The Tektronix CSA 803C is a Communications Signal Analyzer designed specifically for communications applications. It serves as a tool for the design and evaluation of datacomm and telecomm components, transceiver subassemblies, and transmission systems. Rather than presenting only raw data, the CSA 803C generates measurement results directly — producing time and voltage histograms, mask testing, and statistical pulse parameter measurements from acquired signals.

The instrument targets the design and evaluation of datacomm/telecomm components, transceiver subassemblies, and transmission systems. Mask testing of SDH/SONET, Fiber Channel, and other standards simplifies compliance testing, while the communications-tailored measurement set covers jitter, noise, duty cycle, overshoot, undershoot, extinction ratio, and amplitude. A full color display helps discriminate waveform details, and the color-graded display mode adds sample density as a third dimension to signal acquisition and analysis, with color hardcopy available to document results.

ValueTronics stocks and holds its own inventory in a 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois, so the instruments we list are equipment we keep on hand rather than source on demand. Every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house by qualified technicians before it ships, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received from the manufacturer. That combination of held inventory and hands-on verification of pre-owned equipment is the foundation of how we support engineers buying communications test instruments.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The CSA 803C is built around a modular architecture: the mainframe accepts interchangeable sampling heads so the bandwidth of the acquisition path can be matched to the application. The same instrument spans from the 2.5 GHz high-impedance (100 kΩ), low-capacitance (0.475 pF) SD-14 head up to 50 GHz with the SD-32, with high bandwidth probes available to complete the measurement solution.

Across configurations the analyzer keeps a consistent communications-tailored capability set — jitter, noise, duty cycle, overshoot, undershoot, extinction ratio, and amplitude measurements, plus automated ITU/ANSI mask testing with 47 predefined standard masks and color-graded display. The choice of sampling head, not the mainframe, determines the front-end bandwidth.

Each pre-owned listing is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing, so you can select the configuration and condition that fit your requirement and budget. Review the pre-owned option that matches your application before ordering.

The CSA 803C distinguishes itself through its triggering: a full-function DC-coupled 4.0 GHz trigger (typical) paired with a built-in AC-coupled 12.5 GHz (typical) prescaler trigger enables direct triggering on high-speed data at rates such as 9.953 GB/S OC192/STM64, with raw direct-trigger metastability of 5 parts per billion or less and Enhanced Triggering to essentially eliminate metastable events.

The principal difference among configurations is the sampling head selected. The SD-14 provides 2.5 GHz with high input impedance (100 kΩ) and low capacitance (0.475 pF), while moving up the head range reaches 50 GHz with the SD-32 — the span that defines the analyzer's DC to 50 GHz capability.

Beyond bandwidth, optional O/E converters extend the instrument to optical signals and high bandwidth probes can be added to the front end. The comparison table that follows summarizes the sampling-head bandwidth options so you can match the head to the signals you intend to measure.

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Product Core & Specifications

Recommended pairing: match a Tektronix sampling head to your bandwidth need — from the 2.5 GHz SD-14 up to 50 GHz with the SD-32 — and add optional O/E converters for optical signal work, as named in this analyzer's modular configuration.

About this Pre-Owned unit

This pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships and is backed by our pre-owned warranty. To confirm its exact condition, firmware revision, installed options, or included accessories for your application before ordering, contact our Test Architects.

• Warranty included
• Functional verification included
• Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
• Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

ValueTronics supplies both new and used test and measurement equipment. New units ship factory-sealed, exactly as received from the manufacturer; every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house at our 20,000 sq ft secure facility in Elgin, Illinois before it ships. Our Test Architects can help you select the condition, calibration, and configuration that fit your application.

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.