The Tektronix TDS540C is a 4-channel, 500 MHz digital oscilloscope featuring monochrome InstaVu™ acquisition technology. Engineered for complex high-speed debugging and circuit analysis, it offers a maximum real-time sample rate of 2 GS/s, high waveform capture rates up to 400,000 wfms/s, and a vertical gain accuracy of ±1%. With 29 built-in automatic measurements, advanced triggering options, and a standard 3.5-inch floppy drive, the TDS540C provides a robust and reliable platform for characterization of electronic designs.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display | 7-inch monochrome CRT |
| Warm-Up Period | 20 minutes |
| Calibration Interval | 1 year |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 90 to 250 V RMS, 45 to 440 Hz, < 300 W |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +50 °C |
Vertical System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Analog Bandwidth | 500 MHz |
| Calculated Rise Time | 700 ps |
| Vertical Sensitivity Range | 1 mV/div to 10 V/div |
| Vertical Gain Accuracy | ±1% |
| Input Coupling | AC, DC, GND |
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ in parallel with 10 pF, or 50 Ω (selectable) |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 1 MΩ: ±400 V (DC + peak AC); 50 Ω: 5 V RMS |
| Offset Range | ±1 V (1 to 99.5 mV/div), ±10 V (100 mV to 995 mV/div), ±100 V (1 to 10 V/div) |
| Channel-to-Channel Isolation | ≥ 100:1 at 100 MHz |
| Vertical Position Range | ±5 divisions |
Horizontal System and Acquisition
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Timebase Range | 500 ps/div to 10 s/div |
| Timebase Delay Time Range | 16 ns to 250 s |
| Timebase Accuracy | ±25 ppm |
| Real-Time Sample Rate | 1 GS/s max (1 or 2 channels), 500 MS/s (3 or 4 channels) |
| Maximum Record Length | 50,000 points per channel (standard), up to 500,000 points (Option 1M) |
| Waveform Update Rate | 400,000 waveforms/s (InstaVu acquisition mode) |
Trigger System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Modes | Auto, Normal, Single |
| Trigger Sources | Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, AC Line |
| Trigger Coupling | AC, DC, HF Reject, LF Reject, Noise Reject |
| Trigger Holdoff Range | 250 ns to 12 s |
| Trigger Sensitivity | 0.35 div at 50 MHz, 1.0 div at 500 MHz |
| Trigger Level Range | ±12 divisions from center screen |
Display Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Graticule Options | Full, Grid, Crosshair, Frame |
Connectivity and Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface | IEEE-488.2 GPIB port standard |
| RS-232 Serial Port | Available via Option 13 |
| Centronics Parallel Port | Available via Option 13 |
| VGA Video Output | DB-15 female connector for external monitor |
| Probe Compensator Output | 0.5 V into ≥ 1 MΩ, 1 kHz square wave |
Power Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 90 to 250 V RMS |
| Line Frequency Range | 45 to 440 Hz |
| Power Consumption | < 300 W |
Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CRT Diagonal Size | 7 in (178 mm) |
Acquisition
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Record Length (Standard) | 50,000 points per channel |
| Maximum Record Length (Option 1M) | 500,000 points (option-dependent) |
Storage & Interface Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Storage (Setups) | 10 setups |
| Internal Storage (Reference Waveforms) | 4 reference waveforms |
Accessories
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Probes Included | 4× P6139A 10X Passive Probes |
Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Floppy Disk Format | 3.5 in, 1.44 MB or 720 KB, MS-DOS compatible |
Technology
Digital Phosphor / InstaVu DSO
Applications
Electronic design debugging, high-speed transient capture, and circuit characterization