Large signal measurements are essential to Power Distribution Network (PDN) validation. By stressing the PDN, they reveal transient phenomena that are otherwise difficult to surface. This article discusses capturing large signal phenomena with the Picotest P2105A (S10) Transient Load Stepper browser probe. We recently explored Large Signal Phenomena using the MXO5 – Sequential Trigger Measurement Setup.
PDN large signal analysis
PDN large signal analysis evaluates the effect of abrupt current changes. These are typically significant, nonlinear steps that emulate sudden load changes, such as a processor or logic function turning on or off. Unlike small signal analysis, which operates in the frequency domain and focuses on small, linear variations around a bias point, large signal analysis captures nonlinear and transient behaviors. Both types of analysis are essential for comprehensive PDN validation.
Large signal analysis focuses on phenomena such as transient behavior and step responses. It is especially useful for characterizing and revealing:
- The mitigation of parasitic inductances by the VRM and decoupling capacitors
- Positive and negative voltage overshoot
- Ringing and stability concerns
- Voltage droop
Engineers typically assess pass/fail criteria by checking whether the voltage deviations stay within the load’s acceptable tolerance range.
The complete article is written by Tyler Huddleston and published on Signal Edge Solutions blog –
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