Tektronix TDS3000, TDS3000B, and TDS3000C Series
21 models with full specifications from Tektronix.
This series overview covers the Tektronix TDS3000, TDS3000B, and TDS3000C families of portable Digital Phosphor Oscilloscopes (DPOs). Engineered for hardware debugging, electronic design, and troubleshooting, these instruments share a highly portable form factor, weighing just 3.2 kg. All models offer active-matrix color LCD displays and real-time digital phosphor capabilities, capturing elusive transients with a continuous waveform capture rate of up to 3,600 wfms/s. With bandwidths ranging from 100 MHz to 600 MHz and a maximum record length of 10k points per channel, this family provides diverse performance options tailored to specific test and measurement requirements.
- Bandwidth Range
- 100 MHz to 600 MHz
- Sampling Rate
- 1.25 GS/s to 5 GS/s
- Analog Channels
- 2 or 4
- Instrument Weight
- 3.2 kg
- Max Waveform Capture
- 3,600 wfms/s
Models in this series
| Model | Type | Dimensions (W×H×D) | Display | Input Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDS3054B | Digital | 375 × 176 × 149 | 6.4-inch (163 mm) Active TFT Color LCD (Full VGA 640 × 480) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3054C | *misc | 375 × 176 × 149 | 6.5-inch (165.1 mm) active-matrix TFT color LCD, 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3032B | Digital | 375 × 176 × 149 | 6.4-inch (162 mm) Full VGA (640 × 480) color LCD | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3034B | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) Color Active-Matrix TFT LCD, 640 × 480 VGA resolution | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3014B | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) active-matrix color TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3052B | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) color active-matrix TFT LCD, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3034C | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.5 in. (165.1 mm) active-matrix TFT color LCD, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3054 | DSO | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) active-matrix color TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3052 | Digital | 375 × 176 × 149 | Full VGA Color LCD | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3034 | Digital | 375 × 176 × 149 | Full VGA Color LCD | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3032 | *misc | 375 mm x 176 mm x 149 mm | 6.5-inch (165 mm) color active-matrix TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3014 | *misc | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) active matrix color TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3064B | Digital | — | — | — |
| TDS3012C | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.5-inch (165.1 mm) active-matrix color TFT, 640 × 480 pixels | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3014C | Digital | 375 × 176 × 149 | 6.5-inch (165.1 mm) color TFT LCD, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3032C | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.5-inch (165.1 mm) active-matrix color TFT LCD, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3052C | *misc | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.5 in (165.1 mm) color active-matrix TFT LCD, 640 × 480 pixels | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3044B | *misc | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) color active-matrix TFT LCD, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA) | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3012B | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4-inch (162.6 mm) active-matrix color LCD, 640 × 480 resolution | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3012 | *misc | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) color active-matrix VGA LCD, 640 × 480 pixels | AC, DC, GND |
| TDS3024B | Digital | 375 mm × 176 mm × 149 mm | 6.4 in (162.6 mm) active-matrix color TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels | AC, DC, GND |
Generational Interface Evolution
While all three generations share the same compact physical dimensions (375 × 176 × 149 mm), they differ in their built-in communication interfaces and storage media:
- Original TDS3000 Series: Models like the TDS3012, TDS3014, TDS3032, TDS3034, TDS3052, and TDS3054 feature a Centronics parallel port as standard. LAN, GPIB, RS-232, and VGA interfaces are available as optional plug-in modules.
- TDS3000B Series: Models including the TDS3012B, TDS3014B, TDS3024B, TDS3032B, TDS3034B, TDS3044B, TDS3052B, TDS3054B, and TDS3064B integrate a built-in 10Base-T Ethernet (LAN) RJ-45 port alongside a Centronics parallel port. Many of these units also feature a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for saving files.
- TDS3000C Series: The TDS3012C, TDS3014C, TDS3032C, TDS3034C, TDS3052C, and TDS3054C replace the floppy drive and parallel port with a standard USB 2.0 Host port on the front panel and a USB 2.0 Device port on the rear. They also feature standard 10/100Base-T or 10Base-T Ethernet. Display sizes are slightly increased to a 6.5-inch screen compared to the 6.4-inch screens found on B-series models.
Performance and Bandwidth Tiers
Selecting the correct model depends on your frequency and sampling rate requirements. The family is divided into distinct performance levels:
- 100 MHz Models: The TDS3012, TDS3012B, TDS3012C, TDS3014, TDS3014B, and TDS3014C deliver a 1.25 GS/s real-time sample rate and a calculated rise time of 3.5 ns.
- 200 MHz Models: The 4-channel TDS3024B provides a 1.75 ns rise time.
- 300 MHz Models: The TDS3032, TDS3032B, TDS3032C, TDS3034, TDS3034B, and TDS3034C increase performance with a 2.5 GS/s sample rate and a 1.2 ns rise time.
- 400 MHz Models: The TDS3044B offers a 5 GS/s sample rate and 0.875 ns rise time. Notably, the TDS3044B has an 8-bit vertical resolution, whereas other models in the family provide 9-bit resolution.
- 500 MHz & 600 MHz Models: The high-end TDS3052, TDS3052B, TDS3052C, TDS3054, TDS3054B, TDS3054C, and TDS3064B provide 5 GS/s sampling with a 700 ps rise time for high-speed edge analysis.
Input Capabilities and Probing
Every model in the range supports dual input coupling configurations (1 MΩ and 50 Ω). For high-impedance routing, the 1 MΩ path offers a range of 1 mV/div to 10 V/div (2 mV/div on the TDS3052C and TDS3024B) with a maximum input voltage rating of 150 V RMS CAT I. For high-frequency signals, the 50 Ω path spans from 1 mV/div to 1 V/div (or 2 mV/div to 1 V/div on the TDS3052C and TDS3024B) with a maximum input of 5 V RMS. Selected models, such as the TDS3044B, support the TekProbe Level II interface to power and scale active, differential, or current probes.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the main interface differences between the TDS3000B and TDS3000C series?
- The TDS3000B series utilizes a built-in Centronics parallel port and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for storage, whereas the TDS3000C series replaces these older legacy ports with modern USB 2.0 Host and USB 2.0 Device ports. The TDS3000C models also feature a 6.5-inch screen, slightly larger than the 6.4-inch display on TDS3000B units.
- Which models in this family support battery operation?
- Many models in the TDS3000 series support optional battery power. The TDS3000B series uses the TDS3BATB battery pack (which increases the total weight of the TDS3052B to 4.1 kg and the TDS3044B to 4.5 kg), while the TDS3000C series models support the TDS3BATC battery pack.
- Do all TDS3000 series models feature the same vertical resolution?
- No. While almost all models, such as the TDS3014B, TDS3032C, and TDS3054, feature a 9-bit vertical resolution, the 400 MHz TDS3044B features an 8-bit vertical resolution.