TEKTRONIX TDS520A 2-Chan 500MHz Digital Tek OSCILLOSCOPE

The Tektronix TDS520A is a 2-channel, 500 MHz digital oscilloscope engineered for signal acquisition and analysis across research, development, and manufacturing environments. It delivers 500 MS/s sample rate per channel with 15 kpts record length and native 8-bit vertical resolution, expandable to 12-bit in Hi-Res Mode. The instrument supports multiple acquisition modes - including Peak Detect, Average (2 to 10,000 waveforms), FastFrame™ segmentation (up to 910 segments), and infinite persistence with 16-level gray scaling - enabling comprehensive signal characterization.

Advanced triggering includes Time Interval, 2-ns Glitch, Runt, State, and Pattern detection. The vertical front end accepts ±400 V (DC + peak AC) with selectable 1 mV to 10 V/div sensitivity and 1% accuracy. Input impedance options are 1 MΩ || 10 pF or 50 Ω, with channel isolation of ≥100:1 at 100 MHz and ≥30:1 at 500 MHz.

Twenty-five automatic measurements, waveform arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide, invert), and optional FFT analysis (DC to 500 MHz, 500 to 10,000-point transform, 55–65 dB SNR) provide detailed signal insight. Autosetup enables single-button configuration. The 200 waveform/second update rate and cursor-based measurements support both routine diagnostics and complex fault isolation.

Technical Specifications

• Bandwidth: 500 MHz


• Channels: 2


• Sample Rate: 500 MS/s per channel


• Record Length: 15 kpts per channel


• Vertical Resolution: 8-bit native; 12-bit (Hi-Res Mode)


• Vertical Sensitivity: 1 mV to 10 V/div


• Vertical Accuracy: 1%


• Input Impedance: 1 MΩ || 10 pF or 50 Ω


• Maximum Input Voltage: ±400 V (DC + peak AC); derating 20 dB/decade above 1 MHz (1 MΩ or GND coupled)


• Channel Isolation: ≥100:1 @ 100 MHz; ≥30:1 @ 500 MHz


• AC Low Frequency Limit: ≤10 Hz (1 MΩ coupled); ≤200 kHz (50 Ω coupled)


• Input Coupling: AC, DC, GND


• Update Rate: 200 waveforms/second (500 points per waveform, infinite persistence)

Key Features

• Acquisition modes: Infinite/Variable Persistence, Average, Hi-Res, Peak Detect, FastFrame™ (910 segments, >50,000 triggers/second)


• Advanced triggering: Time Interval, 2-ns Glitch, Runt, State, Pattern


• 25 automatic measurements; cursor-based absolute and delta voltage, time, frequency analysis


• Waveform functions: Interpolation (sin x/x or linear), Average, Envelope


• Optional FFT: 500 to 10,000-point transform, DC to 500 MHz range, Rectangular/Hamming/Hanning/Blackman-Harris windowing, 55–65 dB SNR (Avg or HiRes mode)


• Optional functions: Integration, Differentiation


• Waveform limit testing and autosetup


• Gray scaling: 16 intensity levels for z-axis visualization

Typical Applications Signal debugging, power integrity analysis, high-speed digital characterization, analog circuit validation, educational instruction.

Compatibility & Integration Optional HDTV Video Triggering available for video signal analysis.