ZTEC Instruments releases Direct-Path option to their 4400 Series Digital Storage Oscilloscopes.

ZTEC Instruments (http://www.ztecinstruments.com), the leader in modular oscilloscopes and waveform generators, announced today that they have released a “direct path” (DP) option for the high-resolution 4400 digital oscilloscopes series, including specifically the ZT4421, ZT4422, ZT4431, ZT4432, ZT4441, and the ZT4442.  The DP option provides an alternative analog signal conditioning analog front end to ZTEC’s popular 12-bit, 13-bit and 14-bit series of digitizers and digital oscilloscopes.  The DP option is optimized for low noise, low distortion and a flat passband response which is required for extremely high signal fidelity applications.

Whereas ZTEC’s general-purpose oscilloscopes offer very flexible input signal conditioning, the DP option is designed with a fixed 50 Ohm, DC-coupled, 2Vpp input configuration with 300 MHz of analog bandwidth.  This “direct path” configuration optimizes the input signal path for up to 81.5 dB Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR).  The very low noise and distortion of this DP front end is ideal for applications ranging from transient event capture in particle and nuclear physics to video and IF/RF test applications.

In addition, the DP option enables precise synchronization to an external event or across many channels.  A “fiducial” time marker or transient signature can be encoded onto each analog waveform.  With an included calibration routine, all channels within a system can be aligned to better than 50 ps time resolution. The fiducial time marker may be exposed on the waveforms or hidden in post acquisition memory to make synchronization transparent to the user.  This timing synchronization is invaluable for applications requiring precise time-of-flight measurements such as mass spectrometry, nuclear physics, laser distance measurement, and medical imaging.

Key specifications include:

• 12-bit, 13-bit and 14 bit ADCs
• Up to 500 MS/s sample rate
• Up to 128 MS deep memory
• 300 MHz analog bandwidth
• 81.5 dB SFDR
• Multi-channel alignment and synchronization to less than 50 ps
• Available in 2 or 4 channels in PXI, PCI, VXI and LXI

While improving input signal dynamic range and adding the fiducial time marker, the DP option also retains the advanced functionality and features built into all of ZTEC’s digital oscilloscopes.  The DP option includes the waveform math, measurements, acquisition modes, comprehensive driver support, and the popular ZScope® GUI.

About ZTEC Instruments

ZTEC Instruments is a leading modular instrument company whose product focus includes oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and RF Test Equipment. ZTEC Instruments’ products are unique in that they provide powerful bench-top instrument capabilities in modular instrument form factors, including PCI, Compact PCI/PXI, VXI, and LXI. For more information about ZTEC Instruments and how our products can address your test and measurement needs, please visit http://www.ztecinst