LeCroy Introduces WaveSurfer Series of Low Cost 200-500 MHz Digital Oscilloscopes 

Chestnut Ridge, NY For Release April 1, 2004 LeCroy Corporation launches a new line of WaveSurfer digital oscilloscopes to join its popular WaveRunner, WavePro and WaveMaster instruments. Because so much of the value of an oscilloscope is in what the user can see, the new WaveSurfer series contains a bright 10.4" SVGA touch screen display – 250% larger than other oscilloscopes in this class – yet it is only 6" (15cm) deep and has a small footprint, so location on a bench is easy. The WaveSurfer also provides long record capture (standard unit has more than 100X the capture time than other oscilloscopes in this class) and unparalleled documentation and connectivity capability.

The new class of oscilloscopes offers both two and four channel instruments with bandwidths of 200 MHz, 350 MHz and 500 MHz. All six models offer a 2 GS/s maximum sample rate with a long 250μs capture time at full sample rate (250 kpts/channel). LeCroy provides additional industry leading features in this class of oscilloscopes by adding a 10/100 BaseT network port, three USB 2.0 ports, one 500 MHz passive probe per channel and three year warranty all as standard provisions. Altogether, the WaveSurfer line represents a huge step forward – they are designed for the way users really work, and excel in signal capture, viewing, and documentation in the 200 MHz to 500 MHz bandwidth class, with very competitive pricing.

The footprint of the WaveSurfer is the same size as other oscilloscopes in this class, yet the display area of a WaveSurfer is 2.5 times larger. The result is far superior signal viewing capability that lets the user see signal details in ways that were never possible with small screen oscilloscopes. In addition to the small footprint, LeCroy also offers a choice of an optional pedestal mounting fixture or a desktop stand which conveniently position the WaveSurfer. WaveSurfer also includes connectivity and documentation features which oscilloscope users want, but which have not been previously available in this class of instrument. These features allow users to document their work quickly and easily by connecting directly to the office network and emailing files from the oscilloscope, or saving files directly to a network drive, USB memory stick or other USB device. For engineers who want more than the standard oscilloscope capability, LeCroy also offers memory options that provide up to 1ms capture time at full sample rate (1 Mpts per channel, 2 Mpts interleaved), an advanced math package (including additional math functions, chaining of math functions, and parameter math) and an application specific package for mask testing of electrical telecom signals.

The Windows XP operating system and 10/100BaseT Ethernet port (standard on all models) make it easy to connect the oscilloscope to a network using standard Windows tools. The user can simply press a button on the oscilloscope front panel to email an image to a specified address, print to any network printer or store images to a file server. Saving large amounts of data to a USB memory stick is easy with the front-mounted USB port. WaveSurfer is the only oscilloscope in this class that can save waveform data or screen images directly to a USB memory stick or oscilloscope hard drive, email data directly from the oscilloscope, label image files directly on the oscilloscope, print to any network printer, and save files on network servers – common activities that technicians and engineers need to be able to do in order to communicate effectively and work efficiently.

Based on a wide ranging set of customer interviews and feedback from oscilloscope users, LeCroy has refined its acclaimed user interface to provide the optimum user experience for this class of oscilloscope. The graphical user interface and 10.4" touch screen are unique, and optimize usability. The front panel layout provides easy to access controls for all the basic functions. Two dedicated cursor knobs allow quick and easy cursor adjustment and measurements. Zooming is easily done by using the touch screen to draw a box around the area to be zoomed, or by pushing a front panel button. Measurements can be quickly applied for signal validation. Math, even an FFT, is easily accessed with a single button on the front panel. The user interface puts basic tools for viewing signals literally at users’ fingertips, while maintaining one- or two-touch access to commonly used signal troubleshooting features.

The WaveSurfer series offers a robust set of trigger features including edge, line, glitch, pulse width, logic pattern and video triggers. An optional advanced trigger package includes runt, slew rate, interval (of signal or pattern), dropout and qualified triggering.

The WaveSurfer 454, 434 and 424 are 500 MHz, 350 MHz and 200 MHz (respectively) four channel oscilloscopes with 250 kpoints of memory on each channel. The models 452, 432 and 422 are two channel versions, also with 250 kpoints per channel at each bandwidth. Maximum sampling rate is 2 GS/s for all oscilloscopes. The four channel oscilloscopes have four 1 GS/s ADC’s which interleave to 2 GS/s (and 500 kpoints) when using two channels while the two channel versions also have a 1GS/s ADC per channel and interleave to 2 GS/s (and 500 kpoints of acquisition memory) when using a single channel. Memory options are available that allow long record capture of up to 1ms at full sample rate. Longer record captures at high sample rate are important for accurately measuring events widely separated in time, or when a long post-trigger time is needed.

The WaveSurfer Series also includes the LeCroy proprietary technology for capturing multiple waveforms in an Analog Persistence oscilloscope display mode. With one touch of the "Analog Persist" button, this display technique allows the oscilloscope to capture many acquisitions of a signal which are then displayed in persistence mode on the bright 10.4" TFT screen. The data has brightness-graded intensity, similar to an analog oscilloscope, and the data can be digitally "aged" (with a time constant set by the user) to simulate the action of phosphor on an analog screen. Analog Persistence capability allows the user to see voltage vs. time—and also a third dimension of signal activity, the intensity of the signal over a period of time.

Alternatively, the persistence display can also have "thermal" grading, using colors ranging from red (hot) to blue (cool). Of course, the persistence is used only when the user desires it – it is easily turned on/off and adjusted from the front panel.

All WaveSurfer series oscilloscopes are provided with one PP007 probe per channel. The PP007 is a 500 MHz BW passive probe with excellent physical and electrical characteristics. When connected to a WaveSurfer oscilloscope, the PP007 displays 9.5 pF of capacitance at its 2.5 mm tip. The PP007 delivers an impressively flat response, is compatible with over 30 accessories (15 are standard). A wide variety of optional current probes and single ended or differential active probes is also available.

The WaveSurfer series includes three USB 2.0 ports, including a convenient one on the front-panel – allowing the use of popular storage devices, such as Flash memory sticks, Zip and floppy drives. Standard 10/100 BaseT LAN, parallel, and RS-232 ports allow even more flexibility.

The models will double their memory length when using two or one channels.

• 10.4” Color Touch Screen Display
• PP007, 10:1 Passive Probe (1 per channel)
• 10/100 Base T network port
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• SVGA Video Output Port
• RS232-C Serial Port
• Centronics parallel port
• Protective Front Cover
• CDROM with Operator’s Manual, Training Guide, Quick Reference Guide and Remote Control Manual
• CDROMs with utility and recovery software
• Performance Certificate
• 3 Year Warranty

Hardware and Software Options

Memory Options

Delivery is 2-4 weeks ARO.

Engineers and technicians who would like to know more can contact LeCroy at 1-800-4LeCroy (1-800-453-2769) or visit the LeCroy web site www.lecroy.com.

LeCroy, a U.S. corporation established in 1964, designs and manufactures digital storage oscilloscopes and, waveform digitizers. Manufacturing facilities are located at corporate headquarters in Chestnut Ridge NY. Direct sales and service offices are located throughout the United States, in all major European countries, and throughout Asia.

Media contact: Patrick Brightman, SG&W (973) 263-5475

Editors' Technical contact: Dr. Michael Lauterbach, LeCroy (845) 578-6057

Customer contact: LeCroy Customer Care Center (800) 453-2769

Website: www.lecroy.com