Can modules be transferred between different TLA700 mainframes?

Yes. TLA700 Series logic analyzer modules and digital storage oscilloscope modules are fully interchangeable between portable and benchtop mainframes.

What are the key timing and state analysis capabilities of the TLA704 and TLA711?

The TLA704 and TLA711 configurations offer a MagniVu timing resolution of 500 ps on all channels simultaneously through a single probe, with a state analysis speed of 200 MHz on all channels simultaneously.

What is the physical weight difference between the TLA714 and TLA715?

The TLA714 has a standard weight of 14.5 kg, while the high-performance TLA715 weighs 14.1 kg without modules installed.

Tektronix TLA700 Series Mainframes

3 models with full specifications from Tektronix.

The Tektronix TLA700 Series consists of modular logic analyzer mainframes designed to support configurable test systems. This family serves engineers requiring modular flexibility, offering both highly portable and high-capacity benchtop platforms. Mainframes in this series house interchangeable logic analyzer, digital storage oscilloscope (DSO), and pattern generator modules, allowing users to scale physical channel counts and processing power depending on their debugging and validation requirements. This page details the key differences in physical form factor, processing platforms, and slot configurations among the series members: the TLA704, TLA711, TLA714, and TLA715.

Modular Slot Options: 4 slots (portable) or 13 slots (benchtop)
Base Timing Reference: 10 MHz (CLK10)
Operating Temperature Range: +5 °C to +50 °C
Voltage Support: 90 to 250 V AC (45 to 66 Hz)

Models in this series

Model	Type	Dimensions (W×H×D)	Display	Interfaces
TLA714	Main Frame	445 mm × 343 mm × 457 mm	10.4 in. color flat-panel active-matrix TFT LCD, 800 x 600 SVGA	1x USB, 2x PCMCIA PC card slots, 10/100 Base-T LAN, SVGA external video, Centronics Parallel, RS-232 Serial, 2x PS/2
TLA704/711	Main Frame	TLA704: 422 x 343 x 381 mm; TLA711: 425 x 324 x 574 mm	Color portable display (TLA704) / External monitor required (TLA711)	LAN (10Base-T), RS-232-C, Centronics Parallel, PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, SVGA out
TLA715	Mainframes	437 mm × 295 mm × 453 mm	10.4 in. active-matrix color TFT LCD, 800 x 600 resolution	LAN (10/100 Base-T), GPIB, USB, RS-232, Parallel (LPT), VGA, PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse

Form Factors and Expansion Capabilities

The TLA700 Series splits into two distinct structural form factors: portable mainframes and benchtop mainframes. The Tektronix TLA704/711 option represents this divide. The TLA704 is a portable mainframe containing 4 C-size module slots and an integrated display, requiring 2 inches of cooling clearance on the sides and rear. In contrast, the TLA711 is a massive 13-slot benchtop mainframe that requires an external SVGA monitor and needs 3 inches of clearance on the rear and 2 inches on the sides.

Like the TLA704, the Tektronix TLA714 and Tektronix TLA715 are portable 4-slot mainframes. While the TLA714 accepts standard TLA 700 Series instrument modules, the high-performance TLA715 supports up to 4 single-wide or 2 double-wide modules, accommodating newer module classes including the TLA7Axx, TLA7Lx, TLA7Mx, TLA7Nx, TLA7Px, and TLA7Qx. Through expansion, the TLA715 can support a maximum of 8160 total channels.

Processor and Operating Systems

As the series evolved, the integrated PC controllers underwent significant performance enhancements to handle larger data sets:

Tektronix TLA714: Powered by a 266 MHz Intel Pentium with MMX processor and 128 MB of expandable system memory (RAM). It runs on Windows 98 or Windows 2000, and features legacy physical storage tools like a 1.44 MB floppy drive and an internal CD-ROM.
Tektronix TLA715: Features an upgraded 850 MHz Intel Pentium III processor running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional. This additional computing power supports advanced software capabilities like Microsoft COM/DCOM for remote control, offline analysis via TLAVu and PatGenVu, and dedicated performance analysis views such as Waveform, Listing, Source Code, and Histograms.

Display, Interfaces, and External Instrument Coupling

The portable units—the TLA704, TLA714, and TLA715—share a similar physical user interface layout, featuring a built-in 10.4-inch active-matrix color TFT LCD with an 800 x 600 SVGA resolution. The benchtop TLA711 does not feature an integrated display, outputting instead to an external monitor via SVGA.

Connectivity features vary by model generation. The TLA714 provides a mix of 10/100 Base-T LAN, a single USB port, two PCMCIA PC card slots, parallel, RS-232, and dual PS/2 ports. The TLA715 advances this by including GPIB connectivity alongside 10/100 Base-T LAN, USB, and serial ports. Additionally, the TLA715 includes Integrated View (iView) capability. This allows engineers to couple the logic analyzer with a stand-alone Tektronix TDS Digital Storage Oscilloscope, providing up to 6 GHz, 20 GS/s, and 32 Mb analog acquisition integrated directly into the logic analyzer's interface.

Frequently asked questions

Can modules be transferred between different TLA700 mainframes?: Yes. TLA700 Series logic analyzer modules and digital storage oscilloscope modules are fully interchangeable between portable and benchtop mainframes.
What are the key timing and state analysis capabilities of the TLA704 and TLA711?: The TLA704 and TLA711 configurations offer a MagniVu timing resolution of 500 ps on all channels simultaneously through a single probe, with a state analysis speed of 200 MHz on all channels simultaneously.
What is the physical weight difference between the TLA714 and TLA715?: The TLA714 has a standard weight of 14.5 kg, while the high-performance TLA715 weighs 14.1 kg without modules installed.