The Tektronix TDS420 is a 150 MHz, 4-channel digital storage oscilloscope designed for laboratory and field service applications. It features high resolution acquisition, comprehensive triggering, and robust analysis capabilities in a portable form factor.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
Display7-inch (17.78 cm) Monochrome CRT

Physical

ParameterValue
Dimensions (W×H×D)362 mm × 191 mm × 472 mm

Vertical System

ParameterValue
Analog Bandwidth150 MHz
Number of Channels4
Simultaneous Channels4
Input CouplingAC, DC, GND
Input Impedance1 MΩ in parallel with 15 pF, or 50 Ω (selectable)
Input Sensitivity Range1 mV/div to 10 V/div
Vertical Resolution8 bits (up to 12 bits in High Resolution mode)
DC Gain Accuracy±1.5%
Maximum Input Voltage (1 MΩ)400 V (DC + peak AC)
Maximum Input Voltage (50 Ω)5 V RMS
Offset Range (1 mV/div to 99.5 mV/div)±1 V
Offset Range (100 mV/div to 995 mV/div)±10 V
Offset Range (1 V/div to 10 V/div)±100 V
Vertical Position Range±5 divisions

Horizontal System

ParameterValue
Maximum Real-time Sample Rate100 MS/s
Single Shot Bandwidth40 MHz
Maximum Record Length15,000 points/channel (up to 120,000 points with Option 1M)
Time Base Range1 ns/div to 20 s/div

Trigger System

ParameterValue
Trigger ModesAuto, Normal, Single
Trigger CouplingAC, DC, HF Rej, LF Rej, Noise Rej
Trigger Sensitivity0.35 div from DC to 50 MHz, increasing to 1 div at 150 MHz
Trigger Level Range±12 divisions from screen center

Acquisition Modes

ParameterValue
Sample ModeYes
Peak Detect ModeYes (10 ns)
High Resolution ModeYes (up to 12 bits)
Single Sequence ModeYes

Waveform Measurements and Analysis

ParameterValue
Automatic Measurements25 standard measurements
Waveform Math OperationsAddition, Subtraction, Multiplication
Advanced Waveform DSPFFT, Integration, Differentiation (optional via Option 2F)

Display Characteristics

ParameterValue
Display TypeMonochrome CRT
Display Size7 inches (17.8 cm) diagonal
FormatYT, XY

Connectivity and Interfaces

ParameterValue
GPIB InterfaceIEEE-488.2 standard
RS-232 Serial PortOptional (via Option 13)
Centronics Printer PortOptional (via Option 13)
VGA/Video OutputStandard (VGA output is standard on the rear panel)
Floppy Disk Drive3.5-inch, 1.44 MB, DOS format (optional via Option 1F)

Power Specifications

ParameterValue
Line Voltage Range90 to 250 V AC
Line Frequency Range45 to 440 Hz

Environmental Specifications

ParameterValue
Operating Temperature Range0 to +50 °C
Non-Operating Temperature Range-40 to +75 °C
Operating Humidity RangeUp to 95% RH at ≤ 30 °C
Operating Altitude Limit4,500 m (15,000 ft)
Non-Operating Altitude Limit15,000 m (50,000 ft)

Physical Characteristics

ParameterValue
Width362 mm
Height191 mm
Depth472 mm
Net Weight8.6 kg

Triggering System

ParameterValue
Logic Triggering TypesPattern, State
Video Triggering (Option 05)NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and Custom formats

Hardware Options

ParameterValue
Option 1FAdds 3.5 inch 1.44 MB floppy disk drive and file system
Option 2FAdds Advanced DSP Math (FFT, Integration, Differentiation)

Environmental

ParameterValue
Vibration (Operating)0.31 g RMS, 5 Hz to 500 Hz
Vibration (Non-Operating)2.46 g RMS, 5 Hz to 500 Hz
Shock (Non-Operating)50 g, half-sine, 11 ms duration

Memory & Storage

ParameterValue
Internal Setup Storage10 front-panel setups
Internal Waveform Storage4 reference waveforms
Floppy Disk Storage Format3.5-inch MS-DOS compatible (with Option 1F)

Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
Calibrator Output Voltage500 mV into >= 1 MΩ
Calibrator Output Frequency1 kHz

Interfaces

ParameterValue
GPIB Standard ComplianceIEEE Std 488.2-1987

Options

ParameterValue
Option 2F DescriptionAdds advanced DSP math functions (FFT, Integration, Differentiation)
Option 05 DescriptionAdds video trigger capability for NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and custom formats

Technology

Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)

Applications

Electronic Design and Debugging, Field Service, Component Test