Tektronix TDS5054B, TDS5104B, TDS5032B, TDS5052B, TDS5054BE Online Help

Online Help

TDS5000B Series Oscilloscopes
PHP0237

Adapted from the TDS5000B Series Oscilloscopes online help Version 2.0
August, 2004

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Copyright Information 22
About the TDS5000B Series Oscilloscope 23
Product Description 23
Product Software 27
User Interface Map 28
Installing Software 29
Using Online Help 30
Navigating the Online Help 30
Documentation 31
Support Information 32
Feedback 33
Standard Accessories 34
Recommended Accessories 35
Options 38
Windows Interface Guidelines 39
Analysis and Connectivity Support 40
Getting the Analysis and Connectivity Support Tools 40
VXI Plug-and-Play Instrument Driver 41
TekVISA 41
TekVISA ActiveX Control (TVC) 41
TekVISAExcel Toolbar 41
VXI 11.2 LAN Server 41
Supported ADEs 42
Tektronix Toolbar for Word 42
Report Generator 42

2

IVI Drivers 42
Menu Bar Mode 42
Toolbar Mode 42
Working with the TDS5000B Series Instrument 43
Using the Instrument Interface 44
Changing Control Settings 44
Moving and Docking Control Windows 45
Controlling from within the Graticule Area 45
Access Shortcut Menus by Right-Clicking 46
Initializing the Instrument 46
Choosing and Connecting Probes 46
Creating Your Own Control Windows 47
Triggering, Timebase, and Horizontal Delay 47
Looking at Waveform Details 47
Using Fast Acquisition and DPO 48
Using Waveform Math 48
Using Spectral Analysis 49
Characterizing a Signal 49
Mask and Limit Testing 49
Application-Specific Measurements 50
Connecting to a Network 50
Printing Hard Copy 51
Using Other PC Applications 51
Using a Second Monitor 52
Connecting to Other Instruments 52
TDS5000B Series Options 53

3

Controls and Connections

Multipurpose Knobs 56
Vertical Controls 56
Horizontal Controls 57
MultiView Zoom Controls 57
Trigger Controls 58
Run Controls 58
General Purpose Controls 59
Front Panel Connectors 60
Rear Panel Connectors 60
Side Panel Connectors 61
Optional Touch Screen 63
On/Standby Switch 63

File Menu

Reference Waveform Controls 64
Save As Dialog Box: Waveform 64
Recall Dialog Box: Waveform 65
Save As Dialog Box: Instrument Setup 66
Recall Dialog Box: Instrument Setups 67
Delete Setups and Reference Waveforms 68
Page Setup Dialog Box 69
Print Preview Dialog Box 69
Print Dialog Box 69
Using Print Screen 70
Save As Dialog Box: Screen Capture 70
Waveform Options Dialog Box 71
Save As Dialog Box: Measurement 72

4

Save As Dialog Box: Histogram 72
Save As Dialog Box: Timestamp 73

Edit Menu

Copy Setup: Images 74
Copy Setup: Waveforms 74
Copy Setup: Measurements 75
Autoset Undo Control Window 76

Vertical Menu

Vertical Setup Control Window 77
Zoom Setup Control Window 77
Zoom Control Window 79
AutoScroll Control Window 80
Graticule Zoom Control Window 81
Waveform Display Control Window 81
Waveform Label Control Window 82
Position/Scale Control Window 82
Position/Scale Control Window: Position 83
Position/Scale Control Window: Scale 83
Vertical Offset Control Window 84
Termination Control Window 84
Coupling Control Window 85
Bandwidth Control Window 86
Probe Calibration Control Window 87
Probe Calibration Control Window: Probe Status 87
Probe Calibration Control Window: Probe Calibration 88
Deskew Control Window 89
Attenuation Control Window 90

5

Display On/Off 90
Vertical Position/Scale 91
Offset 91
Termination 92
Channel Invert 92
Coupling Setup 93
Bandwidth 93
Probe Controls 93
Channel Invert Control Window 94
Using Offset to Avoid Clipping Signals 94
High Impedance Probes 95
Low Impedance Probes 95
Active Probes 95
Probe Calibration Restrictions 95

Horizontal/Acquisition Menu

Horizontal/Acquisition Setup Control Window
(Horizontal Tab) 96

Record Length 96
Horizontal Scale 97
Horizontal Control Window Readouts 97
Horizontal Delay and Horizontal Position 98
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window 98
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Delay Mode Off 99
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Position 99
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Scale 99
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Delay On 100
Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Horiz Delay 100

6

Horizontal Position/Scale Control Window: Scale Delay On 101
Resolution Control Window 101
Acquisition Mode Control Window 102
Horizontal/Acquisition Setup Control Window

(Acquisition Tab) 104
Acquisition Mode 104
Fast Acquisitions 106
Roll Mode 107
Interactions of Roll Mode and Other Instrument Settings 108
Incompatible Acquisition Features 109
Sampling Modes 109
FastFrame Setup Control Window 111
Frame Setup 112
Frame Viewing 113
Time Stamps 114
Time Stamp Table 114
Using FastFrame Acquisitions 114
FastFrame Controls 116
Autoset 116

Trigger Menu

Trigger Setup Control Window 119
A Event Trigger Types 120
Sequential Triggering (Horizontal Delay On) 120
Sequential Triggering (Horizontal Delay Off) 121
B Event Trigger 121
Trigger Mode and Holdoff 122
Edge Trigger Control Window 122

7

Glitch Trigger Control Window 123
Width Trigger Control Window 123
Runt Trigger Control Window 124
Timeout Trigger Control Window 124
Transition Time Trigger Control Window 125
Setup and Hold Trigger Control Window 126
Logic Pattern Trigger Control Window 126
Logic State Trigger Control Window 127
Window Trigger Control Window 128
Video Trigger Control Window 128
Comm Trigger Control Window 129
Communication Trigger Codes and Standards (Option) 130
Set to 50% with Comm Triggers 132
Trigger on A Only (Horizontal Delay Off) 132
Trigger on A Only (Horizontal Delay On) 132
Trigger After Time (Horizontal Delay Off) 133
Trigger After Time (Horizontal Delay On) 133
Trigger on Nth Event (Horizontal Delay Off) 134
Trigger on Nth Event (Horizontal Delay On) 135
Trigger Holdoff Control Window 136
Trigger Mode Control Window 137
Run/Stop Control Window 137
Communication Trigger Coding 138
Comm Trigger Pulse Form 138

Display Menu

Display Setup Control Window (Appearance Tab) 139
Display Style 139

8

Display Persistence 140
Waveform Intensity 140
Display Format 141
Waveform Interpolation 142
Display Setup Control Window (Screen Text Tab) 142
Display Setup Control Window (Objects Tab) 143
Graticule Style 143
Trigger Level Marker 144
LCD Backlight Timeout 144
Display Setup Control Window (Colors Tab) 144
Color Palettes 145
Display Palette 146
Reference Color 146
Math Color 147
Text Properties Control Window 147
Display Persistence Control Window 148

Cursor Menu

Cursor Setup Control Window 150
Cursor Type Setup Control Window 151
Cursor Sources 152
Cursor Position Control Window 152
Horizontal Bar Cursors 153
Vertical Bar Cursors 153
Waveform Cursors 153
Screen Cursors 154
Cursor Modes 154
Cursor Style 155

9

Cursors Using XY Display Format 156

Measurement Menu

Measurement Setup Control Window 158
Measurement Tabs: Amplitude 159
Measurement Tabs: Time 159
Measurement Tabs: More 160
Measurement Tabs: Histogram 160
Measurement Tabs: Communications 161
Measurement Tabs: Communications More 161
Measurements List 162
Measurement Snapshot Control Window 162
Measurement Statistics Control Window 163
Reference Levels Control Window 164
Gating Control Window 165
Histogram Control Window 166
Delay Measurement Setup 167
Phase Measurement Setup 167

Mask Menu

Mask Setup Control Window 169
Mask Types and Standards (Option) 169
Mask Display Control Window 173
Mask Alignment Control Window 173
Mask Source Control Window 174
Mask Margins Control Window 174
Mask Pass/Fail Setup Control Window 175
Mask Test Pass/Fail Controls 176
Mask Pass/Fail Test Notification 176

10

Pass Fail Setup More 177
Mask Polarity 177
Mask Test Repeat 178
Mask Pass/Fail Results Control Window 178
Mask Test Summary 179
Mask Hits Per Segment 179
Mask Test Start or Reset 180
Mask Test Controls Control Window 180
Mask Configuration Display Control Window 181
Mask Configuration Autoset Control Window 181
Mask Autoset Vertical Controls 182
Mask Autoset Horizontal Controls 182
Mask Autoset Trigger Level Control 183
Mask Autoset Autofit Control 183
Mask Autoset Mode 183
Mask Configuration Autofit Control Window 184
User Mask Setup 185
Mask Edit Control Window 185
Recall User Mask 187
Save User Mask 188
User Mask Edit Control Window 189
Limit Test Setup Control Window 189
Create Limit Test Template 190
Compare Limit Test 191
Limit Test Options 192
Limit Test Failure Notification Control Window 193
Limit Test Reset 194

11

Save Limit Test Dialog Box 195

Math Menu

Math Setup Control Window 196
Math Waveform Properties 196
Define Edit Expression 197
Predefined Math Expressions 197
Guidelines for Working with Math Waveforms 197
Spectral Analysis 198
Predefined Spectral 198
Equation Editor Control Window 198
Time Domain Tab 199
Spectral Analysis (Freq) Tab 200
Measurement List (Meas) Tab 200
Variable List (Var Tab) 200
Edit Controls 201
Adjust Math Parameters Control Window 201
Math Variables Control Window 202
Spectral Setup Control Window 202
Create Spectrum Tab 203
Mag Scale Tab 203
Phase Scale Tab 204
Control Tracking Tab 204
Spectral Setups: Acquisition 205
Spectral Setups: Gating 205
Spectral Setups: Frequency 206
Spectral Controls: Acquisition 207
Spectral Controls: Gating 208

12

Spectral Controls: Frequency 209
Selecting a Spectral Window 209
Text Edit Controls 210

MyScope Menu

MyScope Setup Control Window 211
Using MyScope Control Windows 212
Open or Edit MyScope Dialog Box 214
Save MyScope File As Dialog Box 214

Utilities Menu

Set Time and Date 215
GPIB Configuration Control Window 216
LAN Server Status Control Window 216
External Signals Control Window 217
Touch Screen (Option) 217
Instrument Calibration Control Window 218
Instrument Diagnostics Control Window 218
E-mail on Event Control Window 219
E-mail Configuration Dialog Box 220
User Preferences: Prompt Before Action 221
User Preferences: Keypad Defaults 221
User Preferences: Record Length 222
User Preferences: Readouts 222
Option Installation 224
Tek Secure Erase 224

Theory of Operation

Functional Model 225
Process Overview 226

13

Signal Connection 227
Input Conditioning 227
Probes and Signal Connection 228
Coupling 228
Scaling and Positioning 228
Vertical Acquisition Window Considerations 229
Horizontal Acquisition Window Considerations 231
Autoset Considerations 232
Horizontal Acquisition Window Interrelated Parameters 232
Independent versus Shared Window 233
Acquisition Hardware 234
Sampling Process 234
Sampling Modes 235
Waveform Record 235
Interleaving 236
Triggering Concepts 236
Trigger Sources 237
Trigger Types 237
Trigger Modes 238
Trigger Holdoff 238
Trigger Coupling 239
Horizontal Trigger Position 239
Trigger Slope and Level 239
Delayed Trigger System 239
Advanced Triggering 240
Glitch Trigger 240
Runt Trigger 240

14

Width Trigger 240
Transition Time Trigger 240
Timeout Trigger 240
Pattern Trigger 241
State Trigger 242
Setup and Hold Trigger 243
Window Trigger 244
Video Trigger 244
Communication Trigger 244
Sequential Triggering 244
Triggering with Horizontal Delay Off 245
Triggering with Horizontal Delay On 246
Triggering and Horizontal Delay Summary 247
Display Overview 247
Display Elements 248
Acquisition Preview 249
Waveform Display 249
Customizable Display Elements 250
Operations on the Time Base 255
Horizontal Position and the Horizontal Reference Point 255
Interpolation 255
Using the MultiZoom Feature 256
Automatic Measurements 256
Cursor Measurements 257
Cursor Types 259
Histograms 260
Math Waveforms 261

15

Creating Math Waveforms 263
Math Waveform Sources 264
Math Waveform Expression Syntax 264
Math Waveform Differentiation 265
Offset, Position, Scale, and Math Waveforms 266
Waveform Integration 266
Defining Spectral Math Waveforms 267
Using the Spectral Math Controls 268
Using the Time Controls 268
Using the Gating Controls 269
Using the Frequency Domain Controls 270
Using the Magnitude Controls 271
Using the Phase Controls 273
Using Spectral Analyzer Windows 274
Gaussian Window 276
Rectangular Window 277
Hamming Window 278
Hanning, Kaiser-Bessel, and Blackman-Harris Windows 279
Flattop2 Window 281
Tek Exponential Window 282
Effects of Trigger Jitter 282
Recognizing Aliasing 283
Serial Mask Testing with Option SM 283
Mask Key Points 284
Levels Used in Taking Eye Measurements 285
Communication Triggering (Option) 287
Limit Testing Concepts 287

16

Saving and Recalling Setups 288
Saving and Recalling Waveforms 289
Saving and Copying Waveform Data 289

Spectral Analysis Overview

Spectral Analysis Features 291
FFT Process 291
The FFT Display 292
FFT Windows 292
FFT Window Characteristics 293
Time Domain Gating 294
Aliasing 294
Eliminating Aliasing 295
Nyquist frequency 295

Overview Tasks

Setting Up Signal Input 296
Setting Acquisition Modes 297
Setting Up Roll Mode 297
Using Fast Acquisitions 299
Time Stamping Frames 300
Triggering from the Front Panel 302
Checking Trigger Status 303
Triggering from the Trigger Setup Window 304
Triggering on a Glitch 306
Triggering on a Runt Pulse 307
Triggering on a Pulse Width 308
Triggering on Transition Time 309
Triggering on Pulse Timeout 311

17

Triggering on a Pattern 312
Triggering on Logic State 313
Triggering on Setup/Hold Time Violations 314
Triggering on Window Threshold Violations 317
Triggering on a Video Signal 318
Triggering on a Sequence 319
Triggering on a Communication Signal 320
Displaying Waveforms 321
Using MultiView Zoom with Waveforms 322
Taking Automatic Measurements 323
Localizing a Measurement 326
Setting Cursor Sources 326
Starting and Resetting Histogram Counting 327
Creating a Math Waveform 329
Using Math Waveforms 330
Using a Predefined Spectral Math Waveform 332
Defining a Spectral Math Waveform 333
Setting Up Mask Testing 337
Creating a User Mask from a Defined Mask (Option) 340
Editing a User Defined Mask 341
Saving a User Mask to Disk 342
Recalling a User Mask from Disk 342
Creating a New User Mask 343
Using Limit Testing 344
Sending E-mail on Events 345
Selecting the Sound Source 346
Saving a Waveform 346

18

Saving a Screen Capture 348
Saving Measurements 349
Copying Waveform Data 349
Creating MyScope Control Windows 351
Editing MyScope Control Windows 352

Tasks

Calibrating Active Probes 353
Calibrating Passive Probes 353
Deskew 354
Signal Path Compensation 354
Signal Path Compensation Status 355
Low Frequency Probe Compensation 355
Taking Cursor Measurements 355
Creating Reference Waveforms 356
Saving Reference Waveforms using Auto-Increment File

Name 356
Recalling Reference Waveforms 357
Recalling a Template Waveform 357
Creating a Spectral Waveform 357
Setting up for FastFrame Operations 358
Taking Automatic Measurements 358
Setting up a Dual Display 359
Creating Math Waveforms using Predefined Expressions 360
Creating Math Waveforms with the Equation Editor 360
Exiting the Instrument Application 360
Minimizing the Instrument Application 361
Shutting Down the Instrument 361

19

Adding Software Applications to the Instrument 361
Creating an Emergency Startup Disk 362
Backing Up User Files 362
Using Roll Mode 362
TDS5000B Series GPIB Programmer Online Help 363
TDS5000B Series Oscilloscope Applications Software 363
Trigger on A Event Only 363
Triggering on an Event after a Specified Delay 363
Triggering on a B Event 364
Setting up a Histogram 364
Taking Automated Measurements on Histogram Data 364
Printing the Screen to a Printer 365
Copying the Screen for Use in other Applications 365
Copying Measurements for Use in Other Applications 365
Saving Instrument Setups 366
Recalling Instrument Setups 366
Deleting Instrument Setups 367
Choosing Color Palettes 367
Customizing Color Palettes 367
Setting the Horizontal Delay 368
Comparing Data Using Horizontal Delay 368
Using the XY Display Format 368
Using the XYZ Display Format 368
Enabling a Network Connection 369
Selected Waveform versus Deselected Waveform 369
Probe Compensation Adjustment 369
Probe Compensation 370

20

Printing Banners 370
Inverting Channel Waveforms 371
Connecting Probes 371
Adjusting Display Contrast 371
Using Mask Testing with Option SM 372
Creating a User Mask with Option SM 372
Saving Masks 373
Recalling Masks 373
Editing a User Mask 373

Glossary
Index

21

Getting Started

Copyright Information

Copyright © Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by
Tektronix or its suppliers and are protected by United States copyright laws and international
treaty provisions.

Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in
subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS

252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software—Restricted
Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19, as applicable.

Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in
this documentation supercedes that in all previously published material. Specifications and price
change privileges reserved.

Tektronix, Inc. P.O. Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077

TEKTRONIX, TekScope, and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
FastFrame, OpenChoice, IView, MyScope, and MultiView Zoom are trademarks of Tektronix,
Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MATLAB is a registered trademark of The Mathworks, Inc.
Mathcad is a registered trademark of MathSoft Engineering & Education, Inc.

TDS5000B Series Online Help
PHP0237, Version 2.0
August 13, 2004

22

About the TDS5000B Series Oscilloscope

Welcome to the Tektronix TDS5000B Series
Oscilloscopes.

The TDS5000B Series of Digital Phosphor Oscilloscopes (DPOs)
provide the performance, simplicity, and connectivity needed for
today’s ever-changing electronics, computer, and
communications industries. The easy-to-use interface includes a
large display screen and an optional touch-screen interface on a
Microsoft Windows platform. Choose the methods of controlling
oscilloscope operations that are most convenient for you:
customary front-panel controls, menus and toolbar buttons, or the
touch screen.

User interface

The user interface is built on the Windows operating system and
has a similar look and feel. Switch between menu bar mode and
toolbar mode by clicking Buttons or Menu in the upper-right
corner of the screen. The instrument is also fully compatible with
a wide range of PC hardware and software accessories such as,
networked instrumentation and printers.

Optional touch screen interface

If you have the optional touch screen interface, you can access menu items and on-screen controls
with the touch of a finger. The TOUCH SCREEN OFF button on the front panel toggles this
option. The button is not present if your instrument was not ordered with the touch screen.

Product Description

Models

The online help supports six very similar oscilloscopes:

 TDS5032B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
 TDS5034B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
 TDS5052B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
 TDS5054B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
 TDS5104B Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
 TDS5054BE Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope

Differences between the instruments are noted when necessary.

23

Key Features

TDS5000B Series oscilloscopes are high-performance solutions for verification, debugging, and
characterization of sophisticated electronic designs. The series features exceptional signal
acquisition performance, operational simplicity, and open connectivity to the design environment.
Classic analog-style controls, a large display with an optional touch-sensitive screen, and graphical
menus provide intuitive control. Open access to the Windows operating system enables
unprecedented customization and extensibility. Key features include:

 Up to 1 GHz bandwidth and 5 GS/s real time sampling rate
 Record lengths up to 16,000,000 samples
 Fast acquisition at up to 100,000 acquisitions per second
 1.5% DC vertical gain accuracy
 Two or four input channels (each with 8-bit resolution)
 Auxiliary trigger input and output
 Sample, envelope, peak-detect, high-resolution, average, and waveform database acquisition

modes

 Full programmability, with an extensive GPIB command set and a message-based interface
 Extensive suite of advanced triggers including edge, logic, pulse, video, communication

(optional), and sequence

 Powerful built-in measurement capability, including histograms, automatic measurements,

and measurement statistics

 Basic math as well as advanced equation editor and spectral analysis
 A large 10.4 inch (264.2 mm) color display that supports color grading of waveform data to

show sample density

 Customizable MyScope control windows
 An intuitive graphical user interface (UI) with online help
 Internal disk storage
 Wide array of probing solutions, options, and upgrades
 GPIB Controller
 Comprehensive Suite of Right-Click Menus

Acquisition Features

Separate Digitizers. Ensure accurate timing measurements with separate digitizers for each

channel. The digitizers can also be combined to yield a higher sample rate on a single
channel.

Fast Acquisition. Acquire up to 100,000 waveforms per second to see rapidly changing

signals or intermittent signal irregularities.

Long Record Lengths. 2M per channel and 8M on a single channel is standard. Extend the

maximum record length up to 16M with memory options.

Peak Detect Acquisition Mode. See pulses as narrow as 400 ps, even at the slower time base

settings. Peak detect helps you see noise and glitches in your signal.

Acquisition Control Acquire continuously or set up to capture single shot acquisitions.

Enable or disable optional acquisition features such as equivalent time or roll mode.

24

Horizontal Delay. Use delay when you want to acquire a signal at a significant time interval

after the trigger point. Toggle delay on and off to quickly compare the signal at two different
points in time.

Average, Envelope, Hi Res Acquisition, and WfmDB. Use Average acquisition mode to

remove uncorrelated noise from your signal. Use Envelope to capture and display the
maximum variation of the signal. Use Hi Res to increase vertical resolution for lower
bandwidth signals. WfmDB mode is the only mode that can be used when mask testing with
an optical standard.

Signal Processing Features

Waveform Math. Set up simple math waveforms using the basic arithmetic functions

including FFT, or create more advanced math waveforms using the math expression editor.
Waveform expressions can even contain measurement results and other math waveforms.

Spectral Analysis. Display spectral magnitude and phase waveforms based on your time-

domain acquisitions. Control the instrument using the traditional spectrum analyzer controls
such as span, center frequency, and resolution bandwidth.

FastFrame. Use FastFrame to capture a series of triggered acquisitions at high resolution

without wasting acquisition memory on the dead time in-between the acquisitions.

Mask Testing. Use mask testing for signal violation detection and pass/fail testing. Test

signals against a user defined mask, or with Option SM you can test against industry standard
masks.

Limit Testing. Use Limit Testing for pass/fail comparison with an active signal.

Display Features

Color LCD Display. Identify and differentiate waveforms easily with color coding.

Waveforms, readouts, and inputs are color matched to increase productivity and reduce
operating errors.

Digital Phosphor. A Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope can clearly display intensity modulation

in your signals. The oscilloscope automatically overlays subsequent acquisitions and then
decays them to simulate the writing and decay of the phosphor in an analog oscilloscope CRT
(cathode-ray tube). The feature results in an intensity-graded or color-graded waveform
display that shows the information in the intensity modulation.

Fit to Screen. The Digital Phosphor technology performs the compression required to

represent all record points on the screen, even at the maximum record length settings.

MultiView Zoom. To take advantage of the full resolution of the instrument, you can zoom in

on a waveform to see fine details. Both vertical and horizontal zoom are available. You can
also zoom in on multiple areas of a single waveform simultaneously and on multiple
waveforms at the same time.

Measurement Features

Cursors. Use cursors to take simple voltage, time, and frequency measurements.
Automatic Measurements. Choose from a large palette of amplitude, time, histogram, and

communication measurements. You can customize the measurements by changing reference
levels or by adding measurement gating. Statistics (mean, maximum, minimum, standard
deviation and population) are available for each measurement value

25

Trigger Features

Simple and Advanced Trigger Types. Choose a simple edge trigger, or choose from up to

twelve advanced trigger types to help you capture a specific signal fault or event.

Dual Triggers. Use the A (main) trigger system alone or add the B trigger to capture more

complex events. You can use the A and B triggers together to set up a delay-by-time or delay­by-events trigger condition.

Convenience Features

Autoset. Use Autoset to quickly set up the vertical, horizontal, and trigger controls for a

usable display.

Myscope. Allows you to create your own control windows for easy access to the controls you

use most often.

Touch Screen Interface. (Optional) You can operate all instrument functions (except the

power switch) from the touch screen interface. You can also install a mouse and keyboard to
use the interface.

Toolbar or Menu Bar. You can choose a toolbar operating mode that is optimized for use

with the touch screen, or a PC-style menu-bar operating mode that is optimized for use with a
mouse.

Open Desktop. The instrument is built on a Microsoft Windows software platform; the

instrument application program starts automatically when you apply power to the instrument.
You can minimize the instrument application and take full advantage of the built-in PC to run
other applications. Moving waveform images and data into other applications is as simple as a
copy/paste operation.

Dedicated Front Panel Controls. The front panel contains knobs and buttons to provide

immediate access to the most common instrument controls. Separate vertical controls are
provided for each channel. The same functions are also available through the screen interface.

Data Storage and I/O. The instrument has an optional removable hard disk drive, a floppy

disk drive, and a CD-RW drive that can be used for storage and retrieval of data. The
instrument has GPIB, USB, Centronics, RS232, VGA out, extended desktop support, and
Ethernet ports for input and output to other devices.

Integrated Thermal Printer (Optional). The optional built-in thermal printer allows you to

print a long continuous waveform as a banner. Banner printing shows more detail, drawing
samples that might otherwise overlap on the screen.

Online Help. The instrument has a complete online help system that covers all its features.

The help system is context sensitive; help for the displayed control window is automatically
shown if you click the help button. Graphical aids in the help windows assist you in getting to
the information you need. You can also access the help topics through a table of contents,
index, or full text search.

26

Product Software

The instrument includes the following software:

 System Software. The product software runs on a specially configured version of Windows

2000. Windows 2000 is preinstalled and enables you to install other compatible applications.
To reinstall Windows 2000, use the Operating System Restore CD-ROM, a standard
accessory with your instrument. Do not attempt to substitute any version of Windows that is
not specifically provided by Tektronix for use with your instrument.

 TDS5000B Product Software. This preinstalled software is the instrument application and

runs on Windows 2000. It provides the user interface (UI) and all other instrument control
functions. You can minimize or even exit/restart the instrument application as your needs
dictate. However, it is recommended that you exit the instrument application only when
installing new software.

 Support Software. The TDS5000B Series Product Software CD-ROM, included with the

instrument, contains additional software and files that may be useful to you.

 Readme file. This text file contains release notes and updates that are not included in other

product documentation.

 GPIB Programmer Online Help software. This software is available as WinHelp or as a

PDF file. It contains the information you need to program the instrument through its GPIB
interface.

 Specifications Performance Verification Procedures. The product CD-ROM contains

instrument specifications and instructions to perform a manual performance verification.

See the instructions for the TDS5000B Series Product Software CD-ROM for information about
installing the support software.

Occasionally new versions of software for your instrument may become available at our Web site,
see Support Information.

Firmware Upgrade

Tektronix may offer firmware upgrade kits for the instrument. Contact your Tektronix service
representative for more information.

27

User Interface Map

See the figure below for a description of the elements of the user interface. These elements
provide complete control of the instrument.

28

Installing Software

The instrument system and application software is preinstalled at the factory. If you have to
reinstall the software for any reason, refer to the instructions that accompany the CD-ROMs
shipped with the instrument.

Software Release notes

Read the software release notes (README.TXT) on the product software CD-ROM before
performing installation procedures. This file contains additional information that supercedes other
product documentation.

To view README.TXT, start the Windows Notepad accessory and open the file from the

TDS5000B Series Product Software CD-ROM.

Accessory Software

The TDS5000B Series Product Software CD-ROM contains accessory software and files that you

can install on the instrument or another PC. Refer to the instructions that accompany the CD-ROM
for installation information.

Desktop Applications

You can install desktop application software on the instrument. The instrument has been tested
with the following software products installed:

 Microsoft Office 2000 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
 MathCad
 MATLAB

Other software products may be compatible but have not been tested by Tektronix. If the
instrument malfunctions after you install software, uninstall the software and then reinstall the
instrument application to restore proper operation.

Before installing other desktop applications, exit the instrument application. To do this, click Exit
on the File menu.

29

Using Online Help

The online help is designed to assist you with all the features of
the instrument.

Use the online help to quickly get information about a function or
assistance in performing a task. These types of online help are
available:

Context-Sensitive help. In toolbar mode, click Help to display

online help for the active window. From the menu bar, click Help
to display a list of help options. In either mode, the F1 function
key also displays help for the active window.

Note

If you are using the optional touch screen, you can also touch the
Help button in either mode.

Microsoft Windows help. Help is also available as part of

Windows. For information about Windows features, refer to the
Windows online help by clicking Start in the Windows toolbar
and then selecting Help.

Navigating the Online Help

You can search for help using methods that most users of PCs are familiar with: From the menu
bar, select Help, and then select Contents and Index.

From the online help finder, choose one of the three tabs: Contents, Index, or Find. From the
Contents tab, click a topic to select it for display, and then click the Display button to open the
topic. From the Index tab, when you enter the subject you are looking for, the list scrolls to that
topic. Click Display to open the topic. For a full text search use the Find tab. You must first
choose the method for word list generation, click Next, and then click Finish. Enter the subject
you want to find. Every topic that contains the subject will be displayed. Select a topic and click
Display to open that topic.

There are several ways to use the online help that are unique to the instrument:

Jumps. Blue-underlined text represents hyperlinks to other topics. Click the text to jump to the

related topic. For example, to jump to the topic on Using Online Help click the text. Click Back to
return to this window.

Pop-ups. Pop-up windows are identified by blue text with no underlines. Click the blue text to

display a brief help message.

Help on Graphics. Some of the graphics in the help windows contain areas highlighted with

orange boxes. Click the area inside the box to either open a pop-up window with a brief help
description or to jump to a related help topic.

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