Key Takeaways
- Form factor: 1 U (≈1.75 in) rack‑mountable, replacing a full‑size benchtop scope.
- Resolution & Channels: 14‑bit ADC, 4 analog + 16 digital inputs (20 channels total).
- Performance: 50 µVrms noise floor, up to 1 GHz bandwidth (selectable 200 MHz‑1 GHz), 1.3 M waveforms / s update rate.
- Scalability: Up to 100+ synchronized channels when multiple XR3 units are linked.
- Target markets: Aerospace/defense, high‑volume manufacturing, research labs that demand dense, high‑speed test racks.
Introduction: A New Shape for High‑Density Test
Keysight Technologies has launched the XR3, a 1‑U, 14‑bit oscilloscope engineered for rack‑mount test systems that need both performance and footprint efficiency. By fitting four analog and sixteen digital channels into a single rack unit, the XR3 eliminates the bulk, weight, and cable clutter that traditional bench scopes impose on modern automated test equipment (ATE).
Why High‑Density Matters in Modern ATE
Automated test rigs in aerospace, defense, automotive, and physics research are evolving from single‑instrument setups to multi‑instrument ecosystems. Each added benchtop scope introduces:
| Issue | Impact on Test System |
|---|---|
| Physical space | Consumes valuable rack U‑height; limits scalability. |
| Cabling | Increases harness complexity and potential signal skew. |
| Power & cooling | Adds to rack power draw and thermal load. |
| Synchronization latency | Multiple standalone units can create timing mismatches. |
Engineers have historically faced a trade‑off: keep a full‑featured scope and sacrifice rack density, or adopt a compact but lower‑performance instrument. The XR3 is designed to dissolve that compromise.
XR3 Architecture & Core Performance
The XR3’s heart is Keysight’s MegaZoom 5 ASIC, paired with a 14‑bit, 2 GS/s ADC. This combination delivers:
- Noise floor: 50 µVrms RMS, comparable to high‑end benchtop models.
- Waveform update: 1.3 million waveforms per second, enabling rapid eye‑diagram and jitter analysis.
- Bandwidth flexibility: User‑selectable from 200 MHz up to 1 GHz, allowing engineers to match performance to the DUT without over‑provisioning.
- Synchronization: Up to 100+ channels can be time‑aligned across multiple XR3 units via Keysight’s Sync‑Link, eliminating inter‑instrument skew.
All functions are accessed through a familiar Keysight UI, with remote‑control APIs for automated test scripts.
Feature Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Form factor | 1 U (1.75 in) rack height, 0.7 kg weight. |
| Channel count | 4 analog (single‑ended) + 16 digital (LVDS/CMOS) = 20 total. |
| Resolution | 14‑bit, 2 GS/s ADC. |
| Bandwidth | 200 MHz – 1 GHz selectable (10 dB points). |
| Noise | 50 µVrms RMS floor. |
| Update rate | 1.3 M waveforms / s. |
| Power | 45 W typical (max 55 W). |
| Connectivity | 2× 10 GbE, USB‑3.0, optional LXI. |
| Software | Keysight Insight III, Python API, LabVIEW driver. |
XR3 vs. Conventional Benchtop Scope (Typical 4‑Channel Model)
| Specification | Keysight XR3 (1 U) | Typical Benchtop Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Height (U) | 1 U (≈1.75 in) | 4–6 U (≈7–10 in) |
| Weight | 0.7 kg | 5–8 kg |
| Analog channels | 4 | 4 |
| Digital channels | 16 (integrated) | 0 (requires separate logic analyzer) |
| Bandwidth | 200 MHz‑1 GHz (selectable) | 200 MHz‑1 GHz (fixed) |
| Noise floor | 50 µVrms | 45‑60 µVrms (model dependent) |
| Waveform update | 1.3 M /s | 0.5‑1 M /s |
| Power consumption | 45 W | 80‑120 W |
| Synchronization limit | >100 channels (multi‑unit) | 4‑8 channels (single unit) |
| Cabling | Integrated backplane, minimal external | Multiple BNC/USB cables per channel |
The table illustrates that the XR3 matches or exceeds key performance metrics while occupying a fraction of the rack space and power budget.
Ideal Application Scenarios
- Aerospace/Defense flight‑control test rigs – dense racks with >50 synchronized channels for real‑time sensor fusion validation.
- High‑volume automotive ECU testing – rapid waveform capture across multiple power‑train signals without expanding rack footprints.
- Particle‑physics data‑acquisition – low‑noise, high‑bandwidth capture of fast detector pulses in compact experimental setups.
In each case, the XR3’s blend of benchtop‑class fidelity and 1‑U packaging shortens debug cycles and reduces total cost of ownership.
Bottom Line
Keysight’s XR3 delivers a compelling answer to the growing demand for high‑density, high
