high voltage  
P6009  
P6009  
P6009  
P6009  
P6009  
1,2,3  
1,2,3  
1,2,3  
P6015A  
P6015A  
P6015A  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
Active, differential voltage P6046  
P6046  
P6046  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
Current  
AM 503S  
P6021  
AM 503S  
AM 503S  
P6021  
AM 503S  
P6021  
AM 503S  
1,2  
1,2  
1,2  
1,2  
1,2  
P6021  
P6021  
1,2  
2,3  
CT4  
CT1/2  
CT4  
1,2  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
Fixtured  
A6501  
P6501  
A6501  
2,3  
P6501  
2,3  
Logic Word Trigger  
Optical  
P6408  
P6408  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
P6701A  
P6703A  
P6711  
P6713  
P6701A  
P6701A  
P6703A  
P6711  
P6713  
2,3  
2,3  
P6703A  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
P6711  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
P6713  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
2,3  
Time-to-voltage converter TVC 501  
TVC 501  
TVC 501  
TVC 501  
1
2
3
Qualitative signal evaluation — use when a great deal of accuracy is not required, such as when making go/no go measurements.  
Functional testing — use when the device under test is being compared to some standard.  
Quantitative Signal Evaluation — use when detailed evaluation is needed.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
Pulse triggering can be very useful. For example, you might be testing a  
product with a glitch in the power supply. The glitch appears once a day. So  
instead of sitting by and waiting for it to appear, you can use pulse triggering  
to automatically capture your data.  
There are three classes of pulse triggering: glitch, runt, and width.  
A glitch trigger occurs when the trigger source detects a pulse narrower  
(or wider) in width than some specified time. It can trigger on glitches of  
either polarity. Or you can set the glitch trigger to reject glitches of either  
polarity.  
A runt trigger occurs when the trigger source detects a short pulse that  
crosses one threshold but fails to cross a second threshold before re-  
crossing the first. You can set the oscilloscope to detect positive or nega-  
tive runt pulses.  
A width trigger occurs when the trigger source detects a pulse that is  
inside or, optionally, outside some specified time range (defined by the  
upper limit and lower limit). The oscilloscope can trigger on positive or  
negative width pulses.  
Figure 3-61 shows the pulse trigger readouts. Table 3-9, on page 3-120,  
describes the choices for pulse triggers.  
Trigger Class = Runt  
Figure 3-61: Pulse Trigger Readouts  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
Table 3-9: Pulse Trigger Definitions  
Definition  
Name  
Glitch positive  
Glitch negative  
Glitch either  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects  
positive spike widths less than the specified  
glitch time.  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects  
negative spike widths less than the specified  
glitch time.  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects  
positive or negative widths less than the speci-  
fied glitch time.  
Runt positive  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects a  
positive pulse that crosses one threshold going  
positive but fails to cross a second threshold  
before recrossing the first going negative.  
Runt negative  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects a  
negative going pulse that crosses one thresh-  
old going negative but fails to cross a second  
threshold before recrossing the first going posi-  
tive.  
Runt either  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects a  
positive or negative going pulse that crosses  
one threshold but fails to cross a second  
threshold before recrossing the first.  
Width positive  
Width negative  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope finds a  
positive pulse with a width between, or option-  
ally outside, the user-specified lower and upper  
time limits.  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope finds a  
negative pulse with a width between, or option-  
ally outside, the user-specified lower and upper  
time limits.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
The pulse trigger menus let you define the pulse source, select the mode  
(auto or normal), and adjust the holdoff. To bring up the Pulse Trigger menu:  
Operations Common  
to Glitch, Runt, and  
Width  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Glitch, Runt, or Width (pop-up) (see Figure 3-62).  
Figure 3-62: Main Trigger Menu — Glitch Class  
Source  
Use this main menu item to specify which channel becomes the pulse trigger  
source.  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) ➞  
Source (main) Ch1, Ch2, Ch3 (Ax1 on the TDS 620A & 524A), or Ch4  
(Ax2 on the TDS 620A & 524A) (side).  
Mode & Holdoff  
To change the holdoff time and select the trigger mode:  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Mode and  
Holdoff (main) Auto or Normal (side).  
In Auto mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform after a specific  
time has elapsed even if a trigger does not occur. The amount of time  
the oscilloscope waits depends on the time base setting.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
In Normal mode the oscilloscope acquires a waveform only if there is  
a valid trigger. (You can force a single acquisition by pressing FORCE  
TRIGGER.)  
2. To change the holdoff time, press Holdoff (side). Use the general pur-  
pose knob or the keypad to enter the value in percent.  
When you select the pulse class Glitch, the oscilloscope will trigger on a  
pulse narrower (or wider) in width than some specified time.  
Glitch Operations  
Polarity & Width  
This menu item lets you define the glitch in terms of polarity (positive, nega-  
tive, or either) and width.  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Polarity  
and Width (main) Positive, Negative, or Either (side).  
Glitch Positive looks at positive-going pulses.  
Glitch Negative looks at negative-going pulses.  
Glitch Either looks at both positive and negative pulses.  
2. Press Width (side), and set the glitch width using the general purpose  
knob or keypad.  
Glitch (Accept or Reject)  
To specify whether to trigger on glitches or filter out glitches using the Glitch  
main menu item, press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse  
(pop-up) Class (main) Glitch (pop-up) Glitch (main) Accept  
Glitch or Reject Glitch (side).  
If you choose Accept Glitch, the oscilloscope will trigger only on pulses  
narrower than the width you specified. If you select Reject Glitch, it will  
trigger only on pulses wider than the specified width.  
Level  
To set the trigger level with the Level main menu (or the front panel trigger  
LEVEL knob), press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) ➞  
Level (main) Level, Set to TTL, Set to ECL, or Set to 50% (side).  
If you select Level, enter a value with the general purpose knob or the  
keypad.  
If you select Set to TTL, the trigger level is set to the TTL switching  
threshold.  
If you select Set to ECL, the trigger level is set to the ECL switching  
threshold.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
If you select Set to 50%, you cause the digitizing oscilloscope to search  
for the point halfway between the peaks of the trigger source signal and  
set the trigger level to that point.  
When you select the pulse class Runt, the oscilloscope will trigger on a short  
pulse that crosses one threshold but fails to cross a second threshold before  
recrossing the first. To set up runt triggering:  
Runt Operation  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Runt (pop-up) Source (main) Ch1, Ch2, Ch3 (Ax1  
on the TDS 620A & 524A), or Ch4 (Ax2 on the TDS 620A & 524A) (side).  
(See Figure 3-63.)  
2. Press Polarity (main) Positive, Negative, or Either (side).  
3. Press Thresholds (main), and set the upper and lower thresholds for  
runt detection with the side menu selections and the keypad or the gener-  
al purpose knob.  
Polarity  
Use this menu item to specify the direction of the runt pulse.  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Runt (pop-up) Polarity (main) Positive, Negative, or Either (side).  
Positive looks for positive-going runt pulses.  
Negative looks for negative-going runt pulses.  
Either looks for both positive and negative runt pulses.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
Selected Trigger Bar at Upper Threshold  
Unselected Trigger Bar at Lower  
Threshold  
Runt Pulse Crosses First Threshold  
Only, Recrosses First Threshold Level,  
and Triggers Acquisition  
Figure 3-63: Main Trigger Menu—Runt Class  
Thresholds  
To set the two threshold levels used in detecting a runt pulse:  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Runt (pop-up) Thresholds (main).  
2. Use the general purpose knob or keypad to set the values for the high  
and low thresholds.  
Hint: To use the Trigger Bar feature to set the threshold levels on the  
pulse train, press DISPLAY Readout Options (main) Trigger Bar  
Style (side) until Long appears in that menu item.  
Note the position of the trigger indicator in Figure 3-63. Triggering occurs at  
the point the pulse returns over the first (lower) threshold going negative  
without crossing the second threshold level (upper). Be aware of the following  
considerations when using Runt triggering:  
When Positive is set in the Polarity side menu, the lower threshold must  
be first crossed going positive, then recrossed going negative without  
crossing the upper threshold at all.  
When Negative is set in the Polarity side menu, the upper threshold  
must be first crossed going negative, then recrossed going positive  
without crossing the lower threshold at all.  
When Either is set in the Polarity side menu, one threshold must be first  
crossed going in either direction, then recrossed going in the opposite  
direction without crossing the other threshold at all.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Pulse Triggering  
Regardless of the polarity setting, triggering occurs at the point the runt  
pulse recrosses its first threshold.  
When you select the pulse class Width, the oscilloscope will trigger on a  
pulse narrower (or wider) than some specified range of time (defined by the  
upper limit and lower limit).  
Width Operation  
Polarity  
To define whether the pulses are positive or negative:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Width (pop-up) Polarity (main) Positive or Negative (side).  
Trig When  
This menu item lets you establish the range of widths (in units of time) the  
trigger source will search for and whether to trigger on pulses that are outside  
this range or ones that fall within the range.  
1. Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) ➞  
Class (main) Width (pop-up) Trig When (main).  
2. Press Within Limits (side) if you want the oscilloscope to trigger on  
pulses that fall within the specified range. If you want it to trigger on  
pulses that are outside the range, then press Out of Limits (side).  
3. To set the range of pulse widths in units of time, press Upper Limit (side)  
and Lower Limit (side). Enter the values with the general purpose knob  
or keypad. The Upper Limit is the maximum valid pulse width the trigger  
source will look for. The Lower Limit is the minimum valid pulse width.  
The oscilloscope will always force the Lower Limit to be less than or  
equal to the Upper Limit.  
Level  
To set the trigger level with the Level main menu:  
Press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Pulse (pop-up) Class (main) ➞  
Width (pop-up) Level (main) Level, Set to TTL, Set to ECL, or Set to  
50% (side).  
See Triggering, on page 2-13.  
See Triggering, on page 3-142.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Remote Communication  
You may want to integrate your oscilloscope into a system environment and  
remotely control your oscilloscope or exchange measurement or waveform  
data with a computer. You can control your oscilloscope remotely via the  
IEEE Std 488.2–1987 (GPIB) interface.  
GPIB enables data transfers between instruments that support the GPIB  
protocols. It provides:  
GPIB Protocol  
Remote instrument control  
Bidirectional data transfer  
Device compatibility  
Status and event reporting  
Besides the base protocols, Tektronix has defined codes and formats for  
messages to travel over the GPIB. Each device that follows these codes and  
formats, such as the TDS 620A, TDS 640A, TDS 524A, & TDS 644A, sup-  
ports standard commands. Use of instruments that support these commands  
can greatly simplify development of GPIB systems.  
GPIB Interface Requirements  
You can connect GPIB networks in many configurations if you follow these  
rules:  
No more than 15 devices, including the controller, can be on a single bus.  
Connect one device load every two meters (about six feet) of cable length  
to maintain bus electrical characteristics. (Generally, each instrument  
represents one device load on the bus.)  
The total cumulative cable length must not exceed 20 meters (about  
65 feet).  
At least two-thirds of the device loads must be turned on when you use  
your network.  
There must be only one cable path from each device to each other device  
on your network (see Figure 3-64), and you must not create loop configu-  
rations.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Remote Communication  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
GPIB Device  
Figure 3-64: Typical GPIB Network Configuration  
Cables — An IEEE Std 488.1–1987 GPIB cable (available from Tektronix,  
part number 012–0991–00) is required to connect two GPIB devices.  
Connector — A 24-pin GPIB connector is located on the oscilloscope rear  
panel. The connector has a D-type shell and conforms to IEEE Std  
488.1–1987. You can stack GPIB connectors on top of each other (see  
Figure 3-65).  
Figure 3-65: Stacking GPIB Connectors  
GPIB Parameters  
In the Utility menu you need to define two important GPIB parameters: mode  
and address. You need to set the mode to talker/listener, talk only, or off the  
bus. You also need to specify the primary communication address.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Remote Communication  
To set up remote communications, ensure that your oscilloscope is physically  
cabled to the controller and that the oscilloscope parameters are correctly set.  
Plug an IEEE Std 488.2–1987 GPIB cable into the GPIB connector on the  
oscilloscope rear panel and into the GPIB port on your controller (see Fig-  
ure 3-66).  
Operation  
Rear Panel  
Controller  
Figure 3-66: Connecting the Digitizing Oscilloscope to a Controller  
To set remote communications parameters:  
Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) I/O (pop-up).  
Port Selection  
Now you need to configure the port to match the controller (see Figure 3-67).  
Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) I/O (pop-up) Port (main) ➞  
GPIB (pop-up) Configure (main) Talk/Listen Address, Hardcopy  
(Talk Only), or Off Bus (side)  
Choose Talk/Listen Address for normal, controller-based system opera-  
tion. Use the general purpose knob or the keypad to define the address.  
Use Hardcopy (Talk Only) to use the hardcopy port of your digitizing  
oscilloscope. Once the port is configured this way, the oscilloscope will  
send the hardcopy data to any listeners on the bus when the HARDCO-  
PY button is pressed.  
If the port is configured any other way and the HARDCOPY button is  
pressed, an error will occur and the digitizing oscilloscope will display a  
message saying the selected hardcopy port is currently unavailable.  
Use Off Bus to disconnect the digitizing oscilloscope from the bus.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Remote Communication  
GPIB Configuration Menu  
Figure 3-67: Utility Menu  
See Hardcopy, on page 3-59.  
See the TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes Programmer Manual.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Setups  
You may want to save and reuse setups for many reasons. For example, after  
changing the setting during the course of an experiment, you may want to  
quickly return to your original setup. You can save and recall up to ten instru-  
ment setups from internal oscilloscope memory. The information is retained  
even when you turn the oscilloscope off or unplug it.  
To save the current setup of the digitizing oscilloscope:  
Operation  
1. Press SETUP Save Current Setup (main).  
Before doing step 2 that follows, note that if you choose a setup  
location labeled user, you will overwrite the user setup previously  
stored there. You can store setups in setup locations labeled factory  
without disturbing previously stored setups.  
2. To store to a setup internally, choose one of the ten internal storage  
locations from the side menu To Setup 1, To Setup 2, ... (see Fig-  
ure 3-68). Now the current setup is stored in that location.  
Figure 3-68: Save/Recall Setup Menu  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Settings  
To store a setup to disk (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A), press To  
File. Then use the general purpose knob to select the exact file from the  
resulting scrollbar list. Finally, press the side-menu Save To Selected File to  
complete the operation.  
Recalling a Setup  
To recall a setup stored internally, press SETUP Recall Saved Set-  
up (main) (Recall Setup 1, Recall Setup 2 ... (side).  
To recall a setup stored on disk (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A),  
press From File. Then use the general purpose knob to select the exact file  
from the resulting scrollbar list. Only files with .set extensions will be dis-  
played. Finally, press the side-menu Recall From Selected File to complete  
the operation.  
Recalling a setup will not change the menu that is currently displayed. If you  
recall a setup that is labeled factory in the side menu, you will recall the  
factory setup. (The conventional method for recalling the factory setup is  
described below.)  
Recalling the Factory Setup  
To reset your oscilloscope to the factory defaults:  
Press SETUP Recall Factory Setup (main) OK Confirm Factory Init  
(side).  
See Factory Initialization Settings, on page A-25, for a list of the factory  
defaults.  
Deleting All Setups and Waveforms—Tek Secure  
Sometimes you might use the digitizing oscilloscope to acquire waveforms  
that are confidential. Furthermore, before returning the oscilloscope to gener-  
al usage, you might want to remove all such waveforms and any setups used  
to acquire them. (Be sure you want to remove all waveforms and setups,  
because once they are removed, you cannot retrieve them.) To use Tek  
Secure to remove all reference setups and waveforms (does not affect mass  
storage disk):  
Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) Config (pop-up) Tek Secure  
Erase Memory (main) OK Erase Ref & Panel Memory (side).  
Executing Tek Secure accomplishes the following tasks:  
Replaces all waveforms in reference memories with zero sample values.  
Replaces the current front panel setup and all setups stored in setup  
memory with the factory setup.  
Calculates the checksums of all waveform memory and setup memory  
locations to verify successful completion of setup and waveform erasure.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Setups  
If the checksum calculation is unsuccessful, displays a warning message;  
if the checksum calculation is successful, displays a confirmation mes-  
sage.  
Running File Utilities  
To run file utilities (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A), see the File  
System article on page 3-55.  
See Tutorial Example 4: Saving Setups, on page 1-23.  
For More  
Information  
See Appendix D, Factory Initialization Settings, on page A-25.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Waveforms  
You can store a waveform in any of the four internal reference memories of  
the digitizing oscilloscope. That information is retained even when you turn  
the oscilloscope off or unplug it. You can save any combination of different  
size waveform records.  
The digitizing oscilloscope can display up to 11 waveforms at one time. That  
includes waveforms from the four input channels, four reference waveforms,  
and three math waveforms.  
You will find saving waveforms useful when working with many waveforms  
and channels. If you have more waveforms than you can display, you can  
save one of the waveforms and then stop acquiring it. That lets you display  
another waveform without forcing you to loose the first one.  
To save a waveform, do the following steps:  
Operation  
1. Select the channel that has the waveform you want to save.  
Before doing step 2 that follows, note that if you choose a reference  
memory location labeled active (see Figure 3-69), you will overwrite  
the waveform that was previously stored there. You can store wave-  
forms in reference locations labeled empty without disturbing pre-  
viously stored waveforms.  
2. To store a waveform internally, press save/recall WAVEFORM Save  
Waveform (main) Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, or File (side).  
To store a waveform to disk (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A),  
press To File. Then use the general purpose knob to select the exact file  
from the resulting scrollbar list. Finally, press the side-menu Save To  
Selected File to complete the operation.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Waveforms  
Figure 3-69: Save Waveform Menu  
Deleting Waveforms  
You can choose the Delete Refs main menu item and then select the refer-  
ences you no longer need from the side menu (Delete Ref1, Delete Ref2,  
Delete Ref3, Delete Ref4, or Delete All Refs).  
Deleting All Waveforms and Setups  
You can remove all stored reference waveforms and setups using the feature  
called Tek Secure. It is described under Saving and Recalling Setups. See  
“Deleting All Setups and Waveforms” on page 3-131.  
Displaying a Saved Waveform  
To display a waveform in internal reference memory:  
Press MORE Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, or Ref4 (main).  
Note that in Figure 3-70, the main menu items Ref2, Ref3, and Ref4 appear  
shaded while Ref1 does not. References that are empty appear shaded in the  
More main menu.  
Recalling a Waveform From Disk  
To recall a waveform from disk (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A) to an  
internal reference memory, press save/recall WAVEFORM Recall Wfm To  
Ref. Then use the general purpose knob to select the exact file from the  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Saving and Recalling Waveforms  
resulting scrollbar list. Only files with .WFM extensions are displayed. Finally,  
press from the side-menu To Ref1, To Ref2, To Ref3, or To Ref4 choices to  
complete the operation.  
Figure 3-70: More Menu  
Autosave (TDS 640A and 644A only)  
To use autosave, press  
Autosave (main) Autosave Single Seq ON (side).  
Also turn on Single Acquisition Sequence in the Acquire menu  
(see page 3-7).  
To disable this feature, simply press  
Autosave (main) Autosave Single Seq OFF (side).  
If you enable both autosave and single sequence, the TDS will save all live  
channels to reference waveforms at the completion of each single sequence  
event. All previous reference waveform data will be erased.  
Running File Utilities  
To run file utilities (optional on the TDS 620A & TDS 640A), see the File  
System article on page 3-55.  
See Selecting Channels, on page 3-136.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Selecting Channels  
The selected channel is the channel that the digitizing oscilloscope applies all  
waveform-specific activities to (such as measurements or vertical scale and  
position).  
The channel readout shows the selected channel in inverse video in the lower  
left corner of the display. The channel reference indicator for the selected  
channel appears along the left side of the display. See Figure 3-71.  
Channel Readout  
and Reference  
Indicator  
Channel Reference  
Indicator  
Channel Readout  
Figure 3-71: The Channel Readout  
Selecting channels on the TDS 600A series oscilloscopes is straightforward  
and easy.  
Channel Selection  
Buttons  
The channel selection buttons are on the right of the display and are labeled  
CH 1, CH 2, CH 3 (AUX 1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), CH 4 (AUX 2 on  
the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), and MORE. They determine which channel is  
selected. The MORE button allows you to select internally stored Math and  
Ref waveforms for display and manipulation.  
The selected channel is indicated by the lighted LED above each button.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Selecting Channels  
To selecting a channel:  
Operation  
Pressing CH 1, CH 2, CH 3 (AUX 1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A), or CH 4  
(AUX 2 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A) turns the channel on if it is not al-  
ready on.  
You do not use the channel selection buttons when triggering. Instead you  
select the trigger source in the Main Trigger menu or Delayed Trigger menu.  
Removing Waveforms From the Display  
The WAVEFORM OFF button turns OFF the display of the selected channel  
waveform. It will also remove from the display any automated measurements  
being made on that waveform.  
When you turn off a waveform, the digitizing oscilloscope automatically se-  
lects the next highest priority waveform. Figure 3-72 shows how the oscillo-  
scope prioritizes waveforms.  
1. CH1  
2. CH2  
3. CH3 (AUX 1 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A)  
4. CH4 (AUX 2 on the TDS 620A & TDS 524A)  
5. MATH1  
6. MATH2  
7. MATH3  
8. REF1  
9. REF2  
10. REF3  
11. REF4  
Figure 3-72: Waveform Selection Priority  
If you are turning off more than one waveform and you start by turning off a  
channel waveform, all channels will be turned off before going to the MORE  
waveforms. If you start by turning off the MORE waveforms, all the MORE  
waveforms will be turned off before going to the channel waveforms.  
If you turn off a channel that is a trigger source, it continues to be the trigger  
source even though the waveform is not displayed.  
See Saving and Recalling Waveforms, on page 3-133.  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Signal Path Compensation  
This oscilloscope lets you compensate the internal signal path used to acquire  
the waveforms you acquire and measure. By executing the signal path com-  
pensation feature (SPC), you can optimize the oscilloscope capability to make  
accurate measurements based on the ambient temperature.  
Run an SPC anytime you wish to ensure that the measurements you make  
are made with the most accuracy possible. You should also run an SPC if the  
temperature has changed more than 5 C since the last SPC was performed.  
NOTE  
When making measurements at volts/division settings less than or  
equal to 5 mV, you should run SPC at least once per week. Failure  
to do so may result in the oscilloscope not meeting warranted  
performance levels at those volts/div settings. (Warranted charac-  
teristics are listed in the Performance Verification manual.)  
1. Power on the digitizing oscilloscope and allow a 20 minute warm-up  
before doing this procedure.  
Operation  
2. Disconnect any input signals you may have connected from all four input  
channels.  
When doing steps 3 and 4, do not turn off the oscilloscope until  
signal-path compensation completes. If you interrupt (or lose) power  
to the instrument while signal-path compensation is running, a mes-  
sage is logged in the oscilloscope error log. If such a case occurs,  
rerun signal-path compensation.  
3. Press SHIFT UTILITY System (main) Cal (pop-up) Signal  
Path (main) OK Compensate Signal Paths (side).  
4. Wait for signal path compensation to complete (one to three minutes).  
While it progresses, a “clock” icon (shown at left) is displayed on-screen.  
When compensation completes, the status message will be updated to  
Pass or Fail in the main menu.  
5. Verify the word Pass appears under Signal Path in the main menu. (See  
Figure 3-73.)  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Signal Path Compensation  
Figure 3-73: Performing a Signal Path Compensation  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Status  
The Status menu lets you see information about the oscilloscope state.  
To operate the Status menu:  
Operation  
Press SHIFT STATUS Status (main) System, Display, Trigger,  
Waveforms, or I/O (side). Note: some oscilloscopes do not have a main  
Status menu. On these instruments, press SHIFT STATUS System,  
Display, Trigger, Waveforms, or I/O (side).  
System displays information about the Horizontal, Zoom, Acquisition,  
Measure, and Hardcopy systems (Figure 3-74). This display also tells you  
the firmware version.  
Display provides parameter information about the display and color  
systems.  
Trigger displays parameter information about the triggers.  
Waveforms displays information about the various waveforms, including  
live, math, and reference.  
I/O displays information about the I/O port(s).  
Firmware  
Version  
Figure 3-74: Status Menu — System  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Status  
To display the banner (firmware version, options, copyright, and patents):  
Banner  
NOTE  
Some TDS 644A oscilloscopes do not have a Status main menu  
with a banner. However, all instruments display the banner briefly at  
power-on.  
Press SHIFT STATUS Banner (main) (see Figure 3-75).  
Figure 3-75: Banner Display  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
Triggers determine when the digitizing oscilloscope starts acquiring and  
displaying a waveform. The TDS 600A has four types of trigger: edge, logic,  
pulse, and, with option 5, video.  
Although these triggers are unique, they have some common characteristics  
that can be defined and modified using the Trigger menu, buttons, and knob.  
This article discusses these common characteristics.  
To learn about the general concept of triggering, see Triggering in the Operat-  
ing Basics section. To learn more about using specific triggers and using the  
delayed trigger system, see For More Information on page 3-145.  
The trigger buttons and knob let you quickly adjust the trigger level or force a  
trigger (see Figure 3-76).  
Trigger Button and  
Knobs  
Trigger Status  
Lights  
Figure 3-76: TRIGGER Controls and Status Lights  
MAIN LEVEL Knob  
The MAIN LEVEL knob lets you manually change the trigger level when  
triggering in Edge mode or certain threshold levels when triggering in Logic or  
Pulse modes. It adjusts the trigger level (or threshold level) instantaneously  
no matter what menu, if any, is displayed.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
To Set to 50%  
You can quickly obtain an edge or pulse trigger (except for the Runt class) by  
pressing SET LEVEL TO 50%. The oscilloscope sets the trigger level to the  
halfway point between the peaks of the trigger signal.  
You can also set the level to 50% in the Trigger menu under the main menu  
item Level if Edge or Pulse (except for Runt class) is selected.  
Note that the MAIN LEVEL knob and menu items apply only to the main  
trigger level. To modify the delayed trigger level, use the Level item in the  
Delayed Trigger menu.  
Force Trigger  
By pressing the FORCE TRIG front panel button, you can force the oscillo-  
scope to immediately start acquiring a waveform record even without a trigger  
event. Forcing a trigger is useful when in normal trigger mode and the input  
signal is not supplying a valid trigger. By pressing FORCE TRIG, you can  
quickly confirm that there is a signal present for the oscilloscope to acquire.  
Once that is established, you can determine how to trigger on it (press SET  
LEVEL TO 50%, check trigger source setting, etc.).  
The oscilloscope recognizes and acts upon FORCE TRIG even when you  
press it before the end of pretrigger holdoff. However, the button has no effect  
if the acquisition system is stopped.  
Single Trigger  
If your goal is to act on the next valid trigger event and then stop, press  
SHIFT FORCE TRIG. Now you can initiate the single sequence of acquisi-  
tions by pressing the RUN/STOP button.  
To leave Single Trig mode, press SHIFT ACQUIRE MENU Stop Af-  
ter (main) RUN/STOP Button Only (side).  
See the description under “Stop After” on page 3-7 for further discussion of  
single sequence acquisitions.  
The digitizing oscilloscope has display readouts and status lights dedicated to  
monitoring the trigger circuitry.  
Readouts  
Trigger Status Lights  
There are three status lights in the Trigger control area (Figure 3-76) indicat-  
ing the state of the trigger circuitry. The lights are labeled TRIG’D, READY,  
and ARM.  
When TRIG’D is lighted, it means the digitizing oscilloscope has recog-  
nized a valid trigger and is filling the posttrigger portion of the waveform.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
When READY is lighted, it means the digitizing oscilloscope can accept a  
valid trigger event, and the digitizing oscilloscope is waiting for that event  
to occur.  
When ARM is lighted, it means the trigger circuitry is filling the pretrigger  
portion of the waveform record.  
When both TRIG’D and READY are lighted, it means the digitizing oscil-  
loscope has recognized a valid main trigger and is waiting for a delayed  
trigger. When the digitizing oscilloscope recognizes a delayed trigger, it  
will fill in the posttrigger portion of the delayed waveform.  
When ARM, TRIG’D, and READY are all off, the digitizer is stopped.  
When ARM, TRIG’D, and READY are all lighted, FastFrame is in effect.  
No trigger status monitoring is taking place.  
Trigger Display Readout  
At the bottom of the display, the Trigger readout shows some of the key  
trigger parameters (Figure 3-77). The readouts are different for edge, logic  
and pulse triggers.  
Main Trigger  
Source = Ch 1  
Main Time Base Time/Div  
Main Time Base  
Main Trigger Slope =  
Rising Edge  
Main Trigger  
Level  
Figure 3-77: Example Trigger Readouts  
The record view at the top of the display shows the location of the trigger  
signal in the waveform record and with respect to the display (see Fig-  
ure 3-78).  
Trigger Position and Level Indicators  
In addition to the numerical readouts of trigger level, there are also graphic  
indicators of trigger position and level which you can optionally display. These  
indicators are the trigger point indicator, the long trigger level bar, and the  
short trigger level bar. Figure 3-78 shows the trigger point indicator and  
short-style trigger level bar.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
The trigger point indicator shows position. It can be positioned horizontally off  
screen, especially with long record length settings. The trigger level bar  
shows only the trigger level. It remains on screen, regardless of the horizontal  
position, as long as the channel providing the trigger source is displayed.  
Trigger Position Relative to the  
Display and Waveform Record  
Trigger Point Indicator Indicating  
the Trigger Position on the  
Waveform Record  
Trigger Bar Indicating the Trigger  
Level on the Waveform Record  
Figure 3-78: Record View, Trigger Position, and Trigger Level Bar Readouts  
Both the trigger point indicator and level bar are displayed from the Display  
menu. See Display Readout on page 3-30 for more information.  
Each trigger type (edge, logic, and pulse) has its own main trigger menu,  
which is described in a separate part of this section (see For More Informa-  
tion).  
Trigger Menu  
To select the trigger type, press TRIGGER MENU Type (main) Edge,  
Logic, or Pulse (pop-up).  
See Delay Triggering, on page 3-22.  
See Edge Triggering, on page 3-34.  
See Logic Triggering, on page 3-78.  
See Pulse Triggering, on page 3-119.  
See Triggering, on page 2-13.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Triggering  
See the Option 05 Video Trigger Interface Instruction Manual, Tektronix part  
number 070–8748–00.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Vertical Control  
You can control the vertical position and scale of the selected waveform using  
the vertical menu and knobs.  
By changing the vertical scale, you can focus on a particular portion of a  
waveform. By adjusting the vertical position, you can move the waveform up  
or down on the display. That is particularly useful when you are comparing  
two or more waveforms.  
Vertical Knobs  
To change the vertical scale and position, use the vertical POSITION and  
vertical SCALE knobs. The vertical controls only affect the selected wave-  
form.  
The POSITION knob simply adds screen divisions to the reference point of  
the selected waveform. Adding divisions moves the waveform up and sub-  
tracting them moves the waveform down. You also can adjust the waveform  
position using the offset option in the Vertical menu (discussed later in this  
article).  
If you want the POSITION knob to move faster, press the SHIFT button.  
When the light above the SHIFT button is on and the display says Coarse  
Knobs in the upper right corner, the POSITION knob speeds up significantly.  
The Vertical readout at the lower part of the display shows each displayed  
channel (the selected channel is in inverse video), and its volts/division setting  
(see Figure 3-79).  
Vertical Readouts  
Vertical Menu  
The Vertical menu (Figure 3-79) lets you select the coupling, bandwidth, and  
offset for the selected waveform. It also lets you numerically change the  
position or scale instead of using the vertical knobs.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Vertical Control  
Vertical Readout  
Figure 3-79: Vertical Readouts and Channel Menu  
Coupling  
To choose the type of coupling for attaching the input signal to the vertical  
attenuator for the selected channel and to set its input impedance:  
Press VERTICAL MENU Coupling (main) DC, AC, GND, or (side).  
DC coupling shows both the AC and DC components of an input signal.  
AC coupling shows only the alternating components of an input signal.  
Ground (GND) coupling disconnects the input signal from the acquisition.  
Input impedance lets you select either 1 M or 50  
impedance.  
NOTE  
If you select 50 impedance with AC coupling, the digitizing oscillo-  
scope will not accurately display frequencies under 200 kHz.  
Also, when you connect an active probe to the oscilloscope (such  
as the P6205), the input impedance of the oscilloscope automatical-  
ly becomes 50 . If you then connect a passive probe (like the  
P6139A), you need to set the input impedance back to 1 M  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Vertical Control  
Bandwidth  
To eliminate the higher frequency components, change the bandwidth of the  
selected channel:  
Press VERTICAL MENU Bandwidth (main) Full, 100 MHz, or 20 MHz  
(side).  
Fine Scale  
Press VERTICAL MENU Fine Scale (main) to make fine adjustments to  
the vertical scale using the general purpose knob or the keypad.  
Position  
Press VERTICAL MENU Position (main) to let the general purpose knob  
control the vertical position. Press Set to 0 divs (side) if you want to reset the  
reference point of the selected waveform to the center of the display.  
Offset  
Offset lets you subtract DC bias from the waveform, so the oscilloscope can  
acquire the exact part of the waveform you are interested in.  
Offset is useful when you want to examine a waveform with a DC bias. For  
example, you might be trying to look at a small ripple on a power supply  
output. It may be a 100 mV ripple on top of a 15 V supply. Using offset, you  
can display the ripple and scale it to meet your needs.  
To use offset, press VERTICAL MENU Offset (main). Use the general  
purpose knob to control the vertical offset. Press Set to 0 V (side) if you want  
to reset the offset to zero.  
See Acquisition, on page 2-19.  
For More  
Information  
See Scaling and Positioning Waveforms, on page 2-25.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Differentiation  
Advanced DSP Math (optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A), provides wave-  
form differentiation that allows you to display a derivative math waveform that  
indicates the instantaneous rate of change of the waveform acquired. Such  
waveforms are used in the measurement of slew rate of amplifiers and in  
educational applications. You can store and display a derivative math wave-  
form in a reference memory, then use it as a source for another derivative  
waveform. The result is the second derivative of the waveform that was first  
differentiated.  
The math waveform, derived from the sampled waveform, is computed based  
on the following equation:  
Description  
Where:  
X is the source waveform  
Y is the derivative math waveform  
T is the time between samples  
Since the resultant math waveform is a derivative waveform, its vertical scale  
is in volts/second (its horizontal scale is in seconds). The source signal is  
differentiated over its entire record length; therefore, the math waveform  
record length equals that of the source waveform.  
To obtain a derivative math waveform:  
Operation  
1. Connect the waveform to the desired channel input and select that chan-  
nel.  
2. Adjust the vertical and horizontal scales and trigger the display (or press  
AUTOSET).  
3. Press MORE Math1, Math2, or Math3 (main) Change Math Defi-  
nition (side) Single Wfm Math (main). See Figure 3-21.  
4. Press Set Single Source to (side). Repeatedly press the same button  
(or use the general purpose knob) until the channel source selected in  
step 1 appears in the menu label.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Differentation  
Derivative Math  
Waveform  
Source  
Waveform  
Figure 3-80: Derivative Math Waveform  
5. Press Set Function to (side). Repeatedly press the same button (or use  
the general purpose knob) until diff appears in the menu label.  
6. Press OK Create Math Wfm (side) to display the derivative of the wave-  
form you input in step 1.  
You should now have your derivative math waveform on screen. Use the  
Vertical SCALE and POSITION knobs to size and position your waveform  
as you require.  
Automated Measurements of a Derivative Waveform  
Once you have displayed your derivative math waveform, you can use auto-  
mated measurements to make various parameter measurements. Do the  
following steps to display automated measurements of the waveform:  
1. Be sure MORE is selected in the channel selection buttons and that the  
differentiated math waveform is selected in the More main menu.  
2. Press MEASURE Select Measrmnt (main).  
3. Select up to four measurements in the side menu (see Figure 3-81).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Differentation  
Figure 3-81: Peak-Peak Amplitude Measurement of a Derivative  
Waveform  
Cursor Measurement of a Derivative Waveform  
You can also use cursors to measure derivative waveforms. Use the same  
procedure as is found under Waveform Integration on page 3-155. When  
using that procedure, note that the amplitude measurements on a derivative  
waveform will be in volts per second rather than in volt-seconds as is indi-  
cated for the integral waveform measured in the procedure.  
When creating differentiated math waveforms from live channel waveforms,  
consider the following topics.  
Usage  
Considerations  
Offset, Position, and Scale  
Note the following tips for obtaining a good display:  
You should scale and position the source waveform so it is contained on  
screen. (Off screen waveforms may be clipped, resulting in errors in the  
derivative waveform).  
You can use vertical position and vertical offset to position your source  
waveform. The vertical position and vertical offset will not affect your  
derivative waveform unless you position the source waveform off screen  
so it is clipped.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Differentation  
When using the vertical scale knob to scale the source waveform, note  
that it also scales your derivative waveform.  
Because of the method the oscilloscope uses to scale the source waveform  
before differentiating that waveform, the derivative math waveform may be  
too large vertically to fit on screen — even if the source waveform is only a  
few divisions on screen. You can use Zoom to reduce the size of the wave-  
form on screen (see Zoom that follows), but if your waveform is clipped  
before zooming, it will still be clipped after it is zoomed.  
If your math waveform is a narrow differentiated pulse, it may not appear to  
be clipped when viewed on screen. You can detect if your derivative math  
waveform is clipped by expanding it horizontally using Zoom so you can see  
the clipped portion. Also, the automated measurement Pk-Pk will display a  
clipping error message if turned on (see Automated Measurements of a  
Derivative Waveform on page 3-151).  
If your derivative waveform is clipped, try either of the following methods to  
eliminate clipping:  
Reduce the size of the source waveform on screen. (Select the source  
channel and use the vertical SCALE knob.)  
Expand the waveform horizontally on screen. (Select the source channel  
and increase the horizontal scale using the horizontal SCALE knob.) For  
instance, if you display the source waveform illustrated in Figure 3-80 on  
page 3-151 so its rising and falling edges are displayed over more hori-  
zontal divisions, the amplitude of the corresponding derivative pulse will  
decrease.  
Whichever method you use, be sure Zoom is off and the zoom factors are  
reset (see Zoom below).  
Zoom  
Once you have your waveform optimally displayed, you can also magnify (or  
contract) it vertically and horizontally to inspect any feature. Just be sure the  
differentiated waveform is the selected waveform. (Press MORE, then select  
the differentiated waveform in the More main menu. Then use the Vertical and  
Horizontal SCALE knob to adjust the math waveform size.)  
If you wish to see the zoom factor (2X, 5X, etc.), you need to turn zoom on:  
press ZOOM ON (side). The vertical and horizontal zoom factors appear  
on screen.  
Whether zoom is on or off, you can press Reset Zoom Factors (side) to  
return the zoomed derivative waveform to no magnification.  
See Waveform Integration, on page 3-154.  
See Fast Fourier Transforms, on page 3-38.  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Integration  
Advanced DSP Math (optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A), provides wave-  
form integration that allows you to display an integral math waveform that is  
an integrated version of the acquired waveform. Such waveforms find use in  
the following applications:  
Measuring of power and energy, such as in switching power supplies  
Characterizing mechanical transducers, as when integrating the output of  
an accelerometer to obtain velocity  
The integral math waveform, derived from the sampled waveform, is com-  
puted based on the following equation:  
Description  
Where:  
x(i) is the source waveform  
y(n) is a point in the integral math waveform  
scale is the output scale factor  
T is the time between samples  
Since the resultant math waveform is an integral waveform, its vertical scale  
is in volt-seconds (its horizontal scale is in seconds). The source signal is  
integrated over its entire record length; therefore, the math waveform record  
length equals that of the source waveform.  
To obtain an integral math waveform:  
Operation  
1. Connect the waveform to the desired channel input and select that chan-  
nel.  
2. Adjust the vertical and horizontal scales and trigger the display (or press  
AUTOSET).  
3. Press MORE Math1, Math2, or Math3 (main) Change Math wave-  
form definition (side) Single Wfm Math (main).  
4. Press Set Single Source to (side). Repeatedly press the same button  
until the channel source selected in step 1 appears in the menu label.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Integration  
5. Press Set Function to (side). Repeatedly press the same button until  
intg appears in the menu label.  
6. Press OK Create Math Waveform (side) to turn on the integral math  
waveform.  
You should now have your integral math waveform on screen. See Figure  
3-82. Use the Vertical SCALE and POSITION knobs to size and position  
your waveform as you require.  
Integral Math  
Waveform  
Source  
Waveform  
Figure 3-82: Integral Math Waveform  
Cursor Measurements of an Integral Waveform  
Once you have displayed your integrated math waveform, use cursors to  
measure its voltage over time.  
1. Be sure MORE is selected (illuminated) in the channel selection buttons  
and that the integrated math waveform is selected in the More main  
menu.  
2. Press CURSOR Mode (main) Independent (side) Func-  
tion (main) H Bars (side).  
3. Use the general purpose knob to align the selected cursor (solid) to the  
top (or to any amplitude level you choose).  
4. Press SELECT to select the other cursor.  
5. Use the general purpose knob to align the selected cursor (to the bottom  
(or to any amplitude level you choose).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Integration  
6. Read the integrated voltage over time between the cursors in volt-  
seconds from the : readout. Read the integrated voltage over time  
between the selected cursor and the reference indicator of the math  
waveform from the @: readout. See Figure 3-83.  
Integral Math  
Waveform  
Source  
Waveform  
Figure 3-83: H Bars Cursors Measure an Integral Math Waveform  
7. Press Function (main) V Bars (side). Use the general purpose knob  
to align one of the two vertical cursors to a point of interest along the  
horizontal axis of the waveform.  
8. Press SELECT to select the alternate cursor.  
9. Align the alternate cursor to another point of interest on the math wave-  
form.  
10. Read the time difference between the cursors from the : readout. Read  
the time difference between the selected cursor and the trigger point for  
the source waveform from the @: readout.  
11. Press Function (main) Paired (side).  
12. Use the technique just outlined to place the long vertical bar of each  
paired cursor to the points along the horizontal axis you are interested in.  
13. Read the following values from the cursor readouts:  
Read the integrated voltage over time between the Xs of both paired  
cursors in volt-seconds from the : readout.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Integration  
Read the integrated voltage over time between the X of the selected  
cursor and the reference indicator of the math waveform from the @:  
readout.  
Read the time difference between the long vertical bars of the paired  
cursors from the : readout.  
Automated Measurements of a Integral Waveform  
You can also use automated measurements to measure integral math wave-  
forms. Use the same procedure as is found under Waveform Differentiation  
on page 3-151. When using that procedure, note that your measurements on  
an integral waveform will be in volt-seconds rather than in volts per second as  
is indicated for the differential waveform measured in the procedure.  
When creating integrated math waveforms from live channel waveforms,  
consider the following topics.  
Usage  
Considerations  
Offset, Position, and Scale  
Note the following requirements for obtaining a good display:  
You should scale and position the source waveform so it is contained on  
screen. (Off screen waveforms may be clipped, which will result in errors  
in the integral waveform).  
You can use vertical position and vertical offset to position your source  
waveform. The vertical position and vertical offset will not affect your  
integral waveform unless you position the source waveform off screen so  
it is clipped.  
When using the vertical scale knob to scale the source waveform, note  
that it also scales your integral waveform.  
DC Offset  
The source waveforms that you connect to the oscilloscope often have a DC  
offset component. The oscilloscope integrates this offset along with the time  
varying portions of your waveform. Even a few divisions of offset in the  
source waveform may be enough to ensure that the integral waveform satu-  
rates (clips), especially with long record lengths.  
You may be able to avoid saturating your integral waveform if you choose a  
shorter record length. (Press HORIZONTAL MENU Record  
Length (main).) Reducing the sample rate (use the HORIZONTAL SCALE  
knob) with the source channel selected might also prevent clipping. You can  
also select AC coupling (on TDS models so equipped) in the vertical menu of  
the source waveform or otherwise DC filter it before applying it to the oscillo-  
scope input.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Integration  
Zoom  
Once you have your waveform optimally displayed, you may magnify (or  
reduce) it vertically and horizontally to inspect any feature you desire. Just be  
sure the integrated waveform is the selected waveform. (Press MORE, then  
select the integrated waveform in the More main menu. Then use the Vertical  
and Horizontal SCALE knobs to adjust the math waveform size.)  
If you wish to see the zoom factor (2X, 5X, etc.) you need to turn Zoom on:  
press ZOOM On (side). The vertical and horizontal zoom factors appear  
on screen.  
Whether Zoom is on or off, you can press Reset Zoom Factors (side) to  
return the zoomed integral waveform to no magnification.  
See Waveform Differentiation, on page 3-150.  
See Fast Fourier Transforms, on page 3-38.  
See Waveform Math, on page 3-159.  
For More  
Information  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Math  
You can mathematically manipulate your waveforms. For example, you might  
have a waveform clouded by background noise. You can obtain a cleaner  
waveform by subtracting the background noise from your original waveform.  
This section describes the invert, add, subtract, divide, and multiply waveform  
math features. If your oscilloscope is equipped with Advanced DSP Math  
(optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A), see Fast Fourier Transforms on  
page 3-38, Waveform Differentiation on page 3-150, and Waveform Integra-  
tion on page 3-154.  
To perform waveform math, press the MORE button to bring up the More  
menu (Figure 3-84). The More menu allows you to display, define, and manip-  
ulate three math functions.  
Operation  
Figure 3-84: More Menu  
Math1, Math2, and Math3  
1. Press MORE Math1, Math2, or Math3 (main) to select the waveform  
that you want to display or change.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Math  
NOTE  
If your digitizing oscilloscope is equipped with Advanced DSP Math  
(optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A), the menu item FFT will be at  
the same brightness as the menu items Single Wfm Math and  
Dual Wfm Math; otherwise, FFT will be dimmed. See pages 3-38,  
3-150, and 3-154 for information on FFTs and other advanced math  
waveforms.  
2. Press Average (side) and enter a value with the general purpose knob or  
the keypad to take an average of multiple acquisitions. Press No Ex-  
tended Processing (side) to perform math operations only on one  
acquisition.  
3. If desired, turn on or turn off math averaging. To turn on math averaging,  
press Average (side) and turn the general purpose knob (or use the  
keypad) to enter the number of times to successively average the math  
waveform before completing an acquisition. Press No Extended Proces-  
sing (side) to turn off math averaging.  
4. Press Change Math waveform definition (side) FFT (if your oscillo-  
scope contains Advanced DSP Math), Single Wfm Math, or Dual Wfm  
Math (main) to alter the present math waveform definition (see Fig-  
ure 3-85).  
The single and dual waveform operations are described separately in the  
following topics. For descriptions of Advanced DSP Math, see Fast  
Fourier Transforms on page 3-38, Waveform Differentiation on  
page 3-150, and Waveform Integration on 3-154.  
Single Wfm Math  
1. Press MORE Math1, Math2, or Math3 (main) Change Math wave-  
form definition (side) Single Wfm Math (main). Press Set Function  
to (side) to select inv (invert), intg (if your oscilloscope contains Ad-  
vanced DSP Math), or diff (if your oscilloscope contains Advanced DSP  
Math). Waveform integration (intg) is described on page 3-154, and  
waveform differentiation (diff) is described on page 3-150.  
2. To define the source waveform, press Set Single Source to (side).  
3. When you are ready to perform the function, press OK Create Math Wfm  
(side).  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Waveform Math  
Figure 3-85: Dual Waveform Math Main and Side Menus  
Dual Wfm Math  
1. Select the sources with MORE Math1, Math2, or Math3 (main) ➞  
Change Math waveform definition (side) Dual Wfm Math (main) ➞  
Set 1st Source to and Set 2nd Source to (side). Enter the sources by  
repeatedly pressing the appropriate channel selection button.  
2. To enter the math operator, press Set operator to (side) to cycle through  
the choices. Supported operators are +, , * and /.  
3. Press OK Create Math Wfm (side) to perform the function.  
NOTE  
If you select *, for multiply, in step 2, the cursor feature will measure  
amplitude in the units volts squared VV rather than in volts V.  
If your oscilloscope is equipped with Advanced DSP Math, you can also  
create integrated, differentiated, and Fast Fourier Transform waveforms. See  
Fast Fourier Transforms on page 3-38, Waveform Integration on page 3-150,  
and Waveform Differentiation on page 3-154.  
For More  
Information  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Zoom  
At times, you may want to expand or compress a waveform on the display  
without changing the acquisition parameters. You can do that with the zoom  
feature.  
When you zoom in on a waveform on the display, you expand a portion of the  
waveform. The digitizing oscilloscope may need to show more points for that  
portion than it has acquired. If it needs to do this, it interpolates. The instru-  
ment can interpolate in either of two ways: linear or sin(x)/x. (The interpolation  
methods are described on page 2-21.)  
Zoom and  
Interpolation  
When you zoom, the display redraws the waveforms using the interpolation  
method you selected in the Display menu (linear interpolation or sin(x)/x). If  
you selected sin(x)/x (the default), it may introduce some overshoot or under-  
shoot to the waveform edges. If that happens, change the interpolation meth-  
od to linear, following the instructions on page 3-163.  
To differentiate between the real and interpolated samples, set the display  
style to Intensified Samples.  
When you turn on the zoom feature, the vertical and horizontal scale and  
vertical position knobs now control the displayed size and position of wave-  
forms, allowing them to be expanded and repositioned on screen. They cease  
to affect waveform acquisition, but you can alter acquisition by using the  
corresponding menu items. Zoom mode does not change the way horizontal  
position operates.  
Operation  
To use zoom, do the following steps:  
1. Press ZOOM ON (side). The ZOOM front-panel button should light up.  
2. Choose which waveforms to zoom by repeatedly pressing Horizontal  
Lock (side).  
None — only the waveform currently selected can be magnified and  
positioned horizontally (Figure 3-86).  
Live — all channels (including AUX channels for the TDS 524A &  
TDS 620A) can be magnified and positioned horizontally at the same  
time. (Waveforms displayed from an input channel are live; math and  
reference waveforms are not live.)  
All — all waveforms displayed (channels, math, and/or reference)  
can be magnified and positioned horizontally at the same time.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Zoom  
NOTE  
Although zoom must be turned on to control which waveforms zoom  
affects, the setting for Horizontal Lock affects which waveforms  
the horizontal control positions whether zoom is on or off. The rules  
for the three settings are listed in step 2.  
Only the selected  
waveform (the top one)  
changes size.  
Figure 3-86: Zoom Mode with Horizontal Lock Set to None  
Setting Interpolation  
To change the interpolation method used:  
Press DISPLAY Filter (main) Sin(x)/x Interpolation or Linear Inter-  
polation (side).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Zoom  
Reset Zoom  
To reset all zoom factors to their defaults (see Table 3-10), press ZOOM ➞  
Reset Zoom Factors (side).  
Table 3-10: Zoom Defaults  
Parameter  
Setting  
Zoom Vertical Position  
Zoom Vertical Gain  
Zoom Horizontal Position  
Zoom Horizontal Gain  
0
1X  
Tracking Horizontal Position  
1X  
Press ZOOM Off (side) to return to normal oscilloscope (non-zoom) opera-  
tion.  
See Acquisition, on page 2-19.  
For Further  
Information  
See Display Modes, on page 3-28.  
Reference  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
This section describes the various options as well as the standard and option-  
al accessories that are available for the TDS 500A Digitizing Oscilloscopes.  
The following options are available:  
Options  
Options A1–A5: International Power Cords  
Besides the standard North American, 110 V, 60 Hz power cord, Tektronix  
ships any of five alternate power cord configurations with the oscilloscope  
when ordered by the customer.  
Table A-1: International Power Cords  
Option  
A1  
Power Cord  
Universal European — 220 V, 50 Hz  
UK — 240 V, 50 Hz  
A2  
A3  
Australian — 240 V, 50 Hz  
North American — 240 V, 60 Hz  
Switzerland — 220 V, 50 Hz  
A4  
A5  
Option B1: Service Manual  
When Option B1 is ordered, Tektronix ships a service manual with the oscillo-  
scope.  
Option 1K: K420 Scope Cart  
With this option, Tektronix ships the K420 Scope Cart. The cart can help you  
transport the oscilloscope around many lab environments.  
Option 1M: 50,000 Point Record Length  
This option provides a maximum record length of 50,000 points per acquisi-  
tion (50,000/channel) and nonvolatile RAM storage of up to four 50,000 point  
records.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
Warranty-Plus Service Options  
The following options add to the services available with the standard warranty.  
(The standard warranty appears following the title page in this manual.)  
Option M2: When Option M2 is ordered, Tektronix provides five years of  
warranty/remedial service.  
Option M3: When Option M3 is ordered, Tektronix provides five years of  
warranty/remedial service and four oscilloscope calibrations.  
Option M8: When Option M8 is ordered, Tektronix provides four calibra-  
tions and four performance verifications, one of each in the second  
through the fifth years of service.  
Option 1F: File System (Standard on TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
With this option, Tektronix ships the digitizing oscilloscope with a floppy disk  
drive and a variety of features for managing the floppy disk. With the file  
system you can save and recall setups, waveforms, and hardcopies on a  
floppy disk.  
Option 1P: HC100 4 Pen Plotter  
With this option, Tektronix ships a four-color plotter designed to make wave-  
form plots directly from the digitizing oscilloscope without requiring an external  
controller. It handles A4 and US letter size media.  
Option 1Q/2Q: TDS Tutorial  
With option 1Q (US) and 2Q (Europe), Tektronix ships a TDS tutorial.  
Option 1R: Rackmounted Digitizing Oscilloscope  
Tektronix ships the digitizing oscilloscope, when ordered with Option 1R,  
configured for installation in a 19 inch wide instrument rack. Customers with  
instruments not configured for rackmounting can order a rackmount kit  
(016–1136–00 for field conversions).  
Instructions for rackmounting the digitizing oscilloscope are shipped with the  
option 1R.  
Option 13: RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface  
(Standard on TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
With this option, Tektronix ships the oscilloscope equipped with a RS-232 and  
a Centronics interface that can be used to obtain hardcopies of the oscillo-  
scope screen.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
Option 05: Video Trigger  
With this option, Tektronix ships the instrument with tools for investigating  
events that occur when a video signal generates a horizontal or vertical sync  
pulse. It allows you to investigate a range of NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and high  
definition TV signals.  
Option 2F: Advanced DSP Math  
(Standard on TDS 524A & TDS 544A)  
With this option, the oscilloscope can compute and display three advanced  
math waveforms: integral of a waveform, differential of a waveform, and an  
FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) of a waveform.  
Option 2P: Phaser 200e Color Printer  
With this option, Tektronix ships a Tektronix Phaser 200e, 300 dpi, thermal  
transfer, color printer. It handles letter or A4 size Tektronix thermal paper and  
transparencies. It can handle laser copy (plain) paper with the ColorCoat  
Transfer Roll.  
Option 22: Additional Probes — (TDS 520A & TDS 524A  
only)  
With this option, Tektronix ships two additional probes identical to the two  
standard-accessory P6139A probes normally shipped with the instrument.  
This provides one probe for each front-panel input.  
Option 23: Active Probes  
With this option, Tektronix ships two active high speed voltage probes (the  
P6205 10X FET).  
Option 25: SMD Probes  
With this option, Tektronix ships four passive SMD probes (the P6563AS 20X,  
500 MHz).  
Option 4P: HC220 Bubble Jet Printer  
With this option, Tektronix ships a Tektronix HC220, 360 dpi, 83 cps, plain  
paper, bubble jet printer.  
Option 9C: Certificate of Calibration and Test Data Report  
Tektronix ships a Certificate of Calibration which states this instrument meets  
or exceeds all warranted specifications and has been calibrated using stan-  
dards and instruments whose accuracies are traceable to the National Insti-  
tute of Standards and Technology, an accepted value of a natural physical  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
constant, or a ratio calibration technique. The calibration is in compliance with  
US MIL–STD–45662A. This option also includes a test data report for the  
instrument.  
The following standard accessories are included with the digitizing oscillo-  
scope:  
Standard  
Accessories  
Table A-2: Standard Accessories  
Accessory  
Part Number  
070–8710–01  
070–8709–02  
070–8711–02  
070–8712–01  
200–3696–00  
161–0230–01  
P6139A (single unit)  
User Manual  
Programmer Manual  
Reference  
Performance Verification  
Front Cover  
U.S. Power Cord  
Probes, TDS 540A & TDS 544A (quantity four),  
10X Passive  
TDS 520A & TDS 524A (quantity two),  
10X Passive  
Probe Accessories  
These are accessories to the standard probe listed previously (P6139A).  
Except for the probe-tip-to-circuit board adapter, they can also be ordered  
separately.  
Table A-3: Probe Accessories  
Accessory  
Part Number  
013–0107–06  
204–1049–00  
Retractable Hook Tip  
Body Shell, tip cover  
Probe-Tip-to-Circuit Board Adapter  
(quantity two standard, optionally available in pack-  
age of 25 as 131–5031–00)  
No customer order-  
able part number for  
double unit  
Six-inch Slip-On Ground Lead  
Low Inductance Ground Lead  
196–3113–02  
195–4240–00  
016–0633–00  
Marker Rings Set (quantity eighteen rings which in-  
cludes two each of nine colors)  
Ground Collar  
343–1003–01  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
Table A-3: Probe Accessories (Cont.)  
Accessory  
Part Number  
196–3305–00  
003–1433–00  
206–0364–00  
016–0708–00  
Six-inch Alligator Clip Ground Lead  
Screwdriver: adjustment tool, metal tip  
TM  
SMT KlipChip  
Accessory Pouch  
You can also order the following optional accessories:  
Optional Accessories  
Table A-4: Optional Accessories  
Accessory  
Part Number  
070–8713–01  
HC100  
Service Manual  
Plotter (GPIB and Centronics Standard)  
Oscilloscope Cart  
K218  
Rack Mount Kit (for field conversion)  
Oscilloscope Camera  
Oscilloscope Camera Adapter  
Soft-Sided Carrying Case  
Transit Case  
016–1136–00  
C9  
016–1154–00  
016–0909–01  
016–1135–00  
012–0991–01  
012–0991–00  
GPIB Cable (1 meter)  
GPIB Cable (2 meter)  
Accessory Probes  
The following optional accessory probes are recommended for use with your  
digitizing oscilloscope:  
P6101A 1X, 15 MHz, Passive probe.  
P6156 10X, 3.5 GHz, Passive, low capacitance, (low impedance Z )  
O
probe. Provides 100X, when ordered with Option 25.  
P6009 Passive, high voltage probe, 100X, 1500 VDC + Peak AC.  
P6015A Passive high voltage probe, 1000X, 20 kVDC + Peak AC  
(40 kV peak for less than 100 ms).  
P6205 750 MHz probe bandwidth. Active (FET) voltage probe.  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
P6204 Active, high speed digital voltage probe. FET. DC to 1 GHz. DC  
offset. 50 input. Use with 1103 TekProbe Power Supply for offset  
control.  
P6563AS Passive, SMD probe, 20X, 500 MHz  
P6046 Active, differential probe, 1X/10X, DC to 100 MHz, 50 input.  
A6501 Buffer Amplifier (active fixtured), 1 GHz, 1 M 10X.  
P6501 Option 02: Microprobe with TekProbe power cable (active fixtured),  
750 MHz, 1 M 10X.  
AM 503S — DC/AC Current probe system, AC/DC. Uses A6302 Current  
Probe.  
AM 503S Option 03: DC/AC Current probe system, AC/DC. Uses A6303  
Current Probe.  
P6021 AC Current probe. 120 Hz to 60 MHz.  
P6022 AC Current probe. 935 kHz to 120 MHz.  
CT-1 Current probe — designed for permanent or semi-permanent in-  
circuit installation. 25 kHz to 1 GHz, 50 input.  
CT-2 Current probe — designed for permanent or semi-permanent in-  
circuit installation. 1.2 kHz to 200 MHz, 50 input.  
CT-4 Current Transformer — for use with the AM 503S (A6302) and  
P6021. Peak pulse 1 kA. 0.5 Hz to 20 MHz with AM 503S (A6302).  
P6701A Opto-Electronic Converter, 500 to 950 nm, DC to 850 MHz,  
1 V/mW.  
P6703A Opto-Electronic Converter, 1100 to 1700 nm, DC to 1 GHz,  
1 V/mW.  
P6711 Opto-Electronic Converter, 500 to 950 nm, DC to 250 MHz,  
5 V/mW.  
P6713 Opto-Electronic Converter, 1100 to 1700 nm, DC to 300 MHz,  
5 V/mW.  
TVC 501 Time-to-voltage converter. Time delay, pulse width and period  
measurements.  
Probe Accessories  
The following optional accessories are recommended for use with the stan-  
dard probe listed under Standard Accessories.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
Table A-5: Probe Accessories  
Accessory  
Part Number  
013–0226–00  
013–0227–00  
131–4244–00  
131–5031–00  
003–1433–01  
013–0202–02  
352–0670–00  
196–3113–03  
352–0351–00  
015–0201–07  
015–0201–08  
016–0633–00  
SMG50  
Connector, BNC: 50 , BNC to Probe Tip Adapter  
Connector, Probe: Package of 100, compact  
Connector, Probe: Package of 25, compact  
Screwdriver Adjustment Tool, Package of five  
Compact-to-Miniature Probe Tip Adapter  
Probe Tip Holder: (holds three tips)  
Three-inch Slip-On Ground Lead  
Probe Holder: Black ABS  
IC Protector Tip, Package of 10  
IC Protector Tip, Package of 100  
Marker Ring Set: Two each of nine colors  
TM  
SMT KlipChip : 20 Adapters  
Low-Inductance Spring-Tips: Two each of five  
different springs and insulator  
016–1077–00  
Bayonet Ground Assembly  
Probe Tip-to-Chassis Adapter  
NOTE  
013–0085–00  
131–0258–00  
The next four items below can only be used with the Compact-to-  
Miniature Probe Tip Adapter.  
Dual-Lead Adapter  
015–0325–00  
013–0084–01  
017–0088–00  
013–0085–00  
BNC-to-Probe Tip Adapter  
G.R.-to-Probe Tip Adapter, 50  
Bayonet Ground Assembly  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix A: Options and Accessories  
Accessory Software  
The following optional accessories are Tektronix software products recom-  
mended for use with your digitizing oscilloscope:  
Table A-6: Accessory Software  
Software  
Part Number  
S45F030  
EZ-Test Program Generator  
Wavewriter: AWG and waveform creation  
TekTMS: Test management system  
LabWindows  
S3FT400  
S3FT001  
S3FG910  
Warranty Information  
Check for the full warranty statements for this product, the probes, and the  
products listed above on the first page after the title page of each product  
manual.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
TDS 600A Digitizing Oscilloscopes can take 25 automatic measurements. By  
knowing how they make these calculations, you may better understand how  
to use your TDS 600A and how to interpret your results.  
TDS 600A Digitizing Oscilloscopes use a variety of variables in their calcula-  
tions. These include:  
Measurement  
Variables  
High, Low  
is the value used as the 100% level in measurements such as fall time  
and rise time. For example, if you request the 10% to 90% rise time, then the  
oscilloscope will calculate 10% and 90% as percentages with  
ing 100%.  
represent-  
is the value used as the 0% level in measurements such as fall time and  
rise time.  
The exact meaning of  
and  
depends on which of two calculation  
methods you choose from the High-Low Setup item of the Measure menu.  
These are Min-max and Histogram.  
Min-Max Method — defines the 0% and the 100% waveform levels as the  
lowest amplitude (most negative) and the highest amplitude (most positive)  
samples. The min-max method is useful for measuring frequency, width, and  
period for many types of signals. Min-max is sensitive to waveform ringing  
and spikes, however, and does not always measure accurately rise time, fall  
time, overshoot, and undershoot.  
The min-max method calculates the High and Low values as follows:  
=
and  
=
Histogram Method — attempts to find the highest density of points above  
and below the waveform midpoint. It attempts to ignore ringing and spikes  
when determining the 0% and 100% levels. This method works well when  
measuring square waves and pulse waveforms.  
The oscilloscope calculates the histogram-based  
follows:  
and  
values as  
1. It makes a histogram of the record with one bin for each digitizing level  
(256 total).  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
2. It splits the histogram into two sections at the halfway point between  
and (also called ).  
3. The level with the most points in the upper histogram is the  
and the level with the most points in the lower histogram is the  
value,  
value.  
(Choose the levels where the histograms peak for  
and  
)
If gives the largest peak value within the upper or lower histogram,  
then return the value for both and (this is probably a very  
low amplitude waveform).  
If more than one histogram level (bin) has the maximum value, choose  
the bin farthest from  
.
This algorithm does not work well for two-level waveforms with greater than  
about 100% overshoot.  
HighRef, MidRef, LowRef, Mid2Ref  
The user sets the various reference levels, through the Reference Level  
selection of the Measure menu. They include:  
HighRef — the waveform high reference level. Used in fall time and rise time  
calculations. Typically set to 90%. You can set it from 0% to 100% or to a  
voltage level.  
MidRef — the waveform middle reference level. Typically set to 50%. You  
can set it from 0% to 100% or to a voltage level.  
LowRef — the waveform low reference level. Used in fall and rise time  
calculations. Typically set to 10%. You can set it from 0% to 100% or to a  
voltage level.  
Mid2Ref — the middle reference level for a second waveform (or the second  
middle reference of the same waveform). Used in delay time calculations.  
Typically set to 50%. You can set it from 0% to 100% or to a voltage level.  
Other Variables  
The oscilloscope also measures several values itself that it uses to help  
calculate measurements.  
RecordLength — is the number of data points in the time base. You set it  
with the Horizontal menu Record Length item.  
Start — is the location of the start of the measurement zone (X-value). It is  
0.0 samples unless you are making a gated measurement. When you use  
gated measurements, it is the location of the left vertical cursor.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
End — is the location of the end of the measurement zone (X-value). It is  
(
– 1.0) samples unless you are making a gated measurement.  
When you use gated measurements, it is the location of the right vertical  
cursor.  
Hysteresis — The hysteresis band is 10% of the waveform amplitude. It is  
used in  
,
, and  
calculations.  
For example, once a crossing has been measured in a negative direction, the  
waveform data must fall below 10% of the amplitude from the point  
before the measurement system is armed and ready for a positive crossing.  
Similarly, after a positive crossing, waveform data must go above 10%  
of the amplitude before a negative crossing can be measured. Hysteresis is  
useful when you are measuring noisy signals, because it allows the digitizing  
oscilloscope to ignore minor fluctuations in the signal.  
MCross Calculations  
MCross1, MCross2, and MCross3 — refer to the first, second, and third  
cross times, respectively. See Figure A-1.  
The polarity of the crossings does not matter for these variables, but the  
crossings alternate in polarity; that is,  
could be a positive or negative  
crossing, but if  
crossing.  
is a positive crossing, will be a negative  
The oscilloscope calculates these values as follows:  
1. Find the first  
This is  
in the waveform record or the gated region.  
.
2. Continuing from  
, find the next  
in the waveform  
. This is  
record (or the gated region) of the opposite polarity of  
.
3. Continuing from  
, find the next  
in the waveform  
. This is  
record (or the gated region) of the same polarity as  
.
MCross1Polarity — is the polarity of first crossing (no default). It can be  
rising or falling.  
StartCycle — is the starting time for cycle measurements. It is a floating-  
point number with values between 0.0 and (  
– 1.0), inclusive.  
=
EndCycle — is the ending time for cycle measurements. It is a floating-point  
number with values between 0.0 and (  
– 1.0), inclusive.  
=
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
MCross1  
MCross3  
(StartCycle)  
(EndCycle)  
MCross2  
MidRef + (Hysteresis x Amplitude)  
MidRef  
MidRef – (Hysteresis x Amplitude)  
Figure A-1: MCross Calculations  
Waveform[<0.0 ... RecordLength–1.0>] — holds the acquired data.  
TPOS — is the location of the sample just before the trigger point (the time  
reference zero sample). In other terms, it contains the domain reference  
location. This location is where time = 0.  
TSOFF — is the offset between  
and the actual trigger point. In other  
words, it is the trigger sample offset. Values range between 0.0 and 1.0  
samples. This value is determined by the instrument when it receives a  
trigger. The actual zero reference (trigger) location in the measurement record  
is at (  
+
).  
The automated measurements are defined and calculated as follows.  
Measurement  
Algorithms  
Amplitude  
=
Area  
The arithmetic area for one waveform. Remember that one waveform is not  
necessarily equal to one cycle. For cyclical data you may prefer to use the  
cycle area rather than the arithmetic area.  
if  
=
then return the (interpolated) value at  
.
Otherwise,  
=
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
For details of the integration algorithm, see page A-19.  
Cycle Area  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement. The area over one waveform cycle. For  
non-cyclical data, you might prefer to use the Area measurement.  
If  
=
then return the (interpolated) value at  
.
=
For details of the integration algorithm, see page A-19.  
Burst Width  
Timing measurement. The duration of a burst.  
1. Find  
on the waveform. This is  
.
2. Find the last  
(begin the search at  
and search toward  
). This is  
. This could be a different value from  
.
3. Compute  
=
Cycle Mean  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement. The mean over one waveform cycle. For  
non-cyclical data, you might prefer to use the Mean measurement.  
If  
=
then return the (interpolated) value at  
.
=
For details of the integration algorithm, see page A-19.  
Cycle RMS  
The true Root Mean Square voltage over one cycle.  
If  
=
then  
=
.
Otherwise,  
=
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
For details of the integration algorithm, see page A-19.  
Delay  
Timing measurement. The amount of time between the  
and  
crossings of two different traces, or two different places on the same trace.  
Delay measurements are actually a group of measurements. To get a specific  
delay measurement, you must specify the target and reference crossing  
polarities and the reference search direction.  
= the time from one  
crossing on the source waveform to the  
crossing on the second waveform.  
Delay is not available in the Snapshot display.  
Fall Time  
Timing measurement. The time taken for the falling edge of a pulse to drop  
from a  
value (default = 90%) to a  
value (default = 10%).  
Figure A-2 shows a falling edge with the two crossings necessary to calculate  
a Fall measurement.  
1. Searching from  
zone greater than  
to  
, find the first sample in the measurement  
.
2. From this sample, continue the search to find the first (negative) crossing  
of . The time of this crossing is . (Use linear interpolation if  
necessary.)  
3. From  
, continue the search, looking for a crossing of  
. Update  
crossing  
if subsequent  
is found, it becomes  
crossings are found. When a  
. (Use linear interpolation if necessary.)  
4.  
=
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
Fall  
Time  
THF TL  
F
High  
HighRef  
LowRe  
f
Lo  
w
Figure A-2: Fall Time  
Frequency  
Timing measurement. The reciprocal of the period. Measured in Hertz (Hz)  
where 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.  
If  
= 0 or is otherwise bad, return an error.  
= 1/  
High  
100% (highest) voltage reference value. (See “High, Low” earlier in this  
section)  
Using the min-max measurement technique:  
=
Low  
0% (lowest) voltage reference value calculated. (See “High, Low” earlier in  
this section)  
Using the min-max measurement technique:  
=
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
Maximum  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement. The maximum voltage. Typically the most  
positive peak voltage.  
Examine all  
samples from  
to  
inclusive, and set  
equal to the greatest magnitude  
value found.  
Mean  
The arithmetic mean for one waveform. Remember that one waveform is not  
necessarily equal to one cycle. For cyclical data you may prefer to use the  
cycle mean rather than the arithmetic mean.  
If  
=
then return the (interpolated) value at  
.
Otherwise,  
=
For details of the integration algorithm, see page A-19.  
Minimum  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement. The minimum amplitude. Typically the  
most negative peak voltage.  
Examine all  
samples from Start to End inclusive, and set Min  
equal to the smallest magnitude Waveform[ ] value found.  
Negative Duty Cycle  
Timing measurement. The ratio of the negative pulse width to the signal  
period expressed as a percentage.  
is defined in Negative Width, below.  
If  
= 0 or undefined then return an error.  
=
Negative Overshoot  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement.  
=
Note that this value should never be negative (unless High or Low are set  
out-of-range).  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
Negative Width  
Timing measurement. The distance (time) between  
amplitude points of a negative pulse.  
(default = 50%)  
If  
then  
= ‘–’  
=
=
else  
Peak to Peak  
Amplitude measurement. The absolute difference between the maximum and  
minimum amplitude.  
=
Period  
Timing measurement. Time taken for one complete signal cycle. The recipro-  
cal of frequency. Measured in seconds.  
=
Phase  
Timing measurement. The amount of phase shift, expressed in degrees of the  
target waveform cycle, between the crossings of two different wave-  
forms. Waveforms measured should be of the same frequency or one wave-  
form should be a harmonic of the other.  
Phase is a dual waveform measurement; that is, it is measured from a target  
waveform to a reference waveform. To get a specific phase measurement,  
you must specify the target and reference sources.  
Phase is determined in the following manner:  
1. The first  
(target) waveform are found.  
and third  
in the source  
2. The period of the target waveform is calculated (see “Period” above).  
3. The first in the reference waveform crossing  
in the same direction (polarity) as that found for the target  
waveform is found.  
4. The phase is determined by the following:  
=
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
If the target waveform leads the reference waveform, phase is positive; if it  
lags, negative.  
Phase is not available in the Snapshot display.  
Positive Duty Cycle  
Timing measurement. The ratio of the positive pulse width to the signal peri-  
od, expressed as a percentage.  
is defined in Positive Width, following.  
If  
= 0 or undefined then return an error.  
=
Positive Overshoot  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement.  
=
Note that this value should never be negative.  
Positive Width  
Timing measurement. The distance (time) between  
amplitude points of a positive pulse.  
(default = 50%)  
If  
then  
= ‘+’  
=
=
else  
Rise Time  
Timing measurement. Time taken for the leading edge of a pulse to rise from  
value (default = 10%) to a value (default = 90%).  
a
Figure A-3 shows a rising edge with the two crossings necessary to calculate  
a Rise Time measurement.  
1. Searching from  
zone less than  
to  
.
, find the first sample in the measurement  
2. From this sample, continue the search to find the first (positive) crossing  
of  
. The time of this crossing is the low rise time or  
. (Use  
linear interpolation if necessary.)  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
3. From  
, continue the search, looking for a crossing of  
. Update  
crossing is  
. (Use linear interpolation if  
if subsequent  
found, it becomes the high rise time or  
necessary.)  
crossings are found. If a  
4.  
=
Rise Time  
TLR THR  
High  
HighRef  
LowRe  
f
Lo  
w
Figure A-3: Rise Time  
RMS:  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement. The true Root Mean Square voltage.  
If  
=
then  
= the (interpolated) value at  
.
Otherwise,  
=
For details of the integration algorithm, see below.  
Integration Algorithm  
The integration algorithm used by the digitizing oscilloscope is as follows:  
is approximated by where:  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
W(t) is the sampled waveform  
is the continuous function obtained by linear interpolation of W(t)  
A and B are numbers between 0.0 and  
–1.0  
If A and B are integers, then:  
where s is the sample interval.  
Similarly,  
is approximated by  
where:  
W(t) is the sampled waveform  
is the continuous function obtained by linear interpolation of W(t)  
A and B are numbers between 0.0 and  
–1.0  
If A and B are integers, then:  
where s is the sample interval.  
Time measurements on envelope waveforms must be treated differently from  
time measurements on other waveforms, because envelope waveforms  
contain so many apparent crossings. Unless otherwise noted, envelope  
waveforms use either the minima or the maxima (but not both), determined in  
the following manner:  
Measurements on  
Envelope Waveforms  
1. Step through the waveform from  
max pair DO NOT straddle  
to  
until the sample min and  
.
2. If the pair >  
If all pairs straddle  
, use the minima, else use maxima.  
, use maxima. See Figure A-4.  
The Burst Width measurement always uses both maxima and minima to  
determine crossings.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
If some samples in the waveform are missing or off-scale, the measurements  
will linearly interpolate between known samples to make an “appropriate”  
guess as to the sample value. Missing samples at the ends of the measure-  
ment record will be assumed to have the value of the nearest known sample.  
Missing or  
Out-of-Range  
Samples  
When samples are out of range, the measurement will give a warning to that  
effect (for example, “CLIPPING”) if the measurement could change by ex-  
tending the measurement range slightly. The algorithms assume the samples  
recover from an overdrive condition instantaneously.  
MidRef  
Both min and max  
samples are above  
MidRef, so use  
minima.  
Both min and max  
samples are below  
MidRef, so use  
maxima.  
MidRef  
Figure A-4: Choosing Minima or Maxima  
to Use for Envelope Measurements  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix B: Algorithms  
For example, if  
is set directly, then  
would not change even if  
samples were out of range. However, if  
was chosen using the %  
choice from the Set Levels in % Units selection of the Measure menu, then  
could give a “CLIPPING” warning.  
NOTE  
When measurements are displayed using Snapshot, out of range  
warnings are NOT available. However, if you question the validity of  
any measurement in the snapshot display, you can select and  
display the measurement individually and then check for a warning  
message.  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix C: Packaging for Shipment  
If you ship the digitizing oscilloscope, pack it in the original shipping carton  
and packing material. If the original packing material is not available, package  
the instrument as follows:  
1. Obtain a corrugated cardboard shipping carton with inside dimensions at  
least 15 cm (6 in) taller, wider, and deeper than the digitizing oscilloscope.  
The shipping carton must be constructed of cardboard with 170 kg (375  
pound) test strength.  
2. If you are shipping the digitizing oscilloscope to a Tektronix field office for  
repair, attach a tag to the digitizing oscilloscope showing the instrument  
owner and address, the name of the person to contact about the instru-  
ment, the instrument type, and the serial number.  
3. Wrap the digitizing oscilloscope with polyethylene sheeting or equivalent  
material to protect the finish.  
4. Cushion the digitizing oscilloscope in the shipping carton by tightly pack-  
ing dunnage or urethane foam on all sides between the carton and the  
digitizing oscilloscope. Allow 7.5 cm (3 in) on all sides, top, and bottom.  
5. Seal the shipping carton with shipping tape or an industrial stapler.  
NOTE  
Do not ship the digitizing oscilloscope with a disk inside the disk  
drive (optional on TDS 620A & TDS 640A). When the disk is inside  
the drive, the disk release button sticks out. This makes the button  
more prone to damage than otherwise.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix C: Packaging for Shipment  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory  
Initialization Settings  
The factory initialization settings provide you a known state for the digitizing  
oscilloscope.  
Factory initialization sets values as shown in Table A-7.  
Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults  
Control  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Acquire mode  
Sample  
Acquire repetitive signal  
Acquire stop after  
Acquire # of averages  
Acquire # of envelopes  
Channel selection  
Cursor H Bar 1 position  
ON (Enable ET)  
RUN/STOP button only  
16  
10  
Channel 1 on, all others off  
10% of graticule height  
(–3.2 divs from the center)  
Cursor H Bar 2 position  
90% of the graticule height  
(+3.2 divs from the center)  
Cursor V Bar 1 position  
Cursor V Bar 2 position  
Cursor amplitude units  
Cursor mode  
10% of the record length  
90% of the record length  
Base  
Independent  
Off  
Cursor function  
Cursor time units  
Seconds  
No change  
DC  
Date and time  
Delayed edge trigger coupling  
Delayed edge trigger level  
Delayed edge trigger slope  
Delayed edge trigger source  
0 V  
Rising  
Channel 1  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults (Cont.)  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Control  
Delay trigger average #  
Delay trigger envelope #  
Delay time  
16  
10  
16 ns  
2
Delay events,  
triggerable after main  
Delayed, delay by ...  
Delayed, time base mode  
Display clock  
Delay by Time  
Delayed Runs After Main  
No Change  
Display color – collision contrast  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Off  
Display color – map math colors  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Color ‘Math’  
Color ‘Ref’  
Normal  
Display color – map reference colors  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Display color – palette  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Display color – palette colors  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
The colors of each palette are re-  
set to factory hue, saturation, and  
lightness (HLS) values  
Display color – persistence palette  
(TDS 644A & TDS 524A)  
Temperature  
Display format  
YT  
Display graticule type  
Full  
Display intensity – contrast  
(TDS 620A & TDS 640A)  
175%  
Display intensity – text  
TDS 620A & TDS 640A: 60%  
TDS 644A & TDS 524A: 100%  
Display intensity – waveform  
TDS 620A & TDS 640A: 80%  
TDS 644A & TDS 524A: 100%  
Display intensity – overall  
(TDS 620A & TDS 640A)  
85%  
Display interpolation filter  
Display style  
Sin(x)/x  
Vectors  
Short  
On  
Display trigger bar style  
Display trigger “T”  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults (Cont.)  
Control  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Display variable persistence  
Edge trigger coupling  
Edge trigger level  
Edge trigger slope  
Edge trigger source  
GPIB parameters  
500 ms  
DC  
0.0 V  
Rising  
Channel 1  
No change  
Hardcopy Format  
Layout  
Unchanged  
Unchanged  
Unchanged  
Unchanged  
Palette  
Port  
Horizontal – delay trigger position  
Horizontal – delay time/division  
Horizontal – FastFrame  
50%  
50 s  
Off  
Horizontal – FastFrame, frame count  
Horizontal – FastFrame, frame length  
Horizontal – fit to screen  
2
500  
Off  
Horizontal – main trigger position  
Horizontal – position  
50%  
50%  
Horizontal – record length  
500 points (10 divs)  
500 s  
Horizontal – main time/division  
Horizontal – time base  
Main only  
Limit template  
Limit  
Limit  
40 mdiv  
40 mdiv  
Limit template destination  
Limit template source  
Limit test sources  
Ref1  
Ch1  
Ch1 compared to Ref1; all others  
compared to none.  
Limit Testing  
Off  
Off  
Limit Testing – hardcopy if condition  
met  
Limit Testing – ring bell if condition met Off  
Logic pattern trigger Ch4 (Ax2) input X (don’t care)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults (Cont.)  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Control  
Logic state trigger Ch4 (Ax2) input  
Rising edge  
Logic trigger input  
(pattern and state)  
Channel 1 = H (high),  
Channels 2 & 3 (Ax1) = X (don’t  
care)  
Logic trigger pattern time qualification  
Lower limit  
5 ns  
5 ns  
Upper limit  
Logic trigger threshold (all channels)  
(pattern and state)  
1.2 V  
Logic trigger class  
Pattern  
AND  
Logic trigger logic  
(pattern and state)  
Logic trigger triggers when ...  
(pattern and state)  
Goes TRUE  
Main trigger holdoff  
Main trigger mode  
Main trigger type  
0%  
Auto  
Edge  
Math1 definition  
Ch 1 + Ch 2  
Math1 extended processing  
Math2 definition  
No extended processing  
Ch 1 – Ch 2 (FFT of Ch 1 on  
instruments with Option 2F Ad-  
vanced DSP Math)  
Math2 extended processing  
Math3 definition  
No extended processing  
Inv of Ch 1  
Math3 extended processing  
Measure Delay to  
No extended processing  
Channel 1 (Ch1)  
Measure Delay edges  
Measure High-Low Setup  
Measure High Ref  
Both rising and forward searching  
Histogram  
90% and 0 V (units)  
10% and 0 V (units)  
50% and 0 V (units)  
50% and 0 V (units)  
Positive  
Measure Low Ref  
Measure Mid Ref  
Measure Mid2 Ref  
Pulse glitch trigger polarity  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults (Cont.)  
Control  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Pulse runt high threshold  
Pulse runt low threshold  
Pulse runt trigger polarity  
Pulse trigger class  
Pulse glitch filter state  
Pulse glitch width  
1.2 V  
0.8 V  
Positive  
Glitch  
On (Accept glitch)  
2.0 ns  
Pulse trigger level  
0.0 V  
Pulse trigger source  
Channel 1 (Ch1)  
(Glitch, runt, and width)  
Pulse width trigger when ...  
Pulse width upper limit  
Pulse width lower limit  
Pulse width trigger polarity  
Repetitive signal  
Within limits  
2.0 ns  
2.0 ns  
Positive  
On  
RS-232 parameters  
No change  
No change  
No change  
R/S button  
Full  
Saved setups  
Saved waveforms  
Stop after  
Vertical bandwidth (all channels)  
Vertical coupling (all channels)  
DC  
Vertical impedance (termination)  
(all channels)  
1 M  
Vertical offset (all channels)  
Vertical position (all channels)  
Vertical volts/division (all channels)  
Zoom horizontal (all channels)  
Zoom horizontal lock  
0 V  
0 divs.  
100 mV/division  
1.0X  
All  
Zoom horizontal position  
(all channels)  
50% = 0.5 (the middle of the  
display)  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings  
Table A-7: Factory Initialization Defaults (Cont.)  
Changed by Factory Init to  
Control  
Zoom state  
Off  
Zoom vertical (all channels)  
Zoom vertical position (all channels)  
1.0X  
0 divisions  
Appendices  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
AC coupling  
A type of signal transmission that blocks the DC component of a  
signal but uses the dynamic (AC) component. Useful for observing an  
AC signal that is normally riding on a DC signal.  
Accuracy  
The closeness of the indicated value to the true value.  
Acquisition  
The process of sampling signals from input channels, digitizing the  
samples into data points, and assembling the data points into a  
waveform record. The waveform record is stored in memory. The  
trigger marks time zero in that process.  
Acquisition interval  
The time duration of the waveform record divided by the record  
length. The digitizing oscilloscope displays one data point for every  
acquisition interval.  
Active cursor  
The cursor that moves when you turn the general purpose knob. It is  
represented in the display by a solid line. The @ readout on the  
display shows the absolute value of the active cursor.  
Aliasing  
A false representation of a signal due to insufficient sampling of high  
frequencies or fast transitions. A condition that occurs when a digitiz-  
ing oscilloscope digitizes at an effective sampling rate that is too slow  
to reproduce the input signal. The waveform displayed on the oscillo-  
scope may have a lower frequency than the actual input signal.  
Amplitude  
The High waveform value less the Low waveform value.  
AND  
A logic (Boolean) function in which the output is true when and only  
when all the inputs are true. On the digitizing oscilloscope, that is a  
trigger logic pattern and state function.  
Area  
Measurement of the waveform area taken over the entire waveform  
or the gated region. Expressed in volt-seconds. Area above ground is  
positive; area below ground is negative.  
Attenuation  
The degree the amplitude of a signal is reduced when it passes  
through an attenuating device such as a probe or attenuator. That is,  
the ratio of the input measure to the output measure. For example, a  
10X probe will attenuate, or reduce, the input voltage of a signal by a  
factor of 10.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Automatic trigger mode  
A trigger mode that causes the oscilloscope to automatically acquire  
if triggerable events are not detected within a specified time period.  
Autoset  
A function of the oscilloscope that automatically produces a stable  
waveform of usable size. Autoset sets up front-panel controls based  
on the characteristics of the active waveform. A successful autoset  
will set the volts/div, time/div, and trigger level to produce a coherent  
and stable waveform display.  
Average acquisition mode  
In this mode the oscilloscope acquires and displays a waveform that  
is the averaged result of several acquisitions. Averaging reduces the  
apparent noise. The oscilloscope acquires data as in the sample  
mode and then averages it according to a specified number of aver-  
ages.  
Bandwidth  
The highest frequency signal the oscilloscope can acquire with no  
more than 3 dB (× .707) attenuation of the original (reference) signal.  
Burst width  
A timing measurement of the duration of a burst.  
Channel  
One type of input used for signal acquisition. The TDS 644A &  
TDS 640A have four channels; the TDS 524A & TDS 620A have two  
full capability and two limited capability channels.  
Channel Reference Indicator  
The indicator on the left side of the display that points to the position  
around which the waveform contracts or expands when vertical scale  
is changed. This position is ground when offset is set to 0 V; other-  
wise, it is ground plus offset.  
Coupling  
The association of two or more circuits or systems in such a way that  
power or information can be transferred from one to the other. You  
can couple the input signal to the trigger and vertical systems several  
different ways.  
Cursors  
Paired markers that you can use to make measurements between  
two waveform locations. The oscilloscope displays the values (ex-  
pressed in volts or time) of the position of the active cursor and the  
distance between the two cursors.  
Cycle area  
A measurement of waveform area taken over one cycle. Expressed in  
volt-seconds. Area above ground is positive; area below ground is  
negative.  
Cycle mean  
An amplitude (voltage) measurement of the arithmetic mean over one  
cycle.  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Cycle RMS  
The true Root Mean Square voltage over one cycle.  
DC coupling  
A mode that passes both AC and DC signal components to the  
circuit. Available for both the trigger system and the vertical system.  
Delay measurement  
A measurement of the time between the middle reference crossings  
of two different waveforms.  
Delay time  
The time between the trigger event and the acquisition of data.  
Digitizing  
The process of converting a continuous analog signal such as a  
waveform to a set of discrete numbers representing the amplitude of  
the signal at specific points in time. Digitizing is composed of two  
steps: sampling and quantizing.  
Display system  
The part of the oscilloscope that shows waveforms, measurements,  
menu items, status, and other parameters.  
Edge Trigger  
Triggering occurs when the oscilloscope detects the source passing  
through a specified voltage level in a specified direction (the trigger  
slope).  
Envelope acquisition mode  
A mode in which the oscilloscope acquires and displays a waveform  
that shows the variation extremes of several acquisitions.  
Equivalent-time sampling (ET)  
A sampling mode in which the oscilloscope acquires signals over  
many repetitions of the event. The TDS 600A Series Digitizing Oscil-  
loscopes use a type of equivalent time sampling called random  
equivalent time sampling. It utilizes an internal clock that runs  
asynchronously with respect to the input signal and the signal trigger.  
The oscilloscope takes samples continuously, independent of the  
trigger position, and displays them based on the time difference  
between the sample and the trigger. Although the samples are taken  
sequentially in time, they are random with respect to the trigger.  
Fall time  
A measurement of the time it takes for trailing edge of a pulse to fall  
from a HighRef value (typically 90%) to a LowRef value (typically  
10%) of its amplitude.  
Frequency  
A timing measurement that is the reciprocal of the period. Measured  
in Hertz (Hz) where 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Gated Measurements  
A feature that lets you limit automated measurements to a specified  
portion of the waveform. You define the area of interest using the  
vertical cursors.  
General purpose knob  
The large front-panel knob with an indentation. You can use it to  
change the value of the assigned parameter.  
Glitch positive trigger  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects positive spike widths less  
than the specified glitch time.  
Glitch negative trigger  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects negative spike widths  
less than the specified glitch time.  
Glitch either trigger  
Triggering occurs if the oscilloscope detects either positive or nega-  
tive spike widths less than the specified glitch time.  
GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus)  
An interconnection bus and protocol that allows you to connect  
multiple instruments in a network under the control of a controller.  
Also known as IEEE 488 bus. It transfers data with eight parallel data  
lines, five control lines, and three handshake lines.  
Graticule  
A grid on the display screen that creates the horizontal and vertical  
axes. You can use it to visually measure waveform parameters.  
Ground (GND) coupling  
Coupling option that disconnects the input signal from the vertical  
system.  
Hardcopy  
An electronic copy of the display in a format useable by a printer or  
plotter.  
Hi Res acquisition mode  
An acquisition mode in which the digitizing oscilloscope averages all  
samples taken during an acquisition interval to create a record point.  
That average results in a higher-resolution, lower-bandwidth wave-  
form. That mode only works with real-time, non-interpolated sam-  
pling.  
High  
The value used as 100% in automated measurements (whenever  
high ref, mid ref, and low ref values are needed as in fall time and rise  
time measurements). May be calculated using either the min/max or  
the histogram method. With the min/max method (most useful for  
general waveforms), it is the maximum value found. With the histo-  
gram method (most useful for pulses), it refers to the most common  
value found above the mid point. See Appendix B: Algorithms for  
details.  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Holdoff, trigger  
A specified amount of time after a trigger signal that elapses before  
the trigger circuit will accept another trigger signal. Trigger holdoff  
helps ensure a stable display.  
Horizontal bar cursors  
The two horizontal bars that you position to measure the voltage  
parameters of a waveform. The oscilloscope displays the value of the  
active (moveable) cursor with respect to ground and the voltage value  
between the bars.  
Interpolation  
The way the digitizing oscilloscope calculates values for record points  
when the oscilloscope cannot acquire all the points for a complete  
record with a single trigger event. That condition occurs when the  
oscilloscope is limited to real time sampling and the time base is set  
to a value that exceeds the effective sample rate of the oscilloscope.  
The digitizing oscilloscope has two interpolation options: linear or  
sin(x)/x interpolation.  
Linear interpolation calculates record points in a straight-line fit be-  
tween the actual values acquired. Sin(x)/x computes record points in  
a curve fit between the actual values acquired. It assumes all the  
interpolated points fall in their appropriate point in time on that curve.  
Intensity  
Display brightness.  
Interleaving  
The way the digitizing oscilloscope attains high digitizing speeds by  
combining the efforts of digitizers of several channels. For example, if  
you want to digitize on all channels at one time (four on the  
TDS 644A & TDS 640A and two on the TDS 524A & TDS 620A),  
each of those channels can digitize at a maximum real-time speed of  
250 megasamples per second.  
Knob  
A rotary control.  
Logic state trigger  
The oscilloscope checks for defined combinatorial logic conditions on  
channels 1, 2, and 3 on a transition of channel 4 that meets the set  
slope and threshold conditions. If the conditions of channels 1, 2, and  
3 are met then the oscilloscope triggers.  
Logic pattern trigger  
The oscilloscope triggers depending on the combinatorial logic condi-  
tion of channels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Allowable conditions are AND, OR,  
NAND, and NOR.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Low  
The value used as 0% in automated measurements (whenever high  
ref, mid ref, and low ref values are needed as in fall time and rise time  
measurements). May be calculated using either the min/max or the  
histogram method. With the min/max method (most useful for general  
waveforms), it is the minimum value found. With the histogram meth-  
od (most useful for pulses), it refers to the most common value found  
below the mid point. See Appendix B: Algorithms for details.  
Main menu  
A group of related controls for a major oscilloscope function that the  
oscilloscope displays across the bottom of the screen.  
Main menu buttons  
Bezel buttons under the main menu display. They allow you to select  
items in the main menu.  
Maximum  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement of the maximum amplitude. Typi-  
cally the most positive peak voltage.  
Mean  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement of the arithmetic mean over the  
entire waveform.  
Minimum  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement of the minimum amplitude. Typical-  
ly the most negative peak voltage.  
NAND  
A logic (Boolean) function in which the output of the AND function is  
complemented (true becomes false, and false becomes true). On the  
digitizing oscilloscope, that is a trigger logic pattern and state func-  
tion.  
Negative duty cycle  
A timing measurement representing the ratio of the negative pulse  
width to the signal period, expressed as a percentage.  
Negative overshoot measurement  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement.  
Negative width  
A timing measurement of the distance (time) between two amplitude  
points — falling-edge MidRef (default 50%) and rising-edge MidRef  
(default 50%) — on a negative pulse.  
Normal trigger mode  
A mode on which the oscilloscope does not acquire a waveform  
record unless a valid trigger event occurs. It waits for a valid trigger  
event before acquiring waveform data.  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
NOR  
A logic (Boolean) function in which the output of the OR function is  
complemented (true becomes false, and false becomes true). On the  
digitizing oscilloscope, that is a trigger logic pattern and state func-  
tion.  
OR  
A logic (Boolean) function in which the output is true if any of the  
inputs are true. Otherwise the output is false. On the digitizing oscillo-  
scope, that is a trigger logic pattern and state function.  
Oscilloscope  
An instrument for making a graph of two factors. These are typically  
voltage versus time.  
Peak Detect acquisition mode  
A mode in which the oscilloscope saves the minimum and maximum  
samples over two adjacent acquisition intervals. For many glitch-free  
signals, that mode is indistinguishable from the sample mode. (Peak  
detect mode works with real-time, non-interpolation sampling only.)  
Peak-to-Peak  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement of the absolute difference between  
the maximum and minimum amplitude.  
Period  
A timing measurement of the time covered by one complete signal  
cycle. It is the reciprocal of frequency and is measured in seconds.  
Phase  
A timing measurement between two waveforms of the amount one  
leads or lags the other in time. Phase is expressed in degrees, where  
360  
Wave-  
forms measured should be of the same frequency or one waveform  
should be a harmonic of the other.  
Pixel  
A visible point on the display. The oscilloscope display is 640 pixels  
wide by 480 pixels high.  
Pop-up Menu  
A sub-menu of a main menu. Pop-up menus temporarily occupy part  
of the waveform display area and are used to present additional  
choices associated with the main menu selection. You can cycle  
through the options in a pop-up menu by repeatedly pressing the  
main menu button underneath the pop-up.  
Positive duty cycle  
A timing measurement of the ratio of the positive pulse width to the  
signal period, expressed as a percentage.  
Positive overshoot  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Positive width  
A timing measurement of the distance (time) between two amplitude  
points — rising-edge MidRef (default 50%) and falling-edge MidRef  
(default 50%) — on a positive pulse.  
Posttrigger  
The specified portion of the waveform record that contains data  
acquired after the trigger event.  
Pretrigger  
The specified portion of the waveform record that contains data  
acquired before the trigger event.  
Probe  
An oscilloscope input device.  
Quantizing  
The process of converting an analog input that has been sampled,  
such as a voltage, to a digital value.  
Probe compensation  
Adjustment that improves low-frequency response of a probe.  
Pulse trigger  
A trigger mode in which triggering occurs if the oscilloscope finds a  
pulse, of the specified polarity, with a width between, or optionally  
outside, the user-specified lower and upper time limits.  
Real-time sampling  
A sampling mode where the digitizing oscilloscope samples fast  
enough to completely fill a waveform record from a single trigger  
event. Use real-time sampling to capture single-shot or transient  
events.  
Record length  
The specified number of samples in a waveform.  
Reference memory  
Memory in a oscilloscope used to store waveforms or settings. You  
can use that waveform data later for processing. The digitizing oscil-  
loscope saves the data even when the oscilloscope is turned off or  
unplugged.  
Rise time  
The time it takes for a leading edge of a pulse to rise from a LowRef  
value (typically 10%) to a HighRef value (typically 90%) of its ampli-  
tude.  
RMS  
Amplitude (voltage) measurement of the true Root Mean Square  
voltage.  
Runt trigger  
A mode in which the oscilloscope triggers on a runt. A runt is a pulse  
that crosses one threshold but fails to cross a second threshold  
before recrossing the first. The crossings detected can be positive,  
negative, or either.  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Sample acquisition mode  
The oscilloscope creates a record point by saving the first sample  
during each acquisition interval. That is the default mode of the  
acquisition.  
Sample interval  
The time interval between successive samples in a time base. For  
real-time digitizers, the sample interval is the reciprocal of the sample  
rate. For equivalent-time digitizers, the time interval between succes-  
sive samples represents equivalent time, not real time.  
Sampling  
The process of capturing an analog input, such as a voltage, at a  
discrete point in time and holding it constant so that it can be quan-  
tized. Two general methods of sampling are: real-time sampling and  
equivalent-time sampling.  
Select button  
A button that changes which of the two cursors is active.  
Selected waveform  
The waveform on which all measurements are performed, and which  
is affected by vertical position and scale adjustments. The light over  
one of the channel selector buttons indicates the current selected  
waveform.  
Side menu  
Menu that appears to the right of the display. These selections ex-  
pand on main menu selections.  
Side menu buttons  
Bezel buttons to the right of the side menu display. They allow you to  
select items in the side menu.  
Slope  
The direction at a point on a waveform. You can calculate the direc-  
tion by computing the sign of the ratio of change in the vertical quanti-  
ty (Y) to the change in the horizontal quantity. The two values are  
rising and falling.  
Tek Secure  
This feature erases all waveform and setup memory locations (setup  
memories are replaced with the factory setup). Then it checks each  
location to verify erasure. This feature finds use where this digitizing  
oscilloscope is used to gather security sensitive data, such as is done  
for research or development projects.  
Time base  
The set of parameters that let you define the time and horizontal axis  
attributes of a waveform record. The time base determines when and  
how long to acquire record points.  
Trigger  
An event that marks time zero in the waveform record. It results in  
acquisition and display of the waveform.  
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Glossary  
Trigger level  
The vertical level the trigger signal must cross to generate a trigger  
(on edge trigger mode).  
Vertical bar cursors  
The two vertical bars you position to measure the time parameter of a  
waveform record. The oscilloscope displays the value of the active  
(moveable) cursor with respect to the trigger and the time value  
between the bars.  
Waveform  
The shape or form (visible representation) of a signal.  
Waveform interval  
The time interval between record points as displayed.  
XY format  
A display format that compares the voltage level of two waveform  
records point by point. It is useful for studying phase relationships  
between two waveforms.  
YT format  
The conventional oscilloscope display format. It shows the voltage of  
a waveform record (on the vertical axis) as it varies over time (on the  
horizontal axis).  
Glossary  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
RUN/STOP, 3-8  
Sample, 3-7  
Single Acquisition Sequence, 3-8  
Stop After, 3-8, 3-76  
Stop After Limit Test Condition  
Met, 3-76  
Template Source, 3-73  
V Limit, 3-74  
Automatic trigger mode, 2-15, Glossa-  
ry-2  
Numbers  
Autoset, 1-10, 2-28, 3-10–3-11,  
Glossary-2  
1/seconds (Hz), Cursor menu, 3-21  
100 MHz, Vertical menu, 3-149  
20 MHz, Vertical menu, 3-149  
AUTOSET button, 1-11, 3-10, 3-138  
AUX TRIGGER INPUT, BNC, 2-5  
Auxiliary trigger, 2-14  
ACQUIRE MENU button, 3-7, 3-73  
Average acquisition mode, 3-6, 3-72,  
Glossary-2  
Acquisition, 2-19–2-24, 3-10, Glossa-  
ry-1  
A
Average mode, Acquire menu, 3-74  
Average, Acquire menu, 3-7  
Average, More menu, 3-160  
Interval, Glossary-1  
Modes  
AC coupling, 2-16–2-17, Glossary-1  
AC line voltage, trigger input, 2-14  
AC, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
Average, 3-6, 3-72  
Envelope, 3-5, 3-72  
Hi Res, 3-5  
HiRes, 3-72  
Peak detect, 3-3  
Sample, 3-3  
Accept Glitch, Main Trigger menu,  
3-122  
B
Readout, 3-6  
Accessories, A-1–A-8  
Optional, A-5  
Active cursor, Glossary-1  
Bandwidth, 1-1, 2-23, Glossary-2  
Bandwidth, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Base, Cursor menu, 3-21  
Probes, A-4, A-5–A-8  
Software, A-8  
Standard, A-4, A-7, A-8  
Active voltage probes, 3-114–3-115  
active, Saved waveform status, 3-133  
Algorithms, A-9–A-22  
Accuracy, Glossary-1  
Baud Rate, Utility menu, 3-60  
Bayonet ground assembly, A-7  
Blackman-Harris window, 3-41  
BMP, 3-59  
Aliasing, 2-27, 3-48, Glossary-1  
Amplitude, 3-86, Glossary-1  
Amplitude Units, Cursor menu, 3-21  
AND, Glossary-1  
Acquire menu, 3-7, 3-73  
Average, 3-7  
Average mode, 3-74  
Compare Ch1 to, 3-75  
Compare Ch2 to, 3-75  
Compare Ch3 to, 3-75  
Compare Ch4 to, 3-75  
Compare Math1 to, 3-75  
Compare Math2 to, 3-75  
Compare Math3 to, 3-75  
Create Limit Test Template, 3-73  
Envelope, 3-7  
BMP Color, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
BMP Mono, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
AND, Main Trigger menu, 3-82, 3-85  
Applications  
BNC  
derivative math waveforms, 3-150  
FFT math waveforms, 3-38  
integral math waveforms, 3-154  
AUX TRIGGER INPUT, 2-5  
DELAYED TRIGGER OUTPUT,  
2-5  
Area, 3-86, Glossary-1  
Attenuation, Glossary-2  
MAIN TRIGGER OUTPUT, 2-5  
SIGNAL OUTPUT, 2-5  
H Limit, 3-74  
Hardcopy if Condition Met, 3-76  
Hi Res, 3-7  
Bold, Color menu, 3-13  
Bubble Jet Printer, HC220, A-3  
Burst width, 3-86  
Auto, Main Trigger menu, 3-37, 3-82,  
3-121  
Limit Test, 3-76  
Limit Test Condition Met, 3-76  
Limit Test Setup, 3-75, 3-76  
Limit Test Sources, 3-75  
Mode, 3-7  
OFF (Real Time Only), 3-7  
OK Store Template, 3-74  
ON (Enable ET), 3-7  
Peak Detect, 3-7  
Automated Measurements, Snapshot  
of, 1-21  
Button  
Automated measurements, 1-17,  
2-30, 3-86  
ACQUIRE MENU, 3-7, 3-73  
AUTOSET, 1-11, 2-27, 3-10, 3-138  
CLEAR MENU, 1-9, 1-18, 1-19,  
2-3, 2-8, 3-95  
CURSOR, 2-31, 3-19  
of derivative math waveforms,  
3-151  
(procedure), 3-151  
of FFT math waveforms, 3-43  
DELAYED TRIG, 2-18, 3-25  
Repetitive Signal, 3-7  
Ring Bell if Condition Met, 3-76  
of integral math waveforms, 3-157  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
DISPLAY, 3-12, 3-28  
Channel, 3-136–3-137, Glossary-2  
Readout, 2-6, 3-136  
Color, Color menu, 3-14, 3-15  
FORCE TRIG, 3-143  
HARDCOPY, 3-55, 3-61, 3-128  
HELP, 3-67  
HORIZONTAL MENU, 2-18, 3-23  
MEASURE, 3-89  
MORE, 3-134, 3-136, 3-159  
ON/STBY, 1-4, 2-3  
Save/Recall SETUP, 1-7, 3-55,  
Color, Display menu, 3-12  
Reference Indicator, 2-6  
Selection buttons, 1-13, 3-136  
Trigger input, 2-13–2-18  
Compact-to-miniature probe tip  
adapter, 3-102, A-7  
Compare Ch1 to, Acquire menu,  
Channel readout, 2-6  
3-75  
Channel reference indicator, Glossa-  
ry-2  
Compare Ch2 to, Acquire menu,  
3-75  
3-130  
Circuit loading, Glossary-2  
Compare Ch3 to, Acquire menu,  
Save/Recall WAVEFORM, 3-55,  
Class, Main Trigger menu, 3-80,  
3-75  
3-133  
3-121, 3-123  
SELECT, 2-31, 3-20, Glossary-9  
SET LEVEL TO 50%, 3-143  
SINGLE TRIG, 3-8, 3-143  
STATUS, 3-140  
TOGGLE, 3-20  
TRIGGER MENU, 3-34, 3-80,  
3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
UTILITY, 3-60, 3-128  
VERTICAL MENU, 1-14  
WAVEFORM OFF, 1-16, 3-32,  
Compare Ch4 to, Acquire menu,  
CLEAR MENU button, 1-9, 1-18,  
3-75  
1-19, 2-3, 2-8, 3-95  
Compare Math1 to, Acquire menu,  
Clear Spool, Hardcopy menu, 3-62  
3-75  
Clipping  
Compare Math2 to, Acquire menu,  
3-75  
derivative math waveforms, 3-152  
FFT math waveforms, 3-46  
how to avoid, 3-46, 3-152, 3-157  
integral math waveforms, 3-157  
Compare Math3 to, Acquire menu,  
3-75  
Compensation, 3-110  
3-137  
ZOOM, 2-28, 3-162  
Collision Contrast, Color menu, 3-16  
Configure, Utility menu, 3-60, 3-128  
Color, 3-12–3-16  
Confirm Delete, File Utilities menu,  
Buttons  
Color Matches Contents, Color  
3-58  
CH1, CH2 ..., 3-136  
Channel selection, 1-13, 3-136  
Main menu, 2-3  
menu, 3-15  
Connector  
Color menu, 3-12  
Bold, 3-13  
AUX TRIGGER INPUT, 2-5  
Centronics, 2-5  
Side menu, 2-3  
Change Colors, 3-13  
Collision Contrast, 3-16  
Color, 3-14, 3-15  
Color Matches Contents, 3-15  
Hardcopy, 3-13  
Hue, 3-14  
DELAYED TRIGGER OUTPUT,  
2-5  
GPIB, 2-5, 3-127  
MAIN TRIGGER OUTPUT, 2-5  
Power, 2-5  
C
RS-232, 2-5  
Lightness, 3-14  
Map Math, 3-14  
Map Reference, 3-15  
Math, 3-14  
Monochrome, 3-13  
Normal, 3-13  
Options, 3-16  
Palette, 3-13  
Persistence Palette, 3-13  
Ref, 3-15  
Reset All Mappings To Factory,  
SIGNAL OUTPUT, 2-5  
VGA, 2-5  
Cables, 3-127, 3-128  
Cal Probe, Vertical menu, 3-104  
Cart, Oscilloscope, A-1  
Contrast, Display menu, 3-29  
Conventions, ii  
CAUTION  
Copy, File Utilities menu, 3-57  
statement in manuals, v  
statement on equipment, v  
Coupling, 1-14  
AC, 2-16  
Centronics, 2-5  
DC, 2-16  
Port, 3-61  
Ground, Glossary-4  
Input Signal, 2-23–2-24  
Trigger, 2-16  
Certificate of Calibration and Test  
Data Report, A-3  
3-16  
Reset All Palettes To Factory,  
CH1, CH2 ... buttons, 3-136  
3-16  
Coupling, Delayed Trigger menu,  
Ch1, Ch2 ..., Delayed Trigger menu,  
Reset Current Palette To Factory,  
3-26  
3-26  
3-16  
Coupling, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
Reset to Factory Color, 3-14  
Restore Colors, 3-16  
Saturation, 3-14  
Spectral, 3-13  
Temperature, 3-13  
View Palette, 3-13  
Ch1, Ch2 ..., Main Trigger menu,  
3-34, 3-81, 3-82, 3-84, 3-121,  
3-123  
Coupling, Vertical menu, 3-148  
Create Directory, File Utilities menu,  
3-57  
Change Colors, Color menu, 3-13  
Change Math waveform definition,  
More menu, 3-160  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Create Limit Test Template, Acquire  
DC offset, 3-46  
procedure for displaying, 3-150  
menu, 3-73  
for DC correction of FFTs, 3-46  
with math waveforms, 3-46, 3-157  
procedure for measuring, 3-151,  
3-152  
record length of, 3-150  
Create Measrmnt, Measure Delay  
menu, 3-95  
DC, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
Deskjet, 3-59  
Cross Hair, Display menu, 3-31  
Define Inputs, Main Trigger menu,  
3-82, 3-84  
Deskjet, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Differential active probes, 3-114  
Current probes, 3-115  
Define Logic, Main Trigger menu,  
Cursor  
3-82, 3-85  
Horizontal bar, 2-31, 3-17  
Measurements, 2-31  
Mode, 2-31–2-32  
Independent, 2-31–2-32  
Tracking, 2-32  
Paired, 2-31, 3-17  
Vertical bar, 2-31, 3-17  
Differentiation  
Delay by Events, Delayed Trigger  
of a derivative, 3-150  
waveform, 3-150  
menu, 3-25  
Delay by Time, Delayed Trigger  
Digitizing, Glossary-3  
Digitizing rate, 1-1  
menu, 3-25  
Delay by, Delayed Trigger menu,  
Disk drive, 3-55–3-58  
3-25  
CURSOR button, 3-19  
Display, 2-6, 3-10  
Options, 3-28–3-33  
Record View, 3-144  
System, Glossary-3  
Delay measurement, 3-93, Glossary-3  
Delay time, Glossary-3  
Cursor menu, 3-19, 3-42, 3-155  
1/seconds (Hz), 3-21  
Amplitude Units, 3-21  
Base, 3-21  
Delay To, Measure Delay menu, 3-93  
Delayed Only, Horizontal menu, 3-23  
Delayed Runs After Main, 2-18  
Display ‘T’ @ Trigger Point, Display  
Function, 3-19, 3-20  
H Bars, 3-19, 3-20  
Independent, 3-20  
IRE (NTSC), 3-21  
seconds, 3-21  
Time Units, 3-21  
menu, 3-30  
DISPLAY button, 3-12, 3-12, 3-28  
Delayed Runs After Main, Horizontal  
menu, 3-23, 3-70  
Display menu, 3-12, 3-28  
Color, 3-12  
Delayed Scale, Horizontal menu,  
Contrast, 3-29  
Cross Hair, 3-31  
Display, 3-28  
3-70  
Tracking, 3-20  
Video Line Number, 3-21  
DELAYED TRIG button, 2-18, 3-25  
Delayed trigger, 2-18, 3-22–3-27  
Display ‘T’ @ Trigger Point, 3-30  
Dots, 3-29  
Dots style, 3-75  
Filter, 3-31  
Format, 3-32  
Frame, 3-31  
Full, 3-31  
Graticule, 3-31  
Grid, 3-31  
Infinite Persistence, 3-29  
Intensified Samples, 3-29  
Intensity, 3-29  
Linear interpolation, 3-31  
NTSC, 3-31  
Overall, 3-29  
PAL, 3-31  
Readout, 3-30  
Settings, 3-12, 3-28  
Sin(x)/x interpolation, 3-31  
Style, 3-28  
Cursor readout  
H-Bars, 3-42, 3-152, 3-156  
Paired, 3-152  
Paired cursors, 3-43, 3-156  
V-Bars, 3-42, 3-152, 3-156  
Delayed Trigger menu, 3-25–3-27  
Ch1, Ch2 ..., 3-26  
Coupling, 3-26  
Delay by, 3-25  
Delay by Events, 3-25  
Delay by Time, 3-25  
Falling edge, 3-26  
Level, 3-26  
Rising edge, 3-26  
Set to 50%, 3-27  
Set to ECL, 3-26  
Set to TTL, 3-26  
Slope, 3-26  
Cursor Readouts, 3-18  
Cursor Speed, 3-21  
Cursors, 2-31, 3-17–3-21, Glossary-2  
with derivative waveforms, 3-152  
with FFT waveforms, 3-42  
with integral waveforms, 3-155  
Cycle area, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Cycle mean, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Cycle RMS, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Source, 3-26  
DELAYED TRIGGER OUTPUT, BNC,  
2-5  
Delayed Triggerable, 2-18  
Delayed Triggerable, Horizontal  
Text/Grat, 3-29  
Trigger Bar, 3-30  
Variable Persistence, 3-29  
Vectors, 3-29  
Waveform, 3-29  
XY, 3-32  
D
menu, 3-25, 3-70  
Delete Refs, Save/Recall Waveform  
menu, 3-134  
DANGER, statement on equipment, v  
Delete, File Utilities menu, 3-56  
Date/Time  
On hardcopies, 3-62  
To set, 3-62  
Derivative math waveform, 3-150  
applications, 3-150  
YT, 3-32  
derivation of, 3-150  
DC coupling, 2-16, Glossary-3  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Display, Display menu, 3-28  
Display, Status menu, 3-140  
Dots, 3-29  
File Utilities menu, 3-55  
Confirm Delete, 3-58  
Copy, 3-57  
F
Factory initialization settings,  
A-25–A-30  
Create Directory, 3-57  
Delete, 3-56  
File Utilities, 3-55  
Format, 3-58  
Overwrite Lock, 3-58  
Print, 3-57  
Rename, 3-56  
Dots style, Display menu, 3-75  
Dots, Display menu, 3-29  
DPU411–II, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
DPU412, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Dual Wfm Math, More menu, 3-160  
Dual-lead adapter, 3-103  
factory, Saved setup status, 3-130  
Fall time, 3-87, Glossary-4  
Falling edge, Delayed Trigger menu,  
3-26  
Falling edge, Main Trigger menu,  
3-36, 3-84  
File Utilities, File Utilities menu, 3-55  
File Utilities, Save/Recall Setup  
Fast Fourier Transforms, description,  
3-38  
Duty cycle, 1-18, Glossary-6, Glossa-  
ry-7  
menu, 3-132  
File Utilities, Save/Recall Waveform  
Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs),  
applications, 3-38  
menu, 3-135  
Filter, Display menu, 3-31  
FastFrame interactions, 3-19, 3-72  
Fine Scale, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Firmware version, 3-140  
E
FastFrame Setup, Horizontal menu,  
3-71  
Edge trigger, 2-14, 3-34, Glossary-3  
Readout, 3-34, 3-79  
Fit to screen, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Fixtured active probes, 3-114  
FORCE TRIG button, 3-143  
Format, Display menu, 3-32  
Format, File Utilities menu, 3-58  
Format, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Frame Count, Horizontal menu, 3-71  
FastFrame, Horizontal menu, 3-71  
FFT frequency domain record, 3-44  
defined, 3-44–3-54  
Edge, Main Trigger menu, 3-34,  
3-145  
length of, 3-45  
Edges, Measure Delay menu, 3-94  
FFT math waveform, 3-38  
acquisition mode, 3-47  
aliasing, 3-48  
Either, Main Trigger menu, 3-122,  
3-123  
automated measurements of, 3-43  
DC correction, 3-46  
derivation of, 3-38  
displaying phase, 3-40  
frequency range, 3-45  
frequency resolution, 3-45  
interpolation mode, 3-47, 3-48  
magnifying, 3-47  
phase display, setup consider-  
ations, 3-49–3-54  
phase suppression, 3-41, 3-50  
procedure for displaying, 3-39  
procedure for measuring, 3-42  
record length, 3-45  
empty, Saved waveform status, 3-133  
Encapsulated Postscript, 3-59  
Frame Length, Horizontal menu,  
3-71  
Enter Char, Labelling menu, 3-56,  
3-57  
Frame, Display menu, 3-31  
Frame, Horizontal menu, 3-71  
Frequency, 1-18, 3-87, Glossary-4  
Front Cover removal, 1-4  
Front panel, 2-4  
Envelope acquisition mode, 3-5, 3-72,  
Glossary-3  
Envelope, Acquire menu, 3-7  
EPS Color Img, Hardcopy menu,  
3-61  
Full, Display menu, 3-31  
Full, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Function, Cursor menu, 3-19, 3-20  
Fuse, 1-3, 2-5  
EPS Color Plt, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
EPS Mono Img, Hardcopy menu,  
3-61  
reducing noise, 3-47  
undersampling, 3-48  
zero phase reference, 3-49  
EPS Mono Plt, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Epson, 3-59  
FFT time domain record, defined,  
3-44  
Epson, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Equivalent time sampling, 2-21, 3-72  
File System, 3-55–3-58  
Optional File System, A-2  
Equivalent-time sampling, random,  
Glossary-3  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Hardcopy menu  
BMP Color, 3-61  
BMP Mono, 3-61  
Clear Spool, 3-61, 3-62  
Deskjet, 3-61  
Holdoff, Main Trigger menu, 3-82,  
G
3-121  
Holdoff, trigger, 2-15, Glossary-5  
Horiz Pos, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Horiz Scale, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Gated Measurements, 3-91, Glossa-  
ry-4  
DPU411–II, 3-61  
DPU412, 3-61  
Gating, Measure menu, 3-91  
Horizontal, 3-10  
General purpose (high input resis-  
tance) probes, 3-112  
EPS Color Img, 3-61  
EPS Color Plt, 3-61  
EPS Mono Img, 3-61  
EPS Mono Plt, 3-61  
Epson, 3-61  
Format, 3-61  
GPIB, 3-61  
HPGL, 3-61  
Interleaf, 3-61  
Landscape, 3-61  
Laserjet, 3-61  
Layout, 3-61  
OK Confirm Clear Spool, 3-62  
PCX, 3-61  
PCX Color, 3-61  
Port, 3-61  
Portrait, 3-61  
RLE Color, 3-61  
Thinkjet, 3-61  
Bar cursors, 2-31, 3-17, Glossary-5  
Control, 3-68–3-72  
Menu, 2-18  
Position, 3-68  
POSITION knob, 2-26  
Readouts, 3-69  
Scale, 3-68  
SCALE knob, 1-10, 2-26  
System, 1-10, 2-26  
General purpose knob, 1-19, 2-7,  
Glossary-4  
Glitch trigger, 3-119, 3-120, Glossa-  
ry-4  
Glitch, Main Trigger menu, 3-121,  
3-122  
Goes FALSE, Main Trigger menu,  
3-81  
Horizontal menu, 3-23  
Delayed Only, 3-23  
Delayed Runs After Main, 3-23,  
Goes TRUE, Main Trigger menu, 3-81  
GPIB, 2-5, 3-126–3-129, Glossary-4  
GPIB, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
3-70  
Delayed Scale, 3-70  
Delayed Triggerable, 3-25, 3-70  
FastFrame, 3-71  
FastFrame Setup, 3-71  
Fit to screen, 3-70  
Frame, 3-71  
Frame Count, 3-71  
Frame Length%, 3-71  
Frame%, 3-71  
Horiz Pos, 3-70  
Horiz Scale, 3-70  
Intensified, 3-23, 3-25  
Main Scale, 3-70  
Record Length, 3-70  
Set to 10%, 3-70  
GPIB, Utility menu, 3-60, 3-128  
Graticule, 3-31, Glossary-4  
Measurements, 2-32  
Graticule, Display menu, 3-31  
Grid, Display menu, 3-31  
TIFF, 3-61  
Hardcopy, Color menu, 3-13  
Hardcopy, Utility menu, 3-128  
Hardware Setup, Utility menu, 3-60  
HC100 Plotter, 3-59, A-2  
HC220 Printer, 3-59  
Ground coupling, Glossary-4  
Ground lead inductance, 3-97  
HELP button, 3-67  
H
Set to 50%, 3-70  
Help system, 3-67  
Set to 90%, 3-70  
Time Base, 3-23, 3-69  
Trigger Position, 3-70  
H Bars, Cursor menu, 3-19, 3-20  
H Limit, Acquire menu, 3-74  
Hamming window, 3-41  
HF Rej, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
Hi Res acquisition mode, 3-5, Glossa-  
ry-4  
HORIZONTAL MENU button, 2-18,  
Hi Res, Acquire menu, 3-7  
3-23  
Hanning window, 3-41  
High, 3-87, Glossary-5  
Horizontal POSITION knob, 3-68  
Horizontal Readouts, 3-69  
Horizontal SCALE knob, 3-68  
HPGL, 3-59  
Hard Flagging, Utility menu, 3-60  
High frequency rejection, 2-16  
High Ref, Measure menu, 3-93  
High speed active probes, 3-114  
High voltage probes, 3-113–3-114  
Hardcopy, 3-59–3-66, Glossary-4  
HC220, A-3  
Phaser 200e, A-3  
Hardcopy (Talk Only), Utility menu,  
HPGL, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Hue, Color menu, 3-14  
3-60  
High-Low Setup, Measure menu,  
HARDCOPY button, 3-55, 3-61,  
3-92  
3-128  
HiRes acquisition mode, 3-72  
Hardcopy if Condition Met, Acquire  
menu, 3-76  
Histogram, Measure menu, 3-92  
Hardcopy Interface, Optional  
RS-232/Centronic, A-2  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Trigger MAIN LEVEL, 1-11, 2-17  
Vertical POSITION, 1-10, 2-26,  
I
M
3-147  
Vertical SCALE, 1-10, 2-26, 3-147  
I/O, Status menu, 3-140  
I/O, Utility menu, 3-60, 3-128  
IC protector tip, 3-102  
Icons, 1-1  
Main menu, Glossary-6  
Main menu buttons, 2-3, Glossary-6  
Main Scale, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Main Trigger Menu  
Falling edge, 3-36  
Rising edge, 3-36  
L
Independent Mode, Cursor,  
2-31–2-32  
Labelling menu, Enter Char, 3-56,  
Main Trigger menu, 2-10, 3-34, 3-80,  
3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
Independent, Cursor menu, 3-20  
3-57  
Infinite Persistence, Display menu,  
Landscape, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Laserjet, 3-59  
AC, 3-35  
3-29  
Accept Glitch, 3-122  
AND, 3-82, 3-85  
Auto, 3-37, 3-82, 3-121  
Installation, 1-3–1-4  
Laserjet, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Layout, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Level, Delayed Trigger menu, 3-26  
Integral math waveform, 3-154  
applications, 3-154  
Ch1, Ch2 ..., 3-34, 3-81, 3-82,  
3-84, 3-121, 3-123  
Class, 3-80, 3-121, 3-123  
Coupling, 3-35  
automated measurements of,  
3-157  
derivation of, 3-154  
magnifying, 3-153, 3-158  
procedure for displaying, 3-154  
procedure for measuring, 3-155  
record length of, 3-154  
Level, Main Trigger menu, 3-36,  
3-122, 3-125  
DC, 3-35  
Define Inputs, 3-82, 3-84  
Define Logic, 3-82, 3-85  
Edge, 3-34, 3-145  
Either, 3-122, 3-123  
Falling edge, 3-84  
Level, Trigger, 2-17  
LF Rej, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
Lightness, Color menu, 3-14  
Integration, Waveform, 3-154  
Limit Test Condition Met, Acquire  
Glitch, 3-121, 3-122  
Goes FALSE, 3-81  
Goes TRUE, 3-81  
menu, 3-76  
Intensified Samples, Display menu,  
3-29  
Limit Test Setup, Acquire menu,  
3-75, 3-76  
Intensified, Horizontal menu, 3-23,  
HF Rej, 3-35  
3-25  
Limit Test Sources, Acquire menu,  
Holdoff, 3-82, 3-121  
Level, 3-36, 3-122, 3-125  
LF Rej, 3-35  
Mode & Holdoff, 3-37, 3-82, 3-121  
NAND, 3-82, 3-85  
Negative, 3-122, 3-123  
Noise Rej, 3-35  
NOR, 3-82, 3-85  
3-75  
Intensity, 3-29, Glossary-5  
Intensity, Display menu, 3-29  
Interleaf, 3-59  
Limit Test, Acquire menu, 3-76  
Limit testing, 3-73–3-77  
Linear interpolation, 2-21, 3-31,  
Glossary-5  
Interleaf, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Interleaving, 2-20, Glossary-5  
Linear interpolation, Display menu,  
Interpolation, 2-21, 3-31, Glossary-5  
FFT distortion, 3-48  
3-31  
Normal, 3-37, 3-82, 3-121  
OR, 3-82, 3-85  
Pattern, 3-80  
Logic trigger, 2-14, 3-80  
Definitions, 3-80  
linear versus sin(x)/x, 3-48  
IRE (NTSC), Cursor menu, 3-21  
Polarity, 3-123  
Pattern, 3-79, Glossary-6  
State, 3-79, Glossary-5  
Polarity and Width, 3-122  
Positive, 3-122, 3-123  
Pulse, 3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
Reject Glitch, 3-122  
Rising edge, 3-84  
Logic triggering, 3-78–3-85  
Logic, Main Trigger menu, 3-145  
Long ground leads, 3-100  
K
Runt, 3-123  
Low, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Keypad, 1-20  
Set Thresholds, 3-81  
Set to 50%, 3-36, 3-123, 3-143  
Set to ECL, 3-36, 3-122  
Set to TTL, 3-36, 3-122  
Slope, 3-36  
Source, 3-34, 3-121, 3-123  
State, 3-80, 3-84  
Thresholds, 3-123  
Low frequency rejection, 2-16  
Low impedance Zo probes, 3-113  
Low Ref, Measure menu, 3-93  
Low-inductance ground lead, 3-100  
Knob, Glossary-5  
General purpose, 1-19, 2-7, Glos-  
sary-4  
Horizontal POSITION, 1-10, 2-26,  
3-68  
Horizontal SCALE, 1-10, 2-26,  
3-68  
MEASURE, 2-30  
Low-inductance spring-tips, 3-101,  
A-7  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Trigger When, 3-81, 3-83  
True for less than, 3-83  
True for more than, 3-83  
Type, 3-34, 3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
Width, 3-122  
Burst width, 3-86, Glossary-2  
Cycle area, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Cycle mean, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Cycle RMS, 3-86, Glossary-3  
Delay, 3-93, Glossary-3  
Duty cycle, 1-18, Glossary-6,  
Glossary-7  
Fall time, 3-87  
Measure, 2-10, 3-89, 3-96  
More, 2-10, 3-39, 3-134, 3-150,  
3-159  
See also More menu  
Operation, 2-7  
Pop-up, 2-8, Glossary-7  
Pulse trigger, 2-10  
Save/Recall, 3-130  
Save/Recall Setup, 2-10  
Save/Recall Waveform, 2-10,  
3-133  
Setup, 1-7  
Status, 2-10, 3-140–3-141  
Utility, 2-11, 3-60, 3-128  
MAIN TRIGGER OUTPUT, BNC, 2-5  
Map Math, Color menu, 3-14  
Map Reference, Color menu, 3-15  
Marker rings, 3-100, A-7  
Frequency, 1-18, 3-87, Glossary-4  
Gated, Glossary-4  
High, 3-87, Glossary-5  
Low, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Maximum, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Mean, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Minimum, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Negative duty cycle, 3-87  
Negative overshoot, 3-87  
Negative width, 3-87  
Overshoot, Glossary-8  
Peak to peak, 3-87, Glossary-7  
Period, 3-88, Glossary-7  
Phase, 3-87, Glossary-7  
Positive duty cycle, 3-88  
Positive overshoot, 3-88  
Positive width, 3-88  
Math Waveform  
Differential, A-3  
FFT, A-3  
Integral, A-3  
Optional Advanced, A-3  
Mid Ref, Measure menu, 3-93  
Mid2 Ref, Measure menu, 3-93  
Min-Max, Measure menu, 3-92  
Minimum, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Mode, Cursor, 2-31–2-32  
Math waveform  
derivative. See Derivative math  
waveform  
FFT. See FFT math waveform  
integral. See Integral math wave-  
form  
Mode & Holdoff, Main Trigger menu,  
3-37, 3-82, 3-121  
Math waveforms, 3-159  
Math, Color menu, 3-14  
Math1/2/3, More menu, 3-159  
Maximum, 3-87, Glossary-6  
Mean, 3-87, Glossary-6  
MEASURE button, 3-89  
Mode, Acquire menu, 3-7  
Model number location, 2-3  
Monochrome, Color menu, 3-13  
Propagation delay, 3-87  
Readout, 3-89  
Reference levels, 1-19  
Rise time, 1-18, 3-88, Glossary-8  
RMS, 3-88, Glossary-8  
Undershoot, Glossary-6  
MORE button, 3-75, 3-134, 3-136,  
3-159  
More menu, 2-10, 3-134, 3-150, 3-159  
Average, 3-160  
Measure Delay menu  
Create Measrmnt, 3-95  
Delay To, 3-93  
Width, 1-18, Glossary-6, Glossa-  
ry-8  
Blackman-Harris, 3-41  
Change Math waveform defini-  
tion, 3-40, 3-150, 3-154, 3-160  
dBV RMS, 3-40  
diff, 3-151  
Dual Wfm Math, 3-160  
FFT, 3-40  
Hamming, 3-41  
Hanning, 3-41  
intg, 3-155  
Linear RMS, 3-40  
Math1, Math2, Math3, 3-39, 3-150,  
3-154  
Math1/2/3, 3-159  
No Process, 3-160  
OK Create Math Waveform,  
3-155, 3-160  
Phase (deg), 3-40  
Measurement Accuracy, Ensuring  
maximum, 3-104–3-109,  
3-138–3-139  
Edges, 3-94  
Measure Delay To, 3-93  
OK Create Measurement, 3-95  
Measurements, 2-30–2-32, 3-86–3-96  
Algorithms, A-9–A-22  
Automated, 1-17, 2-30  
Cursor, 2-31, 3-17  
Measure Delay To, Measure Delay  
menu, 3-93  
Measure menu, 2-10, 3-89, 3-96  
Gating, 3-91  
Gated, 3-91  
Graticule, 2-32  
Snapshot of, 3-95  
High Ref, 3-93  
High-Low Setup, 3-92  
Histogram, 3-92  
Low Ref, 3-93  
Mid Ref, 3-93  
Memory, Waveform, 3-134  
Menu  
Acquire, 3-7, 3-73  
Color, 3-12  
Cursor, 3-19  
Delayed Trigger, 3-25–3-27  
Display, 3-12, 3-28  
File Utilities, 3-55  
Horizontal, 2-18, 3-23  
Main, 2-6  
Mid2 Ref, 3-93  
Min-Max, 3-92  
Reference Levels, 3-92  
Remove Measrmnt, 3-90, 3-96  
Select Measrmnt, 3-89, 3-93  
Set Levels in % units, 3-92  
Snapshot, 3-96  
Phase (rad), 3-40  
Rectangular, 3-40  
Reference waveform status, 3-134  
Set 1st Source to, 3-161  
Set 2nd Source to, 3-161  
Set FFT Source to:, 3-40  
Measurement  
Main Trigger, 2-10, 3-34, 3-80,  
3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
Amplitude, 3-86, Glossary-1  
Area, 3-86, Glossary-1  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Set FFT Vert Scale to:, 3-40  
Set FFT Window to:, 3-40  
Set Function to, 3-160  
Set Function to:, 3-151, 3-155  
Set operator to, 3-161  
Set Single Source to, 3-160  
OK Confirm Clear Spool, Hardcopy  
Persistence Palette, Color menu,  
menu, 3-62  
3-13  
OK Create Math Wfm, More menu,  
Phase, 3-87, Glossary-7  
Phase suppression, 3-50  
3-160  
OK Create Measurement, Measure  
Phaser Color Printer, 3-59  
200e, A-3  
Delay menu, 3-95  
Set Single Source to:, 3-150,  
OK Erase Ref & Panel Memory,  
3-154  
Pixel, Glossary-7  
Utility menu, 3-131  
Single Wfm Math, 3-150, 3-154,  
3-160  
Plotter, HC100, 3-59, A-2  
OK Store Template, Acquire menu,  
3-74  
Polarity and Width, Main Trigger  
menu, 3-122  
ON (Enable ET), Acquire menu, 3-7  
ON/STBY button, 1-4, 2-3  
Optical probes, 3-116  
Polarity, Main Trigger menu, 3-123  
Pop-up menu, 2-8, Glossary-7  
Port, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
N
Option, Tutorial, A-2  
NAND, Glossary-6  
Port, Utility menu, 3-60, 3-128  
Portrait, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Options, A-1–A-8  
NAND, Main Trigger menu, 3-82, 3-85  
Negative duty cycle, 3-87  
Negative overshoot, 3-87  
Negative width, 3-87  
Options, Color menu, 3-16  
OR, Glossary-7  
Position  
Vertical, 2-26, 3-147  
vertical, 3-46, 3-152, 3-157  
OR, Main Trigger menu, 3-82, 3-85  
Oscilloscope, Glossary-7  
Overall, Display menu, 3-29  
Overshoot, Glossary-8  
Negative, Main Trigger menu, 3-122,  
Position, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Positive duty cycle, 3-88  
Positive overshoot, 3-88  
Positive width, 3-88  
3-123  
No Process, More menu, 3-160  
Noise  
Overwrite Lock, File Utilities menu,  
reducing in FFTs, 3-47  
reducing in phase FFTs, 3-41, 3-50  
3-58  
Positive, Main Trigger menu, 3-122,  
3-123  
Noise Rej, Main Trigger menu, 3-35  
NOR, Glossary-7  
Postscript, 3-59  
Posttrigger, Glossary-8  
Power connector, 1-4, 2-5  
Power cords, A-1  
P
NOR, Main Trigger menu, 3-82, 3-85  
Normal trigger mode, 2-14, Glossa-  
ry-7  
Packaging, A-23  
Paired cursor, 2-31, 3-17  
PAL, Display menu, 3-31  
Palette, Color menu, 3-13  
Parity, Utility menu, 3-60  
Passive voltage probes, 3-112–3-113  
Pattern trigger, 3-78, 3-82  
Pattern, Main Trigger menu, 3-80  
PCX, 3-59  
Normal, Color menu, 3-13  
Power off, 1-5  
Normal, Main Trigger menu, 3-37,  
Power on, 1-4–1-5  
3-82, 3-121  
Pretrigger, Glossary-8  
Principal power switch, 1-4, 2-5  
Print, File Utilities menu, 3-57  
NTSC, Display menu, 3-31  
Nyquist frequency, 3-48  
Printer  
HC220, 3-59, A-3  
Phaser, 3-59  
Phaser 200e, A-3  
O
PCX Color, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
PCX, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Probe accessories  
OFF (Real Time Only), Acquire  
Bayonet ground assembly, A-7  
Compact-to-miniature probe tip  
adapter, 3-102, A-7  
menu, 3-7  
Peak detect acquisition mode, 3-3,  
Glossary-7  
Off Bus, Utility menu, 3-128  
Dual-lead adapter, 3-103  
IC protector tip, 3-102  
Long ground leads, 3-100  
Low-inductance ground lead, 3-100  
Offset  
Peak Detect, Acquire menu, 3-7  
Peak to peak, 3-87, Glossary-7  
Period, 3-88, Glossary-7  
Persistence, 3-29  
DC. See DC Offset  
Vertical, 2-26, 3-149  
vertical, 3-46, 3-152, 3-157  
Offset, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Low-inductance spring-tips, 3-101,  
A-7  
Marker rings, 3-100, A-7  
Probe tip-to-chassis adapter,  
3-102, A-7  
Probe tip-to-circuit board adapters,  
3-101  
Reference Levels, Measure menu,  
R
3-92  
Reference memory, Glossary-8  
Rack mounting, A-2  
Reject Glitch, Main Trigger menu,  
Readout  
3-122  
Acquisition, 3-6  
Channel, 2-6, 3-136  
Cursors, 2-6  
Edge trigger, 3-34, 3-79  
General purpose knob, 2-6  
Measurement, 2-31, 3-89  
Record view, 2-6  
Snapshot, 3-95  
Remote communication, 3-126–3-129  
Retractable hook tip, 3-98  
SMT KlipChip, 3-101, A-7  
Remove Measrmnt, Measure menu,  
3-90, 3-96  
Probe Cal, 3-104–3-109  
Rename, File Utilities menu, 3-56  
Probe tip-to-chassis adapter, 3-102,  
A-7  
Repetitive Signal, Acquire menu, 3-7  
Reset All Mappings To Factory,  
Probe tip-to-circuit board adapters,  
3-101  
Color menu, 3-16  
Time base, 2-6  
Trigger, 2-6, 3-144  
Trigger Level Bar, 3-30  
Trigger Point, 3-30  
Reset All Palettes To Factory, Color  
Probes  
menu, 3-16  
Accessories, 3-98–3-103, A-4,  
A-5–A-8  
Reset Current Palette To Factory,  
Readout, Cursor, Paired, 3-152  
Color menu, 3-16  
Active, A-3  
Active voltage, 3-114–3-115  
Additional, A-3  
By applications, 3-117, 3-118  
Compensation, 1-10, 3-110, Glos-  
sary-8  
Readout, cursor  
Reset to Factory Color, Color menu,  
3-14  
H-Bars, 3-42, 3-152, 3-156  
Paired cursors, 3-43, 3-156  
V-Bars, 3-42, 3-152, 3-156  
Reset Zoom Factors, Zoom menu,  
3-164  
Readout, Display menu, 3-30  
Real time sampling, 2-20  
Restore Colors, Color menu, 3-16  
Connection, 1-6, 3-97–3-103  
Current, 3-115  
Definition, Glossary-8  
Differential active, 3-114  
Fixtured active, 3-114  
Retractable hook tip, 3-98  
Real-time sampling, Glossary-8  
Rear panel, 2-5, 3-128  
Ring Bell if Condition Met, Acquire  
menu, 3-76  
Rise time, 1-18, 3-88, Glossary-8  
General purpose (high input resis-  
tance), 3-112  
High speed, 3-114  
High voltage, 3-113–3-114  
Low impedance Zo, 3-113  
Optical, 3-116  
Recall, Setups, 3-130–3-132  
Rising edge, Delayed Trigger menu,  
3-26  
Recall Factory Setup, Save/Recall  
Setup menu, 3-131  
Rising edge, Main Trigger menu,  
3-36, 3-84  
Recall Saved Setup, Save/Recall  
Setup menu, 3-131  
RLE Color, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
RMS, 3-88, Glossary-8  
RS-232, 2-5  
Passive, 3-110  
Recalling, Waveforms, 3-133  
Passive voltage, 3-112–3-113  
Selection, 3-112–3-118  
SMD, A-3  
Record length, 1-1, 2-20, 3-70, A-1,  
Glossary-8  
derivative math waveforms, 3-150  
integral math waveforms, 3-154  
Time-to-voltage converter, 3-116  
RS-232, Port, 3-61  
Propagation delay, 3-87  
Pulse trigger, 2-14, 3-119  
Pulse Trigger menu, 2-10  
RS232, Utility menu, 3-60  
RUN/STOP, 3-72  
Record Length, Horizontal menu,  
3-70  
Record View, 2-6, 2-25, 3-69, 3-144  
Rectangular window, 3-40  
Ref, Color menu, 3-15  
RUN/STOP, Acquire menu, 3-8  
Pulse, Main Trigger menu, 3-121,  
Runt trigger, 3-119, 3-120, 3-123,  
Glossary-9  
3-123, 3-145  
Runt, Main Trigger menu, 3-123  
Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, File, Save/  
Recall Waveform menu, 3-134  
Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, Reference  
Q
waveform status, 3-134  
Reference levels, 1-19, 3-92  
Quantizing, Glossary-8  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Serial number, 2-5  
Single-Shot sampling, 2-20  
Slope, Glossary-9  
S
Set 1st Source to, More menu, 3-161  
Set 2nd Source to, More menu,  
Slope, Delayed Trigger menu, 3-26  
Slope, Main Trigger menu, 3-36  
Slope, Trigger, 2-17  
Safety, v  
3-161  
Symbols, v  
Set Function to, More menu, 3-160  
Sample acquisition mode, 3-3, Glos-  
sary-9  
SET LEVEL TO 50% button, 3-143  
SMT KlipChip, 3-101, A-7  
Snapshot, Readout, 3-95  
Sample interval, Glossary-9  
Sample, Acquire menu, 3-7  
Sampling, 2-20, Glossary-9  
Sampling and acquisition mode, 2-22  
Saturation, Color menu, 3-14  
Save, Setups, 3-130–3-132  
Set Levels in % units, Measure  
menu, 3-92  
Snapshot of Measurements, 1-21,  
3-95  
Set operator to, More menu, 3-161  
Set Single Source to, More menu,  
Snapshot, Measure menu, 3-96  
Soft Flagging, Utility menu, 3-60  
Software, 1-1  
3-160  
Set Thresholds, Main Trigger menu,  
3-81  
Save Current Setup, Save/Recall  
Set to 10%, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Software Setup, Utility menu, 3-60  
Software version, 3-140  
Setup menu, 3-130  
Set to 50%, Delayed Trigger menu,  
Save Waveform, Save/Recall Wave-  
3-27  
Source, Delayed Trigger menu, 3-26  
form menu, 3-133  
Set to 50%, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
Source, Main Trigger menu, 3-34,  
Save/Recall SETUP button, 1-7, 3-55,  
Set to 50%, Main Trigger menu, 3-36,  
3-121, 3-123  
3-130  
3-123, 3-143  
Spectral, Color menu, 3-13  
Spooler, Hardcopy, 3-62  
Start up, 1-3  
Save/Recall Setup menu, 2-10, 3-130  
factory status, 3-130  
Set to 90%, Horizontal menu, 3-70  
File Utilities, 3-132  
Set to ECL, Delayed Trigger menu,  
3-26  
Recall Factory Setup, 3-131  
Recall Saved Setup, 3-131  
Save Current Setup, 3-130  
user status, 3-130  
State trigger, 3-84  
Set to ECL, Main Trigger menu, 3-36,  
3-122  
State, Main Trigger menu, 3-80, 3-84  
STATUS button, 3-140  
Set to TTL, Delayed Trigger menu,  
Save/Recall WAVEFORM button,  
3-26  
Status menu, 2-10, 3-140–3-141  
Display, 3-140  
3-55, 3-133  
Set to TTL, Main Trigger menu, 3-36,  
Save/Recall Waveform menu, 2-10,  
3-133  
3-122  
Firmware version, 3-140  
I/O, 3-140  
System, 3-140  
Trigger, 3-140  
Waveforms, 3-140  
Set to Zero, Vertical menu, 3-149  
Setting Up for the Examples, 1-6  
Settings, Display menu, 3-12, 3-28  
Setup menu, 1-7  
active status, 3-133  
Delete Refs, 3-134  
empty status, 3-133  
File Utilities, 3-135  
Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, File, 3-134  
Save Waveform, 3-133  
Stop After Limit Test Condition Met,  
Acquire menu, 3-76  
Setups, Save and recall, 3-130–3-132  
Shipping, A-23  
Stop After, Acquire menu, 3-8, 3-76  
Stop Bits, Utility menu, 3-60  
Style, Display menu, 3-28  
Saving, Waveforms, 3-133  
Saving and recalling setups, 1-23,  
3-130  
Side menu, Glossary-9  
Side menu buttons, 2-3, Glossary-9  
SIGNAL OUTPUT, BNC, 2-5  
Saving and recalling waveforms,  
3-133  
Switch, principal power, 1-4, 2-5  
System, Status menu, 3-140  
System, Utility menu, 3-60, 3-128  
Signal Path Compensation, 1-3,  
3-138–3-139  
Scale, vertical, 3-46, 3-152, 3-157  
seconds, Cursor menu, 3-21  
Sin(x)/x interpolation, 2-21, 3-31,  
Glossary-5  
SELECT button, 2-31, 3-20, Glossa-  
ry-9  
Sin(x)/x interpolation, Display menu,  
Select Measrmnt, Measure menu,  
3-31  
T
3-89, 3-93  
Single Acquisition Sequence,  
Selected waveform, Glossary-9  
Selecting channels, 3-136  
Self test, 1-5  
Acquire menu, 3-8  
Talk/Listen Address, Utility menu,  
SINGLE TRIG button, 3-8, 3-143  
3-128  
Single Wfm Math, More menu, 3-160  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Tek Secure, 3-131, Glossary-9  
Trigger Bar Style, Display menu,  
Stop Bits, 3-60  
System, 3-60, 3-128  
Talk/Listen Address, 3-128  
3-30  
Tek Secure Erase Memory, Utility  
menu, 3-131  
Trigger Level Bar, Readout, 3-30,  
3-72  
Temperature compensation,  
3-138–3-139  
Trigger MAIN LEVEL knob, 1-11,  
2-17, 3-142  
Temperature, Color menu, 3-13  
V
TRIGGER MENU button, 3-34, 3-80,  
Template Source, Acquire menu,  
3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
3-73  
V Limit, Acquire menu, 3-74  
Trigger Point, Readout, 3-30, 3-72  
Text/Grat, Display menu, 3-29  
Thinkjet, 3-59  
Variable Persistence, Display menu,  
Trigger Position, Horizontal menu,  
3-29  
3-70  
Thinkjet, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Vectors, 3-29  
Trigger Status Lights, 3-143  
Thresholds, Main Trigger menu,  
Vectors, Display menu, 3-29  
Trigger When, Main Trigger menu,  
3-123  
3-81, 3-83  
Vertical, 3-10  
TIFF, 3-59  
Trigger, Status menu, 3-140  
Bar cursors, 2-31, 3-17, Glossa-  
ry-10  
TIFF, Hardcopy menu, 3-61  
Time base, Glossary-10  
True for less than, Main Trigger  
Control, 3-147–3-149  
Offset, 2-26, 3-149  
Position, 2-26, 3-147  
POSITION knob, 2-26  
Readout, 3-147  
Scale, 3-147  
SCALE knob, 1-10, 2-26  
System, 1-10, 2-26  
menu, 3-83  
True for more than, Main Trigger  
Time Base, Horizontal menu, 3-23,  
menu, 3-83  
3-69  
Tutorial, Option, A-2  
Time Units, Cursor menu, 3-21  
Time-to-voltage converter, 3-116  
TOGGLE button, 3-20  
Type, Main Trigger menu, 3-34,  
3-121, 3-123, 3-145  
Tracking Mode, Cursor, 2-32  
Tracking, Cursor menu, 3-20  
Vertical Menu, Cal Probe, 3-104  
Vertical menu  
100 MHz, 3-149  
20 MHz, 3-149  
Bandwidth, 3-149  
Coupling, 3-148  
Fine Scale, 3-149  
Full, 3-149  
Offset, 3-149  
Position, 3-149  
Set to Zero, 3-149  
U
Trigger, 2-13–2-18, 3-10, Glossary-10  
AC Line Voltage, 2-14  
Auxiliary, 2-14  
Undershoot, Glossary-6  
user, Saved setup status, 3-130  
UTILITY button, 3-60, 3-128  
Utility Menu  
Coupling, 2-16  
Delay, 2-18  
Delayed, 3-22–3-27  
Edge, 2-14, 3-34, Glossary-3  
Glitch, 3-119, 3-120, Glossary-4  
Holdoff, 2-15  
OK Erase Ref & Panel Memory,  
3-131  
Level, 2-17, Glossary-10  
Logic, 2-14, 3-78–3-85  
Mode, 2-14  
Pattern, 3-78, 3-82  
Position, 2-17, 3-70, 3-72  
Pulse, 2-14, 3-119  
Readout, 3-144  
Runt, 3-119, 3-120, 3-123, Glossa-  
ry-9  
Slope, 2-13, 2-17  
Source, 2-13  
State, 3-84  
Status Lights, 3-143  
Types, 3-145–3-146  
Video, 2-14  
VERTICAL MENU button, 1-14  
Tek Secure Erase Memory, 3-131  
Vertical position, for DC correction of  
FFTs, 3-46  
Utility menu, 2-11, 3-60, 3-128  
Baud Rate, 3-60  
Configure, 3-60, 3-128  
GPIB, 3-60, 3-128  
Hard Flagging, 3-60  
Hardcopy, 3-128  
Hardcopy (Talk Only), 3-60  
Hardware Setup, 3-60  
I/O, 3-60, 3-128  
Off Bus, 3-128  
Parity, 3-60  
Port, 3-60, 3-128  
RS232, 3-60  
Vertical POSITION knob, 3-147  
Vertical Readout, 3-147  
Vertical SCALE knob, 3-147  
VGA Output, 2-5  
Video Line Number, Cursor menu,  
3-21  
Video Trigger, Option 5, A-3  
Video trigger, 2-14  
View Palette, Color menu, 3-13  
Soft Flagging, 3-60  
Software Setup, 3-60  
Width, 3-119, 3-125  
Trigger Bar, 2-6, 3-72  
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Index  
Waveforms, Status menu, 3-140  
Width, 1-18, Glossary-6, Glossary-8  
Width trigger, 3-119, 3-125  
W
Y
WARNING, statement in manual, v  
YT, Format, 3-31–3-33  
YT format, Glossary-10  
YT, Display menu, 3-32  
Width, Main Trigger menu, 3-122  
Waveform, Glossary-10  
Interval, Glossary-10  
Math, 3-159–3-161  
Off priority, 3-137  
Window, 3-51  
Blackman-Harris, 3-41, 3-51, 3-54  
characteristics of, 3-53  
Hamming, 3-41, 3-51, 3-54  
Hanning, 3-41, 3-51, 3-54  
rectangular, 3-40, 3-51, 3-54  
rectangular vs. bell-shaped, 3-53  
selecting, 3-51  
Waveform clipping. See Clipping  
Waveform differentiation, 3-150  
Waveform FFTs, 3-38  
Z
Zero phase reference point, 3-44,  
3-49  
Waveform integration, 3-154  
Waveform memory, 3-134  
Windowing, process, 3-51  
establishing for impulse testing,  
3-49–3-54  
Windows, descriptions of, 3-40–3-41  
WAVEFORM OFF button, 1-16, 3-32,  
3-137  
Zoom, 3-162–3-164  
derivative math waveforms, 3-153  
on FFT math waveforms, 3-47  
on integral math waveforms, 3-158  
Waveform record  
FFT, 3-44  
FFT frequency domain, 3-44  
length of, 3-44  
FFT source, 3-44  
acquisition mode, 3-47  
defined, 3-44  
X
ZOOM button, 3-162  
XY, Format, 3-31–3-33  
XY format, Glossary-10  
XY, Display menu, 3-32  
Zoom feature, 2-28  
Zoom menu  
long versus short, 3-47  
Reset Zoom Factors, 3-164  
Zoom Off, 3-164  
FFT time domain, 3-44–3-54  
Waveform, Display menu, 3-29  
Waveforms, Math, 3-159  
Zoom Off, Zoom menu, 3-164  
Index  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  

TDK Network Card DEA Series DEA252450BT 7012D1 User Manual
Teac Computer Drive DV 28E V User Manual
Technicolor Thomson Universal Remote M 3610G User Manual
Toshiba CRT Television 32HFX72 User Manual
Toshiba Projection Television 42H83 User Manual
Tripp Lite Network Cables P753 010 User Manual
Uniden Cordless Telephone D2998 User Manual
VBrick Systems Home Theater Server EtherneTV NXG 2 User Manual
Vizio Cable Box VX200E User Manual
VTech Cordless Telephone 2151 User Manual