- Pico Technology has added three 15 GHz models and a further 25 GHz model to its portable PicoScope 9300 Series of Sampling Oscilloscopes.
- The 15 GHz models replace the preceding 9200 Series 12 GHz models, with upgraded specifications at lower prices
- Pico Sampling Oscilloscopes, combining USB and LAN control ports, now operate under PicoSample 3 software.
- The PicoScope 9300 range now includes nine models with bandwidths of 15 GHz, 20 GHz and 25 GHz.
At an entry-level price below $11,000, the 9301-15 gives the benefits of two channels at 15 GHz bandwidth and prescaled trigger to 14 GHz. It delivers 16-bit sampling rate of 1 MS/s in support of fast-update eye diagrams, persisted traces, histogramming and statistical analysis. Equivalent sampling rate tops out at 15 TS/s along with a maximum trace length of up to 32 kilosamples.
15 GHz bandwidth will support third harmonic characterization of serial data out to 10 Gb/s and fifth harmonic out to 6 Gb/s. The 9302‑15 model adds Clock Recovery trigger out to 11.3 Gb/s and RMS jitter typically down to 1.0 ps + 1% of data interval.
The 9311-15, the third of the new 15 GHz models, priced below $15 k, addresses single-ended Time Domain Transmission and Time Domain Reflection measurements. It’s a upgrade to the predecessor 9211 in cable, component, backplane and PCB impedance and transmission characterizations and network analysis.
In this model, system transition time (65 ps) halves distance resolution and adjustable pulse width extends reflected fault detection range from around 4 mm typically out to 400 m (1350 ft). At 20 GHz, the 9311-20 continues to support differential and deskewable TDR/TDT capability. All 9300 models can be paired with the PG900 standalone fast pulse generators to achieve similar TDR/TDT capability, for example on the four-channel and optical input models, or greater flexibility with any 9300 model.
At 25 GHz, Pico has created the model 9302-25 to add 11.3 Gb/s clock recovery to the higher bandwidth models. This bandwidth will support 5th harmonic assessments at data rates to 10 Gb/s and, assuming a clock or sub-clock is available, 16 Gb/s at 3rd harmonic.
