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Tektronix

321

oscilloscopeIntroduced Produced 1961–Tektronix 321 family
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321 — en.wikipedia.org
Fig. 01321en.wikipedia.org[1]
Preceded by
First in line
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321
Succeeded by
321A
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What it is

The Tektronix 321 is an oscilloscope.[1]

It was Tektronix's first battery-operated transistor oscilloscope. It could run on AC line power or on rechargeable batteries, and it brought the oscilloscope into the transistor age, with only a Nuvistor ceramic tube used for the vertical amplifier input.[1]

How it works

The model 321 could operate from AC line power or rechargeable batteries. The description also states that it used a Nuvistor ceramic tube only for the vertical amplifier input.[1]

What do the numbers mean?

Configuration & options3

Type
portable oscilloscope[1]
Accurate?
Power
AC line power or rechargeable batteries[1]
Accurate?
Technology note
first battery-operated transistor oscilloscope[1]
Accurate?

Vintage & configurations

  1. 1961introductory note[1]

    Tektronix sold its first completely portable oscilloscope, the Model 321, in 1961.

  2. 1961Production start[1]

    Tektronix sold its first completely portable oscilloscope, the model 321, in 1961.

Documented models & variants

DesignationGenerationVintageChangesSource
321Adescribed as the all-transistor model introduced about a year and a half after the 321en.wikipedia.org[1]
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What replaced it?

  • successorTektronix 321AModel 321 was the portable precursor; 321A came out about a year and a half later.source[1]

Where are the manuals?

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Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Not publicly documented

The following facts about the 321 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the 321 are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the 321 are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the 321 is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

  • No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the 321 are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer

  • No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the 321 are on record.

    Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist

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Sources & citations

Sources (1)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
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Last updated Jul 29, 2026.

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