Do DSOs require users learn DSP coding?
No, most of the time DSP is applying mathematical functions to the number sets that constitute our waveform data. By applying the right functions, additional information can be revealed about our signals. DSO vendors provide the functions (some as options) much like scientific calculators where functions are pre-programmed. Then users can apply functions to their waveform data when needed. For instance, some common but very useful DSP functions are:
What if the DSP function isn't offered by any scope vendor?
Some vendors will allow custom functions to be written and applied using third party software and bring the results right into the DSO's environment. Which brings a caution.
Make sure all of the data you require is really being processed. Some scope models don't process full memory contents. This can make a scope appear to have a fast re-trigger rate but not really be doing all the work it could or should do. To have all the DSP done on all of the data, custom functions can be the solution.
The screen shot above is an example of a time domain trace in Channel 1 that has an FFT function applied to it. The blue trace is the resulting FFT. The cursor measurement verifies the RF frequency of 1.296 GHz - similar to the measurement of a spectrum analyzer.
Another DSP concern is that you may wish to do a series of functions after each acquisition. How many functions can be Chained Math Operations varies from scope to scope. Check and compare.