The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series is hailed as the world’s most compact oscilloscope, offering up to 2 GHz bandwidth in a 2U rack-mount form factor. With four or eight channels, advanced MXO-EP ASIC technology, and the fastest acquisition rate globally, it’s engineered for space-limited, high-density, and automated test environments.
What Makes the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series the World’s Most Compact Oscilloscope?
The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series earns the title of the world’s most compact oscilloscope by delivering high-end performance in a 2U vertical height-just 3.5 inches (8.9 cm). This design enables seamless integration into rack-mounted and automated test systems where space is a premium. The absence of a traditional display further slims the profile, making it ideal for high-channel-density setups and environments where multiple oscilloscopes must be deployed in close proximity.
Chart: Key Physical Specifications of Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series
| Attribute | MXO 5C Series Specification |
|---|---|
| Height | 2U (3.5 in / 8.9 cm) |
| Width | Standard rack width |
| Channel Density | Up to 1500 cm³ per channel |
| Display | None (web/programmatic only) |
| Power Consumption | 23 W per channel (8-ch model) |
How Does the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series Compare to Other Compact Oscilloscopes?
Unlike traditional oscilloscopes, the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series is designed specifically for rack-mount and automated environments, providing up to eight channels in a single unit. Competing compact oscilloscopes, such as the R&S RTC1000, emphasize bench use, integration, and affordability but do not match the MXO 5C’s channel density, bandwidth, or acquisition speed. The MXO 5C’s 2U height and web-based interface set a new standard for compact, high-performance measurement.
What Models Are Available in the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series Oscilloscope Lineup?
The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series includes both four-channel and eight-channel models, each available in various bandwidth options. The bandwidths range from 100 MHz to 2 GHz, catering to a wide spectrum of test and measurement needs. Users can further enhance functionality with options like a 16-channel mixed-signal oscilloscope (MSO), a dual-channel 100 MHz arbitrary generator, protocol decoding, and a frequency response analyzer.
Chart: Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series Models and Specifications
| Model Type | Bandwidth Options | Channels | Upgrades Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| MXO 5C-4 | 350 MHz – 2 GHz | 4 | MSO, Gen, Protocol, FRA |
| MXO 5C-8 | 100 MHz – 2 GHz | 8 | MSO, Gen, Protocol, FRA |
How Does the MXO-EP ASIC Technology Enhance the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series?
The MXO 5C Series leverages the proprietary MXO-EP ASIC, enabling the fastest acquisition rate in the world-up to 4.5 million acquisitions per second. This technology allows the oscilloscope to capture 99% of real-time signal activity, revealing rare and transient events that other oscilloscopes might miss. The architecture also supports a 12-bit ADC, 18-bit HD mode, and deep memory, ensuring precise, high-resolution measurements.
What Advanced Features Are Included in the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series?
The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series offers a suite of advanced features to maximize usability and performance:
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Integrated e-ink display for IP and status at a glance
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Zone trigger on analog, spectrum, and math signals
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500 Mpoints standard memory for deep data capture
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Industry-leading spectrum acquisition rate (45,000 FFT/s)
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Web-based and programmatic operation for remote or automated control
These features make the MXO 5C Series versatile for both research and production environments.
Why Is the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series Ideal for Rack-Mount and High-Density Applications?
The 2U height and absence of a traditional display allow the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series to be deployed in environments where space is at a premium, such as automated test systems, production lines, and physics research labs. The high channel density (up to 1500 cm³ per channel) and low per-channel power consumption (23 W) enable users to scale up measurements without overwhelming their racks or power budgets.
What Upgrade Options and Accessories Are Available for the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series?
Users can tailor the MXO 5C Series to their needs with a range of upgrades:
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Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope (MSO) option: Adds 16 digital channels
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Dual-channel 100 MHz arbitrary waveform generator
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Protocol decode and triggering for buses like I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, LIN
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Frequency response analyzer (FRA) for advanced signal analysis
These options ensure that the MXO 5C Series remains adaptable for evolving test requirements.
How Does the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series Support Remote and Automated Operation?
The MXO 5C Series is designed for remote operation via a robust web interface or exclusive programmatic control. This makes it ideal for automated test setups, remote diagnostics, and environments where physical access is limited. The integrated e-ink display provides essential status and network information at a glance, simplifying setup and monitoring.
Buying Tips
When selecting a Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series oscilloscope, prioritize authorized sources like Fly-wing Technology (HK) Co., Limited to ensure genuine, competitively priced instruments. Match the model’s bandwidth and channel count to your application, and consider upgrade options for future needs. Fly-wing’s global sourcing and inventory simplify the search for hard-to-find models and accessories, reducing procurement cycles and costs. Spend up to 70% of your procurement time on standard models to optimize efficiency and value.
Electronic Components Expert Views
“The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series redefines compactness and capability in oscilloscopes. Its 2U form factor, high channel density, and advanced acquisition technology make it a breakthrough for engineers and researchers facing space and performance constraints. This series is a testament to innovation in electronic test instrumentation.”
FAQ
What makes the Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5C Series the world’s most compact oscilloscope?
Its 2U rack-mount height, absence of a display, and high channel density set a new standard for compact oscilloscopes.
Which bandwidths and channel counts are available in the MXO 5C Series?
Models are available with four or eight channels and bandwidths from 100 MHz to 2 GHz.
How does the MXO-EP ASIC benefit the MXO 5C Series?
It enables a world-leading acquisition rate, deep memory, and high-resolution measurements for capturing rare signal events.
Can the MXO 5C Series be used in automated test systems?
Yes, its compact rack-mount design and remote/web-based control make it ideal for automated and high-density environments.
What upgrade options are available for the MXO 5C Series?
Options include MSO digital channels, arbitrary waveform generator, protocol decode, and frequency response analysis.
In applications where space comes at a premium, Rohde & Schwarz’s newest oscilloscope brings industry-standard performance in a server rack mount.
Rohde & Schwarz has revealed the latest extension of its MXO 5 series, the MXO 5C. The new series, tagged “the world’s most compact oscilloscope,” provides versatility in use cases demanding high-density digitization, such as rack-mounted test beds or automated test solutions. The test solutions’ vertical 2U vertical height is just 3.5” or 8.9 cm.
The MXO 5C series shrinks the MXO 5 series to a 2U package, allowing integration in test racks or spatially constrained test benches.
While the MXO 5C may not look as flashy as the MXO 5 without the full HD screen, the oscilloscope incorporates nearly the same specs designers have come to expect from Rohde & Schwarz test and measurement products.
Shrinking Space, Not Features
One of the differences between the MXO 5 (datasheet linked) and MXO 5C series (datasheet linked) is its major size reduction, thanks to its lack of screen and external controls. Both the four- and eight-channel versions of the MXO 5C series fit comfortably in a standard 2U rack mount. This allows the scope to be used in a wider variety of situations, from standard bench usage to high-performance, rack-mounted test setups.
The MXO 5C can be integrated directly into a server rack for easy incorporation into automated test setups, providing more utility when large scopes are impractical.
Even though the MXO 5C series is smaller than its predecessors, it doesn’t compromise on features. Compared to the standard MXO 5, the MXO 5C possesses many of the same specs with eight analog channels up to 2 GHz, 4.5 million waveforms per second, and 12-bit ADC resolution (or 18-bit in HD mode). As a result, designers will not have to choose between having a high-performance or a spatially efficient oscilloscope.
Ready for Any Test Bench
While many engineers may prefer an on-device screen, the MXO 5C series’ spatial efficiency suits it for applications that would have previously been impossible. Rack-mounted test setups for high-performance automated systems can now leverage the MXO 5C to accomplish all forms of high-speed digitization. Accuracy-dependent fields like physics can likewise benefit from the oscilloscope’s high channel density.
The MXO 5C series can interface with a full HD display, providing more versatility to adapt to headless or benchtop applications.
Many designers have a test bed that cannot support another full-size instrument. With the small MXO 5C, however, designers can easily add the scope to their test setup and configure it as needed. If they still want a screen, users can employ an onboard HDMI and DP with a full HD screen. If users want to control the scope electronically, they can easily access the scope via a LAN connection thanks to the on-device E-ink display, which shows key information, even when the device is powered off.
For Space-Conscious Testing
While it may not be as broadly adopted as the MXO 5 series, MXO 5C series may be especially useful for those needing high-performance test equipment in a space-conscious package. The MXO 5C series is available now from Rohde & Schwarz and other distribution partners in a range of options to meet specific needs.
All images used courtesy of Rohde & Schwarz.
