The 7854 Waveform Processing Oscilloscope was the first microprocessor-based oscilloscope by any manufacturer. It was introduced in 1980 and is a 400 MHz analog/digital 7000 series mainframe. It contains an equivalent-time sampling 10-bit digitizer and a programmable waveform processor with GPIB interface based on the Texas Instruments 16 bit 9900 microprocessor.

These four promotional photos show the 7854 Waveform Processing Oscilloscope. 7854 design engineers Clark Foley and Jack Collins are featured in this promotional photo.

This reprint of the March 13, 1980 Electronics cover stories provides an overview and detail of the 7854. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

This ad for the 7854 appeared in the April 24, 1980 issue of Electronics. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

This comparison between the 7854 oscilloscope and the HP 1908A appeared in the September 25, 1980 issue of Electronics.

This ad appeared in the October 9, 1980 issue of Electronics.

These are two early screen shots of the 7854 prototype.

 

These design notes are dated as early as 1975. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

This November 29, 1979 memo identifies some of the designer team and project milestone dates.

These two photos are of the first working prototype from fall of 1977. Note the wire-wrapped and vector board and clip leads.

This photo shows a March 1978 preliminary key layout for the Waveform Calculator keyboard. Filmwork for legends and layouts were created at a larger scale on a light table.

This photos shows a 7854 prototype being tested for electromagnetic interference (EMI).

These three photos were taken on October 26, 1979. This photo is of the entire team associated with the development of the 7854 oscilloscope. Click on the photo to view a PDF with the names we've been able to identify. Let us know of any corrections or additions.

This photo is of the engineering team. Click on the photo to view a PDF with the names we've been able to identify. Let us know of any corrections or additions.

This photo is of the same development team along with an instrument. Click on the photo to view a PDF with the names we've been able to identify. Let us know of any corrections or additions.

This is a photo of the ER cake.

Norm Church contributed a 7854 Engineering Project story on our Employee Stories page. It adds detail regarding the firmware development environment including the Microlab Test System.

The museum has a 7854 Waveform Processing Oscilloscope along with a Waveform Calculator on display. The oscilloscope shows a noisy waveform in real-time and a 1000 sampled average in storage.