The Tektronix sampling heads in this series enable the high-performance features of the CSA803C and 11801C sampling oscilloscopes. The lineup spans the SD14 high-impedance probe sampler, the SD20 loopthrough sampling head, the SD22 low-noise sampling head, the SD24 TDR/sampling head, the SD26 sampling head, the SD32 wide-bandwidth sampling head, the SD42 and SD44 optical-to-electrical converters, and the ORR24 optical reference receiver. Together they cover high-impedance probing, loopthrough and step-generator TDR, low-noise acquisition, wide-bandwidth electrical sampling, and optical-to-electrical conversion within a single modular mainframe architecture.

A sampling oscilloscope reconstructs very fast, repetitive signals by acquiring one sample per trigger, allowing equivalent-time bandwidths well beyond those of real-time acquisition. Within this series, each head is matched to specific work: ECL, CMOS and ACL GaAs device characterization on the SD14; general-purpose TDR on the SD20; digital data communications on the SD22; line impedance and crosstalk characterization on the SD24; dual-channel device characterization on the SD26; high-bandwidth communication and microwave measurement on the SD32; and SONET/SDH compliance testing with the ORR24.

ValueTronics stocks and holds its own test-and-measurement inventory in a 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Holding equipment on-site lets our team inspect and functionally verify every used unit in-house before it ships, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received. That combination of owned inventory and in-house verification of pre-owned stock is how we back each instrument we sell.

Brand Heritage

Tektronix was founded in 1946. It was acquired by Danaher Corporation in 2007, and became part of Fortive Corporation when Fortive was spun off from Danaher in 2016.

Compare Other Models in This Series

These Tektronix sampling heads are a modular family designed to extend the CSA803C and 11801C sampling oscilloscopes across a wide range of high-speed measurement tasks. Rather than a single instrument, the series offers heads specialized for high-impedance probing, loopthrough and step-generator TDR, low-noise communications measurement, wide-bandwidth electrical sampling, and optical-to-electrical conversion.

Because the heads share a common mainframe architecture, a lab can populate slots with the specific heads its work requires and reconfigure as needs change. The models differ chiefly in bandwidth, rise time, channel count, input impedance, and whether they handle electrical or optical signals.

Each pre-owned model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing. Select the specific head that matches your application and condition preference, and review that model's page for its individual specifications and availability.

The electrical heads range in bandwidth from the SD14 at 3 GHz (typical) through the SD22 at 12.5 GHz, the SD20, SD24 and SD26 at 20 GHz, and the SD32 at 50 GHz, with rise times falling from 28 ps and 17.5 ps to a calculated value below 7.0 ps on the SD32. The optical members cover DC to 6.4 GHz (SD42), DC to 15 GHz (SD44), and 2.0 GHz (ORR24). Channel count is one or two depending on the head, and input impedance is 50 Ohm on the electrical heads except the SD14, which presents a 100 kilohm, 0.5 pF high-impedance input.

Function is the other key differentiator. The SD24 adds TDR step generation with a 35 ps reflected rise time and selectable per-channel polarity, while the SD26 provides the same acquisition without the TDR step generators. The SD20 is a nonterminated loopthrough head, and the SD42, SD44 and ORR24 handle optical signals rather than electrical ones. The comparison table that follows lists each model's channels, bandwidth, rise time, impedance, noise, and intended applications side by side.

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

Product Core & Specifications

Important: The ORR24 is DC coupled, which is required for accurate extinction ratio measurements.

Important: These sampling heads are plug-in heads that enable the high-performance features of the Tektronix CSA803C and 11801C Sampling Oscilloscopes; a compatible mainframe is required to operate them and is not included.

Important: The SD44 Optical-to-electrical Converter is for use with Tektronix CSA803 and 11800 Series sampling oscilloscopes equipped with an SD2x or SD3x Electrical Sampling Head; the electrical sampling head is required and is not included.

Important: The SD42's front-panel electrical output couples to the adjacent sampling head via the supplied semi-rigid coaxial link; an adjacent electrical sampling head is required for the measurement system.

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.