Competitively priced scope from HP unites digital power with familiar, analog interface.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1995--Hewlett- Packard Company today introduces a low-cost two-channel digital-storage oscilloscope that combines banner specifications -- 1-gigasample-per-second sample rate with 500-MHz bandwidth and 1-nanosecond peak detect -- with a familiar, easy-to-use analog interface.

"Customer research tells us that because sample rates drop when digital sampling oscilloscopes operate at slow sweep speeds, design and test engineers and technicians are concerned that digital scopes take too few samples. They're afraid they may miss important data when they troubleshoot circuits up to 500 MHz," said Robert E. Berry, oscilloscope product manager for HP. "Also, many believe that high-performance digital scopes are too difficult to use. HP addresses these issues with a high-performance, intuitive product that combines fast sample rate with high bandwidth and a peak detect that captures 1-nanosecond events at any sweep speed. Our customers can trust what they see on the scope's display."

For engineers and technicians working with mixed-signal circuits, the HP 54615B two-channel oscilloscope provides high waveform throughput and user-control responsiveness without the delay usually associated with digital scopes. Based on the popular HP 54600-series platform, the front-panel knobs provide easy, direct access to the main scope controls. A unique architecture with three processors gives this scope more effective data acquisition and display than competitive scopes.

Unlike single-processor scopes, which process information serially, the HP 54615B updates the display by capturing more incoming signals. The front panel responds instantly to commands, and the real-time display allows changes to the setup or the signal to appear immediately. With the three-processor architecture, a digital signal-processing chip receives waveform samples from the 1-GSa/s flash analog-to-digital converters and time-correlates the samples to the trigger point. A waveform translator chip then takes the time-correlated points and displays them. Meanwhile, the central processing unit monitors the front panel and reprograms the hardware so the other chips can work without interruption. With three processors dedicated to specific tasks and working in parallel, the scope has all the power of a digital scope, but the look and feel typically associated with analog scopes.

FEATURES -0-

o 1-GSa/s sample rate per channel;

o 1-ns peak detect on both channels that allows the scope

to detect glitches as narrow as 1-ns, even at slow

sweep speeds;

o 5K memory depth per channel;

o automatic measurements of frequency, voltage, pulse

width and rise time (total can be expanded to 27 with

MSM), which eliminates time-consuming setup of the

scope;

o waveform storage that allows the user to store signals

for later comparison with other signals (storage is

available through two volatile pixel memories, or up to

100 nonvolatile with the optional measurement-storage

module);

o storage and recall of up to 16 scope setups, which

eliminate manual reset of scope controls for repeated

tests;

o roll mode -- available for slow sweep speeds -- which

displays each waveform sample as soon as it is taken by

the scope, allowing the user to see variations in

waveforms immediately;

o built-in power for active probes, which eliminates the

need for an external power supply; and

o built-in calibration signals, which make external

equipment unnecessary for calibrating the instrument. -0-

The HP 54615B uses the same compact, easy-to-use frame as others in the HP 54600-series. It is compatible with all current HP 54600 scope modules except for the HP 54655A and HP 54656A.

U.S. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

-- HP 54615B two-channel, 500-MHz, 1-GSa/s oscilloscope $6,995

-- HP 54650A HP-IB interface module 485

-- HP 54652B RS-232/parallel interface module 485

-- HP 54657A HP-IB measurement-storage module with FFT  765

-- HP 54659B RS-232/parallel measurement-storage module 765

with FFT

-- HP 34810A BenchLink Scope software 295

The HP 54615B oscilloscope and modules are shipped within one week after receipt of order.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 99,900 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year. -0-

Note to Editors: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-4844 ext. 1017. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, fastest response to your readers' inquiries will be assured by mailing them to Hewlett-Packard Company, Direct Marketing Organization, P.O. Box 58059, MS51L-SJ, Santa Clara, Calif. 95051-8059.

CONTACT: Hewlett Packard Company

Bill Van Eron, 970/679-3142

Fax: [phone]

or

WestGroup for HP

Lisa Parry, 970/482-9337

Fax: [phone]