In 2001, LeCroy introduced the first 5 GHz real time digital oscilloscope. This product was followed in 2002 by 6 GHz units from Tektronix, LeCroy and Agilent. All of these instruments provide new capabilities for debugging high frequency circuits. This article discusses the implementation adopted by LeCroy, and the advantages offered by this approach. WHITE PAPER Advances in Oscilloscope Technology Introduction In 2001, LeCroy introduced the first 5 GHz real time digital oscilloscope. This product was followed in 2002 by 6 GHz units from Tektronix, LeCroy and Agilent. All of these instruments provide new capabilities for debugging high frequency circuits. This article discusses the implementation adopted by LeCroy, and the advantages offered by this approach. All digital scopes use the basic block diagram shown in Figure 1. The input signal passes through an amplifier/attenuator stage, then an ADC converts the time varying signal amplitude to a series of numbers which ……