Keysight Technologies has recently introduced the InfiniiVision HD3 series, a 14-bit ADC-based oscilloscope designed to provide unparalleled precision for general-purpose applications.
As devices become more sophisticated, so too must the tools that measure their performance evolve. From the development of 5G and 6G networks to the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), each sector demands more precise, higher-resolution equipment capable of handling intricate signal patterns, higher bandwidths, and faster data rates.
The InfiniiVision HD3 series oscilloscopes.
Keysight built the InfiniiVision HD3 series oscilloscopes to meet the demands of these industries in a portable form factor.
InfiniiVision HD3 Series
The new oscilloscopes (datasheet linked) feature a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with four times higher vertical resolution than traditional 8-bit ADCs. This resolution enables detailed signal capture across a bandwidth range of 200 MHz to 1 GHz, including built-in filters that enable up to 16-bit resolution in high-definition mode. Additionally, the system boasts a noise floor of 50 µVrms and the ability to analyze signals at scales as low as 500 µV/div.
Low-noise operation of the HD3 series.
Oscilloscopes typically suffer a sharp drop in waveform update rate, memory, and sample rate when the CPU is tasked with simultaneously processing interpolations, logic channel plotting, serial bus decoding, and other measurements. Keysight sought to prevent these CPU bottlenecks from slowing down the scope’s responsiveness with its proprietary MegaZoom 5 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This device can perform real-time processing for key functions like waveform update rates (up to 1.3 M waveforms per second), serial decoding, and mask limit testing in hardware. MegaZoom can also plot analog and digital data directly to the display, fortify GUI operation, and include additional instruments like an arbitrary waveform generator. The new series reduces its reliance on the CPU by running these features in the hardware instead of in the software.
The oscilloscope’s custom architecture, combined with memory chips dedicated to each channel (100 Mpts per channel), ensures that even at the maximum sample rate of 3.2 GSa/s, the oscilloscope can maintain full performance without interleaving data between channels.
Software and Interface Ease
The HD3 series also includes various software applications, including Fault Hunter, which automatically identifies signal glitches and anomalies over extended testing durations. Fault Hunter can instantly compare a signal’s characteristics with user-defined criteria to identify errors for review. Test duration can cover the span of several minutes to up to two days, making it easy to set up a device under test over the weekend to return to a full test report based on billions of tests.
All models are equipped with frequency response analysis, segmented memory, MSO, mask testing, histograms, FFT, and more. The series also includes versatile triggering and decoding options, such as hardware-accelerated zone triggering and support for serial protocols like I2C, SPI, and CAN.
Users can customize the scope to exact testing requirements with more menus, including a custom grid display, a favorites bar, and automatic actions. With immediate license upgrades, users can automatically access boosted bandwidth and memory without returning the scope to the factory.
The Industries Driving Advanced T&M
Advancements across several key industries require greater precision, bandwidth, and signal integrity. In telecommunications, 5G and 6G technologies require oscilloscopes to capture high-frequency signals with minimal noise. Next-generation wireless standards require high-bandwidth oscilloscopes to test complex modulation schemes and multi-gigahertz signals for faster data transmission rates. Additionally, these devices must provide precise timing and jitter analysis to guarantee reliable data transfer across communication networks.
Oscilloscope waveforms at varying resolutions.
In the automotive industry, EV powertrains and ADAS technologies rely on high-speed data communication, power electronics, and sensor fusion—all of which require oscilloscopes with enhanced measurement capabilities. Meanwhile, testing high-voltage systems, battery management systems (BMS), and high-frequency inverters demands oscilloscopes with broader voltage ranges, deeper memory, and real-time analysis to ensure safety and reliability.
Semiconductor manufacturers also require more sophisticated oscilloscopes to keep up with shrinking transistor sizes and faster clock speeds. Modern integrated circuits (ICs) operate at increasingly higher frequencies, requiring oscilloscope bandwidths and resolutions that can capture nanosecond-scale signal transitions for debugging and verifying IC designs.
Oscilloscopes like the InfiniiVision HD3 series respond to this shift by offering higher resolution, real-time processing, and enhanced signal analysis capabilities.
All images used courtesy of Keysight Technologies.
