The Tektronix MDO3104 is a mixed domain oscilloscope with 1 GHz analog bandwidth and built-in spectrum analyzer, arbitrary function generator, logic analyzer, and protocol analyzer. It offers 4 analog channels, 16 digital channels, and 1 RF input channel. The MDO3104 also supports a variety of serial protocols and comes with various optional application modules for extended analysis capabilities.

1. Manual Summary
Tektronix MDO3104
Mixed Domain
Oscilloscope
www.tektronix.com
industrial monitoring and
control instrument
6x1 integrated
oscilloscopes
MDO: Mixed Domain
Oscilloscope 
digital oscilloscope
with spectrum
analyzer separately
from FFT Math
function.

2. Model MDO3104
Bandwidth 1 GHz
Analog Channels 4
Digital Channels 16
RF Channels 1
Sample Rate (1 ch) 5 GS/s
Sample Rate (2 ch) 5 GS/s
Sample Rate (4 ch) 2.5GS/s
Record Length (1 ch) 10 M
Record Length (2 ch) 10 M
Record Length (4 ch) 10 M
RF Frequency Range 9 kHz - 1 GHz
AFG Outputs 1

3. MDO3104 Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes:
• 6x1 integrated oscilloscopes, offering
1) oscilloscope
2) built-in spectrum analyzer (MDO3SA),
3) arbitrary function generator (MDO3AFG),
4) logic analyzer (MDO3MSO),
5) protocol analyzer (Serial Bus Support),
6) frequency counter/digital voltmeter
• A dedicated RF input channel for frequency domain measurements
• Four analog channels for time domain measurements
• Bandwidth up to 1 GHz analog channels
• Sample rates of 2.5 GS/s on channel 4 and 5 GS/s on 1 and 2 channels
• 10 M points record length on all channels
• Maximum waveform capture rate: >280,000 waveforms/second with FastAcq.
>50,000 waveforms/second with normal operation
• Advanced triggering and analysis: I2C, SPI, USB 2.0, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, RS-232, RS-422,
RS-485, UART, I2S, Left Justified (LJ), Right Justified (RJ), TDM, MIL-STD-1553 (with the
appropriate application module), UART, and Parallel buses

4.  I2C (MDO3EMBD) bus is very popular and
powerful embedded bus used for
communication between a master (or
multiple masters) and a single or multiple
slave device [3-4]. It needs 2 wires for bi-
directional communication, and efficient in
space.
 SPI ((MDO3EMBD) ) is a synchronous
embedded protocol that allows a master
device to initiate communication with a slave
device [5]. Its high clock speed capability
compared to I2C.
 USB 2.0 (MDO3USB) defines cables,
connectors and communications protocols
for connection, communication, and power
supply between computers and devices with
480Mbit/s [wiki], available types low-speed,
full-speed, and high-speed (LS, FS, HS)
 CAN (MDO3AUTO) is a robust vehicle
automotive bus standard designed to allow
microcontrollers and devices to
communicate with each other in applications
without a host computer [wiki]
 LIN (MDO3AUTO) is a low-cost automotive
embedded networking standard for
connecting intelligent devices [6]
 FlexRay (MDO3FLEX) communication bus is a
deterministic, fault-tolerant and high-speed
bus system developed in conjunction with
automobile manufacturers and leading
suppliers [7]
 RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 (MDO3COMP) are
Computer Serial Triggering communication
protocols [8]
 I2S (MDO3AUDIO) is electrical Audio serial
bus interface standard used for connecting
digital audio devices together.
Specifications RS-232 RS-422 RS-485
Mode of
Operation
Single-
Ended
Differential Differential
Number of
Drivers /
Receivers on One
Line
1 Driver
1 Receiver
1 Driver
10 Receivers
32 Drivers*
32 Receivers
Maximum Cable
Length
50 ft (2500
pF)
4000 ft 4000 ft
Maximum Data
Rate (at max
cable length)
160 kbits/s
(can be up
to 1Mbit/s)
10 Mbit/s 10 Mbit/s
Table 1: Specifications of RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 [8]
*Only one driver is active at a time
• Right/Left-justified mode is easier than I2S
protocol [9]

5.  TDM (MDO3AUDIO) allows multiple
channels of data to be transmitted on a
single data line for audio serial triggering.
 MIL-STD-1553 (MDO3AERO) defines the
mechanical, electrical, and functional
characteristics of a serial data bus for
military and aero space applications.
TRIGGERING
 UART (MDO3COMP) is a computer physical hardware circuit in a microcontroller, or a
stand-alone IC for asynchronous serial communication to transmit and receive serial data
for single ended probe.

6.  Power measurement and analysis (MDO3PWR), and limit/mask testing
(MDO3LMT) application modules [optional]
 Arbitrary function generator AFG (MDO3AFG) up to 50MHz signal
generator and 16 digital channels [optional]
 Digital voltmeter and frequency counter on channel 3 for 4-digit ACRMS,
DC, AC+DCRMS voltage measurements and 5-digit frequency counter for
efficient monitoring of signals (Free with product registration).
• 4xProbe TPP1000: one 1 GHz, 10X
passive probe per channel
• Adapter N Male to BNC Female
• P6316 16-channel logic probe, with
accessories
• Probe and accessory pouch; Bag to
hold probes and related accessories

7. MDO3BND

8.  Limit/Mask testing analysis (MDO3LMT): Monitor an active input signal against a mask
with the MDO3LMT Limit and Mask Test Module. Output pass or fail results. The results
can show whether the input signal is within the user-defined vertical and horizontal
bounds of the mask [optional]
 Power Measurement Analysis (MDO3PWR): Acquire, measure, and analyze power signals,
power quality, switching loss, harmonics, safe operation area, modulation, ripple, and slew
rate with the MDO3PWR Power Analysis Module [optional]

16. Ground strap connector
Application
module slot

17. Get info about
oscilloscope
Change date and
time

21. - Mains Input Voltage: 100 V to 240 V ±10%
- Mains Input Power Frequency: 50/60 Hz at 100V to 240 V (50Hz/220V)
- Weight: 4.2 kg (9.2 lbs), standalone instrument
- Height including feet but not handle: 203.2 mm (8 in)
- Width: 416.6 mm (16.4 in)
- Depth: 147.4 mm (5.8 in)
- Clearance: 51 mm (2 in)
- Temperature:
Operating: –10 °C to +55 °C (+14 °F to +131 °F)
Non-operating: –40 °C to +71 °C (–40 °F to +159 °F)
- Humidity:
Operating:
5% to 90% relative humidity (% RH) at up to +40°C,
5% to 60% RH above +40 C up to +55°C,
non-condensing
Non-Operating:
5% to 90% RH (Relative Humidity) at up to +40 C,
5% to 60% RH above +40°C up to +55°C,
5% to 40% RH above +55 °C up to +71 °C
non-condensing

22. - Altitude:
Operating: 3,000 m (about 9,843 ft)
Non-operating: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
- Acquisition System: 1 MΩ, 13pF
The maximum input voltage: At the BNC, ±300 VRMS, Installation
Category II. De-rate at 20 dB/decade between 4.5 MHz and
45 MHz, De-rate 14 dB between 45 MHz and 450 MHz. Above 450 MHz,
5 VRMS.
- Acquisition System: 50 Ω and 75 Ω
The maximum input voltage: 5 VRMS with a peak at ±20 V. (DF ≤ 6.25%).
- Dedicated RF Input:
The maximum operating input level:
Average Continuous Power: +20 dBm (0.1 W)
DC maximum before damage: ±40 VDC
Max “No damage” +33 dBm (2 W) CW
Peak Pulse Power: +45 dBm (32 W)
Peak Pulse Power defined as <10 μs pulse width, <1% duty cycle, and
reference level of ≥ +10 dBm

24. • Threshold Accuracy: ±(100 mV + 3% of threshold setting after calibration)
• Threshold Range: +25 V to –15 V.
• Maximum nondestructive input signal to probe: +30 V to -20 V
• Minimum signal swing: 500 mVpeak-to-peak
• Input resistance: 101 KΩ
• Input capacitance: 8.0 pF typical
• Pollution Degree: 2, Indoor use only
• Humidity: 5% to 95% relative humidity

27. 

46. Sticky Note:
*Peak-to-peak value is
max-min
*Amplitude is
High-Low
*Vpp≥Amp
*Amp≠Vpp/2

51. The function generator provides output of predefined waveforms up to 50 MHz.
1. Sine
2. Square
3. Pulse
4. Ramp/Triangle
5. DC
6. Noise
7. sin(x)/x (Sinc)
8. Gaussian
9. Lorentz
10. Exponential rise/fall
11. Haversine
12. Cardiac signals
Generated from
AFG OUT at rear
panel

53. The waveform can be created using any of the four internal ARB memories:
1. The four analog channels (1,2,3,4),
2. The four reference waveforms
3. The math waveform
4. The 16 digital channel waveforms.
Also, it can also be created using .CSV (spreadsheet) file stored externally or a predefined
template (sine, square, pulse, ramp/triangle, DC, Noise,…).

64. [1] www.tektronix.com
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXA--q01KnA
[3] http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slva704/slva704.pdf
[4] https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note/AN10216.pdf
[5] http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/spi.pdf
[6] http://www.ni.com/white-paper/9733/en/
[7] http://www.ni.com/white-paper/3352/en/
[8] http://www.ni.com/white-paper/11390/en/
[9] http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slaa449a/slaa449a.pdf