Tektronix brings high-end features to budget oscilloscopes, with AI control

Tektronix, a name synonymous with high-end, expensive oscilloscopes, has launched the 1 Series DPO—a budget-friendly lineup starting at $450. These digital phosphor oscilloscopes target electronics testing, embedded development, education, and general circuit debugging, packing up to four analog channels, bandwidths from 50 MHz to 200 MHz, and a 7-inch touchscreen. A notable addition is the optional 'Tek Intelligence' connector, which enables AI-assisted control, potentially simplifying complex measurements and setup.

For engineers, students, and hobbyists, this lowers the barrier to entry for professional-grade tools. The inclusion of features like 12-bit resolution, protocol decoding for I²C, SPI, and UART, and built-in waveform analysis—plus higher-end models with an arbitrary function generator and Bode plot analysis—means robust capability at an accessible price point. This move democratizes sophisticated test equipment, making advanced diagnostics and development more reachable than ever.