Martin Rowe
EDN
Multifunction test equipment is nothing new, but with high-speed data converters, powerful signal processors, and software, a single set of hardware can take on many functions. So it is with the SF880 series of USB oscilloscopes from Analog Arts. Just calling this instrument an oscilloscope is an understatement.
The SF880 series consists of four models: SF880, SF650, SF830, SF810, which contain the following functions.
- Oscilloscope (bandwidth varies by model, 100 MHz to 1 GHz)
- Data logger (timing accuracy varies by model)
- Frequency-response analyzer (10 MHz to 150 MHz, varies by model)
- Function/arbitrary waveform generator (sample rate varies by model)
- Logic analyzer (SF880 and SF830 only, sample rate varies by model)
- Pattern generator (SF880 and SF830 only)
Oscilloscope bandwidth is available in 100 MHz (SF610), 300 MHz (SF830), 500 MHz (SF650), and 1 GHz (SF880). Real-time sample rate is 125 Msamples/s for the three higher bandwidth models and 100 Msamples/s for the SF610. Memory depth is 1 Msample (1 channel) or 512 ksamples (2 channels). Spectrum analyzer bandwidth are the same as for oscilloscope mode. You also get several window functions such as Rectangular, Barlett, Blackman-Harris, Hanning, and Kaiser-Bessel.
The waveform generator comes with up to 64 ksamples of nonvolatile memory and 12-bit resolution (14-bit optional). Sample rates are 100 Msamples/s for the three higher-bandwidth models as 50 Msamples/s for the SF810. As a function generator, the instruments can produce sine, pulse, triangle, ramp, sinc, white noise, and AM/FM modulation.
As a frequency and phase meter, the instruments frequency Range is 10 Hz to 300 MHz; frequency resolution is 0.1 Hz.
Models SF880 and SF830 also come with 16 logic inputs with a 100-MHz clock rate. They can decode SPI, Quad SPI, I2C, SIM, and 1-wire protocols.
Prices range from $640 to $920.
