Agilent Technologies 54621A User manual

User’s Guide
Publication Number 54622-97029
March 2002
For Safety Information and egulatory information,
see the pages behind the Index.
© Copyright Agilent Technologies 2000-2002
All ights eserved
Agilent 54621A/22A/24A/41A/42A
Oscilloscopes and
Agilent 54621D/22D/41D/42D
Mixed-Signal Oscilloscopes

ii
The Oscilloscopes at a Glance
Choose from a variety of oscilloscopes for capturing
long, non-repeating signals
with 200 MSa/s sample rate and 2 MBytes of
MegaZoom deep memory per channel.
•Agilent 54621A - 2-channel, 60-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54621D - 2-channel +16 logic channels, 60-
MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54622A - 2-channel, 100-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54622D - 2-channel +16 logic channels,
100-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54624A - 4-channel, 100-MHz bandwidth
with 2 GSa/s sample rate and 4 MBytes of MegaZoom
deep memory per channel.
•Agilent 54641A - 2-channel, 350-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54641D - 2-channel +16 logic channels,
350-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54642A - 2-channel, 500-MHz bandwidth
•Agilent 54642D - 2-channel +16 logic channels,
500-MHz bandwidth
Display shows current input signals
• All analog and digital (54621D/22D/41D/42D)
channels displayed in main and delayed mode
• Indicators for channel, time base, digital
(54621D/22D/41D/42D)channelactivity,triggerand
acquisition status
• Softkey labels
• Measurement results
Digital channel controls select, position, and label
inputs (54621D/22D/41D/42D)
• Turnchannelsonoroffindividuallyoringroupsof8
• Rearrange order of channels to group related
signals
• Create and display labels to identify channels
Run control keys begin and end data acquisition
• Run/Stop startsand stops continuous acquisitions
• Single performs one acquisition
• Infinite persistence accumulates and displays the
results of multiple acquisitions
General controls measure, save and restore results,
and configure the oscilloscope
• Waveform math including FFT, subtract, multiply,
integrate, and differentiate
• UseQuickMeastomakeautomaticmeasurements
Integrated counter included with Quick Meas.
• Use cursors to make manual measurements
• Save or recall measurement configurations or
previous results
• Autoscaleperformssimpleone-buttonsetupofthe
oscilloscope
Horizontal Controls select sweep speed and delay
parameters
• Sweep speeds from 5 ns/div to 50 ns/div (54620-
series) and 1 ns/div to 50 s/div (54640-series)
• Delay control moves waveform display to point of
interest
• Delayed mode and delay allow zooming in to show
a portion of waveform in detail (split screen)
Trigger keys define what data the oscilloscope will
trigger on
• Source key allows conventional oscilloscope
triggering
• Modes include Edge, Pulse Width, Pattern, CAN,
Duration, I2C, Sequence, SPI, TV, and USB
triggering
Softkeys extend the functionality of command keys
Select measurement types, operating modes, trigger
specifications, label data, and more
Digital channel inputs through a flexible probing
system (54621D/22D/41D/42D)
• Sixteen channels through a dual 8-channel cable
with micro-clips
• Set logic levels as TTL, CMOS, ECL, or to a user-
definable voltage
Utilities
• Dedicated parallel printer port, controller
operation, floppy disk storage
Built in Quick Help system
• Press and hold any key front-panel key or softkey
to get help in 11 languages.

iii
n This Book
This manual will guide you in using the oscilloscopes. This manual is organized
in the following chapters:
Chapter 1 Getting Started—inspecting, cleaning, and setting up your
oscilloscope, using Quick Help.
Chapter 2 Front-panel Overview—A quick start guide to get you familiarize
you with the front-panel operation.
Chapter 3 Triggering the Oscilloscope—how to trigger the oscilloscope using
all the various modes.
Chapter 4 MegaZoom Concepts and Oscilloscope Operation—acquiring
waveforms, horizontal and vertical operation, using digital channels.
Chapter 5 Making Measurements—capturing data, using math function,
making measurement with cursors and automatic measurements.
Chapter 6 Utilities—configuring the I/O, print settings, Quick Help, floppy
disk operations, user cal and self cal, setting the clock and screen saver.
Chapter 7 Performance Characteristics

iv

Contents
Contents-1
1 Getting Started
Setting up the Oscilloscope 1-4
To inspect package contents 1-5
To inspect options and accessories 1-8
To clean the oscilloscope 1-11
To adjust the handle 1-12
To power-on the oscilloscope 1-13
To adjust the waveform intensity 1-14
To connect the oscilloscope analog probes 1-15
To compensate your analog probe 1-16
To use the digital probes (mixed-signal oscilloscope only) 1-17
To connect a printer 1-21
To connect an S-232 cable 1-21
To verify basic oscilloscope operation 1-22
Getting started using the oscilloscope interface 1-23
Using Quick Help 1-25
Selecting a language for Quick Help when the oscilloscope starts up 1-25
Selecting a language for Quick Help after you have been operating the
oscilloscope 1-26
Loading an updated language file from floppy disk 1-27
2 Front-Panel Overview
Important Oscilloscope Considerations 2-3
54620/40-series Oscilloscope Front Panels 2-7
Front-Panel Operation 2-10
Interpreting the display 2-11
To use analog channels to view a signal 2-12
To use digital channels to view a signal 2-13
To display signals automatically using Autoscale 2-14
To apply the default factory configuration 2-15
To adjust analog channel vertical scaling and position 2-16
To set the vertical expand reference for the analog signal 2-17

Contents
Contents-2
To set analog channel probe attenuation factor 2-17
To display and rearrange the digital channels 2-18
To operate the time base controls 2-19
To start and stop an acquisition 2-20
To make a single acquisition 2-20
To use delayed sweep 2-21
To make cursor measurements 2-22
To make automatic measurements 2-23
To modify the display grid 2-24
To print the display 2-24
3 Triggering the Os illos ope
Selecting Trigger Modes and Conditions 3-3
To select the Mode and Coupling menu 3-3
To select a trigger mode: Normal, Auto, Auto Level 3-4
To select trigger Coupling 3-6
To select Noise eject and HF eject 3-6
To set holdoff 3-7
External Trigger Input 3-9
Trigger Types 3-11
To use Edge triggering 3-12
To use Pulse Width triggering 3-14
To use Pattern triggering 3-17
To use CAN triggering 3-19
To use Duration triggering 3-21
To use I2C triggering 3-24
To use Sequence triggering 3-29
To use SPI triggering 3-35
To use TV triggering 3-40
To use USB triggering 3-50
The Trigger Out connector 3-52

Contents
Contents-3
4 MegaZoom Con epts and Os illos ope Operation
MegaZoom Concepts 4-3
Deep Memory 4-4
Oscilloscope esponsiveness 4-5
Display Update ate 4-6
To setup the Analog channels 4-7
To setup the Horizontal time base 4-11
Acquisition Modes 4-17
Display modes 4-21
Pan and Zoom 4-23
To pan and zoom a waveform 4-24
Run/Stop/Single/ nfinite Persistence Operation 4-25
Acquiring Data 4-26
Memory Depth/ ecord Length 4-27
To run and stop an acquisition 4-28
To take a single trace 4-28
To capture a single event 4-29
To use infinite persistence 4-30
To use infinite persistence to store multiple repetitive events 4-30
To clear the waveform display 4-31
Configuring the Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope 4-32
To display digital channels using Autoscale 4-32
Interpreting the digital waveform display 4-33
To display and rearrange the digital channels 4-34
To turn individual channels on and off 4-35
To force all channels on or all channels off 4-36
To change the display size of the digital channels 4-36
To change the logic threshold for digital channels 4-37
Using Digital Channels to Probe Circuits 4-38
Using Labels on the Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope 4-42
To turn the label display on or off 4-43
To assign a predefined label to a channel 4-44
To define a new label 4-45
To reset the label library to the factory default 4-47

Contents
Contents-4
Saving and Recalling Traces and Setups 4-48
To Autosave traces and setups 4-49
To save traces and setups to internal memory or to overwrite an existing
floppy disk file 4-50
To save traces and setups to a new file on the floppy disk 4-51
To recall traces and setups 4-52
Saving (printing) screen images to floppy disk 4-53
ecalling the factory default setup 4-54
5 Making Measurements
Capturing Data 5-3
To use delayed sweep 5-4
To reduce the random noise on a signal 5-6
To capture glitches or narrow pulses with peak detect and infinite
persistence 5-10
To use the oll horizontal mode 5-12
To use the XY horizontal mode 5-13
Math Functions 5-17
Math Scale and Offset 5-18
Multiply 5-19
Subtract 5-20
Differentiate 5-21
Integrate 5-23
FFT Measurement 5-25
Cursor Measurements 5-31
To make cursor measurements 5-32
Automatic Measurements 5-37
Making automatic measurements 5-38
Making time measurements automatically 5-39
Making Delay and Phase Measurements 5-43
Making voltage measurements automatically 5-45
Making overshoot and preshoot measurements 5-48

Contents
Contents-5
6 Utilities
To configure Quick Help languages 6-3
To update your instrument to the latest application software 6-5
To configure a printer 6-6
To use the floppy disk 6-8
To set up the I/O port to use a controller 6-9
To set the clock 6-11
To set up the screen saver 6-12
To perform service functions 6-14
To set other options 6-16
7 Performan e Chara teristi s
Agilent 54620-series Performance Characteristics 7-3
Agilent 54640-series Performance Characteristics 7-13

Contents-6

1
Getting Started

1-2
Getting Started
When you use the oscilloscopes to help test and troubleshoot your
systems, you may do the following:
• Prepare the oscilloscope by connecting it to power and setting up the
handle and screen intensity as desired.
• Define the measurement problem by understanding the parameters
of the system you wish to test, and the expected system behavior.
• Set up channel inputs by connecting the probes to the appropriate
signal and ground nodes in the circuit under test.
• Define the trigger to reference the waveform data at a specific event
of interest.
• Use the oscilloscope to acquire data, either in continuous or single-
shot fashion.
• Examine the data and make measurements on it using various
features.
• Save the measurement or configuration for later re-use or comparison
with other measurements.
epeat the process as necessary until you verify correct operation or
find the source of the problem.
MegaZoom Te hnology Operates with Untriggered Data
With the MegaZoom technology built into the oscilloscope, you can
operate the oscilloscope with untriggered data. All you do is press Run
or Single while in Auto trigger mode, then examine the data to set up a
trigger.

1-3
Getting Started
The oscilloscope’s high-speed display can be used to isolate infrequently
changing signals. You can then use the characteristics of these signals
to help refine the trigger specification. For more information on
triggering, data acquisition, data examination and measurement, and
configuration, see the later chapters.
Using the Oscilloscope, and Refining the Trigger Specification

1-4
Setting up the Oscilloscope
To prepare your oscilloscope for use, you need to do the following tasks.
After you have completed them, you will be ready t o use the oscilloscope.
In the following topics you will:
• inspect package contents
• inspect options and accessories
• learn how to clean the oscilloscope
• adjust the handle
• power-on the oscilloscope
• adjust the display intensity
• connect the oscilloscope probes
• connect the digital probes (with 54621D/22D/41D/42D)
• connect a printer
• connect a S-232 cable
• verify basic oscilloscope operation
• get started using the oscilloscope interface
• learn how to use Quick Help

1-5
Getting Started
To inspect package contents
To inspect package contents
❏nspect the shipping container for damage.
If your shipping container appears to be damaged, keep the shipping container
or cushioning material until you have inspected the contents of the shipment
for completeness and have checked the oscilloscope mechanically and
electrically.
❏Verify that you received the following items and any optional accessories in
the oscilloscope packaging (see figure following).
• 54620/40-Series Oscilloscope:
54621A, 21D, 22A, 22D, 24A, 41A, 41D, 42A, or 42D
• 10:1 passive probes with id:
(2) 10074C (150 MHz) for 54621A, 21D, 22A, or 22D
(4) 10074C (150 MHz) for 54624A
(2) 10073C (500 MHz) for 54641A, 41D, 42A, or 42D
• 54620-68701 digital probe kit for 54621D, 22D, 41D, or 42D
• Accessory pouch and front-panel cover standard for all except 54621A, 21D.
(54621A and 21D order N2726A)
• Power cord (see table 1-3)
• IntuiLink for 54600-series Oscilloscopes software and S-232 cable (all
except for 54621A or 21D).
IntuiLink is a Windows application that makes it very easy for you to
download images, waveform data, or oscilloscope setups from the
oscilloscope to your pc using either Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. After
installation of IntuiLink, a tool bar in these Microsoft applications will make
connection and data transfer from the oscilloscope very simple.
For 54621A and 21D users, IntuiLink for 54600-series Oscilloscopes software
is available free on the web at:
www.agilent.com/find/5462xsw
S-232 cable may be ordered separately, part number 34398A

1-6
Getting Started
To inspect package contents
• Agilent IntuiLink Data Capture (all except for 54621A or 21D)
IntuiLink Data Capture is a standalone program for downloading waveform
data from the oscilloscopes to your PC via GPIB or S-232 interface. It
provides the capability to transfer deep memory data out of the oscilloscope,
allowing up to 4MB (scope channels) and 8MB (logic channels). The
IntuiLink for 54600-Series limits the size of acquisition data available to a
maximum of 2,000 points regardless of actual number of acquisition points
on the screen. With the IntuiLink Data Capture, the amount of points
transferred will be the actual number of acquisition points currently
displayed or you may select the number of points to download. It provides
the following functionality:
• Download waveform data and display the data as a simple chart
• Save the data as binary or text files
• Copy the chart and a selected portion of the data to the clipboard. The
maximum data saved to the clipboard is 50,000 point
• Load saved waveform data back into the application
For 54621A and 21D users, IntuiLink Data Capture software is available free
on the web at:
www.agilent.com/find/5462xsw
S-232 cable may be ordered separately, part number 34398A
If anything is missing, contact your nearest Agilent Sales Office. If the shipment
was damaged, contact the carrier, then contact the nearest Agilent Sales Office.
❏nspect the oscilloscope
• If there is mechanical damage or a defect, or if the oscilloscope does not
operate properly or does not pass the performance tests listed in the Service
Guide, notify your Agilent Sales Office.
• If the shipping container is damaged, or the cushioning materials show signs
of stress, notify the carrier and your Agilent Sales Office. Keep the shipping
materials for the carrier’s inspection. The Agilent Sales Office will arrange
for repair or replacement at Agilent’s option, without waiting for claim
settlement.

1-7
Getting Started
To inspect package contents
Package contents for 54620/40-Series Oscilloscopes
s
s1

10073C or
10074C Probes
Power cord
Accessories pouch and
front-panel cover**
54620-61801 16-channel cable
5959-9334 2”Ground
lead (qty 5)
5090-4356 Clip
(qty 20)
IntuiLink for 54600-series
software, Data Capture
software and serial cable**
54620/40-Series Oscilloscope 54620-68701 digital probe kit*
* 54621D /22D/41D/42D only
** All except 54621A/21D

1-8
Getting Started
To inspect options and accessories
To inspect options and accessories
❏Verify that you received the options and accessories you ordered and that none
were damaged.
If anything is missing, contact your nearest Agilent Sales Office. If the shipment
was damaged, or the cushioning materials show signs of stress, notify the carrier
and your Agilent Sales Office.
Some of the options and accessories available for the 54620/40-Series
Oscilloscopes are listed in tables 1-1 and 1-2. Contact your Agilent Sales Office
for a complete list of options and accessories.
Table 1-1 Options available
Option Description
003 Shielding Option for use in severe environments or with sensitive devices under
test–shields both ways (in and out):
RS-03 magnetic interface shielding added to CRT, and
RE-02 display shield added to CRT to reduce radiated interference.
1CM Rackmount kit (same as 1186A)
A6J ANSII Z540 compliant calibration with test data
W32 3-year, customer-return calibration service
W34 3-year, customer-return standard compliance calibration service
W50 Additional 2-year warranty (5 years total)
W52 5-year, customer-return calibration service
W54 5-year customer-return standard compliance calibration service
See table 1-3 for power cord options

1-9
Getting Started
To inspect options and accessories
Table 1-2 Accessories available
Model Description
1146A Current probe, ac/dc
1183A Testmobile scope cart
1185A Carrying Case
1186A Rackmount Kit
10070C 1:1 Passive Probe with ID
10072A Fine-pitch probe kit
10075A 0.5 mm IC clip kit
10076A 100:1, 4 kV 250 MHz probe with ID
10085A 16:16 logic cable and terminator (for use with 54621D/22D/41D/42D)
10089A 16:2 x 8 logic input probe assembly (shipped standard with 54621D/22D/41D/42D)
10100C 50ΩTermination
10833A GPIB cable, 1 m long
34398A RS-232 cable (standard except 54621A/21D)
E2613B 0.5 mm Wedge probe adapter, 3-signal, qty 2
E2614A 0.5 mm Wedge probe adapter, 8-signal, qty 1
E2615B 0.65 mm Wedge probe adapter, 3-signal, qty 2
E2616A 0.65 mm Wedge probe adapter, 8-signal, qty 1
E2643A 0.5 mm Wedge probe adapter, 16-signal, qty 1
E2644A 0.65 mm Wedge probe adapter, 16-signal, qty 1
N2726A Accessory pouch and front-panel cover (standard except on 54621A/21D)
N2727A Thermal printer and pouch
N2728A 10 rolls of thermal printer paper
N2757A GPIB Interface Module
N2772A 20 MHz differential probe
N2773A Differential probe power supply
N2774A 50 MHz current probe ac/dc
N2775A Power supply for N2774A

1-10
Getting Started
To inspect options and accessories
Table 1-3. Power Cords
Plug Type Cable Part Number Plug Type Cable Part Number
Opt 900 (U.K.) 8120-1703 Opt 918 (Japan) 8120-4754
Opt 901 (Australia) 8120-0696 Opt 919 (Israel) 8120-6799
Opt 902 (Europe) 8120-1692 Opt 920 (Argentina) 8120-6871
Opt 903 (U.S.A.) 8120-1521 Opt 921 (Chile) 8120-6979
Opt 906 (Switzerland) 8120-2296 Opt 922 (China) 8120-8377
Opt 912 (Denmark) 8120-2957 Opt 927 (Thailand) 8120-8871
Opt 917 (Africa) 8120-4600