
30
3000 X-Series Oscilloscopes Advanced Training Guide
2
Oscilloscope Familiarization Labs
Lab #5: Using Segmented Memory Acquisition Mode
All oscilloscopes have a limited amount of acquisition memory. The
amount of acquisition memory that your scope has will determine the
length of time it can capture while still using a fast sampling rate. You can
always capture a long time span by simply setting the timebase to a long
time/div setting. But the scope may automatically reduce its sample rate in
order to capture the long time- span which will reduce acquired waveform
detail and measurement resolution. Using this scope’s Segmented Memory
acquisition mode is another solution to optimize memory depth and
sample rate; especially when attempting to capture multiple low duty cycle
type signals. To enable Segmented Memory Acquisition, your oscilloscope
must have the Segmented Memory option installed (Option SGM). You can
verify the installed options on your oscilloscope at
[Help] > About
Oscilloscope
. Let’s now attempt to capture and display a simulated low duty
cycle radar burst.
1
Connect the channel- 1 probe to the Demo 1 terminal and ground.
2
Press
[Default Setup]
on the scope’s front panel.
3
Press
[Help]
; then press the
Training Signals
softkey.
4
Using the Entry knob, select the
RF Burst
signal; then press the
Output
softkey to turn it on.
5
Set channel- 1’s V/div setting to
500.0 mV/div
.
6
Set the scope’s timebase to
200.00 ns/div
.
7
Set the scope’s trigger level to approximately
+700 mV
(~1.5 divisions
above center- screen).
8
Press the
[Intensity]
button (under the Entry knob); then set the
waveform trace intensity to
100%
using the Entry knob.