Rigol MHO900 Series Digital Oscilloscopes

The RIGOL MHO900 Series Digital Oscilloscopes combines high-resolution analogue acquisition, mixed-signal debugging, protocol analysis and optional signal generation in a compact benchtop instrument.

The standard series includes:

• MHO934: 350 MHz bandwidth
• MHO954: 500 MHz bandwidth
• MHO984: 800 MHz bandwidth

All three models provide four analogue channels, a 12-bit ADC, up to 4 GSa/s real-time sampling, 100 Mpts standard memory and an optional upgrade to 500 Mpts. A separately available PLA2216 logic analyser probe enables 16 digital inputs for mixed-signal analysis.

The current RIGOL product page also lists the MHO98 Special Edition, which extends the platform to 1 GHz and includes a premium feature package. Because it differs from the standard MHO934, MHO954 and MHO984 configurations, it is best presented on a separate product page.

12-Bit High-Resolution Acquisition

Every MHO900 model uses a 12-bit analogue-to-digital converter with 4,096 vertical quantisation levels.

A conventional 8-bit oscilloscope provides only 256 levels. The MHO900 therefore offers 16 times more vertical levels, helping engineers distinguish small amplitude changes and analyse low-level details more clearly.

Typical applications include:

• Power-supply ripple measurement
• Sensor output analysis
• Reference-voltage testing
• Audio circuit debugging
• Low-amplitude analogue measurements
• Switching-device analysis
• Noise investigation
• Power-integrity testing

High Resolution processing can increase effective resolution up to 16 bits for noise-sensitive and lower-frequency measurements. Bandwidth and sampling performance may reduce when higher-resolution processing modes are selected.

Bandwidth Options up to 800 MHz

The standard MHO900 Series provides three bandwidth classes.

Bandwidth behaviour depends on the selected model, input impedance and number of enabled channels.

The MHO934 maintains 350 MHz bandwidth with any number of analogue channels enabled.

The MHO954 provides:

• 500 MHz with one or two channels active
• 400 MHz with three or four channels active

The MHO984 provides the following through its 50 Ω input:

• 800 MHz with one or two channels active
• 400 MHz with three or four channels active

At 1 MΩ, the MHO984 provides 500 MHz with one or two channels and 400 MHz with three or four channels.

This range supports:

• Microcontroller and processor debugging
• FPGA and CPLD validation
• High-speed clock analysis
• Automotive communication systems
• Switching power supplies
• Industrial electronics
• Fast pulse measurement
• Communication interface testing
• General signal-integrity troubleshooting
•  

Four Analogue Channels

Every MHO900 model includes four analogue input channels.

Four-channel acquisition enables time-correlated measurement of signals such as:

• Clock, data, enable and reset
• Input and output waveforms
• Multiple power rails
• MOSFET gate and switching-node voltage
• Sensor and actuator signals
• Transmit and receive lines
• Multi-phase converter waveforms
• Analogue control and feedback signals

The analogue inputs support both 1 MΩ and 50 Ω impedance, allowing conventional probe-based measurements and direct 50 Ω signal connections.

Up to 4 GSa/s Real-Time Sampling

The maximum sample rate depends on the number of active analogue channels.

The series should therefore be described as providing up to 4 GSa/s, rather than 4 GSa/s simultaneously on all four channels.

High-speed sampling improves waveform reconstruction when measuring:

• Fast signal edges
• Narrow pulses
• Digital clocks
• Switching transitions
• Overshoot and ringing
• Serial communication
• Timing relationships
• Intermittent glitches
•  

Deep Acquisition Memory

The standard MHO900 configuration provides up to 100 Mpts acquisition memory. The applicable memory upgrade expands maximum depth to 500 Mpts.

Memory is shared according to the number of active analogue channels.

Deep memory allows users to maintain useful sample detail across longer acquisition periods.

It is valuable for:

• Long serial bus captures
• Power-up sequence testing
• Communication packet analysis
• Embedded-software debugging
• Intermittent fault investigation
• Multi-cycle timing measurements
• Extended waveform monitoring
• Detailed waveform zooming

The product specification should state 100 Mpts standard and up to 500 Mpts optional, while explaining the channel-dependent allocation.

Fast Waveform Capture

The MHO900 Series provides:

• Up to 30,000 wfms/s in Vector mode
• Up to 1,000,000 wfms/s in fast recording mode

The maximum capture rate is achieved under specified conditions, including single-channel operation, fast recording mode, a 20 ns/div time base and short or automatic memory depth.

Fast waveform capture reduces acquisition dead time and increases the probability of detecting:

• Rare glitches
• Runt pulses
• Signal dropouts
• Timing violations
• Unstable clock behaviour
• Intermittent noise
• Abnormal waveform transitions
• Occasional communication errors

The digital phosphor display provides 256-level intensity grading, helping users distinguish frequently occurring waveform activity from rare events.

Hardware Waveform Recording

The MHO900 Series supports hardware recording and playback of up to 500,000 waveform frames.

Engineers can use waveform recording to:

• Capture intermittent events
• Review individual acquisitions
• Replay signal sequences
• Compare normal and abnormal waveforms
• Analyse faults after unattended testing
• Decode previously recorded communication activity
• Track signal behaviour over time

Peak Detect acquisition can capture glitches as narrow as approximately 500 ps under supported conditions.

16-Channel Mixed-Signal Capability

The MHO900 platform supports 16 digital channels.

A separately available PLA2216 logic analyser probe is required to connect digital signals. The probe supports digital-channel bandwidth up to 200 MHz.

Mixed-signal operation displays analogue and digital activity on the same time base, making it useful for:

• Microcontroller debugging
• FPGA validation
• Parallel bus analysis
• ADC and DAC testing
• Embedded control-system development
• State-machine troubleshooting
• Robotics and automation
• Digital power systems
• Analogue-to-digital event correlation

The oscilloscope contains the mixed-signal functionality, but the PLA2216 probe must be selected separately for the standard MHO934, MHO954 and MHO984 models.

Standard Serial Bus Analysis

The standard MHO900 protocol package supports:

• Parallel bus
• RS232/UART
• I²C
• SPI
• LIN
• CAN

Up to four protocol decoders can be displayed simultaneously.

Serial decoding displays packet information together with the underlying electrical waveform, helping engineers identify:

• Invalid data
• Incorrect addresses
• Missing acknowledgements
• Frame errors
• Timing violations
• Communication interruptions
• Intermittent bus faults

Analogue or digital channels can be selected as protocol sources, depending on the interface and connected logic probe.

Optional Advanced Protocols

Additional analysis options are available for:

• CAN FD
• FlexRay
• I²S
• MIL-STD-1553B

These options extend the platform beyond general embedded debugging into specialised automotive, audio and aerospace testing.

Advanced Trigger Functions

The MHO900 Series includes multiple trigger types for isolating specific signal conditions.

Available trigger functions include:

• Edge
• Pulse width
• Slope
• Video
• Pattern
• Duration
• Timeout
• Runt
• Window
• Delay
• Setup and hold
• Nth edge
• Serial bus trigger

Protocol triggers allow engineers to capture selected addresses, data values, frames or bus errors instead of manually searching through normal traffic.

Waveform Search and Navigation

Search and navigation functions help users locate events within long acquisition records.

Search conditions can include:

• Edge transitions
• Pulse widths
• Runt pulses
• Logic patterns
• Timing events
• Serial bus conditions

Matching events are marked within the waveform record, allowing users to move directly between points of interest.

Measurement and Analysis Tools

The series provides a broad range of waveform measurement and analysis capabilities.

Available tools include:

• Voltage measurements
• Frequency and period
• Rise and fall time
• Pulse width
• Duty cycle
• Overshoot and preshoot
• Phase and channel delay
• Measurement statistics
• Cursor measurements
• FFT frequency analysis
• Waveform mathematics
• Digital filtering
• Histograms
• Mask testing
• Pass/fail testing
• Digital voltmeter
• Frequency counter
• Waveform recording and playback

These functions support design debugging, repetitive verification, production testing and education.

Optional Dual-Channel Waveform Generator

The MHO900 Series supports two optional function and arbitrary waveform generator configurations:

• AFG50: Two channels with sine-wave output up to 50 MHz
• AFG100: Two channels with sine-wave output up to 100 MHz

The generator options provide:

• Two waveform outputs
• 1 GSa/s sampling
• 16-bit vertical resolution
• 16 kpts arbitrary waveform length
• Built-in and user-defined waveforms
• Sine, square, ramp, noise and DC output
• Arbitrary waveform generation

Maximum frequency depends on the selected waveform type.

The optional generator is suitable for:

• Circuit stimulation
• Filter testing
• Amplifier evaluation
• Sensor simulation
• Clock generation
• Embedded-system development
• Frequency-response measurements
•  

Bode Plot Analysis

Bode plot analysis is available when an AFG option is installed.

The supported sweep range extends from 10 Hz to a maximum stop frequency of 30 MHz.

Bode analysis can be used for:

• Filter characterisation
• Amplifier frequency response
• Gain and phase measurement
• Power-supply control-loop analysis
• Crossover-frequency identification
• Gain-margin evaluation
• Phase-margin evaluation

Power-supply loop-response measurements may require appropriate probes, cables and a signal injection transformer.

Low-Level Signal Measurement

The overall series is specified with vertical sensitivity from 200 μV/div to 10 V/div, but the range depends on input impedance.

The low vertical ranges support:

• Power-rail ripple measurement
• Sensor signal analysis
• Reference-voltage noise testing
• Audio circuit analysis
• Low-amplitude control signals
• Power-integrity investigations

Probe attenuation, grounding, bandwidth limits and environmental noise should be considered when measuring very small signals.

7-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen

Every standard MHO900 model includes a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch display with:

• 1024 × 600 resolution
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• Gesture-enabled operation
• 256-level intensity grading
• Touch waveform navigation
• Flex knob controls

The compact display and chassis make the series suitable for crowded workbenches, portable engineering use and educational laboratories.

Compact Instrument Design

The MHO900 mainframe measures approximately:

• 265.35 mm wide
• 161.75 mm high
• 77.38 mm deep

Its compact format is intended for laboratories where bench space and portability are important.

The instrument requires an external DC power source. The exact supplied adapter, connector arrangement and regional power package should be confirmed before publication or quotation.

Connectivity and Remote Control

Standard interfaces include:

• USB 2.0 Host
• USB 2.0 Device
• 100 Mbps LAN
• HDMI
• SCPI remote programming
• Web Control

These interfaces support:

• USB storage
• PC communication
• Automated test integration
• External monitor connection
• Screenshot and waveform transfer
• Browser-based remote operation
• Network control

RIGOL’s current international product page also describes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapter support. Regional package contents should be confirmed before listing wireless adapters as included accessories.

Applications

The RIGOL MHO900 Series is suitable for:

• Embedded-system development
• Microcontroller debugging
• FPGA and CPLD validation
• Mixed-signal analysis
• High-speed digital testing
• Serial protocol debugging
• Automotive electronics
• CAN and CAN FD analysis
• Industrial control systems
• Robotics and automation
• Switching power-supply testing
• Power electronics
• Sensor signal measurement
• Communication circuit development
• Audio electronics
• Research and development
• Production validation
• Educational laboratories
• Service and repair
• Portable field testing
•  

Why Buy from Revine Tech

Revine Tech supplies RIGOL oscilloscopes, logic probes, protocol-analysis licences, waveform-generator upgrades and measurement probes for professional electronics testing.

Technical support can include:

• MHO934, MHO954 and MHO984 model selection
• Bandwidth assessment
• Analogue and digital channel planning
• PLA2216 logic probe selection
• Memory-depth upgrades
• Embedded protocol analysis
• CAN FD and FlexRay options
• Audio and aerospace bus analysis
• AFG50 or AFG100 selection
• Bode plot measurement accessories
• Passive and high-voltage probe selection
• Differential and current probe selection
• Automated test integration
• Calibration and documentation