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Scopes Get a Second Look with Integrated Analyzers

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June 7, 2023 - Vista, California - Axiom Test Equipment, Inc., an electronic test equipment rental and sales company has published a new blog post that covers how high-speed oscilloscopes with on-board spectrum analysis capability can be a more efficient testing approach. Traditionally, testing in the time and frequency domains meant separate signal paths and separate units. An oscilloscope shows signals in the time domain while a spectrum analyzer shows signals in the frequency domain. However, a more efficient approach - and a less crowded test bench - can be achieved using a high-speed oscilloscope with on-board spectrum analysis capability. That way, it is possible to have multiple looks at a signal of interest with a single unit.

Specifying a combination oscilloscope/spectrum analyzer requires defining performance ranges for the two units, so that each will deliver the capabilities needed for a targeted set of test applications. For an oscilloscope, this typically includes the number of measurement channels, bandwidth per channel, sample rate, vertical bit resolution, trigger level range, time base range, noise floor, and acceptable jitter. For a spectrum analyzer, it is number of channels, frequency range, acquisition bandwidth range, frequency resolution, and minimum/maximum signal power or dynamic range.

Learn more about the combination units that can save time and clutter on a test bench and the tedium of carrying multiple testers into the field. Read the full blog post on Axiom's website.

Scopes Get a Second Look with Integrated Analyzers

Oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers are two of the most essential electronic test equipment, offering two views of electrical energy. An oscilloscope shows signals in the time domain, plotting amplitude versus time. A spectrum analyzer shows signals in the frequency domain, with amplitude displayed versus frequency. The different views can be useful when tracing faults in circuits, especially with mixed signals. These test units help analyze continuous-wave (CW), radio-frequency (RF), pulsed, and a variety of different electronic signals, with insights provided by the mixed signal domains. Traditionally, testing in the time and frequency domains meant separate signal paths and separate units. However, a more efficient approach - and a less crowded test bench - can be achieved using a high-speed oscilloscope with on-board spectrum analysis capability. That way, it is possible to have multiple looks at a signal of interest with a single unit.

Oscilloscopes have long been workhorse equipment for measuring AC and DC voltages of various waveforms, such as sinewaves and square waves. They are available for analyzing high-speed signals and, with suitable test probes, can show the effects of design changes to a circuit and how variations in operating conditions can affect electronic performance over time. Some modern oscilloscopes add the convenience of spectrum analysis capability, either in software or hardware form. Oscilloscopes with software spectrum analyzers apply digital signal processing (DSP) to captured signal data to create a spectral display of signal amplitude versus frequency much like the screen of a traditional spectrum analyzer. Some oscilloscopes integrate a spectrum analyzer receiver printed-circuit board (PCB) or module within their cabinets so that separate units reside within the same housing and control center.

Specifying a combination oscilloscope/spectrum analyzer requires defining performance ranges for the two units, so that each will deliver the capabilities needed for a targeted set of test applications. For an oscilloscope, this typically includes the number of measurement channels, bandwidth per channel, sample rate, vertical bit resolution, trigger level range, time base range, noise floor, and acceptable jitter. For a spectrum analyzer, it is number of channels, frequency range, acquisition bandwidth range, frequency resolution, and minimum/maximum signal power or dynamic range. Whether for design, manufacturing, or in-field testing, a single unit with the features of both units and with a practical user interface can reduce clutter and increase measurement power.

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Whatever type of testing your project requires, rent or buy quality test equipment from Axiom Test Equipment. For over 15 years Axiom Test Equipment has rented, sold, repaired and accepted trade-in of test equipment to support your test & measurement needs. If you would like help selecting any type of test equipment for your next project, contact Axiom Test Equipment's sales department at sales@axiomtest.com, call 760-806-6600, or browse Axiom Test Equipment's inventory online at www.axiomtest.com.

About Axiom Test Equipment

Get Exactly What You Need. Rent - Buy - Repair - Trade-In

Established in 2005, Axiom Test Equipment strives to continually improve itself and offer the best value for its customers. We offer our customers several practical, efficient and cost effective solutions for their business or projects' test equipment needs. Whether you need to rent & buy test equipment, repair test equipment, sell or trade equipment, we are committed to providing superior customer service and high quality electronic test equipment.

At Axiom Test Equipment we provide several services. We rent electronic test and measurement equipment. We also sell test equipment. If you have a piece of malfunctioning or broken test equipment we also have an in-house repair lab. For anyone seeking a way to offload their surplus or obsolete equipment, we offer a trade-in program or we can buy the equipment from you.

We stock a comprehensive inventory of equipment and can use our extensive network to find you those hard to get items. We believe in getting equipment to you quickly and at a competitive price.

Contacts

Fabian Garcia
Marketing Coordinator
Axiom Test Equipment
2610 Commerce Way 
Vista, CA  92081
Phone: (760) 806-6600

Web: www.axiomtest.com

E-Mail: fgarcia@axiomtest.com

Posted June 15, 2023