The R&S RTB 2 features a customized Rohde & Schwarz engineering 10-bit A/D converter that delivers a fourfold improvement compared to conventional 8-bit A/D converters. The increased resolution results in sharper waveforms with more signal details that would otherwise be missed. One example is the characterization of switched-mode power supplies. The voltage across the switching device must be determined during the on/off times within the same acquisition.

The R&S RTB 2 offers a class leading memory depth. 10 Msamples per channel are available, even 20 Msamples in interleaved mode. This is 10 times more than similar oscilloscopes in the same instrument class. The user captures longer acquisition sequences even at high sampling rates, e.g. when analyzing transients of switched-mode power supplies, and thus benefits from more detailed analysis results.

Every R&S RTB 2 is equipped with standard segmented memory functionality. Protocol-based signals with communications gaps such as I2C or SPI can be captured over several seconds or minutes. The variable segment size optimally utilizes the 160-Msample memory. In history mode, previous acquisitions in the maximum segmented memory depth of 160 Msamples are available for further analysis.

Every R&S RTB 2 is MSO ready, which allows the R&S RTB2-B1 option to enable up to 16 additional digital channels. The oscilloscope captures and analyzes signals from analog and digital components of an embedded design – synchronously and time-correlated to each other. For example, the delay between A/D converter input and output can conveniently be determined with the cursor measurements.

Note: The MSO probes are sold separately.

The R&S RTB-B6 waveform and pattern generator up to 50 Mbit/s is useful for educational purposes and for implementing prototype hardware. Apart from the common sine, square/pulse, ramp and noise waveforms, it outputs arbitrary waveforms and 4-bit signal patterns. Waveforms and patterns can be imported as CSV files or copied from oscilloscope waveforms. Predefined patterns including I2C, SPI, UART and CAN/LIN can be used.

The R&S RTB 2 features a 3-digit voltmeter (DVM) and 6-digit frequency counter on each channel for simultaneous measurements. Standard measurement functions include DC, AC+DC (RMS) and AC (RMS).

Difficult-to-find faults often result from the interaction between time and frequency signals. The FFT function of the R&S RTB 2 is activated at the push of a button and by simply entering the center frequency and span. Thanks to the R&S RTB 2 oscilloscopes’ high-performance FFT functionality, signals can be analyzed with up to 128 kpoints. Other practical tools include cursor measurements and autoset in frequency domain.

Mask tests quickly reveal whether a specific signal lies within defined tolerance limits. By using statistical pass/fail evaluation, they assess quality and stability of a DUT. Signal anomalies and unexpected results are quickly identified. When the mask is violated, the measurement stops. Each violation can generate a pulse output at the AUX-OUT connector on the R&S RTB 2. This pulse output can be used to trigger actions in the measurement setup.