HP / Agilent 54540A 4 Channel 500 MSa/s Monochrome Digitizing Oscilloscope

The HP/Agilent 54540A is a four-channel monochrome digitizing oscilloscope built for precision signal measurement across analog and digital design, R&D, and manufacturing test environments. With 500 MHz analog bandwidth across all channels and real-time sample rates scaling from 2 GSa/s (single channel) to 500 MSa/s (three or four channels), this instrument captures detailed waveforms with 32 Kpoints of memory per channel. The monochrome CRT display, integrated floppy disk drive, and comprehensive triggering and math functions make it suitable for complex signal analysis and repetitive testing.

## Technical Specifications

• **Analog Bandwidth:** 500 MHz (all 4 channels)
• **Real-Time Sample Rate:** 2 GSa/s (1 channel), 1 GSa/s (2 channels), 500 MSa/s (3–4 channels)
• **Channels:** 4 simultaneous acquisition
• **Acquisition Memory:** 32,768 points per channel (real-time)
• **Real-Time Bandwidth:** 250 MHz (2 channels), 125 MHz (3–4 channels)
• **Repetitive Bandwidth:** 500 MHz equivalent time, ≤700 ps rise time
• **Vertical Sensitivity:** 1 mV/Div to 5 V/Div
• **Input Impedance:** 50 Ω or 1 MΩ
• **Resolution:** 8-bit; 10-bit via HP-IB with averaging
• **Peak Detect:** 1 ns glitch capture at ≤250 MSa/s (sequential single-shot off)

## Key Features

• Sequential single-shot acquisition storing up to 400 Kbytes per event without dead time
• 4 nonvolatile and 2 pixel-addressable waveform memory slots; segmentable architecture
• Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for frequency-domain analysis
• Math operations: add, subtract, multiply, integrate, differentiate, invert, magnify
• Automatic measurements: frequency, amplitude, Vp-p, Vdc, Vac RMS, period, pulse width, duty cycle, and threshold-based parameters
• User-definable trigger thresholds from −25% to 125%
• Auto setup for signal optimization

## Typical Applications

• Digital and analog circuit validation
• Single-shot transient capture and waveform analysis
• Manufacturing test and functional verification
• Signal characterization in frequency and time domains

## Compatibility & Integration

• Built-in 3.5″ DOS-compatible floppy drive for setup, waveform, and screen image storage (TIFF, PCX, EPS formats)
• HP-IB and RS-232 interfaces for remote control and data transfer
• Operating system software storage and upgrades via floppy disk