Agilent/Keysight 86100A

The Agilent/Keysight 86100A is a modular, wide-bandwidth oscilloscope that functions simultaneously as a general-purpose oscilloscope, digital communications analyzer, and time-domain reflectometer (TDR/TDT). It characterizes high-speed digital and optical signals up to 40 Gb/s and exceeds 50 GHz bandwidth with appropriate module selection. The instrument supports waveform testing from 100 Mb/s to 40 Gb/s with eye diagram analysis, compliance testing for SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fibre Channel standards, plus precision S-parameter impedance analysis. Its Windows-based graphical user interface and modular architecture enable rapid configuration for diverse signal integrity and communications applications.

– Technical Specifications

• Maximum Waveform Testing Speed: Up to 40 Gb/s
• Bandwidth: Exceeds 50 GHz (module dependent)
• Scope Jitter: 1 ps RMS (low scope jitter baseline)
• Electrical Module Options:
– Agilent 86112A: Dual channels, 12.4 GHz or 20 GHz user-selectable
– Agilent 83484A: Dual channels, 26.5 GHz
– Agilent 86116A: 65 GHz electrical bandwidth
• Storage: 5.5 GB user-available hard drive space; 120 MB SuperDisk floppy drive; LAN interface

– Key Features

• Acquisition Modes: Oscilloscope, Eye/Mask, TDR/TDT
• Measurement Tools: Waveform and TDR markers; customizable limit tests with defined actions; user-selectable thresholds (10%, 50%, 90%, or custom); histograms for jitter and statistical analysis; integrated math functions
• Signal Integrity Analysis: Eye diagram generation and characterization from 100 Mb/s to 40 Gb/s
• User Interface: Windows-based GUI with context-sensitive online help; front panel with analog-style controls; touch screen option available
• Backward Compatibility: Supports modules from Agilent 83480A and 54750A series

– Typical Applications

• High-speed digital signal characterization
• Optical signal analysis
• Transmitter quality assessment via eye diagram compliance testing
• Signal integrity verification for SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fibre Channel designs
• Impedance and reflection analysis via TDR/TDT

– Compatibility & Integration

The 86100A’s modular architecture accepts plug-in modules from multiple Agilent/Keysight product families, enabling bandwidth configurations from 12.4 GHz to 65 GHz and beyond. Network connectivity via LAN supports distributed measurement and data storage.