HP / Agilent 54720A REAL-TIME MODULAR OSCILLOSCOPE MAINFRAME

The HP/Agilent 54720A is a modular, real-time digital oscilloscope mainframe that delivers signal acquisition through a flexible, plug-in architecture. Four acquisition slots accept customizable modules - from single-wide to four-wide configurations - enabling sample rates from 2 GSa/s up to 8 GSa/s and bandwidth up to 1.5 GHz, depending on installed plug-ins. Deep acquisition memory (16K to 256K points) and pre-trigger capability support capture of transient events and single-shot phenomena with 50-ps time interval measurement accuracy.

Technical Specifications Acquisition System:

8-bit digitizer resolution per slot

Maximum sample rate: 2 GSa/s per slot; 4 GSa/s (two-wide plug-in); 8 GSa/s (four-wide plug-in)

Acquisition memory: 16K points (A models) or 64K points (D models) per slot; 32K/128K (two-wide A/D); 64K/256K (four-wide)

Pre-trigger acquisition supported

Bandwidth up to 1.5 GHz per slot (plug-in dependent) Triggering:

Edge, state, and pattern triggering

500-ps glitch trigger capability

Logic analyzer triggering available Measurement Performance:

Time interval measurement accuracy: 50-ps single-shot

Pulse width measurement via 4-GSa/s sample rate and 1.1-GHz bandwidth

Single-shot event analysis Firmware & Storage:

3.5-inch disk drive for firmware updates

Flash ROM upgrades supported

Key Features

Four modular plug-in slots for customizable configuration

Scalable performance: 2 to 8 GSa/s sample rate range

Color display with signal, measurement, and softkey visualization

Glitch detection to 500 ps

Compatible with HP 54711A (>1.5 GHz, 2 GSa/s), 54721A (4 GSa/s), 54722A (8 GSa/s), and 54712A (1.1 GHz amplifier) modules

Typical Applications Ideal for engineers requiring real-time capture of high-speed digital and analog signals, transient analysis, single-shot event characterization, and logic-state triggering in research, design verification, and field troubleshooting environments.

Compatibility & Integration The 54720A mainframe accommodates standard plug-in modules. Color display provides integrated measurement tools and waveform storage via 3.5-inch disk media.