Tektronix TDS5052B 500MHz Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope

The Tektronix TDS5052B is a 500 MHz, 2-channel Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope engineered for signal characterization, troubleshooting, and design validation. Its Digital Phosphor Technology (DPX) delivers a live, analog-like display with real-time intensity grading across amplitude, time, and distribution dimensions, capturing signal behavior with exceptional detail and speed.

– Technical Specifications

Bandwidth & Channels
• 500 MHz bandwidth (-3 dB)
• 2 analog channels
• 800 ps calculated rise time (typical, at 5 mV/div)
• 8-bit vertical resolution

Acquisition
• Maximum sample rate: 5 GS/s (single channel), 2.5 GS/s (dual channel)
• Standard record length: 400 kpts (1 channel), 200 kpts (2 channels)
• Optional memory up to 16 Mpts with selectable configurations (1M, 2M options)
• Waveform capture rate: 100,000 wfms/s maximum
• Acquisition modes include FastAcq, Sample, Peak Detect (glitches to 400 ps), Averaging (2–10,000 waveforms), Envelope, Hi-Res, and FastFrame

Vertical System
• Input sensitivity: 5 mV/div to 1 V/div
• Coupling options: DC, AC, Noise Reject, HF Reject, LF Reject

Horizontal System
• Time base range: 2 ns/div to 100 s/div

Trigger System
• Edge, Glitch (1.0 ns minimum width), Timeout, Width, and Pulse triggers
• Video triggers for NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and analog HDTV
• Dual trigger systems (A and B) with delay-by-time (16 ns to 250 s) or delay-by-events (1 to 10,000,000)
• Trigger holdoff: 1.5 µs to 12 s

Measurement & Analysis
• 53 automated measurements (8 displayed simultaneously) covering amplitude, time-related, and combination parameters
• Math functions for custom waveform expressions

– Key Features

• Real-time waveform database with three-dimensional amplitude, time, and distribution visualization
• FastAcq optimization for dynamic signals and infrequent events
• Peak Detect captures transients as narrow as 400 ps
• Hi-Res mode provides real-time noise reduction through boxcar averaging
• Comprehensive trigger types for complex signal acquisition scenarios

– Typical Applications

Production testing, design validation, signal troubleshooting, and characterization of demanding analog and digital signals across communications, power delivery, and embedded systems.

– Compatibility & Integration

Two-channel architecture supports simultaneous acquisition across independent signal paths with synchronized timebase control.