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test&measurementZONE Products for the week of February 2, 2009
B&K Precision Says…
60 MHz and 100 MHz Dual-Channel Digital Oscilloscopes Offer Unmatched Performance and Value
B&K Precision Corporation continues to grow its line of affordable dual channel Digital Storage Oscilloscopes (DSO) with the introduction of two new models: the 2540 (60 MHz) and 2542 (100 MHz). These are versatile and compact oscilloscopes delivering an unmatched combination of features, performance and value. Auto measurement functions and analog-style knobs make these oscilloscopes easy to use. Advanced triggering, digital filtering, waveform recorder, delayed sweep/zoom, mask testing, automatic measurements, and FFT functions provide the user with many options for troubleshooting and debugging.
The oscilloscopes come with PC software to easily capture, save, and analyze waveforms and measurement results and to remotely control the instruments via a virtual panel. At $940 for model 2540 and $1,155 for model 2542, these models are among the most aggressively-priced oscilloscopes on the market today. Both models are ideal oscilloscopes for use in education, design, training, field service, maintenance, manufacturing and quality control.
The many outstanding features of the 2540 and 2542 include:
- Up to 100 MHz bandwidth, 1 GSa/s sample rate
- 4000 point record length for each channel
- One touch automatic setup for ease of use (Auto button
- Large Color LCD display
- USB front panel host port for USB flash drives standard
- Advanced features include digital filter with adjustable limits, mask testing, and waveform recorder/replay mode
- Cursors with readouts
- 24 automatic measurements
- FFT standard plus 3 additional math functions
- Extensive triggering capabilities including pulse width and line-selectable video trigger
- Multiple language interface
- PC software which lets you remotely control the oscilloscope via the USB interface and capture, save and analyze waveform data
Measuring a compact 12.2" wide by 10.6" deep by 5.8" high and weighing 8 lbs, both the complete with operating manual, two 150 MHz 10:1 passive probes, power cord, USB interface cable, and Comsoft software installation disk. They are priced at $940 and $1,155 respectively, quantity one, and are available for immediate delivery.
EN-Genius Says…
 When you consider how many oscilloscope applications probe low- to moderate-frequency signals, it makes sense to consider low-bandwidth instruments for these applications. For a kilobuck or so, B&K Precision's latest Model 2540 and Model 2542 smart digital oscilloscopes may prove to be very cost-effective instruments for controller-oriented mixed-signal designs, where embedded processors and peripherals typically tick away at just a few Megahertz. Spending more on higher bandwidth instruments may not make sense.
With their 8-bit vertical-resolution input amplifiers, 1/4-VGA color LCDs, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectivity to PC-hosted analysis and display software, auto-calibration, and automatic set-up and measurement hooks, B&K's latest storage scopes compete head on with pricier instruments from the likes of Tektronix, Yokogawa, Agilent, and other top-shelf scope vendors. In fact, these B&K scopes may very well establish a benchmark for just how far along entry-level oscilloscope technology has advanced.
If five years ago I said you could buy a scope with FFT (fast Fourier transform) and math functions, delayed sweep, a color display, four digital filters, rich triggering options, waveform recording, and pass/fail mask testing for $1000 you would have thought me crazy. Throw in the pair of 150-MHz passive probes, and you've got one swell bargain.
USB Connectivity
I especially like the USB connectivity. You can use it to connect a USB Flash drive to store and recall waveform data saved in your choice of binary or comma separated value (.csv) files. You can even record data continuously over a period and then invoke playback for post-acquisition analysis.
Data is recorded in a sequence of up to 1000 frames of 4000 data points each. The time interval between each frame is adjustable from 1000 s to as short as 1 ms. Recorded data can be saved in a single file to internal memory or to your USB Flash drive.
You can also save set-ups and screen shots in bit-map (.bmp) image formats, with time and date stamping. What's more, you can also use the USB port to update the oscilloscope's resident firmware. All of this enhances these scopes in the hands of semi-skilled operators, too.
Automatic Operation
In operation, an Autoset button serves to identify an unknown signal and then automatically set up vertical and horizontal settings, as well as triggering. A handy Menu on/off button can also hide on-screen menus so that you can see more full-screen divisions.
In addition, you can automatically adjust the scope's timebase to view waveforms as either single or multiple cycles. If you desire hardcopy, you can press a Print button. This button's label is a bit of a misnomer however, as it saves screens shot to your Flash drive only; from there you then do a subsequent printout via your PC and favorite software.
The FFT functions give you rectangular, Hanning, Hamming, Blackman, and flattop windows, with 2048 sample points. On-screen cursors can also be positioned in order to measure a spectrum's magnitude and frequency.
Full Access Software
B&K Precision's press release briefly mentions the included Comsoft PC software. It's worth adding that this package gives you full access to the oscilloscope displays and front panel controls, as well as the ability to process waveform data. All oscilloscope parameters can be controlled using your PC. There's no programming required.
All of the scope's panel knobs can be emulated on a virtual panel, or parameters can be selected from an on-screen menu. The Comsoft software also seamlessly syncs the scope and PC, abetting quick importation of captured data into programs such as Microsoft Excel.
Lastly, B&K Precision offers a number of useful optional adjuncts for these low cost scopes. A Model CC540 General Purpose Oscilloscope Adapter Kit, for example, gives you a number of BNC and N coaxial connector adapters, replete with gold-plated center contacts. You can also order a Model PR32A demodulator probe, and PR55 high voltage probe.
Considering the attractive price tags on either the 60-MHz Model 2540 or the 100-MHz Model 2542, you may want to order one or more of each and sprinkle them around your shop. As for true cost of ownership, that's something that's not readily quantifiable. However, judging by past experience with low cost B&K instrumentation, I would argue that you would get your money's worth, and then some.
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