TSP #28 - Tektronix MDO4104B-6 Mixed Domain Oscilloscope (MDO4000B) Review and Experiments

In this episode Shahriar reviews and demos the second revision of the industry's first Mixed Domain Oscilloscope from Tektronix. The MDO4000B series offers improved signal integrity and performance. The reviewed model is a MDO4104B-6 which offers 16-Channel Logic Analyzer, 4-Channel Oscilloscope with 1GHz of analog bandwidth as well a 6GHz Spectrum Analyzer with greater than 1GHz of instantaneous capture bandwidth with 65dB of dynamic range.

After an overview of the instrument's interfaces and built quality, the block diagram and principle operation of the instrument is explained. The time-correlated digital, analog and RF capturing capability is described and its advantages for debugging complex mixed-domain systems is explored. Instrument probes, accessories and various modules are also presented.

The instrument is used to measure an ultra-pure single-tone signal at various frequencies for THD, SFDR and dynamic range measurements. For the main demonstration, a complete I/Q modulator system prototype is presented. The prototype includes a Maxim MAX2721 modulator, external PA, antenna diversity switch SW-277, digital control circuitry, power-grid DC-DC converters, external step attenuators, an Agilent E4342B synthesizer for LO generation and an Agilent N6020A arbitrary waveform generator for baseband signal generation. The Tektronix MDO is used to monitor RF, baseband, digital and power-supply analog waveforms. The system includes an array of problems including intermittent spurious tones, power supply dependent spectral noise, antenna switching glitches and 256-QAM constellation imperfections. The MDO is used to analyze, measure and solve all system problems. Tektronix SignalVu is used to analyze the system performance. As a final experiment, the MDO is used to demodulate a 1GHz bandwidth 32-QAM 500MS/s signal centered at a 3GHz carrier. The experiment documents can be downloaded from The Signal Path website.

The Signal Path Blog

[EEVblog]

Excellent video. I can appreciate how much work goes into producing that. Just to clarify, the new cheaper MDO3000 does NOT do any of the time correlation between analog/digital and RF as the MDO4000 does so nicely and as was demoed here. It is just like having a separate spectrum analyser, but conveniently in the same box.

[waew]

Fantastic video, with useful and relevant practical examples of where the multi-domain time correlation is so useful.  I have a few more comments to add to your excellent review and commentary:
- The numeric keypad can also be used just about anywhere that a numeric input is requested (not just on the spectrum analyzer function)
- On the passive probes - those are 1GHz passive probes, with only 3.9pF of loading!  Plus, there is a serial communication across that "pin" which the scope uses to identify the specific probe, and apply the compensation factors for that probe on that channel.
- On the spectrum analyzer, the markers can be set to "Relative" mode, so that you can measure things like LO and LO image rejection levels relative to the carrier directly, without calculation.
- On the Freq/Span menu, and the Marker Menu, you have a Ref->Center function to quickly tune the center frequency to the highest RF signal peak.
- The RF Amplitude vs. Time trace is actually simply the sqrt(I^2+Q^2), not the IFFT.
- When you were looking at the RF compression on SignalVu (pronounced Signal-view), you could turn on the vectors in the constellation display which would give you another view of the compression of the high amplitude IQ trajectories - where you'd likely see the limiting that the PA was imposing.
- In SignalVu, there are up to 5 markers that are fully correlated in time and frequency - allowing you to identify time-transient events that might affect EVM during particular symbol transitions, etc.

Again, awesome review.

[jipihorn]

No doubt, this channel is becoming THE reference for high quality, high technical value content. As Dave Jones said, a lot of work and thought are implied here. Seeing a near two hours long video without any sign of boredom is the absolute sign of excellent production.
There are few true jewels burried into Youtube.Sure, we've found one there.

[tractorboy]

Second time around this is still a stand-out video for all the right reasons. The time spent working on it is hugely appreciated. A shame I can't give it another thumbs-up!

[OrbiterElectronics]

Wow Shahriar...You're one clever dude. It's a pleasure indeed to watch and learn from your HUGE amounts of knowledge. Thank You

[joes]

This is a feature length film, but worth every minute and quite enjoyable!

[bhavanishankar]

only few people share quality education like you, great Shahriar Shahramian,
i like videos from you and also from Mr.W2AEW
god bless you

[yaghiyahbrenner]

Shahriar! its great to have you back! Youtube is no fun without you.

[OneCoolDude]

A miracle has happened... a new video!! Please don't make us wait 6 months for the next one :-)

[ronaldlijs]

Hi Shahriar, welcome back!! Excellent video, kepe them coming and don't loose that style of yours, it's unique! Take care..

[MrDehicka]

That's how one should review a scope! Not a pontless stuff about buttons and menus, but showing it's real power. Best review of a scope I've seen so far!

[fpliuzzi]

Welcome back. This video reminded me why I missed your videos so much during your youtube hiatus. Great stuff.

[DOZZZ]

Nice to see you are back ;)

I want to some how express how much I appreciate the work you put into making this videos for us. You have my highest respect for this great job. 

For this video I think it is not only the excellent presentation of an amazing instrument. 
Also for your "little" experiment you created. It shows in what sorts of trouble you can run by developing high frequency stuff. I can imagine how much time alone you spend in working out that experiment to show us the effects. For me I could learn a lot out of it. 

Thank you very much!
Alex

[sirousmohseni]

Your videos Never get old.
There is always someone who gets to the level of videos and benefits from them.

[anandraj]

Shahriar, great presentation, wonderful language and great communicating vocabulary easy to listen and really enjoyed EVERY second of this.

[ryansoh]

Welcome back!
We've missed your amazing videos and glad you had the time to make this one. :)

[CoolMusicToMyEars]

Indeed a Great Oscilloscope, Capability of modern equipment with software is outstanding,

[marco]

I'm pretty sure this is one of the best youtube videos on the topic I've ever seen!

[TommyBDad]

Absolutely brilliant.  Wonderful to see practical applications of mixed domain tools.  Welcome back; I'm looking forward to your next video ;)

[Viaexplore]

Shahriar, what a wonderful peace of porno for EE. Thank you for these self explanatory examples. They do a lot more effective learning than just memorizing theoretics. Keep doings these videos, we need them, all of us!