The Tektronix TDS540B is a 4-channel digitizing oscilloscope offering a 500 MHz analog bandwidth and real-time sampling rate up to 2 GS/s on a single channel. Designed for digital design, debugging, and electronic engineering applications, the TDS540B features an 8-bit vertical resolution (expandable to 12-bit in Hi-Res mode), 50,000 points standard record length per channel, advanced triggering modes, automated measurements, and an integrated 3.5-inch floppy disk drive alongside standard GPIB, RS-232, and parallel printer interfaces.
Specifications
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 90 to 250 VAC, 45 to 440 Hz, 300 W max |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +50 °C |
Vertical System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Analog Bandwidth (-3dB) | 500 MHz |
| Calculated Rise Time | 700 ps |
| Vertical Sensitivity Range | 1 mV/div to 10 V/div |
| Input Coupling | AC, DC, GND |
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ ±0.5% in parallel with 10 pF, or 50 Ω ±1% |
| Maximum Input Voltage (1 MΩ) | 400 V (DC + peak AC) |
| Maximum Input Voltage (50 Ω) | 5 V RMS |
| DC Gain Accuracy | ±1% |
| Offset Range | ±1 V (1–99.5 mV/div), ±10 V (100–995 mV/div), ±100 V (1–10 V/div) |
| Vertical Position Range | ±5 divisions |
Horizontal System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Real-Time Sample Rate (1 Channel) | 2 GS/s |
| Simultaneous Max Sample Rate per Channel | 500 MS/s |
| Standard Record Length | 50,000 points per channel |
| Time Base Range | 500 ps/div to 10 s/div |
Acquisition Modes
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sample Mode | Acquires sample data in real time |
| Peak Detect Mode | Captures glitches down to 1 ns at all sweep speeds |
| Averaging Mode | Averages waveform data from 2 to 10,000 acquisitions |
| FastFrame Segmented Memory | Divides record length into segments to capture rapid burst events |
Trigger System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Modes | Auto, Normal, Single Sequence |
| Trigger Coupling | DC, AC, Noise Reject, HF Reject, LF Reject |
| Pulse Width / Glitch Triggering | Triggers on pulses narrower or wider than specified limit (1 ns to 1 s) |
| Runt Triggering | Triggers on pulses that cross one threshold but fail to cross a second threshold |
| Logic Pattern Triggering | Triggers on specified combination of high, low, or don't care across channels |
Display & User Interface
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Type | Monochrome CRT |
| Display Size | 7 in (178 mm) diagonal |
Storage & Data Handling
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Waveform Storage | 4 reference waveform memories |
| Floppy Disk Drive | 3.5-inch 1.44 MB High-Density floppy drive |
Interfaces & Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface | IEEE-488.2 fully programmable interface |
Power Supply
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 300 W max |
Options & Accessories
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 05 | Video Triggering (NTSC, PAL, SECAM, HDTV formats) |
| Option 2F | Advanced DSP Math (FFT, Integration, Differentiation) |
| Option 1R | Rackmount Kit for 19-inch rack mounting |
Acquisition Modes & Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| InstaVu Acquisition Rate | Up to 400,000 wfm/s |
Memory & Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reference Waveform Memories | 4 internal locations (Ref1-Ref4) |
Technology
Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)
Applications
Electronic Design, Signal Integrity Testing, Troubleshooting, R&D