Frequently Asked Questions

Click System > More > Simulator to open the simulator submenu. These options are available:

Load SnP:

When you use the internal simulator in VectorVu-PC, use the Load SnP function to load data in the SnP (Touchstone) format for offline analyses. The SnP file completely represents the S-parameters of a DUT. When you use the SnP file of a DUT in the offline (simulator) mode: You do not need the actual DUT for analysis. Therefore, you can share parameter data with other users. You do not need to be at the test location to analyze the data.

Load Noise Floor:

Set the noise floor level for your measurements using the Noise Floor function. The noise floor is the sum of all noise sources and unwanted signals in the VNA. It limits the smallest measurement that can be isolated from the noise. Ideally, a lower noise floor is better for more accurate measurements.

Product Series: 5 Series MSO Low Profile 5 Series B MSO

There are minimize, restore down / maximize, and close buttons in the upper right corner of the application:

The following message will appear on the display:

(You must acknowledge the warning by tapping the OK button before you can proceed.)

There are several possible causes for the warning:

• Adding or removing a probe may affect the available vertical scales and therefore prevent recall of all settings.
• Recalling the setup on an instrument with a different number of channels prevents recall of all settings.
• Recalling the setup on an instrument that doesn’t have a necessary option license installed or the license has expired will not be able to recall the optional features.
• Recalling a setup that includes reference files will fail if the reference files are no longer available (e.g. the USB drive with the reference files is not installed in the instrument).
• Recalling a setup that includes new firmware features on an instrument with an older firmware version.

Product Series: 5 Series MSO Low Profile 5 Series B MSO 6 Series B MSO

The 5 and 6 Series MSO session files contain a setup file as well as all acquired waveform data. Session files enable you to move analysis activities off of the oscilloscope. When session files are recalled, the instrument is returned to its previous state, with waveform data also recalled into acquisition memory, but with the acquisitions stopped. If you have used any of the built-in demos (Utility->Demo), you have experienced session files.

Product Series: 5 Series MSO Low Profile 5 Series B MSO 6 Series B MSO

There are free trials available for these general-purpose instrument feature upgrades:

There are also free trials available for several analysis application upgrades:

There are free trials available for several serial bus analysis and triggering upgrades:

* Available on MSO54, MSO56, and MSO58 only.
** Requires option 5-WIN.

The simplest way to find these available trial licenses is to select the Upgrades tab on the product web page https://www.tek.com/oscilloscope/5-series-mso-mixed-signal-oscilloscope and click on the Request trial license link for the free license you would like to try. You will be presented with a web page like this:

The instrument Model, Serial Number, and Host ID appear at the top of the Help-> About menu:

Click on the Generate License button. You will then be presented with a web page like this:

Oscilloscope probes which contain active circuitry, especially with amplifiers in the signal path, have a limited dynamic range over which the probe behaves linearly. When input signals exceed this range, the signal may be distorted. (Such probes also have a “maximum non-destructive voltage” or absolute maximum input range beyond which the probe and/or the oscilloscope may be permanently damaged!) Both of these specifications are typically shown in the probe data sheet. See probes »

For example:

When a signal is too large at the oscilloscope’s analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the signal is typically “clipped” and the peaks of the signal become flat horizontal lines, often at the top and bottom of the oscilloscope graticule. However, when the signal exceeds the probe’s dynamic range spec (but still within the maximum non-destruct voltage range), the distortion may be more subtle. If it goes uncorrected, the measurement accuracy suffers.

Many Tektronix TekVPI probes contain the dynamic range information and communicate this value to the oscilloscope when the probe is attached or the oscilloscope is powered on. This information can be used to indicate the probe’s dynamic range on the oscilloscope display, providing assurance that the signal is not over-driving the probe. This is especially critical when the oscilloscope is set to a vertical scale value larger than the dynamic range of the probe.

For example, when a TDP1000 differential probe is connected to the oscilloscope, the probe dynamic range indicator looks like this, showing that the probe’s dynamic range is ±42 V:

Product Series: 5 Series MSO Low Profile 5 Series B MSO 6 Series B MSO

The standard instrument (running the Linux operating system) supports multiple monitors, providing duplicated displays. This allows you to use a large external monitor or projector to show the oscilloscope display to several people.

When the instrument is running the Windows operating system, the instrument can support either duplicated displays or extended desktop. Duplicate display mode is the default, but extended desktop can be selected via the Windows interface. To change the display mode, minimize the oscilloscope application, right-click on the desktop, select Graphics Properties…, and tap the Display icon. Duplicated displays enable you to show the oscilloscope display to several people with a large external monitor or projector. Extended desktop enables you to show the oscilloscope’s display to another display device, or show other displays (the oscilloscope’s serial compliance application, test documentation, or a Windows analysis program like Microsoft Excel).

Product Series: 5 Series MSO Low Profile 5 Series B MSO 6 Series B MSO