Active Probes

Picoprobe Active Probes

Picoprobe Active Probes

 

Signatone offers Picoprobe low capacitance/high speed active probe arms and accessories. These probes arms have a FET amplifier either in or near the tip and are designed for measuring internal node voltages without capacitively loading the circuit. An active probing systems consists of an active probe arm, a Picoprobe power supply (capable of simultaneously driving two active probe arms), a micropositioner and an active probe tip.

 

 

Active Probe Arms

SP-12

 

Picoprobe model 12 active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.1 pf input capacitance
  • 1.0 megohm input resistance
  • 0.8 ns rise / fall time
  • dc to 500 MHz bandwidth
  • 0.5% linearity
  • -10V to +20V voltage range
  • +3% gain accuracy
  • signal attenuation of 10 to 1 (high impedance) or 20 to 1 (50 ohm input)

 

 

SP-18C

 

Picoprobe model 18C active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.02 pf input capacitance
  • input leakage - 10 femtoamps
  • 1.2 ns rise / fall time
  • dc to 350 MHz frequency response
  • 0V to +10V operating range
  • 0.2% linearity 5V range
  • 2.0% linearity 10V range
  • +5% gain accuracy
  • signal attenuation of 10 to 1 (high impedance) or 20 to 1 (50 ohm input)

 

* For 3ns or longer rise and fall signals. Speed limitations of the capacitance cancelling circuitry results in approximately 0.06pF input capacitance for 1ns or shorter rise or fall inputs.

 

 

SP-19C

 

Picoprobe model 19C active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.02 pf input capacitance
  • 10-14 A input leakage
  • 1.2 ns rise / fall time
  • dc to 350 MHz frequency response
  • -7V to +3V operating range
  • 0.2% linearity +/- 3V range
  • 2.0% linearity -7 to+3V range
  • +5% gain accuracy
  • signal attenuation of 10 to 1 (high impedance) or 20 to 1 (50 ohm input)


* For 3ns or longer rise and fall signals. Speed limitations of the capacitance cancelling circuitry results in approximately 0.06pF input capacitance for 1ns or shorter rise or fall inputs.

 

 

SP-28

 

Picoprobe model 28 active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.04 pf input capacitance
  • 10-14 A input leakage
  • rise / fall time = 350 ps + volt pulse of less
  • dc to 1 GHz frequency response
  • -3V to +10V operating range
  • linearity: 0.5% -1V to +4V range
  • 2.0% -3V to +10V range
  • signal attenuation 20 to 1 (50 ohm input)

 

 

SP-29

 

Picoprobe model 29 active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.04 pf input capacitance
  • 10-14 A input leakage
  • rise / fall time = 350 ps + volt pulse of less
  • dc to 1 GHz frequency response -3db
  • -7V to +6V operating range
  • linearity: 0.5% (-2V to +2V range
  • 2.0% (-7V to +6V range
  • signal attenuation 20 to 1 (50 ohm input)

 

 

SP-34

 

Picoprobe model 34 active probe arm specifications:

  • 0.1 pf input capacitance
  • 10 megohm input resistance
  • DC to 3 GHz
  • -7 to +10V operating range

 

 

Active tips

 

Active probe tips are available for each of the above mentioned active probe arms. Tips are available with tip diameters of 3 micron, 1 micron or 0.2 micron diameter.

 

 

SP-35

 

We are now offering a new, very fast high impedance probe. It is the Model 35 Picoprobe. Specifications can be seen by clicking here to downloading the mod35.pdf [331K pdf file] regarding the Model 35. This highly advanced probe achieves a DC-26 GHz bandwidth using only one probe point like our other active probes. Feedback from customers has been very positive. The new Model 35 Picoprobe, like our other active probes is custom made for your probe station and micropositioner. It has user-replaceable probe tips and a new power supply.

 

Pricing is available by contacting Bridge Technolgy. The 35-1 replacement tips are available in five point sizes. The new PS-3 Power Supply can power any two Model 35 Picoprobes simultaneously. The PS-3 can not be used with any other active Picoprobes. Manufacturing time for a new Model 35, replacement tip, and PS-3 Power Supply is approximately 4 weeks. Should the tungsten probing wire become dull or damaged, it can be re-sharpened or replaced at the factory for a small charge.

 

 

Active Probe Power Supply

 

The Picoprobe active probe power supply can simultaneously drive two model SP-12, SP-18, SP-19, SP-28 or SP-34 active probe arms.

 

 

SP-7 Shielded Probe Arm

 

The SP-7 is a shielded probe arm that is used with a special tip to provide a shielded environment to within 3 mm of the tip end. The SP-7 can be used for capacitance and resistance measurements in low to medium speed (up to 500 MHz) signal applications. The tip is sheathed with Teflon and then an outer steel jacket.