Tektronix TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series Digital Storage Oscilloscopes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the Trigger Signal Frequency Readout provide frequency measurements greater than the rated bandwidth of the oscilloscope?
   
   Yes, however it depends on how much signal strength is available.
   
   
2. Where is the Trigger Point when the Pulse Width Trigger is used and a specified amount of time is selected?
   
   Equal: Oscilloscope triggers when trailing edge of the pulse crosses the trigger level.
   Not Equal: If the pulse is narrower than the specified width, the trigger point is the trailing edge. Otherwise, the oscilloscope triggers when a pulse continues longer than the time specified as the pulse width.
   Less than: The trigger point is the trailing edge.
   Greater than (also called time-out trigger): The oscilloscope triggers when a pulse continues longer than the time specified as the pulse width.
   
   
3. Is the GPIB command set the same for the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series as the TDS200 Series?
   
   There are minor differences to support new features. Complete descriptions of the differences are provided on the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series web site at www/tektronix.com/tds2000/.
   
   
4. What is the FFT math function of an oscilloscope useful for?
   
   There are a variety of uses that can benefit from viewing the frequency spectrum of a signal. Using the FFT math function on a time domain signal provides the user with frequency domain information and can provide the user a different view of the signal quality, resulting in improved measurement productivity when troubleshooting a device-under-test. Examples include:
   
   
   • Analyze harmonics in power lines
     
   • Measure harmonic content and distortion in systems
     
   • Characterize noise in DC power supplies
     
   • Test impulse response of filters and systems
     
   • Analyze vibration
     
     
5. What printer and graphics formats are supported by the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series?
   
   Printer Formats: Bubble Jet, DPU-411, DPU-412, DPU3445, ThinkJet, Deskjet, LaserJet and Epson (9- or 24-pin compatible)
   Graphics File Formats: TIFF, PCX, BMP, EPS, and RLE
   
   
6. Can I use the TDS2CM (Non A), TDS2MM or TDS2HM in the TDS1000 or TDS2000 Series oscilloscopes?
   
   Yes. The hardware is compatible and no damage will occur to the module or the oscilloscope. Communications functions will operate. With the TDS2MM module, the added measurements and FFT math function are built into the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series, so these features will not be affected by the installation of the TDS2MM module. It should be noted, however, that EMI performance is not guaranteed when using either the TDS2CM (Non A), TDS2MM or TDS2HM modules. The TDS2CM hardware was updated (minor grounding changes) to improve EMI performance. This was needed to meet the EMI compliance specs when used with the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series. No other electrical changes are made. The A nomenclature was added to the TDS2CMA to make it easy for the distributors to differentiate their stock, since the A version has a new programmer's manual for the TDS1000 and TDS2000 and retained the TDS200 programmer's information. The TDS2CMA is downward compatible and can be used in the TDS200 Series.
   
   
7. Will the P2200 probe replace the P2100 probe?
   
   Yes. The P2200 probe is compatible with the TDS200 Series, as well as the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series.
   
   
8. What are the differences between the two frequency measurements that the TDS1000 and TDS2000 Series make?
   
   Automatic Measurement of Frequency
   
   
   • Method used to make measurement: Reciprocal of the Period measurement. Made over the first complete cycle in the record. Period measured from the first mid-ref crossing to the third mid-ref crossing
     
   • Accuracy (Typical): ± (1 sample interval + 50 ppm * reading + 0.6 ns)
     
   • Resolution: 4 digits
     

   
   Trigger Signal Frequency Readout
   

   • Method used to make measurement: Provides the user with a means of identifying the frequency of trigger signals with higher accuracy than the Automatic Measurements. Since measurement is averaged over a longer time span, the number of stable digits is improved over the Automatic Frequency Measurement
     
   • Accuracy (Typical): ±51 ppm including all frequency reference errors and ±1 count errors
     
   • Resolution: 6 digits
     
   • Counter Range: AC coupled, 10 Hz minimum to rated bandwidth
     
   • Frequency Counter Signal Source: Pulse width or edge modes, all available trigger sources. Frequency counter measures selected trigger source at all times, including when oscilloscope acquisition is halted due to changes in run status, or acquisition of a single shot event has completed
     
     
     • Pulse Width Mode: Counts pulses of sufficient magnitude inside the 250 ms measurement window that qualify as triggerable events (e.g. all narrow pulses in a PWM pulse train if set to < mode and the limit is set to a relatively small time)
       
     • Edge Trigger Mode: Counts all pulses of sufficient magnitude
       
     • Video Trigger mode: Frequency Counter does not operate in this mode