P2105A (S10 Version) for Transient Load Step Testing
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 S10 probe head, coupled with the P2105A probe handle allows you to browse multiple power rails and apply a step load.
Key Features
- High speed load current pulse
- Up to 10A load current steps (peak)–P2105A with S10 Head
- < 500ps Switching, DC–50MHz, 100us dwell time
- Wattage < 200W peak, <1W avg., Voltage 0.8V–72V, < 10A
- 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) load current step, scales with power rail voltage
- High-speed excitation for tight spaces
- Custom-designed single resistor solution
- Average power dissipation determines the supported maximum duty cycle
- Load steps at VRM bandwidth–Very low loading capacitance, Superior to electronic loads
- Spring pins for easy landing (70mil) -Short pins and integrated, but removable, PDN cable for low coupling and optimum shielding
- Hand-held browser style for repeatable and easy probing; Handle design fits most probe holders
- Slim low-profile housing for comfort and visibility
Applications
- Load step current pulse testing
- Control loop stability testing
S10 Load Stepper Probe Head
The S10 under 10A low-duty cycle (1%) solution is a hand-held browser-style probe format using the P2105A handle with a specialized probe head using a form factor that fits into tight places (70mil pin pitch). The open-loop current step is a single pre-defined current step, determined by the custom resistor selection and the power rail voltage being stepped. The step is performed by opening and closing a GaN switch inside the probe. Therefore the probe must be connected to a voltage source to be used. The baseline load current value is set at the time of purchase for a specified voltage-current combination resulting in fixed resistor value inside the probe (appropriately selected for derating purposes by Picotest technical support). The probe can be used at other voltages and the current (pulse) will scale accordingly. The S10 probe is triggered by a CMOS/TTL compatible signal (5V 50 Ohm signal, SMA or BNC connector) that essentially shorts or opens the resistive connector to cause the load current step. The2outputpins (+/-)are placed across the power rail. The current step(current sinking into the positive pin) mimics the control signal. The rise/fall time will be near instantaneous due to the speed of the GaN switch. The actual current rise/fall time will be a function of the interconnecting parasitic and will normally in the nS region.
What’s Included
- S10 Transient Load Stepper Probe with single fixed load step (resistor value defined during checkout; additional probe heads sold separately)
- P2105A Probe Handle with One (1) 1m SMA or BNC-Mini SMP PDN Cable®
- 1 Year Warranty
P2105A (S10 Version) for Transient Load Step Testing
S10 Detailed Specifications
| Characteristic | Rating |
|---|---|
| Edge Rate (R/F time) | <500ps switching * |
| Repetition Rate | DC-50MHz (Limited by average power and dwell time) |
| Control | User Supplied – 5V pulse generator |
| Maximum Dwell Time | 100us dwell |
| Input voltage rating | Based on custom resistor * |
| Output current rating | Based on resistor up to 10A |
| Wattage | <1W avg. |
| Voltage | 0.8V – 72V |
| Connector Type | SMPM pulse, spring tip |
* Final signal edge speed is dependent on the load board design, voltage, and current. Solution is single level (On/Off). Resistance is set at the time of manufacturing.
Crosstalk Demo Board (S50DEMO) Detailed Specifications
A single VIN with an input range from 4.5V to 20V is used to power both power domains.
| Characteristic | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power domain #1 | single phase output – 15A max – 0.85Vout |
| Power domain #2 | 4-phase output – 100A max – 1Vout |
| Model | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| S10 | S10 P2105A Probe-Based Stepper < 10A Applications | Add to Cart |
| S10-TIP | S10 Stepper – Probe Head Only | Add to Cart |
| S50DEMO | Optional for S10/S50: Crosstalk Demo Board | Add to Cart |
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.
Delivery: 4-6 weeks, depending on resistor selection. Resistor selection must be specified at checkout.
Optional for S10/S50: Crosstalk Demo Board (S50DEMO)
The Picotest S50 crosstalk demo board is a multi-layer PCB with 2 independent power domains to emulate crosstalk from an aggressor PDN to a victim PDN. In its most basic form of operation, the demo board enables transient load testing using the Picotest P2105A/S10 or S50 stepper probes to step the output load currents while viewing the voltage rail variations.
In addition, this 8-layer PCB has a 50mm x 50mm BGA footprint that is connected to both power domains to allow measurement of crosstalk between via structures. This PCB supports a single input voltage supply with 2 independent output voltages. Each power supply can be turned on or off independently of the other to allow engineers to assess the noise from each power domain.
This demo board is designed to support measurement with multiple Picotest probes and transient load stepper solutions. This demo board has probe points for the P2124A so engineers can measure PSRR on higher current PDN rails; P2104A/P2105A probe points to measure voltage; S10/S50 probe points to support testing with Picotest transient load steppers.
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