In the world of oscilloscope's they are two parameters, that all relative documentation this keeps referring to them.
1) Acquisition time
2) Samples in the unit of time (sampling rate).
This article its here to offer a simplest explanation of were these numbers come from?
Analog to digital converter at Oscilloscope front end, this is first in line component which comes in touch with any incoming signal.
One of most important features of one ADC this is fast conversion time.
At our times, 8 bit ADC this is able to achieve 2.7 us conversion time.
ADC of higher resolution this can not be that fast, but these are able to have 25 us conversion time.
At the example of mains voltage or current measurement at 50Hz, at oscilloscope screen we do the analysis at time division of 5ms.
By the assumption that we have one oscilloscope with zero dead-time at signal acquisition (impossible scenario), if we divide entire time window with both ADC faster conversion time, then we may understand of how many sample points they are collected for us to see, at the waveform over the oscilloscope screen.
Entire time window
5 us time division this multiplied by the number of ten divisions, the oscilloscope screen now presents signal activity at 50 us (window)
From the other hand, while 12 bit ADC this is much slower than 8 bit ADC, the 12 bit ADC its capable to deliver 4X times of lesser noise.
ADC (converters) they are low power devices, and it is required the signal this to be further amplified.
Here is the second challenge for electronics developers, they need to make identical low-noise gain amplifiers.
In conclusion and regarding retail value of products, the marriage of quality ADC with quality gain amplifier, this sum is the one that elevates products pricing.
Products that they do include ADC + Gain amplifier combination:
a) Oscilloscope
b) Differential voltage probe
c) current probe
d) Power meter add-on card with analog input's
High quality low-noise gain amplifiers
The improved version of them this requiring 12 Volt Symmetric Power Supply.