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The Tektronix TDS 600 Series is a family of Digital Real-Time oscilloscopes built for high-speed, multi-channel signal characterization in modern digital designs. Its Digital Real-Time architecture is designed to simplify capturing intermittent signals and non-recurring problems such as glitches or metastable states caused by setup-and-hold time violations. The series spans 500 MHz and 1 GHz bandwidth models that give design engineers single-shot accuracy for measuring fast edges, crosstalk noise, transmission effects, and ground bounce.
The series is positioned for digital design and characterization, telecommunications and datacommunications work, transient event capture, and high energy physics. These are demanding, high-speed environments where sub-nanosecond edges and non-recurring events have to be captured reliably on the first acquisition.
ValueTronics stocks and holds its own inventory in a 20,000-square-foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Every pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house by our technicians before it ships, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received from the manufacturer. Holding our own stock and verifying every used instrument firsthand is how we stand behind what we sell.
The TDS 600 Series brings together five Digital Real-Time oscilloscopes that share a common architecture but differ in bandwidth, channel count, sample rate, record length, and display. All five target high-speed, single-shot signal characterization and share the same vertical system, 25 automatic measurements, and standard RS-232, Centronics, and GPIB interfaces.
Across the series, bandwidth spans 500 MHz to 1 GHz and sample rates run from 2 GS/s to 5 GS/s, letting a buyer match the instrument to the edge speeds and acquisition depth their application demands. The comparison table below lays out where each model lands on those axes.
Each model below links to its own dedicated product page with pre-owned-matched pricing. Choose the model whose bandwidth, channel count, and sample rate fit your application, then select the pre-owned condition and configuration that match your budget and requirements.
The TDS 684C sits at the top of the series as a four-channel color Digital Real-Time oscilloscope offering 1 GHz bandwidth and 5 GS/s on every channel simultaneously. It pairs that bandwidth with histograms and measurement statistics, advanced waveform DSP and math, and a 7-inch color display for multi-channel, high-speed characterization.
The two 1 GHz models are the TDS 680C, a two-channel monochrome instrument, and the TDS 684C, a four-channel color instrument; both sample at 5 GS/s with record lengths to 15,000 points. The 500 MHz tier comprises the TDS 654C (four-channel color, 5 GS/s), the TDS 620B (two-channel monochrome, 2.5 GS/s), and the TDS 640A (four-channel monochrome, 2 GS/s).
Histograms and measurement statistics are standard on the TDS 654C, 680C, and 684C. The 1 ns peak detect and channel deskew features are available across the series except on the TDS 640A. Record length reaches 15,000 points on every model except the TDS 640A, which provides up to 2,000 points. The comparison table summarizes these bandwidth, sample-rate, channel-count, and display differences side by side.
| Model | Bandwidth | Sample Rate | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDS 654C | 500 MHz | 5 GS/s | 4 |
| TDS 684C | 1 GHz | 5 GS/s | 4 |
| TDS 680C | 1 GHz | 5 GS/s | 2 + 2 |
| TDS 620B | 500 MHz | 2.5 GS/s | 2 + 2 |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | |
| Real-Time Bandwidth | 500 MHz |
| Sample Rate (all channels simultaneously) | 5 GS/s |
| Total Channels | 4 |
| Vertical Resolution | 8-Bits (>11-Bits with averaging) |
| Maximum Record Length per Channel | 15,000 pts |
| Acquisition Modes | Peak Detect, Sample, Single Sequence, Envelope, Average |
| Histograms and Measurement Statistics | Standard |
| Vertical System | |
| Vertical Sensitivity | 1 mV/div to 10 V/div |
| DC Gain Accuracy | 1.50% |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 300 V CAT II; ±400 V peak. Derate at 20 dB/decade above 1 MHz |
| Position Range | ±5 divs |
| Offset | ±1 V from 1 to 99.5 mV/div, ±10 V from 100 mV to 995 mV/div, ±100 V from 1 V to 10 V/div |
| Bandwidth Selections | 20 MHz, 250 MHz, and Full |
| Input Impedance Selections | 1 MΩ in parallel with 10 pF, or 50 Ω (AC and DC coupling) |
| Input Coupling | AC, DC or GND |
| AC Coupled Low Frequency Limit | <10 Hz when AC, 1 MΩ coupled; <200 kHz when AC, 50 Ω coupled |
| Channel Isolation | >100:1 at 100 MHz and >30:1 at BW for any two channels having equal V/div settings |
| Time Base System | |
| Time Bases | Main and Delayed |
| Time/div Range | 200 ps/div to 10 s/div |
| Time Base Accuracy | Over any interval >1 ms, ±100 ppm |
| Record Length per Channel | 500 to 15,000 pts |
| Pre-Trigger Position | 0% to 100% of Record |
| Triggering System | |
| Triggers | Edge (main and delayed); Pulse (Width, Glitch, Runt, Slew Rate, Time Out); Logic (Pattern, State, and Setup & Hold Time Violation); HDTV Video (optional) |
| Main Trigger Modes | Auto, Normal, Single |
| Delayed Trigger | Delay by time, events, or events and time |
| Delay by Time Range | 16 ns to 250 s |
| Delay by Events Range | 1 to 9,999,999 events |
| External Trigger Input | Input Impedance ≥1.5 kΩ; Max. Input Voltage ±20 V (DC + peak AC) |
| Measurement System | |
| Automatic Measurements | 25 (on entire record or gated region) |
| Time Measurement Accuracy | <50 ps @ 5 GS/s |
| Measurement Accuracy | <50 ps typical @ 5 GS/s single shot |
| Cursors Measurement | Absolute, Delta; volts, time, frequency, NTSC IRE units and line number with Video Trigger Option |
| Display | |
| Display Type | 7 in. diagonal NuColor liquid crystal full-color shutter, 256 levels |
| Waveform Processing | |
| Waveform Functions | Interpolation (sin(x)/x or linear), Average, Envelope, Auto Setup |
| Advanced Waveform Functions | FFT, Integration, Differentiation, Waveform (math or acquired) Limit Testing |
| Standard Accessories | |
| Standard Probes | Four P6243 FET Probes |
Important: Maximum input voltage: 300 V CAT II; ±400 V peak. Derate at 20 dB/decade above 1 MHz.
Important: The TDS 684C and TDS 680C are supplied with no standard probes (Standard Probes: None on the selection chart); appropriate probes for the 1 GHz bandwidth must be ordered separately (see options Opt. 33–37 or Recommended Accessories).
Important: 5 GS/s sample rate is not available with the TDS 620B or TDS 640A.
Important: External Trigger Input maximum input voltage is ±20 V (DC + peak AC).
Recommended pairing: use WaveStar software for PC-based waveform capture, analysis, documentation, and control from your PC, listed among the series' recommended accessories.
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.
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.
Model No
Tektronix
Condition
Pre-Owned
Manufacturer
Tektronix
Osc_ch
4
Osc_freq
500 MHz
Osc_r
1 MΩ in parallel with 10 pF, or 50 Ω
Osc_sampl
5 GS/s
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