Tektronix TDS 520A User manual

Tektronix TDS520A Manual
Get Pricing & Availability at
ApexWaves.com
Call Today: 1-800-915-6216
Email: [e-mail]
https://www.apexwaves.com/oscilloscopes/tektronix-inc/tds500/TDS520A

User Manual
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A
Digitizing Oscilloscopes
070-8710-01
Please check for change information at the rear
of this manual.
First Printing: July 1993
Revised: November 1993

Instrument Serial Numbers
Each instrument manufactured by Tektronix has a serial number on a panel insert or tag, or stamped on the
chassis. The first letter in the serial number designates the country of manufacture. The last five digits of the
serial number are assigned sequentially and are unique to each instrument. Those manufactured in the United
States have six unique digits. The country of manufacture is identified as follows:
B010000 Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, USA
E200000 Tektronix United Kingdom, Ltd., London
J300000 Sony/Tektronix, Japan
H700000 Tektronix Holland, NV, Heerenveen, The Netherlands
Instruments manufactured for Tektronix by external vendors outside the United States are assigned a two digit
alpha code to identify the country of manufacture (e.g., JP for Japan, HK for Hong Kong, IL for Israel, etc.).
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077
Printed in U.S.A.
Copyright E Tektronix, Inc., 1993. All rights reserved. Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign
patents, issued and pending. The following are registered trademarks: TEKTRONIX, TEK, TEKPROBE, and
SCOPE-MOBILE.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
GPIB-PCII and GPIB-PCIIA are registered trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.
Epson is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc.
Interleaf is a trademark of Interleaf, Inc.
PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Deskjet, Laserjet, and Thinkjet are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Corporation.

WARRANTY
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from
the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair
the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the
warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for
packaging and shipping the defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid.
Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the
Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any
other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting
from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; or c) to service a product that has been modified or
integrated with other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing
the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR
REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR
BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE
VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

German Postal Information
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
We hereby certify that the TDS 520A, TDS 524A, TDS 540A, and TDS 544A Oscilloscopes and all
factory-installed options complies with the RF Interference Suppression requirements of Postal Regulation Vfg.
243/1991, Amended per Vfg. 46/1992
The German Postal Service was notified that the equipment is being marketed.
The German Postal Service has the right to re-test the series and to verify that it complies.
TEKTRONIX
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daß der/die/das TDS 520A, TDS 524A, TDS 540A, and TDS 544A Oscilloscopes und
alle fabrikinstallierten Optionen in Übereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der Amtsblatt-Verfügung Vfg.
243/1991 und Zusatzverfügung 46/1992 funkentstört sind.
Der Deutschen Bundespost wurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerätes angezeigt und die Berechtigung zur
Überprüfung der Serie auf Einhalten der Bestimmungen eingeräumt.
TEKTRONIX
NOTICE to the user/operator:
The German Postal Service requires that Systems assembled by the operator/user of this instrument must also
comply with Postal Regulation, Vfg. 243/1991, Par. 2, Sect. 1.
HINWEIS für den Benutzer/Betreiber:
Die vom Betreiber zusammengestellte Anlage, innerhalb derer dieses Gerät eingesetzt wird, muß ebenfalls den
Voraussetzungen nach Par. 2, Ziff. 1 der Vfg. 243/1991, genügen.
NOTICE to the user/operator:
The German Postal Service requires that this equipment, when used in a test setup, may only be operated if the
requirements of Postal Regulation, Vfg. 243/1991, Par. 2, Sect. 1.8.1 are complied with.
HINWEIS für den Benutzer/Betreiber:
Dieses Gerät darf in Meßaufbauten nur betrieben werden, wenn die Voraussetzungen des Par. 2, Ziff. 1. 8.1 der
Vfg. 243/1991 eingehalten werden.

EC Declaration of Conformity
We
Tektronix Holland N.V.
Marktweg 73A
8444 AB Heerenveen
The Netherlands
declare under sole responsibility that the
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Digitizing Oscilloscopes
meet the intent of Directive 89/336/EEC for Electromagnetic Compatibility.
Compliance was demonstrated to the following specifications as listed in the official
Journal of the European Communities:
EN 50081–1 Emissions:
EN 55022 Radiated
EN 55022 Conducted
EN 60555–2 Power Harmonics
EN 50082–1 Immunity:
IEC 801–2 Electrostatic Discharge
IEC 801–3 RF Radiated
IEC 801–4 Fast Transients
IEC 801–5 Surge

TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual
i
Welcome
This is the User Manual for the TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes .
The
Getting Started section familiarizes you with the operation of the digitizing
oscilloscope.
Operating Basics covers basic principles of the operation of the oscilloscope.
These articles help you understand why your instrument works the way it
does.
The
Reference section teaches you how to perform specific tasks. See
page 3-1 for a complete list of tasks covered in that section.
The
Appendices provide an options listing, an accessories listing, and other
useful information.
The following documents are related to the use or service of the digitizing
oscilloscope.
H The
TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes Programmer Manual (Tektronix
part number 070–8709–01) describes using a computer to control the
digitizing oscilloscope through the GPIB interface.
H The
TDS Family Option 05 Video Trigger Instruction Manual (Tektronix
part number 070–8748–00) describes use of the video trigger option (for
TDS oscilloscopes equipped with that option only).
H The
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, 544A, & 644A Reference (Tektronix part
number 070–8711–01) gives you a quick overview of how to operate your
digitizing oscilloscope.
H The
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Performance Verification (Tektronix
part number 070–8712–01) tells how to verify the performance of the
digitizing oscilloscope.
H The
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Service Manual (Tektronix part
number 070–8713–01) provides information for maintaining and servicing
your digitizing oscilloscope to the module level.
Related Manuals

Welcome
Welcome
ii
In the Getting Started and Reference sections, you will find various proce-
dures which contain steps of instructions for you to perform. To keep those
instructions clear and consistent, this manual uses the following conventions:
H In procedures, names of front panel controls and menu labels appear in
boldface print.
H Names also appear in the same case (initial capitals, all uppercase, etc.)
in the manual as is used on the oscilloscope front panel and menus. Front
panel names are all upper case letters, for example, VERTICAL MENU,
CH 1, etc.
H Instruction steps are numbered. The number is omitted if there is only
one step.
H When steps require that you make a sequence of selections using front
panel controls and menu buttons, an arrow ( ➞) marks each transition
between a front panel button and a menu, or between menus. Also,
whether a name is a main menu or side menu item is clearly indicated:
Press VERTICAL MENU ➞Coupling (main) ➞DC (side) ➞Band-
width (main) ➞100 MHz (side).
Using the convention just described results in instructions that are graphi-
cally intuitive and simplifies procedures. For example, the instruction just
given replaces these five steps:
1. Press the front panel button VERTICAL MENU.
2. Press the main menu button Coupling.
3. Press the side-menu button DC.
4. Press the main menu button Bandwidth
5. Press the side menu button 100 MHz
H Sometimes you may have to make a selection from a popup menu: Press
TRIGGER MENU ➞Type (main) ➞Edge (popup). In this example, you
repeatedly press the main menu button Type until Edge is highlighted in
the pop-up menu.
Conventions

TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual
iii
Table of Contents
Safety v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started
Product Description 1-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Start Up 1-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Up for the Examples 1-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform 1-7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms 1-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 3: Automated Measurements 1-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 4: Saving Setups 1-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Basics
Overview 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At a Glance 2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Triggering 2-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition 2-19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms 2-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurements 2-30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reference
Overview 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition Modes 3-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Autoset 3-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Color (TDS 524A & TDS 544A) 3-12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cursor Measurements 3-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed Triggering 3-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Modes 3-28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edge Triggering 3-34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fast Fourier Transforms 3-38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents
Contents
i
File System (Optional on TDS 520A & TDS 540A) 3-55. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hardcopy 3-59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Help 3-67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horizontal Control 3-68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limit Testing 3-73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Logic Triggering 3-78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurement System 3-86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Accessories 3-97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Cal 3-104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Compensation 3-110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Selection 3-112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pulse Triggering 3-119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Communication 3-126. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Recalling Setups 3-130. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Recalling Waveforms 3-133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Channels 3-136. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Path Compensation 3-138. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status 3-140. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Triggering 3-142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vertical Control 3-147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Differentiation 3-150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Integration 3-154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Math 3-159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zoom 3-162. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices
Appendix A: Options and Accessories A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B: Algorithms A-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix C: Packaging for Shipment A-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings A-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glossary
Index

TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual
v
Safety
Please take a moment to review these safety precautions. They are provided
for your protection and to prevent damage to the digitizing oscilloscope. This
safety information applies to all operators and service personnel.
These two terms appear in manuals:
H
statements identify conditions or practices that could result in
damage to the equipment or other property.
H
statements identify conditions or practices that could result in
personal injury or loss of life.
These two terms appear on equipment:
H
CAUTION indicates a personal injury hazard not immediately accessible
as one reads the marking or a hazard to property including the equipment
itself.
H
DANGER indicates a personal injury hazard immediately accessible as
one reads the marking.
This symbol appears in manuals:
Static-Sensitive Devices
These symbols appear on equipment:
DANGER
High Voltage Protective ground (earth)
terminal
ATTENTION
Refer to
manual
Symbols and Terms

Safety
Safety
vi
Observe all of these precautions to ensure your personal safety and to pre-
vent damage to either the digitizing oscilloscope or equipment connected to it.
Power Source
The digitizing oscilloscope is intended to operate from a power source that will
not apply more than 250 VRMS between the supply conductors or between
either supply conductor and ground. A protective ground connection, through
the grounding conductor in the power cord, is essential for safe system
operation.
Grounding the Digitizing Oscilloscope
The digitizing oscilloscope is grounded through the power cord. To avoid
electric shock, plug the power cord into a properly wired receptacle where
earth ground has been verified by a qualified service person. Do this before
making connections to the input or output terminals of the digitizing oscillo-
scope.
Without the protective ground connection, all parts of the digitizing oscillo-
scope are potential shock hazards. This includes knobs and controls that may
appear to be insulators.
Use the Proper Power Cord
Use only the power cord and connector specified for your product. Use only a
power cord that is in good condition.
Use the Proper Fuse
To avoid fire hazard, use only the fuse specified in the parts list for your
product, matched by type, voltage rating, and current rating.
Do Not Remove Covers or Panels
To avoid personal injury, do not operate the digitizing oscilloscope without the
panels or covers.
Electric Overload
Never apply a voltage to a connector on the digitizing oscilloscope that is
outside the voltage range specified for that connector.
Do Not Operate in Explosive Atmospheres
The digitizing oscilloscope provides no explosion protection from static dis-
charges or arcing components. Do not operate the digitizing oscilloscope in
an atmosphere of explosive gases.
Specific Precautions

Getting Started

TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A User Manual
1Ć1
Product Description
Your Tektronix digitizing oscilloscope is a superb tool for acquiring, displaying,
and measuring waveforms. Its performance addresses the needs of both
benchtop lab and portable applications with the following features:
H 500 MHz maximum analog bandwidth.
H 1 Gigasample/second maximum digitizing rate (TDS 540A & 544A);
500 Megasamples/second maximum digitizing rate (TDS 520A & 524A).
H Four-channel acquisition — the TDS 544A & 540A offer four full-featured
channels; the TDS 520A & 524A offer two full-featured channels and two
channels with limited vertical scale selections: 100 mV, 1 V, and 10 V.
H Waveform Math — Invert a single waveform and add, subtract, multiply,
and divide two waveforms. On instruments with Option 2F: Advanced DSP
Math (standard on the TDS 524A & 544A), integrate or differentiate a
single waveform or perform an FFT (fast fourier transform) on a waveform
to display its magnitude or phase versus its frequency.
H Eight-bit digitizers.
H Up to 15,000-point record length per channel (50,000-point optional).
H Full GPIB software programmability. Hardcopy output using RS-232 or
Centronics ports (Optional on TDS 520A & 540A) and the GPIB.
H Complete measurement and documentation capability.
H Intuitive graphic icon operation blended with the familiarity of traditional
horizontal and vertical knobs.
H On-line help at the touch of a button.

Product Description
Getting Started
1Ć2

TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual
1Ć3
Start Up
Before you use the digitizing oscilloscope, ensure that it is properly installed
and powered on.
To ensure maximum accuracy for your most critical measurements, you
should know about signal path compensation.
Signal Path Compensation
Be sure you compensate your oscilloscope for the surrounding temperature.
This action, called
Signal Path Compensation (SPC) , ensures maximum
possible accuracy for your most critical measurements. See
Signal Path
Compensation
on page 3-138 for a description of and operating information
on this feature.
To properly install and power on the digitizing oscilloscope, do the following:
Installation
1. Be sure you have the appropriate operating environment. Specifications
for temperature, relative humidity, altitude, vibrations, and emissions are
included in the
TDS 520A, 524A, 540A, & 544A Performance Verification
manual (Tektronix part number 070–8712–01).
2. Leave space for cooling. Do this by verifying that the air intake and ex-
haust holes on the sides of the cabinet (where the fan operates) are free
of any airflow obstructions. Leave at least 5.1 cm (2 inches) free on each
side.
WARNING
To avoid electrical shock, be sure that the power cord is discon-
nected before checking the fuse.
3. Check the fuse to be sure it is the proper type and rating (see Figure 1-1).
You can use either of two fuses. Each fuse requires its own cap (see
Table 1-1). The digitizing oscilloscope is shipped with the UL approved
fuse installed.
Before You Begin
Operation

Start Up
Getting Started
1Ć4
4. Check that you have the proper electrical connections. The digitizing
oscilloscope requires 90 to 250 VAC RMS, continuous range, 47 Hz to
63 Hz, and may require up to 300 W.
5. Connect the proper power cord from the rear-panel power connector (see
Figure 1-1) to the power system.
Power Connector
Principal Power Switch
Fuse
Figure 1-1: Rear Panel Controls Used in Start Up
Table 1-1: Fuse and Fuse Cap Part Numbers
Fuse Fuse Part
Number Fuse Cap Part Number
.25 inch ×1.25 inch (UL 198.6, 3AG):
6 A FAST, 250 V. 159–0013–00 200–2264–00
5 mm ×20 mm (IEC 127): 5 A (T),
250 V. 159–0210–00 200–2265–00
Front Cover Removal
Remove the front cover by grasping its left and right edges and snapping it off
of the front subpanel. (When reinstalling, align and snap back on.)
Power On
1. Check that the rear-panel principal power switch is on (see Figure 1-1).
The principal power switch controls all AC power to the instrument.
2. If the oscilloscope is not powered on (the screen is blank), push the
front-panel ON/STBY button to toggle it on (see Figure 1-2).
The ON/STBY button controls power to most of the instrument circuits.
Power continues to go to certain parts even when this switch is set to
STBY.

Start Up
TDS 620A, 640A, & 644A User Manual
1Ć5
Once the digitizing oscilloscope is installed, it is typical to leave the princi-
pal power switch on and use the ON/STBY button as the power switch.
ON/STBY Button
Figure 1-2: ON/STBY Button
Self Test
Check the self test results. The digitizing oscilloscope automatically performs
power-up tests each time it is turned on. It will come up with a display screen
that states whether or not it passed self test. (If the self test passed, the
status display screen will be removed after a few seconds.)
If the self test fails, call your local Tektronix Service Center. Depending on the
type of failure, you may still be able to use the oscilloscope before it is serv-
iced.
Power Off
Toggle the ON/STBY switch to turn off the oscilloscope.

Getting Started
1Ć6
Setting Up for the Examples
All the examples use the same setup. Once you perform this setup, you do
not have to change the signal connections for any of the other examples.
Remove all probes and signal inputs from the input BNC connectors along the
lower right of the front panel. Then, using one of the probes supplied with the
digitizing oscilloscope, connect from the CH 1 connector to the PROBE
COMPENSATION connectors (see Figure 1-3).
Figure 1-3: Connecting a Probe for the Examples