Keysight Used
1169B
Probe Amplifier / InfiniiMax II / 12 GHz
0- 12 GHz specified
- 13 GHz typical
- Dynamic Range: 3.3 V peak-to-peak
- DC Offset Range: +/- 16V
- Maximum Voltage: +/- 30V
- Dif…
Oscilloscopes are essential tools scientists and engineers use to study the periodic behavior of electrical signals on electronic equipment. Since oscilloscopes contain costly high-quality components they can be relatively expensive to buy. Buying a premium used oscilloscope is an excellent option if you want to pick up a quality oscilloscope at a fraction of the price.
When purchasing a used oscilloscope, ask yourself these questions to ensure you get the best scope for your needs.
Answering these questions will narrow down your search for the perfect used oscilloscope. With that in mind, let’s disccuss some important factors to consider when buying a used oscilloscope.
The primary function of any oscilloscope is to measure voltage over time. It produces a graphical display of the waveform, which allows engineers and technicians to visualize the behavior of electrical signals.
Oscilloscopes are essential tools for debugging and designingelectronic circuits.They can measure frequency, time interval, amplitude, the rise time of signals, distortion, and how much of a signal is alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Oscilloscopes are available in various configurations, from handheld units to benchtop models with sophisticated features.
In its simplest form, an oscilloscope consists of a screen, a horizontal sweep unit, and a vertical input amplifier. The horizontal sweep unit produces a repeating electrical signal that travels left to right across the screen at regular intervals. The vertical input amplifier receives the measured signal and controls how high or low it appears on the screen.
When used together, these two units allow the oscilloscope to create a graphical representation displaying signal voltage as a function of time, which is used to analyze the behavior of the signal and to identify problems and develop solutions.
When investing in an oscilloscope, you may automatically assume that you should purchase a brand-new model. However, this is not always the best option. Used oscilloscopes offer many advantages, especially if you are on a budget.
As you can see, many benefits come with buying a used oscilloscope. Whatever your budget, a used oscilloscope is a great option.
When deciding what oscilloscope to buy, one of the first things to consider is what type of display you want. When researching oscilloscope display types, you will likely find an overwhelming amount of information that is difficult to understand. So let's break down the oscilloscope types into two categories: analog display and digital display.
Analog oscilloscopes help engineers and technicians visualize an electrical signal's waveform. By graphing the signal amplitude over time, analog oscilloscopes provide a clear picture of the signal's characteristics.
Analog oscilloscopes use an electron beam to sweep across a phosphor-coated screen at a rate determined by the frequency of the input signal. When the electron beam hits the screen, it causes the phosphor to fluoresce, creating a bright spot on the display.
By sweeping the beam back and forth across the screen at a constant rate and varying the voltage applied to the input terminals, analog oscilloscopes can generate a visual representation of an electrical signal.
Analog Oscilloscope Pros | Analog Oscilloscope Cons |
---|---|
More rugged and durable than digital oscilloscopes. | Less accurate measurements than digital oscilloscopes. |
Better signal-to-noise ratios, making them ideal for measuring weak signals. | Some models can be more expensive than digital oscilloscopes. |
Low cost and simplicity. | More likely to give false readings, which can lead to incorrect conclusions about a circuit. |
Easy to use and interpret. | Less portable than digital handheld oscilloscopes, making them less convenient for fieldwork. |
A digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) is a type of electronic test instrument that converts the waveform of the signal into a digital representation displayed on a screen. The basic principle behind a digital scope is quite simple: an electronic circuit produces a voltage that varies with time, which is fed into the oscilloscope's input.
It converts the input signal voltage into a digital format using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC runs much faster than the input signal, typically several MHz. The scope triggers an event and then captures a certain number of samples before and after the trigger event. It displays the voltage vs. time waveform on the screen.
The oscilloscope then uses this voltage to produce a corresponding electric current passed through a resistor. This current is converted back into a voltage proportional to the original signal. The voltage is amplified and used to drive the display of the oscilloscope. By carefully controlling the amplification and other factors, the digital scope can accurately represent standard and complex waveforms.
The scope stores the waveform in memory so it can be recalled and analyzed later. In addition, the scope can perform mathematical operations on the waveform data, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, which allows the user to see the effects of these operations on the waveform.
Digital Oscilloscopes Pros | Digital Oscilloscopes Cons |
---|---|
Increased accuracy and higher resolution. | May need specialized equipment or software to generate or view the waveforms, which can add to the cost of your overall setup. |
Can store and recall waveforms, which is valuable for analyzing complex signals. | Can be more complex to use than analog scopes. |
Can perform mathematical operations on waveforms and has a color display, which makes them easier to read than analog oscilloscopes. | More expensive than its analog counterpart. |
Overall, the advantages of a digital oscilloscope outweigh the disadvantages.
So far, we have looked at the benefits of buying a used oscilloscope , how to choose the right display type, and the pros and cons of digital vs. analog.
There are a few more factors to consider before you purchase a used oscilloscope.
Considering these factors and researching ahead of time will help you find the perfect used oscilloscope for your needs. Let's look at each of the above points in more detail.
Bandwidth is one of the most important factors when choosing a used oscilloscope. Bandwidth determines the frequency range that an oscilloscope can accurately reproduce. The higher the bandwidth, the higher the frequencies it can display. When buying a used oscilloscope, be sure to check what the specified bandwidth was at the time of manufacture.
It is important to consider the bandwidth requirements of your application. For example, working with high-speed digital signals, you will need an oscilloscope with high bandwidth to accurately capture all of the transient details.
A lower bandwidth may be sufficient if you use your oscilloscope for basic troubleshooting or time-domain analysis. Be sure to check the specs for both high and low-frequency performance before making your purchase.
The sample rate of an oscilloscope is the number of samples taken per second. The higher the sample rate, the higher the signal resolution. Sample rate should be at least 2.5 more than the bandwidth. However, increasing the sample rate also increases the amount of data the oscilloscope has to process, slowing down its performance.
It is important to find a balance between resolution and speed when setting the sample rate. Some signal details can be captured accurately with a lower sample rate, while others may require a higher rate to be represented correctly. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what trade-offs you are willing to make to get the desired picture detail.
For example, if you are testing a digital circuit with a fast edge rate, you will need to use a scope with a high sample rate to capture all of the details accurately. On the other hand, if you are looking at a slow-moving signal, you can get by with a lower sample rate.
There are two main types of sampling: real-time sampling and repetitive sampling.
Some oscilloscopes allow the user to set the sample rate manually, while others have an auto-sampling feature that automatically sets the sample rate based on the measured signal. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to choose an oscilloscope that offers the features you need.
Memory depth is the amount of data an oscilloscope can store and display. The deeper the memory, the more information the scope will show you. This is important because it affects the resolution of the signal you’re viewing. The better the resolution, the more detail you will see in the signal.
A scope with shallow memory might only be able to store a few seconds’ worths of data, which might not be enough to really see what’s going on. But a scope with deep memory can keep hours’ or even days’ worth of data, letting you zoom in for a high-resolution view of whatever portion you’re interested in viewing.
Having a deeper memory can be helpful when you’re trying to track down an intermittent problem that only happens once in a while. Shallow memory might not capture the event at all, but deep memory will let you scroll back and look closely at what happened before and after the event.
A deep memory depth means that more of the waveform will be captured, while a shallow memory depth will only capture a small portion of the waveform. Deeper memory depths are useful for capturing complex waveforms, while shallower depths are sufficient for simple measurements.
Memory depth and sampling rate work hand in hand because the more samples you take per second, the more data you will have to store. As a result, scopes with higher sample rates will also have deeper memories.
Oscilloscope connectivity refers to how the oscilloscope can connect to the measured device. The most common type of connectivity is via probes, which are cables that attach to the oscilloscope's input. Some standard probes are alligator clips, BNC probes, SMA probes, and current probes.
You will also need to connect the oscilloscope to a computer or other read-out device. It's important to remember that connectivity options may vary depending on the age and model of the used oscilloscope. Other types of oscilloscope connectivity include USB, RS-232, Ethernet, LAN, or WiFi.
Ease of use is important when purchasing an oscilloscope for several reasons.
When considering ease of use, remember that a well-designed oscilloscope should be intuitive and straightforward.
Once you have bought a used oscilloscope, you will want to test its operations to ensure it works as expected. Let's look at how you would set up and test your oscilloscope.
And that’s it! You have now successfully set up your oscilloscope. But how do you test it for accuracy and functionality?
By following these steps, you can be confident that your used oscilloscope is in good working condition.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can be confident that you're getting a used oscilloscope that meets your needs and is in good working order.
Buying a good-quality used oscilloscope doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can be confident that you're getting a scope that meets your needs and is in good working condition.
Some final tips to keep in mind:
Buying a used oscilloscope can be a great way to save money. However, ensuring you're getting a quality scope that meets your needs is important. By keeping in mind the tips mentioned in this article, you can be confident you're getting an oscilloscope that will serve you well for years to come.
Keysight offers a wide range of high-quality, premium refurbished oscilloscopes backed by a 1-year warranty. You can rest easy knowing you're getting a quality product backed by a trusted manufacturer.
So don't wait; see our premium used equipment page and pick up a premium refurbished oscilloscope with some of the highest standards and specifications in the industry.
Keysight is the only company that can provide calibration. When you buy from our Used Equipment page, you can rest easy knowing that your oscilloscope has been thoroughly tested and calibrated. You can get straight to work using a reliable and accurate piece of equipment of the highest standard. No other reseller can provide that guarantee. That’s why choosing Keysight for refurbished products is always the smartest choice.
While other resellers' shipping times vary from 8-21 weeks, we ensure that our oscilloscope will reach your door within two weeks*. That’s the Keysight difference! Request a quote today by browsing models below!
As we have looked at in this article, there are many benefits to buying a used oscilloscope. Purchasing a used oscilloscope is a great way to save money but not forgo quality.
When you purchase premium refurbished equipment from Keysight, you can have confidence knowing you are buying a brand you can trust. They come with a reliable warranty and are thoroughly tested, calibrated, and proven to work.
Keysight is a leading manufacturer of quality oscilloscopes, offering a wide range of models to meet your specific needs. We also have a large variety of premium used oscilloscopes at a fraction of the cost.
With a fast two-week delivery time* within the US and upgradable warranty, buying used is a wise investment if you're looking for quality and affordability. See Keysights Used Equipment for the widest selection of discounted, high-quality oscilloscopes.
* Two weeks shipping time offer available for US customers only. Dependent on item availability and location