Tektronix is aiming at educational institutions, embedded design engineers and the maker community with an entry-level oscilloscope series.

Tek-TBS1000C_3QV

Called TBS1000C, and part of the TBS1000 range, they have a 7inch WVGA colour display (10 x 15 divisions), a choice of bandwidths across 50MHz to 200MHz (200MHz in photo) and up to 1Gsample/s.

“This series has dedicated front panel controls to provide easy access to important settings and new large menus with clearly labelled on-screen information allowing users to easily find data of interest,” according to the company. “The oscilloscope also provides a course-ware system that integrates lab exercises with step-by-step instructions for student use.”

Courseware allows educators to load lab exercises on the instrument to give guidance and provide a structured framework into which students can capture data to incorporate into their reports. Sample lab exercises are provided via download from the Tektronix ‘courseware resource center’.

They also includes Tektronix’s ‘HelpEverywhere’ tips and hints throughout the user interface – for example on FFT analysis (log and linear display), waveform maths, limit testing and datalogging, and something called the ‘Scope Intro handbook’ is embedded into the help system.

To simplify use, features including auto-set, cursors and automated measurements can be disabled to allow “students to learn basic concepts and understand how to use the horizontal and vertical controls to get the waveform, and how to use the graticule to measure time, voltage and manually plot or calculate signal characteristics” said the company.

32 automated measurements are included, as is dual-window FFT with simultaneous time and frequency domain views. There is also an always-on trigger frequency counter, and the display can be panned and zoomed. Triggers include pulse, runt and line.

There is a USB host port on the front panel for data storage, as well as a USB device port on rear panel to connect to a PC and remotely control the instrument.

Size is 155 x 325 x 107mm. and the scope is fan-less for quiet operation.

Available now, prices start at £389 or €449, and the warranty is five years.

It is not clear what you get for £389 – to use the price-generating configuration tool, you will need to register on the Tektronix website.

The product page is here – with little information – looks like the data sheet has yet to be put on the website

Model    Analogue
bandwidth    Sample
rate    Record
length    Analogue
channels    List

price
TBS1052C    50MHz    1Gsample/s    20k point    2    £381
TBS1072C    70MHz    1Gsample/s    20k point    2    £628
TBS1102C    100MHz    1Gsample/s    20k point    2    £860
TBS1202C    200MHz    1Gsample/s    20k point    2    £1,400

Probes are 10x passive: TPP0200 (200MHz and 100MHz models) or TPP0100 (50MHz and 70MHz).