Embedded World: Probe features DC voltmeter

The quality of the power supply is a key factor in the functionality and performance of sensitive electronic circuits. Disturbance signals on the DC power supply network can lead to EMC problems or impair the functioning of a circuit.

This is particularly critical for Internet of Things (IoT) components with fast digital interfaces, as well as for fast memory chips and highly sensitive analog circuits.

The power rail probe is designed for power integrity measurements in combination with the R&S RTE and R&S RTO2000 oscilloscopes from Rohde & Schwarz. The large 2GHz bandwidth ensures that even very broadband disturbance signals are captured.

With its exceptionally low inherent noise and an attenuation factor of 1:1, the R&S RT-ZPR20 probe enables highly sensitive measurements. Users can measure and analyze in detail even small disturbance voltages using the many functions offered by Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes, such as the powerful spectral analysis.

Thanks to the dynamic range of ± 850mV and unique large DC voltage offset range of ± 60 V, the scope of applications is very large. The probe also features an integrated high-precision DC voltmeter that allows users to simultaneously measure a power supply's DC component, irrespective of the offset voltage. This reading and the signal voltage are transmitted to the oscilloscope and displayed.

This allows the DC level and ripple to be measured in parallel when qualifying power supplies for highly sensitive electronic components such as CPUs and FPGAs. Users see at a glance whether the ripple voltages lie within the often very tight power supply tolerances.