Specifications

05 | Keysight | InniiVision 3000T X-Series Oscilloscopes - Data Sheet
But all specs aren’t equal.
Many vendors claim an update rate specication, but that is only in a special mode, or
without any features turned on. Table 1 shows the 3000T X-Series’ update rate versus a
competing oscilloscope.
While all scopes update rate will vary to some degree by the timebase setting, it is
critical that the update rate remain constant regardless of the functionality you are using
within the oscilloscope.
10 ns/div
Keysight
3000T X-Series
Tektronix
MDO3000 Series
Update Rate Probability Update Rate Probability
Max w/ no features on 1,114,000 94% 281,000 50%
Max w/ digital ch on 1,101,000 94% 132 0.03%
Max w/ measurements on 1,114,000 94% 2,200 0.55%
Max w/ FFT on 1,114,000 94% 2,200 0.55%
Max w/ serial on 1,100,000 94% 1,800 0.45%
Max w/ search on 1,113,000 94% 2,200 0.55%
Max w/ ref wfms on 1,113,000 94% 2,200 0.55%
Table 1: Measured update rate between the 3000T X-Series and the Danaher Tektronix MDO3000.
Note how the update rate uctuates wildly on the MDO3000 based on different settings/features.
Why is an uncompromised update rate important?
When debugging or troubleshooting a project, it is important that you see as much signal
detail as possible. A fast update rate is just part of the overall equation to determine the
likelihood of seeing an anomaly. The frequency of the anomaly, the timebase setting of
the oscilloscope and the amount of time you allow the oscilloscope to see the anomaly
all come in to play:
Therefore, it is important to select an oscilloscope with the fastest uncompromised
update rate to allow enough time to increase your chances of seeing the glitch. In Table
1, in addition to the measured update rate, we show the probability of seeing a glitch that
happens 5 times a second while allowing the oscilloscope to acquire for 5 seconds. With
the 3000T X-Series you maximize your chances of seeing the infrequent glitch. With the
competing scope, if you are using any of the other features like measurements, or search
or digital channels, the update rate slows considerably. The only option you have in this
case is to allow the oscilloscope to run longer. For example, if you are using digital
channels you’ll have to let the scope run over 8,000 times longer to get a similar
probability to the uncompromised update rate of the 3000T X-Series. That’s almost 12
hours of time versus 5 seconds!
P
t
= 100 x (1-[1-RW]
(U x t)
)
where
P
t
= Probability of capturing anomaly in “t” seconds
t = Observation time
U = Scope’s measured waveform update rate
R = Anomalous event occurance rate
W = Display acquisition window = Timebase setting x 10