Processor system
The processor system contains a microprocessor that controls the entire instrument.
The processor system also contains the solid state drive for the operating system,
system RAM, and interfaces to I/O ports and the acquisition system.
Rear panel I/O ports
The Carrier interface assembly contains USB ports, an Ethernet port (LAN), a VGA
Video port, a DVI Video port, a DisplayPort Video port, the USB-TMC port, an AUX
OUT BNC connector, an EXT REF IN BNC connector, and the AFG Out generator
BNC connector.
Power converter
The Carrier interface assembly converts the +12 V power to all voltages used for the
analog and digital circuitry throughout the system. Standby power is used to keep
portions of the Carrier interface assembly and Main board powered at all times that
AC power is connected to the instrument.
Other functions
The Carrier interface assembly also houses the AFG generator, USB-TMC controller
and interfaces to the Power supply and various cooling fans. The Carrier interface
assembly also provides the interface to the optional Windows drive.
Main board and front-end board
The Main and Analog boards contain the following functions:
Acquisition system
The Acquisition system begins with the analog signal path and ends with a digitized
signal in memory. The signal enters a channel input, and then passes through an
attenuator and preamplifier. The analog signal from each preamplifier goes through a
digitizer, and then into acquisition memory. The analog signal from each preamplifier
is also distributed to a trigger circuit.
Front-end
All of the analog and digital inputs are routed to the Front-end board. The analog
channels are amplified and attenuated through the front-end circuitry, and are output
to the Main board. The digital channels simply pass through the front-end board to
the Main board. The front-end board has a controller that is used as an I/O controller
for the front-end board.
Power converter
The Main board converts the +12 V power to some of the other voltages used for the
analog and digital circuitry throughout the system. This is in addition to the power
conversion provided by the Processor assembly.
Front panel and display
The Front Panel board contains digital logic that reads the front-panel buttons and controls and sends this information to the
processor system on the Processor assembly. The Front Panel board also generates the probe compensation output signal,
provides USB ports on the front panel and houses the main power switch. The front panel routes the digital front-end signals
from the probe directly to the front-end board. The front panel also provides the video interface to the internal HD display.
Theory of operation
6 Series B MSO MSO64B, MSO66B, MSO68B Service
3