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The B&K Precision 2540C Series is a family of two-channel mixed signal oscilloscopes available in three bandwidth tiers — 70 MHz (2540C), 100 MHz (2542C), and 200 MHz (2544C) — with each tier offered as either a base DSO configuration or as a factory MSO variant that adds 16 integrated digital channels. The series combines a 1 GSa/s sample rate, up to 14 Mpts of acquisition memory, and a 25 MHz function/arbitrary waveform generator that ships standard on every model, providing both stimulus and response capability in a single bench instrument.
The 2540C Series is positioned for design, education, service, and repair applications. The instrument supports capturing signal anomalies, decoding serial bus protocols, and accelerating debug and analysis workflows. The integrated logic analyzer (available on MSO variants or via the LA2540C upgrade license) and the optional decode software extend the instrument from a traditional oscilloscope into a mixed-signal debug platform suitable for embedded development work involving I2C, SPI, UART/RS232, CAN, and LIN buses.
B&K Precision is a long-established US-distributed test and measurement brand with manufacturing roots going back to the 1950s. The company has operated continuously under the B&K Precision name and remains an active T&M instrument manufacturer with no major corporate rebrand affecting its current product lines.
The 2540C Series consists of three bandwidth tiers — 70 MHz (2540C), 100 MHz (2542C), and 200 MHz (2544C) — each available as either a base DSO model or as a factory MSO variant. The MSO variant designation (e.g., 2544C-MSO) indicates the instrument ships with the LP2540C 16-channel logic probe and the LA2540C MSO license preinstalled.
All six models in the family share the same two analog input channels, the same 1 GSa/s sample rate, the same 14 Mpts memory depth, the same 25 MHz built-in function/arbitrary waveform generator, the same 8-inch display, and the same trigger architecture. The bandwidth tier and the MSO factory option are the two axes that differentiate the family.
Each new model below has its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing and availability. Compare the bandwidth tier and the MSO option to match your application requirements, then select the specific product page for the configuration you need.
The bandwidth tier sets the rise time and the highest signal frequency the instrument can resolve: under 5 ns rise time on the 70 MHz models, under 3.5 ns on the 100 MHz models, and under 1.8 ns on the 200 MHz models. All other analog performance characteristics — vertical sensitivity range, vertical resolution, input coupling, input impedance options, time base range and accuracy — are identical across the three tiers per the datasheet.
The MSO designation in the model number (the -MSO suffix) indicates the unit ships with the LP2540C 16-channel logic probe and the LA2540C MSO license preinstalled. Base DSO models can be field-upgraded to MSO functionality by purchasing the LP2540C probe and the LA2540C license separately. The DC2540C serial decode license is optional on both DSO and MSO models.
| Model | Bandwidth | Analog Channels | Digital Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2542C-MSO | 100 MHz | 2 | 16 |
| 2540C | 70 MHz | 2 | Upgradeable |
| 2540C-MSO | 70 MHz | 2 | 16 |
| 2542C | 100 MHz | 2 | Upgradeable |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | 2540C / 2542C / 2544C |
|---|---|
| Performance Characteristics | |
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz / 100 MHz / 200 MHz |
| Rise Time | <5 ns / <3.5 ns / <1.8 ns |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s (single channel), 500 MSa/s (dual channel) |
| Input Channels | Analog: 2; Digital: 16 (-MSO models or with LA2540C upgrade) |
| Memory Depth | 14 Mpts (single channel), 7 Mpts (dual channel) |
| Waveform Update Rate | 60,000 wfms/s |
| Hardware Bandwidth Limits | 20 MHz |
| Input Coupling | DC, AC, GND |
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ ± 2% || (22 pF ±3 pF); 50 Ω ± 2% |
| Ch to Ch Isolation | >40 dB |
| Acquisition System | |
| Peak Detect | 1 ns |
| Average | 4, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 |
| Enhanced Resolution | 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 bits selectable |
| Interpolation | Sin(x)/x, Linear |
| Vertical System | |
| Vertical Resolution | 8 bits |
| Vertical Sensitivity | 500 µV/div to 10 V/div (1-2-5) |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 1 MΩ < 400 Vpk; 50 Ω <5 Vrms |
| DC Gain Accuracy | ±3%: 5 mV/div to 10 V/div; ±4%: < 2 mV/div |
| Horizontal System | |
| Time Base Range | 2.0 ns/div to 50 s/div |
| Time Base Accuracy | ±25 ppm |
| Ch to Ch Deskew Range | ±100 ns |
| Trigger System | |
| Modes | Auto, Normal, Single |
| Coupling | DC, AC, LF Reject, HF Reject, Noise Reject Ch1-Ch2 |
| Trigger Level | Internal: ±4.5 div from center; External EXT: ±0.6 V; EXT/5: ±3 V |
| Hold-Off Range | 100 ns to 1.5 s |
| Types | Edge, Slope, Pulse, Video, Window, Interval, Dropout, Runt, Pattern |
| Serial Trigger | I²C, SPI, UART/RS232, CAN, LIN |
| Cursors | |
| Mode | Manual, Track |
| Measurements | ΔT, 1/ΔT, X2, X1, ΔV, Y2, Y1 |
| Waveform Math | |
| Math Operation | Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, FFT, Derivative, Integral, Square Root |
| FFT | Windows: Rectangle, Blackman, Hanning, Hamming, Flattop |
| Waveform Measurements | |
| Voltage | Vpp, Vmax, Vmin, Vamp, Vtop, Vbase, Mean, Cmean, Stdev, Cstd, Vrms, Crms, FOV, FPRE, ROV, RPRE, Level@Trigger |
| Time | +SR, -SR, Period, Freq, +Width, -Width, Rise, Fall, BWidth, +Duty, -Duty, Time@Mid |
| Delay | Phase, FRR, FRF, FFR, FFF, LRR, LRF, LFF, Skew |
| Statistics | Current, Mean, Min, Max, Stdev, Count |
| Gating | Time domain |
| I/O Interface | |
| Standard | USB Host, USB Device, LAN, Pass/Fail, Trigger Out |
| Pass/Fail | 3.3 V TTL Output |
| Display System | |
| Display | 8" Color TFT-LCD, 800 x 480 Resolution |
| Wave Display Mode | Vectors, Dots |
| Persistence | Off, Infinite, 1 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 30 sec |
| Intensity Grading | 256 Levels |
| Language | Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese |
| Environmental and Safety | |
| Temperature | Operating: 10 °C to +40 °C; Storage: -20 °C to +60 °C |
| Humidity | Operating: 85% RH, 40 °C, 24 hours; Storage: 85% RH, 65 °C, 24 hours |
| Altitude | Operating: 3,000 m; Storage: 15,266 m |
| Electromagnetic Compatibility | EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, EN61326:2006 |
| Safety | Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC, EN61010-1:2001 |
| General | |
| Power Requirements | 100 to 240 VAC, CAT II, 50 VA Max, 45 Hz to 440 Hz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.8" x 7.2" x 13.4" (123 x 184 x 340 mm) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Warranty | Three-Year Warranty |
| Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator | |
| Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Pulse, DC, Noise, Cardiac, Gaus Pulse, Exp Rise |
| Arbitrary | 4 Slots for Arbitrary Waveforms |
| Maximum Output Frequency | 25 MHz |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 µHz |
| Frequency Accuracy | ±50 ppm |
| Vertical Resolution | 14 bits |
| Amplitude Range | -1.5 to +1.5 V @ 50 Ω; -3 to +3 V @ 1 MΩ |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω ±2% |
| Protection | Short-Circuit Protection |
| Sine Characteristics | |
| Frequency | 1 µHz to 25 MHz |
| Offset Accuracy (100 kHz) | ±(0.3 dB * Offset Setting Value + 1 mVpp) |
| Amplitude Flatness | ±0.3 dB (100 kHz, 5 Vpp) |
| Spurious (non harmonics) | DC to 1 MHz: -60 dBc; 1 MHz to 5 MHz: -55 dBc; 5 MHz to 25 MHz: -50 dBc |
| Harmonic Distortion | DC to 5 MHz: -50 dBc; 5 MHz to 25 MHz: -45 dBc |
| Square/Pulse Characteristics | |
| Frequency | 1 µHz to 10 MHz |
| Duty Cycle | 20% to 80% |
| Rise/Fall Time | < 24 ns (10% to 90%) |
| Sample Rate | 125 MSa/s |
Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Model No
B&K
Condition
New
Manufacturer
B&K Precision
Channels
2+16
Frequency
100 MHz
Record length
14 MPts
Sampling rate
1 GS/s
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