Inexpensive scopes have fast sampling rate

The 2550 Series two- and four-channel digital storage oscilloscopes from B&K Precision offer high-speed sampling of 2 Gsamples/s with maximum bandwiths of 70, 100, 200, and 300 MHz. With an entry-level price around $1,000, the compact scopes feature a widescreen, 7-in. TFT color display to maximize signal visibility, as well as 24 kpoints/channel memory.

All models offer debugging tools such as digital filtering with adjustable limits, waveform recorder mode, pass/fail testing, advanced triggering capabilities, 32 automatic measurements, and internal storage of up to 20 different waveforms and 20 oscilloscope setups. The scopes can also perform five waveform math functions: add, subtract, multiply, divide, and FFT.

Each DSO comes with LAN and USB interfaces supporting SCPI and USBTMC protocols for remote PC control, as well as PC software to allow scope parameters to be controlled remotely without programming.  Front and rear USB host ports permit saving of setup and waveform data, screenshots, or CSV files to flash drive. High-bandwidth passive probes  are also included for each channel, with 200- and 300-MHz units having selectable 50-Ω input impedance. (70-MHz, two-channel model 2552, $1,015; 300 MHz, 4-ch 2559, $2,495 — available now.)