New low-cost probes for high-speed digital and microwave test

Saelig has announced the availability of PicoConnect 900 Series microwave/gigabit passive test probes, providing cost-effective testing of broadband signals or data streams up to 9GHz or 18Gb/s, including USB 2 and 3, HDMI 1 and 2, Ethernet, PCIe, SATA and LVDS standards. Representing a price-performance breakthrough, these new high-performance test probes have less than 0.4pF tip capacitance and a ground-referred loading of 220 to 910 ohms. They are less invasive than the majority of existing and more costly probing solutions. To achieve measurement accuracies down to a few percent they are ratio-compensated for typical applications, such as the probing of transmission lines and ports between 40ohms and 100ohms (80ohms to 200ohms differential). Suitable for use with any measuring instrument with 50ohm inputs, PicoConnect probes permit high frequency oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers to examine circuitry, backplanes, interconnects, and systems without disturbing their function, accessing multiple channels affordably. Despite their attractive specification they are cost effective for analog signals as low as 500MHz or digital signals of 1Gb/s. The probes offer probe division ratios of ÷5, ÷10 and ÷20 in 12 probe models. Each model is supplied in two probe impedances to suit either low-voltage, highest-speed (e.g. typical digital applications) or higher-voltage analog and pulse applications. In each case, there is a DC or AC-coupled option, the latter being important when DC bias must not be disturbed (as with HDMI, ECL, PECL and LVDS). The series is a set of interchangeable SMA(f) probe heads that can be used with any appropriate 50 ohm cable, or with accessories such as filters, dividers, amplifiers or further attenuation. The probes are characterized with a supplied 085 high-performance flexible coaxial cable, which achieves market-leading flatness and pulse response. The innovative in-PCB coplanar construction (patent pending) guarantees underlying microwave integrity as well as mechanical precision, strength and electromagnetic immunity. The passive design is inherently resistant to static discharge and demonstrates no significant overload recovery latency or error. The probes and multi-head probe kits are provided with solder-in accessories in a convenient carry and storage case.