HP / Agilent 54720A REAL-TIME MODULAR OSCILLOSCOPE MAINFRAME

The HP/Agilent 54720A is a modular, real-time digital oscilloscope mainframe that delivers high-performance 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.