Rohde & Schwarz has expanded its next-generation MXO oscilloscope portfolio with the compact four- and eight-channel MXO 3, bringing big capabilities in a small package. The MXO 3 delivers advanced MXO technology from Rohde & Schwarz, originally pioneered in the MXO 4 and MXO 5/5C series instruments, in a compact form factor and allows engineers to see more of their DUT’s signal.
FAST INSIGHT
All MXO 3 models come standard with up to 99 percent real-time capture, enabling users to instantly observe more signal detail and rare signal events. Like other MXO models, these oscilloscopes leverage the cutting-edge MXO-EP ASIC technology developed by Rohde & Schwarz to achieve speed and performance across multiple dimensions. With an acquisition rate of 4.5 million waveforms per second, the MXO 3 allows users to instantly detect additional signal details and capture infrequent events.
Figure 1 An MXO 3 spectrum display.
Figure 2 HD mode reveals signal detail that would normally be buried in noise.
The oscilloscopes also feature a 600,000 trigger events per second with zone triggering, offering a flexible solution for isolating events in the time domain, including complex signals in the math and frequency domains. Furthermore, the MXO 3 delivers 50,000 fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) per second and enables faster, more comprehensive analysis for applications such as EMI and harmonic testing. Figure 1 shows an example of the MXO 3 creating its spectrum display by processing FFTs in hardware, revealing details in the frequency domain, including dynamic signal changes. With 600,000 math operations per second, the MXO 3 allows users to accurately analyze signals such as power, which require the precise multiplication of voltage and current.
PRECISION
All MXO 3 models are engineered with advanced technology to ensure accurate measurement isolation and results that users can trust. With 12-bit vertical resolution implemented in hardware at all sample rates, users can observe small signal changes even of larger signals. This represents 16x more resolution compared to traditional 8-bit oscilloscopes. To further enhance precision, the MXO 3 features an HD mode that reveals signal details typically buried in noise (see Figure 2). This mode provides both noise reduction and up to 18 bits of vertical resolution. Unlike other oscilloscopes, the HD mode operates at full sample rate and is implemented in hardware, ensuring precision without sacrificing speed.
The MXO 3 also offers a wide offset range, allowing users to leverage the most sensitive vertical scale setup for capturing more of their signal while minimizing measurement system noise. With a ±3 V offset at 1 mV/div on both 50 Ω and 1 MΩ input paths, the MXO 3 delivers high performance for its class.
COMPACT FORM FACTOR
Both the four- and eight-channel MXO 3 oscilloscopes are designed with a compact, portable form factor, making them easy to fit anywhere, including on crowded benches. Their small footprint allows more space for the creative chaos of engineering workspaces. With a weight of about 4 kg, users can easily move the MXO 3 to a new measurement location as needed. The instrument requires only 5U of rack height, ensuring efficient use of space.
Oscilloscopes are highly visual tools, as users spend significant time interacting with their instruments’ displays. The MXO 3 series incorporates an 11.6 in. full-HD capacitive touchscreen paired with an intuitive user interface for enhanced user experience. Additionally, the instrument’s compact size, industry-leading low audible noise and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting make it an excellent choice for engineering environments.
MODEL CONFIGURATIONS
The MXO 3 series oscilloscopes are available in both four- and eight-channel models, with bandwidth options including 100 MHz, 200 MHz, 350 MHz, 500 MHz and 1 GHz. For users with more demanding requirements, a variety of upgrade options are available. These include 16 integrated digital channels with a mixed signal oscilloscope (MSO) option, a 50 MHz arbitrary waveform generator, protocol decoding and triggering options for numerous industry standard buses and a frequency response analyzer to expand the instrument’s capabilities.
ADDRESSED APPLICATIONS
The MXO 3 is a versatile bench instrument, combining multiple traditional devices, such as oscilloscopes, generators and power supplies. It handles general-purpose measurements, analyzing time and frequency domain signals and their correlation — crucial for embedded system testing, control loop analysis (including Bode plots) and logic/protocol debugging.
Its capabilities extend to power electronics with support for high voltage, current and optically isolated probes, alongside HD mode noise suppression and eight-channel models. For power conversion, the MXO 3’s eight channels and 18-bit HD mode provide critical visibility into complex systems like motor drives and inverters, enabling precise measurements for efficiency and optimization.
Furthermore, it simplifies power sequencing analysis with simultaneous multi-channel observation and deep memory of up to 500 Mpts, enabling longer recording durations and precise analysis of small signal events. It features 3 V offsets and high sensitivity (1 mV/div), making it ideal for measuring power ripple and noise. Additionally, its fast spectrum analysis capability makes it an excellent tool for quickly identifying EMI issues and noise sources.
Rohde & Schwarz
Munich, Germany
www.rohde-schwarz.com
