HP 54710A User's Reference Manual page 33

How the Oscilloscope Works
Sampling Overview
Figure 1-6 shows the same 489-ps pulse as figure 1-4. Because the signal is
repetitive, the sampling mode was changed from real time to equivalent time.
You may notice how the increased system bandwidth and higher effective
sample rate results in excellent reconstruction of the signal. Compare the
similarity between figures 1-5 and 1-6. Also notice that the statistical results
indicate very repeatable measurement results.
Use the equivalent-time sampling mode when:
•
•
Figure 1-6
1–16
The signal is repetitive.
The signal contains frequency components, that you are interested in,
greater than one-fourth maximum the sample rate of the oscilloscope.