S50 Probe
Picotest’s line of transient steppers enables testing of high-speed load current transitions. The product line provides load step testing orders of magnitude faster and higher than previously available. The higher current S50 and S2000 versions are explained here. The S10 probe head, coupled with the P2105A probe handle, described on this page, allows you to browse multiple power rails and apply a low duty cycle step load up to 10A.
Transient Testing
Transient load current step testing is a critical part of power system design, test, and verification. No matter the architecture, design make-up, or power levels, transient testing is key to evaluating many aspects, including power integrity, power distribution network (PDN) validation, Voltage Regulation Module (VRM) stability and transient response, noise, large-signal control loop stability, input filter stability, load emulation, thermal (TDP) testing, and IC package performance.
Picotest’s line of transient steppers enable testing of very fast load current transitions, high peak and average power, via multiple form factors that previously were unavailable or impractical to accomplish. In particular, demanding low-voltage, high-current applications, including those found in data centers, AI, graphics, EV, and servers, can now be tested.
The power distribution networks that provide power to advanced digital loads such as CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and other custom ICs can now be validated before the costly ICs are exposed to any power system-related unknowns.
Key Features
- High-speed load current pulse in a Browser probe style
- Up to 50A (peak and average), Voltage 0.6V–72V
- GaN-enabled–Orders of magnitude faster edge speeds than other solutions, nS load steps possible
- On and off control, user-defined (at time of purchase) six (6) load current steps, scales with power rail voltage
- High-speed excitation for tight spaces
- Load steps at VRM bandwidth–Very low loading capacitance, Superior to electronic loads
- Hand-held browser style for repeatable and easy probing; Handle design fits Picotest probe holder
- Enables infinite dwell time for slow load line loop testing and thermal (TDP) testing
- Verify large signal control loop stability
- Load emulation and transient testing for FPGA, AI, Big Data, Graphics and Servers
Applications
- Power Supply Testing and Measurement
- VRM and PDN Validation
- Rail noise evaluation
- Transient load step (large signal)
- Large-signal control loop stability and Input filter stability
- Thermal (TDP) testing
What’s included
- S50 Water-Cooled Stepper Probe with six (6) customized load steps
- Cooling Tube
- Molex Cable
- PCOOLV1 Cooling Unit
- S50COMMON and S50BREAKOUT Controller Breakout Boards
The S50 probe comes with a water cooling pump, a control cable (black) and two breakout boards for simplified load step control.
S50 Probe
Detailed Features
- S50 FEATURES:
- Browser probe style
- Up to 50A (peak and average), Voltage
0.6V–72V - Direct control of load current profile, Six
steps (defined at the time of purchase),
scales with power rail voltage - Water-cooled, Very high-power density
- Custom-designed six (6) resistor solution
- 100% Duty Cycle. Enables infinite dwell
time for slow load line loop testing and
thermal (TDP) testing - High speed load current pulse, < 500ps
Switching - Wattage < 50W average/peak
- GaN-enabled–Orders of magnitude faster
edge speeds than other solutions, nS load
steps possible
| Model | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| J2154A | PerfectPulse® Differential TDR Now comes in multiple colors: silver, black, red, blue, or gold! | Special Intro Price $3,995.00 (regularly $4,500.00) Add to Cart |
| TDRBUNDLE | Picotest TDR Solution Bundle includes J2154A TDR and P2105A TDR Browser Probe | Special Intro Price $6,745.00 (regularly $7,250.00) Add to Cart |
The J2154A is a low-cost single or differential TDR in a portable package. It turns your oscilloscope into a PCB Trace, Cable, Connector, and Coupon Tester. With its 10.5GHz pulse generator and internal power splitter, the J2154A can make TDR, FRA (probe measurement), and VNA (S21) measurements. The J2154A has improved jitter (~20dB). The J2154A now comes in multiple colors. Please choose your color: silver, black, red, blue, or gold, when ordering.
The PerfectPulse signal generator provides a square ~30ps edge pulse in a pocket size, self-contained package, requiring only a USB power source. The affordable, small, simple to use, portable and lightweight unit with unique specifications for differential lines and high accuracy in detecting and locating small resolution impedance changes. The 50 Ohm output signal is very square, without overshoot or undershoot making it perfect for verifying instrument and probe rise/fall times, as well as verifying signal path rise/fall time and undershoot/overshoot. The addition of a 10GHz power splitter allows the signal generator to be used as a reflectometer for measuring PCB coupons, cable and PCB trace impedance, verifying cable crimps, measuring trace and cable lengths, dielectric constant and many other applications.
Modes of Operation and Connectivity
TDR – For single-ended and differential mode TDR measurements, Connectors 1 and 3 connect to the oscilloscope channels, while connectors 2 and 4 connect to the probes. This is the native mode and most common mode of operation. These can be either single-ended or differential measurements. Connectors 1 and 2 are used for single-ended measurements.
FRA – For the measurement of an oscilloscope probe, the voltage is measured at the tip of the probe, so that the 50O port resistance does not damp the probe response. This is equivalent to measuring with a very low source impedance, such as that presented by a power supply. Connectors 1 and 3 connect to the oscilloscope channels, while connectors 2 and 4 connect to the probes. This is the same connection as the TDR, but the math functions use Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) of the high-speed signal edge at the tip of the probe and a high or low impedance scope input to measure the back end of the probe to display the probe transfer function. These can be either single-ended or differential measurements.
VNA – For VNA (frequency domain) measurements the signal is measured prior to the 50O port resistance so that the output is 50O as required by S-parameters. This is accomplished by connecting the oscilloscope to connectors 2 and 4 and the probes to connectors 1 and 3. As with the FRA, the math functions use Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) of the high-speed signal edge at the probe side as one 50O port and a second 50O scope channel as the second port. The math function displays S21. (It is possible also to display S11, but not S22 or S21). These can be either single-ended or differential measurements.
Demo Board
The Picotest TDR Demo board includes differential and single-ended test traces with varying impedances.
- Trace 1 (TP1/TP2) – Single ended 50 Ohm trace
- Trace 2 (TP3/TP4) – Single ended OhmBeatty standard
- Trace 3 (TP5/TP6) – Single ended trace with two impedance steps 3000 mils apart
- Trace 4 (TP7/TP9) – Differential 50 Ohm test traces
- Trace 5 (TP11/TP12 and TP15/16) – Differential test traces; one with two impedance steps 200 mils apart and one with two larger discontinuities 750 mils apart
- Trace 6 (TP13/TP14 and TP17/18) – Differential test traces; one with two impedance steps 500 mils apart and one with two larger impedance steps 1000 mils apart
| Description | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|