Digital Oscilloscopes

How Digital Oscilloscopes Work

A digital oscilloscope continuously samples an input signal at a defined sample rate and converts each sample into a digital value based on the vertical resolution of the ADC. These samples are stored in acquisition memory and reconstructed into a waveform that represents voltage versus time.

Key internal components include:
• High-speed analog front end with selectable attenuation and bandwidth limiting
• Precision ADCs that define sampling accuracy and noise floor
• Deep memory architecture for long waveform capture
• Trigger system for stable and repeatable waveform acquisition
• Digital signal processing for measurements, math, and analysis

This architecture allows engineers to capture fast transients, rare events, and complex waveforms that cannot be reliably observed using analog instruments.

Types of Digital Oscilloscopes We Offer

Digital Storage Oscilloscopes

Digital storage oscilloscopes are general-purpose instruments designed for capturing and storing waveforms for detailed analysis. They are widely used for circuit debugging, power analysis, timing verification, and signal validation.

These oscilloscopes support automated measurements such as rise time, fall time, jitter, frequency, duty cycle, and voltage statistics, making them suitable for both design and production environments.

Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes

Mixed signal oscilloscopes integrate analog measurement channels with digital logic channels, allowing simultaneous observation of analog waveforms and digital control signals.

They are essential for debugging embedded systems where microcontrollers, FPGAs, and digital buses interact with analog circuitry. Correlating logic states with analog signal behavior helps engineers identify timing violations, signal integrity issues, and firmware-related problems.

High Bandwidth and High Sample Rate Oscilloscopes

High bandwidth digital oscilloscopes are designed for analyzing fast edge rates and high-frequency signals. These instruments support applications such as high-speed serial data analysis, signal integrity validation, and semiconductor characterization.

High sample rates combined with deep memory allow accurate reconstruction of fast waveforms while maintaining long capture durations, which is critical for identifying jitter, eye closure, and intermittent anomalies.

Portable and Compact Oscilloscopes

Portable digital oscilloscopes provide reliable measurement capability in a compact form factor. These units are often used for field diagnostics, equipment maintenance, and on-site troubleshooting where bench instruments are impractical.

Despite their size, many portable oscilloscopes maintain strong bandwidth performance and advanced triggering features.

Key Technical Specifications Engineers Evaluate

Selecting the right digital oscilloscope requires careful consideration of several performance parameters:

• Bandwidth, which defines the highest signal frequency that can be accurately measured
• Sample rate, which determines time resolution and waveform fidelity
• Vertical resolution, which impacts noise performance and measurement accuracy
• Memory depth, which controls record length and time span at full resolution
• Number of channels, enabling multi-signal and differential analysis
• Trigger precision, essential for stable capture of complex or non-periodic signals
• Analysis capabilities including waveform math, FFT, eye diagrams, and protocol decoding

Proper alignment of these specifications with the target application ensures reliable and repeatable measurements.

Digital Oscilloscope Brands We Sell

Aumictech supplies digital oscilloscopes from industry-leading manufacturers trusted in professional test environments.

• Tektronix
Digital storage oscilloscopes, mixed signal oscilloscopes, high bandwidth research-grade systems

• Keysight Technologies
High-performance oscilloscopes for signal integrity, semiconductor testing, and high-speed serial analysis

• Agilent Technologies
Legacy and advanced digital oscilloscopes widely used in labs and production environments

• LeCroy
High-end oscilloscopes focused on deep memory, protocol analysis, and high-speed signal integrity

• Yokogawa
Precision oscilloscopes optimized for power electronics and industrial measurement applications

Used and Laboratory-Grade Digital Oscilloscopes

Many high-performance digital oscilloscopes remain in active use long after being discontinued by manufacturers. Professionally sourced used and refurbished oscilloscopes provide exceptional value while maintaining the performance required for advanced testing.

These instruments are commonly deployed in universities, semiconductor fabs, R&D labs, and service centers where measurement accuracy and reliability are critical.

Why Digital Oscilloscopes Are Critical in Modern Systems

As electronic systems continue to operate at higher speeds and lower voltage margins, digital oscilloscopes play a critical role in validating performance, diagnosing failures, and ensuring signal integrity.

They enable engineers to visualize real-world signal behavior, identify timing issues, quantify noise and distortion, and verify compliance with increasingly strict design requirements.

Digital oscilloscopes remain a cornerstone instrument for electronics development, validation, and long-term system reliability.