test&measurementZONE Products for the week of April 16, 2007

Agilent Technologies Says . . .
6000: 1-GHz Battery-Powered Digital Storage and Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes

Agilent Technologies Inc. today introduced battery-power options for all 16 of its 6000 Series digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) and mixed signal oscilloscopes (MSOs), giving engineers and technicians the ability to make high-performance measurements in environments where line power is unavailable.

Agilent is the first to offer battery-powered DSOs with up to 1 GHz bandwidth. Continuing Agilent's 10 years of innovation in MSO technology, the 6000 Series MSO models are the first mixed signal oscilloscopes with battery operation. And, the 6000 Series DSOs and MSOs are the first battery-operated oscilloscopes with automotive CAN, LIN, and FlexRay serial bus triggering and protocol decode for remote testing. These oscilloscopes are ideal for engineers and technicians testing electronics in industries such as automotive, industrial and aerospace/defense.

"Our customers' products incorporate ever-increasing electronic value," said Jay Alexander, Agilent Design Validation Division general manager. "Being able to rapidly debug and validate designs is key to their success. We are responding to our customers' requirements for higher-performance battery-powered instruments not previously available in the marketplace."

Battery-operated scopes are often required for remote field testing, such as in-car testing in the automotive industry. Previously, only lower bandwidth portable scopes with very basic scope functionality were battery operated. Testing today's automotive serial buses such as CAN, LIN and FlexRay require scopes with higher performance and functionality. With Agilent's 6000 Series oscilloscopes, engineers now have the portability of a battery-operated oscilloscope with the performance and measurement features that meet their specific applications.

analogZONE Says...

There are not many engineers who would not want to get their hands on a member of Agilent's 6000 family of oscilloscopes. Having a battery-powered option just made the products even more desirable.

Unfortunately the link to the full scoop of the battery option was broken, but what we do know about it is that the battery is a laptop-style Li-Ion and the option is a factory-installed one on new products only. Previously delivered models cannot be retrofitted.

Presumably, rather than an inverter topology, the battery voltage is taken to dc-dc converter(s) to feed the rails in place of the line-fed power supply (a 12 V automotive adapter is also available as option N5429A) and operational battery life is quoted as 2+ hours. Battery capacitor after 300 cycles of discharge/charge is quoted at better than 80%.

Front panel indicators show when the battery is charging, when the unit is being powered by the battery and when charge is low (triggered at 20% of remaining charge). The oscilloscopes will hot-swap to battery power if the line cord is pulled.

The option does not allow for outdoor use but Agilent suggests in its tag line for the family, "The standard for high-performance portable scopes." Portable? Charging takes place both when the oscilloscope is plugged into line power or the auto option is being used.

The 6000 family of mixed-signal and conventional storage oscilloscopes is available in 100 MHz, 300 MHz, 500 MHz and 1 GHz versions with 2 or 4 analog channels and an optional 16 digital channels. Interfacing has a standard 3 USB ports, LAN, full remote control, LXI Class C, GPIB and an XGA output for a separate display or recording.

The battery option, and the probably more significant automotive power feed, add an incredible amount of flexibility to what is, already, a very successful family -- very fully supported with probing technology and software. It can only add to the family's success.

The 6000 series with rechargeable battery option is available to order now and prices start at $6200 for 100 MHz bandwidth, $8240 for 300 MHz, $10,200 for 500 MHz and $12,850 for 1 GHz. The N5424A adapter cable is priced at $150.

Data Sheet 6000 family
Battery Option