Tektronix TDS 540 User manual

User Manual
TDS 520 & 540
Digitizing Oscilloscopes
070-8317-01
This document supports Version 2 firmware.
Please check for change information at the rear
of this manual.
First Printing: March 1992
Last Revised: November 1992

Copyright E Tektronix, Inc. 1991, 1992. All rights reserved.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supercedes
that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, OR 97070–1000
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
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

WARRANTY
Tektronix warrants that the products that it manufactures and sells will be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of shipment. If a 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; c) to repair any
damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) 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 IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
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.

This apparatus has been designed and tested in accordance with IEC Publication 348, Safety Requirements for
Electronic Measuring Apparatus, and has been supplied in a safe condition. This manual contains some
information and warnings which have to be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to retain the
apparatus in safe condition.
The apparatus has been designed for indoor use. It may occasionally be subjected to temperatures between +5 _ C
and –10 _ C without degradation of its safety.

TDS 520 & TDS 540 User Manual
i
Welcome
This is the User Manual for the TDS 520 and TDS 540 Digitizing Oscillo-
scopes.
If you are a new user, try the
Tutorial section to become familiar with the
operation of your digitizing oscilloscope.
The
Concepts section covers basic principles of the operation of the oscillo-
scope. These articles help you understand why your instrument works the
way it does.
Use the
In Detail section to learn how to perform specific tasks. See page 3-1
for a complete list of tasks covered in that section.
The
Appendices provide an option and accessories listing, product specifica-
tion, and other useful information.
The following documents are related to the use or service of the digitizing
oscilloscope.
H The
TDS Family Programmer Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8318-03) describes using a computer to control the digitizing oscillo-
scope through the GPIB interface.
H The
TDS 520 & 540 Reference (Tektronix part number 070-8316-01)
gives you a quick overview of how to operate your digitizing oscilloscope.
H The
TDS Family Option 2F Instruction Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8582-00) describes use of the Advanced DSP Math option (for TDS
oscilloscopes equipped with that option only).
H The
TDS Family Option 13 Instruction Manual (Tektronix part number
070-8567-00) describes using the optional Centronics r and RS-232
interfaces for obtaining hardcopy (for TDS oscilloscopes equipped with
that option only).
H The
TDS 520 & TDS 540 Performance Verification (Tektronix part number
070-8603-00) tells how to verify the performance of the digitizing oscillo-
scope.
H The
TDS 520 Service Manual (Tektronix part number 070-8312-01) and
the
TDS 540 Service Manual (070-8314-01) provide information for
maintaining and servicing your digitizing oscilloscope to the module level.
Related Manuals

Welcome
ii
In the Tutorial and In Detail sections, you will find various procedures which
contain steps of instructions for you to perform. To keep those instructions
clear and consistent, this manual uses the following conventions:
H 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 520 & TDS 540 User Manual
iii
Contents
Product Description v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety vi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Start Up viii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tutorial
Overview 1-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 1: Displaying a Waveform 1-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 2: Multiple Waveforms 1-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 3: Automated Measurements 1-12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example 4: Saving Setups 1-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Concepts
Overview 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Triggering 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition 2-7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms 2-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurements 2-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Detail
Overview 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At a Glance 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition Modes 3-11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Autoset 3-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cursor Measurements 3-20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delayed Triggering 3-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Modes 3-31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edge Triggering 3-36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hardcopy 3-40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contents
i
Help 3-48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horizontal Control 3-49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limit Testing 3-53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Logic Triggering 3-58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurement System 3-66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Accessories 3-77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Cal 3-84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Compensation 3-90. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Probe Selection 3-92. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pulse Triggering 3-99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Communication 3-106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Recalling Setups 3-110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Recalling Waveforms 3-112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Channels 3-115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signal Path Compensation 3-117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status 3-119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Triggering 3-120. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vertical Control 3-124. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Math 3-127. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zoom 3-130. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices
Appendix A: Options and Accessories A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B: Specification A-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix C: Algorithms A-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix D: Packaging for Shipment A-39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix E: Factory Initialization Settings A-41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glossary & Index
Change Information

TDS 520 & TDS 540 User Manual
v
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 540);
500 Megasamples/second maximum digitizing rate (TDS 520).
H Four-channel acquisition—the TDS 540 offers four full-featured channels;
the TDS 520 offers 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, and multiply
two waveforms. On instruments equipped with option 2F, 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. GPIB hardcopy output. On instru-
ments equipped with option 13, hardcopy output using the RS-232 or
Centronics ports.
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.

Safety
vi
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