Mike McCully

I think I answered at least part of my question about waveform resolution.  From the datasheet, it looks like the vertical resolution of the waveform depends on how fast you are sampling, 8 bits at 6.25 GS/sec, 12 bits at 3.125 GS/sec, 13 bits at 1.25 GS/sec, etc.

Thanks both of you for your answers.  If we got an MSO5xB, is the number of analog channels expandable (If I buy an MSO54B can it be made later into an MSO56B or MSO58B)?  I'm assuming the answer to that is no, but the idea is to somehow use only four channels at a time, collect with one set of four channels while reading data from the other four.  How we would externally multiplex the input to the channels I don't know, but I'm asking anyway.
Another couple of questions about upgrades, can the MSO54B sample memory be upgraded, and do I need to send it back for the upgrade?  I can probably start with 62.4M but would like to expand.
I think another way to multiplex, as I mentioned above, would be to collect more than one scan into sample memory before reading it out.  Is that possible?  If so, and if I know the record length of each scan I could go back and divide up the scans after transferring them out of the scope.
Finally, as far as data transfer speeds are concerned, we would probably choose the most compact data (binary) and fastest interface, but I thought the scope itself had a 12-bit A/D.  Which waveforms are 8- or 16-bit?  I didn't see anything in the scope's online help after I downloaded it.

Hello.  I don't own an MSO44, but we are thinking of buying one.  My questions are:

(1) The datasheet says the minimum sample memory is 62.5Msamples per channel. If I am only using, for example, two out of four channels, is the maximum per channel still 62.5Msamples, or is it/can it be increased to 125Msamples?

(2) Can I acquire waveform data from the MSO44, and if so, how fast?

What we are trying to do is use the scope first to identify sub-nanosecond peaks and also to use the waveforms from the scope for off-line analysis.

Thanks for any input