Combining channels does not lead to increased sample rate...

[Kirkhaan]

This is what the front panel of my Waverunner 6030A shows:


While this is what is stated in the manual:


No big deal for me, but a bit misleading I would say!

[tautech]

I think you may misunderstand the scope architecture.

Dual means using 2 channels in any configuration so they are each on separate ADC's so with only one channel on an ADC the max sample rate is still maintained. This principle can also apply to the best usage of the internal memory depth.

[Kirkhaan]

I know there are two 5GS/s ADC's in there (per section 4.6.2 of the service manual).
In the acquisition menu I can choose to run 4 channels simultaneously at 2.5GS/s.
But I cannot run 2 channels interleaved at 5GS/s, which the front-panel text would indicatie to me.
At least I haven't found how and looking at the manual its not possible with this model.

[tautech]

I know there are two 5GS/s ADC's in there (per section 4.6.2 of the service manual).
In the acquisition menu I can choose to run 4 channels simultaneously at 2.5GS/s.
But I cannot run 2 channels interleaved at 5GS/s, which the front-panel text would indicatie to me.
At least I haven't found how and looking at the manual its not possible with this model.

Even with a 1+3, 1+4, 2+3 or 2+4 configuration ? 
One of these combos should allow 5Gsa/s.

[Kirkhaan]

You would expect so indeed, but I do not manage. Perhaps its my stupidity.
Reading page 25 of the 6KA manual gives me some hope, despite the screenshot from my first post...

[tautech]

.......... despite the screenshot from my first post...

That is exactly as the newish SDS1004X-E are branded and indeed offer interleaved operation....Dual, Quad.
See the front on magnified image here:
https://www.siglentamerica.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds1000x-e-series-super-phosphor-oscilloscopes/

[Keysight DanielBogdanoff]

Believe it or not, we actually just released a video today where we discussed this:



Just a warning, it's not the most thrilling series but covers a lot of topics.

Essentially, this class of scope has one acquisition system per two channels. So, you can spend 100% of your ADC on one of those channels (5 GSa/s) or split it between two channels (2.5 GSa/s). If you have a four channel scope, you basically have two acquisition systems and can get two channels running at 5 GSa/s. Usually this means you can use 1 OR 2 and 3 OR 4 at 5 GSa/s. I believe some manufacturers may mix up the channel numbering scheme, but this is pretty industry standard. An easy way to check is to turn on one channel (at 5 GSa/s), and see if you can turn on one of the other channels without halving your sample rate.