Recently, there have been many changes in the high-end segment of . To keep up with everything, we have listed main models and are going to name the most important features. This article covers some high-end oscilloscopes and their specifications.
Oscilloscope glossary
Having trouble with the terms used in this article? No problem! In fact, there is an article in the knowledgebase explaining terms applicable to oscilloscopes.
Contents
Important aspects
High-end oscilloscopes are those with the best specifications. Basically, high-end oscilloscopes are oscilloscopes with a large bandwidth (>300 MHz), high sampling frequency (>2 GSa/s), large memory etc. Many of these models also feature a large screen, user-friendly interface and faster hardware compared to cheaper models.
This article compares 5 different (series) oscilloscopes from the Siglent, Rigol and Rohde & Schwarz brands. The most important specifications are contrasted in the table below. Then, the strengths of each oscilloscope are briefly described.
Specifications
| Specification | Siglent SDS5000X | Siglent SDS6000A | Rigol MSO7000 | Rigol MSO8000 | Rohde & Schwarz RTB2K-COM4 |
| Bandwidth | 350 - 1000 MHz | 500 - 2000 MHz | 100 - 500 MHz | 600 - 2000 MHz | 300 MHz |
| Channels | 2/4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Sampling frequency (max) | 5 GSa/s | 5 GSa/s | 10 GSa/s | 10 GSa/s | 2.5 GSa/s |
| Memory depth (max) | 250 Mpts | 500 Mpts | 140 Mpts | 500 Mpts | 20 Mpts |
| Waveform capture speed (max) | 480.000 wfm/s | 750.000 wfm/s | 600.000 wfm/s | 600.000 wfm/s | 100.000 wfms/s |
| Vertical resolution | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 10 bit |
| Display | 10.1" (1024x600) TFT-LCD touch screen | 12,1" LCD touch screen (1280x800 Px) | 10.1" TFT, 1024 x 600 pixels | 10.1" capacitive multi-touch screen | 10.1" WXGA 1280x800 |
| Intensity grading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price indication | €€-€€€€ | €€€€-€€€€€ | €€-€€€€ | €€€€-€€€€€ | €€€ |
Strengths per oscilloscope (series)
This section looks at the strengths of each oscilloscope or oscilloscopes of a series. For a series of oscilloscopes, the cheapest one within the series is selected below. To view all prices per oscilloscope in a particular series or for more information, click on this product.
Siglent SDS5000XThe Siglent SDS5000X is a very powerful series of oscilloscopes and a great step-up compared to, for example, the SDS2000X series. These oscilloscopes feature wide bandwidth, high sampling frequency and ample memory. In addition, the series uses 'Super Phosphor Oscilloscope technology', also known as SPO. This special technology ensures reduced jitter and extra-sensitive triggering. The models also feature a sequence mode, allowing waveform capture rates as high as 500,000 wfms/s! |
Siglent SDS6000AThe Siglent SDS6000A series is the most high-end series from Siglent that we currently sell. In many ways, these oscilloscopes are similar to the SDS5000X series but in terms of bandwidth and waveform capture rate, this series excels even more. In addition, the SDS6000A series features a larger screen and an extra Enhanced Sample Rate (ESR) function that guarantees better measurement accuracy. Besides excelling in many areas in terms of features and specifications, this series is also one of the more expensive series. |
Rigol MSO7000The Rigol MSO7000 series is a series of Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes which means it supports digital channels as well as analogue channels. The bandwidth within this series is somewhat lower than, for example, Siglent's SDS5000X series, but what makes this series stand out are the sampling frequency and waveform capture rate, both of which are much higher. This allows signals to be visualised in great detail. Furthermore, the memory size of this series is significantly smaller than the other Siglent/Rigol series. Also, this series does not have a touch-screen display. |
Rigol MSO8000The Rigol MSO8000 series is the bigger brother of the MSO7000 series. So in many areas, these oscilloscopes are also similar to the MSO7000 series. Where it differs is that this series has a higher bandwidth range, larger memory (same as SDS6000A series) and touch-screen. Furthermore, this series also features real-time eye-diagram and jitter analysis functions. As with the SDS6000A series this is one of the more expensive series talked about here. |
Rohde & Schwarz RTB2K-COM4Rohde & Schwarz has a big name within measurement equipment and with this RTB2K-COM4 it offers a very strong oscilloscope in terms of quality. Although the price and build quality reflect well what Rohde & Schwarz stands for, this scope still falls short of the aforementioned series in terms of specifications. |
Conclusion
From the comparisons on this page, it can be concluded that the Siglent SDS6000A and Rigol MSO8000 series have by far the best specifications within the High-End scopes. This is certainly also reflected in the prices, making these the two most expensive series we have discussed here. For a slightly lower price, the Rigol MSO7000 and Siglent SDS5000X do very good business. In terms of hard specifications, there are definitely differences between these series, so it is good to compare them again carefully before making your decision. The Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope brings the all-important name a build quality but still has to underperform the other oscilloscopes in terms of specifications while also not being the cheapest of all these discussed oscilloscopes.
