Welcome to the Picotest and Tektronix Solutions page

SEPIA

SEPIA by Picotest is a time-domain load step based test technique to extract stability metrics and estimate phase margin, Q factor, and derive an equivalent RLC model for SPICE netlist export. This approach simplifies stability analysis under real operating conditions without breaking the control loop or injecting signals, which is critical for datacenter PDNs.

Applications and Benefits

• Support for Power Integrity design, analysis, and simulation – Power Supply Stability
• Extract an electrical SPICE model of your Power Supply’s output impedance from simple voltage measurement
• Determines natural and forced resonance frequencies and frequency domain output impedance
• Determines Q and Phase Margin for assessing stability performance
• Determines output capacitance, excess inductance and the characteristic impedance
• Suggests the appropriate capacitor solutions for optimum performance at a given target impedance, or the minimum adjustment needed to obtain a stable solution.

What’s Required

Load current step generator (probe (S10 or S50), current injector, S2000, e-load, or slammer) to generate the current step, PDN Scope Software, probe to measure the resulting power rail perturbation (P2104A, P2105A, and/or TICP)

Using SEPIA

• PDN Software (MSO Tek Scope Software
• Stepper: S10 Load Stepper Probe or S50 Load Stepper Probe
• Voltage Probe: P2105A Voltage Probe and/or TICP Differential Probe
• Probe Holder

Note: Tektronix Products can be ordered directly from Picotest!

App Notes/Support

• Stop Breaking the Loop Modern Closed-Loop Stability in ADS
• Loop Analysis Directly from Time-Domain Waveform with SEPIA
• Tektronix Press Release
• SEPIA Datasheet

Time Domain Reflectometry Measurements and Analysis with 4, 5 and 6 Series MSO Oscilloscopes

This video demonstrates Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurements using a 6 Series MSO oscilloscope.  (TDR measurements are also available on 4 and 5 Series MSOs.) Having TDR measurements on your scope helps with debugging by allowing you to check impedances in power distribution networks, PCB test coupons, signal lines, cables, and interconnects. One-click calibration, automatic calculations and impedance, inductance and capacitance measurements make it easy to get quick insights into your designs.

Impedance – Power Integrity Measurement

Measuring power distribution network impedance has become an essential measurement for most power systems. Combining the Picotest PI Solution Bundle with your Tektronix scope, gives you the power to perform ultra-low impedance measurements with ease.

Applications and Benefits

• 2-Port Impedance Measurement – The Gold Standard in PDN/Power Integrity Testing
• Easy and Repeatable Power Rail Impedance Browsing
• VRM Output Impedance

What’s Required

Bundle Includes

• P2102A-1X 2-Port PDN Probe, 1X Attenuation
• J2102B Common Mode Transformer
• J2161A 2-Way Wideband Active Splitter
• P2100A-CAL Calibration Board (included with the P2102A)
• PDN Cables: 2 – 1m SMA-Mini SMP (included with P2102A), 2 – 24” BNC-SMA (used for J2161A OUT2 to DUT and DUT to J2102B), 2 – 12” BNC-BNC (one cable goes from OUT1 of J2161A to scope input, the other goes from J2102B output to scope input), 1 – 1m BNC-BNC (goes from the AFG output to the J2161A input)
• Port Saver DC Block (2) (required if the device is active (above 2v))
• VRTS3 Demo Board (can be used to make active impedance measurements (2 DC blocks are required))
• PITK01 Parts Kit (required for different demo DUTs)

Tektronix Products – Order from Picotest

• Tektronix MSO4/5/6 scope with Software option 4-pwr, 5-pwr, or 6-pwr and 4/5/6-AFG
• Optional AFG31000 Arbitrary/Function Generator if > 50MHz is desired

App Notes/Support

2-Port Shunt-Through Measurement on an Oscilloscope

Power Inductor Testing Under Bias

The Picotest J2131A, along with your Tektronix oscilloscope, supports power inductor testing under Bias. Together they enable accurate shunt-through inductance measurement of power inductors at various bias levels – up to and including saturation currents up to 125ADC. The bundle enables the 2-port shunt through measurement using the scope’s FRA features *

Applications and Benefits

• High current DC Bias Source for measuring inductors
• DC Bias Source is 0-125Amps (from a 5A power supply input)
• Uses the 2-port shunt- through measurement to compute value over frequency and DC bias
• Multiple levels of protection for inductor disconnects
• Measure inductors from nH to 1uH

What’s Required

Bundle includes:

• J2131A DC Bias Source with two (2) inductor mounts
• P9610A Power Supply
• J2113A Differential Amp
• Three (3) PDN Cables (Two (2) 0.5m BNC-SMA cables and One (1) 0.25m BNC-BNC cable)

The bundle enables the 2-port shunt through measurement for your VNA or oscilloscope with FRA features*

Tektronix Products – Order from Picotest

• Tektronix MSO4/5/6 scope with Software option 4-pwr, 5-pwr, or 6-pwr and 4/5/6-AFG

* Biased Inductor Measurement Requirements and Notes: The J2131A uses the 2-port shunt through test configuration to perform the inductor measurement. It cannot perform the measurement by itself. The 2-port shunt through measurement REQUIRES a ground loop breaker, such as the J2113A.

The J2131A unit uses the 2-port shunt through test configuration to perform the inductor measurement. It cannot perform the measurement by itself. The 2-port shunt through measurement REQUIRES a ground loop breaker, such as the Picotest J2113A.

App Notes/Support

• J2131A DC Bias Injector Solution Brochure
• J2131A DC Bias Injector App Note
• DC Bias Source for Power Inductor Testing – Demo Guide
• Accurately Measure Inductance with DC Bias to 125 Amps