Siglent Adds to Digital Oscilloscope Line with New 8 GHz Model

Siglent has announced two new models added to its SDS7000A digital scope line. The new models, the 8 GHz and 6 GHz SDS7804AP and SDS7604AP improve on the A models by doubling the memory depth to 1 gigapoints per channel (Gpts/ch) standard and 2 Gpts/ch optional.

Siglent SDS7000A/AP Scope and external monitor

The additional memory and other enhancements now give the series full electrical compliance testing for 2.5G/5G/10GBase-T Ethernet. The compliance testing includes critical parameters such as timing jitter, spectral density, output drop, and MDI return loss.

Electrical Compliance Testing and Analysis

The big news in this announcement is the optional add-on that gives the scope ability to perform full electrical compliance testing for 2.5G/5G/10GBase-T Ethernet in the AP upgrade. The units can be used to ensure Ethernet devices comply with IEEE standard for 2.5G/5G/10GBase-T. 

SDS7000AP scope users can set up test environments based on prompts from the scope software. Then the oscilloscope can automatically run through the compliance test suite. Reports are auto generated for a fast and easy user experience.

MPI-DPHY compliance test in action

In addition to Ethernet, the new units have similar test and analysis capability for MPI-DPHY compliance testing. MPI-DPHY is a popular physical layer (PHY) standard for connecting megapixel displays and high-resolution displays to application processors. MPI-DPHY compliance capability will benefit test engineers in the smartphone, IoT, and automotive industries.

Continuing with the advanced analysis capability, the SDS7000A/AP models come with enhanced CAN XL decoding support. CAN XL is that latest generation of controller area network protocol and is used extensively in the automotive and industrial worlds.

CAN XL comes with higher data rates and larger data payloads. CAN-XL combined with MPI-DPHY capability opens more potential leading-edge automotive and industrial applications for the scope series.

Real-Time Spectrum Analysis

The SDS7000A/AP oscilloscopes can also be used for real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA). RTSA capabilities include density plots, spectral monitoring and 3D visualization. By utilizing digital down-conversion (DDC), the units can support up to 1 GHz real-time analysis bandwidth – sufficient for capturing transient events in 5G NR, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi.

Real-time spectrum analysis output

SDS7000AP Series Key Features

The SDS7804AP comes with 8 GHz analog signal bandwidth and SDS7604AP tops out at 6 GHz. Both models share a broad set of high-end features:

• 4 analog channels plus Ext
• 20 Gigasamples per second (GSa/s) simultaneously on all four channels
• 1M waveform per second (wfm/s) capture rate
• 1 gigapoints per channel (Gpts/ch) standard and 2 Gpts/ch optional
• 12-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) resolution
• Background noise rejection: 300 μVrms at 8 GHz bandwidth, 220 μVrms at 4 GHz bandwidth
• SPO (Super Phosphor Oscilloscope) technology to improve signal fidelity and capture performance
• Intelligent trigger: Edge, Slope, Pulse, Window, Runt, Interval, Dropout, Pattern, Qualified, Nth edge, Setup/hold, Delay and Video (HDTV supported). Zone Trigger simplifies advanced triggering
• Serial bus triggering and decoder, supports protocols I2S, SPI, UART, CAN, LIN, CAN FD, CAN XL, FlexRay, MIL-STD-1553B, SENT, Manchester, ARINC429 and USB 2.0

The SDS7000A/AP have available a broad set of accessories including multiple probes and software add-ons. The two AP models join the existing A product line which includes the SDS7304A H12 at 3 GHz, the SDS7404A H12 at 4 GHz, the SDS7604A H12 at 6 GHz, and the SDS7804A H12 at 8 GHz. The A models come with a memory depth of 500 Mpts/ch with 1 Gpts/ch optional.

Under the Hood

The engine behind the SDS7000A/AP is an Intel Core i3-8100 or better CPU with 32 GB of DDR4 main memory and a 250 GB or larger SSD. The prior models were built around an embedded Arm CPU. The processor upgrade delivers improvements in system response, speed of measurement, calculation, and analysis functions.

The Linux based system outputs to a 15.6-inch diagonal HD resolution capacitive touch LCD. The units can drive external monitors with up to 4096x2304 resolution. The unit weighs in at 10.6 Kg (23.4 pounds) and takes up 444.5mm x 367mm x 176.4mm (17.5” x 14.5 x 6.2”) area. While not a portable device, the reasonable weight and footprint gives the units a lot of mobile flexibility.

All images used courtesy of Siglent.