This checklist is for anyone who receives a Tektronix order—whether it's one MSO oscilloscope for a lab bench or a hundred AFG31000 generators for a production line. It’s about what to do in the first 24 hours after delivery to catch issues before they become your problem. Here are the five steps I use on every incoming inspection.
Step 1: Cross-Check the Model and Options Against the PO
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often a mismatch happens. I’ve seen a standard Tektronix generator show up when the purchase order specifically called for the AFG31000 series. The vendor said it was a 'comparable alternative.' It wasn't.
What to do: Before you even unbox, match the model number and all option codes on the shipping label to the line items in your PO. Tektronix generators have specific suffixes that indicate installed bandwidth, memory, or software apps. For example, a ‘-01’ can mean something very different from a ‘-02’. Check that. If anything is off, flag it and take a photo before opening the sealed bag.
Checkpoint: Did the model and option codes exactly match the purchase order? Yes / No
Step 2: Run the Self-Test and Record the Start-Up Log
Most Tektronix instruments run a power-on self-test (POST). This is your first line of defense. It checks the internal hardware—power supplies, processors, and basic signal paths.
In my Q1 2024 audit, three out of forty Tektronix generators failed POST on first power-up. The issue was a firmware corruption from the transit. We caught it immediately because we didn’t skip this step.
What to do: Apply power, wait for the boot sequence, and note any error codes on the start-up screen. Go into the utility menu and run a 'Signal Path Compensation' or 'Self Cal' if available. Document the pass/fail result. If the instrument has a built-in web server (many of the newer MSOs and AFGs do), log in and check the runtime hours and electronic calibration date.
Checkpoint: Did the unit power on and pass all self-tests without error codes? Yes / No. (If No, see Step 5.)
Step 3: Verify the Included Accessories (The Blindspot)
Most buyers focus on the main unit and completely miss the accessories list. This is the classic rookie mistake. A Tektronix oscilloscope without the right probes is just a box. An AFG31000 without the correct BNC cables or attenuation adapters is dead in the water.
What to do: Open the box and cross-check every item against the packing slip. Don't just count the probes; check the bandwidth rating. A 50 MHz probe is useless for a 200 MHz scope. Check that you received the power cord for your region (US vs. UK vs. EU plugs differ). Check for the calibration certificate and warranty registration card. I once rejected a batch of forty Tektronix generators because the vendor shipped them with standard 50-ohm cables when our spec required 75-ohm for the video application. The vendor claimed it was 'standard practice.' We rejected the batch, and they redid it at their cost.
Checkpoint: Does every accessory on the packing slip match the item in the box, and are all specs (e.g., probe bandwidth, cable impedance) correct? Yes / No
Step 4: Perform a Functional Signal Check (The 10-Minute Confidence Test)
Don't just trust the POST. Send a known signal and read it back. This catches calibration drift or front-end damage that self-tests can miss. Basically, you're checking the instrument can do what the Tektronix marketing material promises.
What to do:
- For a signal generator (like the AFG31000): Set it to output a standard 1 kHz sine wave at 1 Vpp. Connect it to a known-good oscilloscope (or even a multimeter in AC mode) and confirm the output is within spec (typically ±1% frequency accuracy).
- For an oscilloscope (like the MSO series): Hook up the internal probe compensation output (usually a 1 kHz square wave). Does the trace look clean? Are the voltage and time measurements within the stated accuracy?
- For a spectrum analyzer: Inject a known CW tone and check that the marker readout is correct.
This step took me about 10 minutes per unit when I set up our verification protocol in 2022. It saved us from a $22,000 redo when we found a generator that was outputting a distorted waveform that the POST had passed.
Checkpoint: Did the instrument produce correct and in-spec results for a known test signal? Yes / No
Step 5: Log, Photograph, and Document Everything
This is the final step that separates a process from a guess. If you need to make a warranty claim, return for credit, or demand a discount for a 'used' item that was ordered as 'new', your evidence is everything. The question isn't if a problem will happen; it's how quickly you can prove it to the vendor or Tektronix support.
What to do:
1. Take a photo of the serial number label and a photo of the unit in its packaging.
2. Save the POST log and functional test results as a PDF. Rename the file with the Serial Number + Date (e.g., AFG31000_SN12345_20240615).
3. If you rejected a batch, create a rejection report that links the photos, test results, and the PO number. Send this to the vendor in a single email.
4. Update your internal asset register immediately with the received status ('Inspected and Accepted' or 'Inspected and Quarantined').
Why does this matter? Because I've seen a vendor push back on a return claiming 'customer damaged the item during testing.' The photo of the unit still in its anti-static bag combined with the POST log timestamp completely neutralized that argument. Document now, avoid the fight later.
Checkpoint: Is there a permanent record (PDF + photo) for this unit's serial number? Yes / No
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The 'Looks fine' trap: People assume a sealed box from a major brand like Tektronix is guaranteed good. It's not. Shipping shock, temperature extremes, and even simple mis-picks happen.
- Skipping the functional test for rush orders: 'We needed it on the bench immediately, so we skipped the check.' That mentality cost a team five hours of debug time because the generator's output had a DC offset they didn't verify.
- Not verifying firmware version: A brand new Tektronix generator might ship with firmware from six months ago that has a known bug. Check the Tektronix website for the latest version. A firmware update takes 20 minutes; debugging a bug takes days.
This was accurate as of May 2025. The test and measurement market changes fast—especially with new firmware features—so verify current calibration procedures and standards before your next big order. I learned this methodology back in 2020, and it's saved my team time and money every year since.
