Rohde&Schwarz RT-ZS20, RT-ZS30 User Manual

®

R&S

RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
Active Voltage Probe

User Manual

(>:SO2)

1410353102

Version 07

User Manual

This User Manual describes the following R&S®RT-ZS models and options:

●

R&S®RT-ZS10 (1410.4080.02)

●

R&S®RT-ZS10E (1418.7007.02)

●

R&S®RT-ZS20 (1410.3502.02)

●

R&S®RT-ZS30 (1410.4309.02)

© 2019 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Mühldorfstr. 15, 81671 München, Germany

Phone: [phone] - 0

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Internet: www.rohde-schwarz.com

Subject to change – Data without tolerance limits is not binding.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

Trade names are trademarks of the owners.

1410.3531.02 | Version 07 | R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Throughout this manual, products from Rohde & Schwarz are indicated without the ® symbol, e.g.
R&S®RT-ZS10/20/30 is indicated as R&S RT-ZS10/20/30.

1

Safety Instructions

Risk of injury and instrument damage

The instrument must be used in an appropriate manner to prevent
personal injury or instrument damage.

● Do not open the instrument casing.

● Read and observe the "Basic Safety Instructions" delivered as

printed brochure with the instrument.

● Read and observe the safety instructions in the following sections.

Note that the data sheet may specify additional operating conditions.

● Keep the "Basic Safety Instructions" and the product documentation

in a safe place and pass them on to the subsequent users.

Riesgo de lesiones y daños en el instrumento

El instrumento se debe usar de manera adecuada para prevenir
descargas eléctricas, incendios, lesiones o daños materiales.

● No abrir la carcasa del instrumento.

● Lea y cumpla las "Instrucciones de seguridad elementales"

suministradas con el instrumento como folleto impreso.

● Lea y cumpla las instrucciones de seguridad incluidas en las

siguientes secciones. Se debe tener en cuenta que las
especificaciones técnicas pueden contener condiciones adicionales
para su uso.

● Guarde bien las instrucciones de seguridad elementales, así como

la documentación del producto, y entréguelas a usuarios
posteriores.

Instrucciones de seguridad

1171.1307.42 - 05

Safety Instructions - Informaciones de seguridad

Safety Instructions for Active Voltage Probes

When handling active voltage probes, the following basic rules must be observed.
Prior to using an active voltage probe, read the applicable manual including the safety
instructions. Keep the safety instructions and the product documentation in a safe place
and pass them on to other users. Use active voltage probes exclusively within the
measurement ranges specified in the applicable data sheets. Rohde & Schwarz accepts
no responsibility for misuse of the product. Use only the accessories supplied with the
active voltage probe.

Risk of electric shock

Do not connect an active voltage probe to any voltage that exceeds the maximum
permissible input voltage specified in the data sheet. Non-compliance with this
instruction carries the risk of an electric shock.

Make sure not to cause any short circuits when performing measurements on sources
with high output currents. Short circuits may cause injuries or burns.

Risk of injury caused by pointed object

The pins of the active voltage probes are extremely pointed and can easily penetrate
clothes and the skin.

Therefore, handle the probe pins with great care. When transporting an active voltage
probe, e.g. when carrying it in a pocket or tool bag, always use the box supplied with
the probe. To exchange a probe pin, use tweezers or pliers to avoid injuries.

1171.3200.12 E/Esp-1 Page 1

Instructions - Instrucciones

Wrist strap with cord

Ground connection

of operational site

Heel strap

Instructions for Electrostatic Discharge Protection

Risk of damaging electronic components

To avoid damage of electronic components, the operational site must be
protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Floor mat

The following two methods of ESD protection may be used together or
separately:

, Wrist strap with cord to ground connection

, Conductive floor mat and heel strap combination

1171.0300.62 E/Esp-3

Customer Support

Technical support – where and when you need it

For quick, expert help with any Rohde & Schwarz equipment, contact one of our Customer Support
Centers. A team of highly qualified engineers provides telephone support and will work with you to find a
solution to your query on any aspect of the operation, programming or applications of Rohde & Schwarz
equipment.

Up-to-date information and upgrades

To keep your instrument up-to-date and to be informed about new application notes related to your
instrument, please send an e-mail to the Customer Support Center stating your instrument and your wish.
We will take care that you will get the right information.

Europe, Africa, Middle East

North America

Latin America

Asia/Pacific

China

Phone [phone]

[e-mail]

Phone 1-888-TEST-RSA (1-888-837-8772)

[e-mail]

Phone [phone]

[e-mail]

Phone [phone]

[e-mail]

Phone [phone] /

[phone]

[e-mail]

1171.0200.22-06.00

R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Contents

Contents

1 Product Description.............................................................. 5

1.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics............................................... 5

1.1.1 Key Characteristics................................................................................. 5

1.1.2 Key Features...........................................................................................6

1.1.3 R&S RT-ZS10E.......................................................................................7

1.2 Unpacking..............................................................................................7

1.2.1 Inspecting the Contents.......................................................................... 8

1.3 Description of the Probe...................................................................... 8

1.3.1 Probe Head.............................................................................................8

1.3.2 Probe Box............................................................................................... 9

1.4 Accessories and Items....................................................................... 10

1.4.1 Accessories Supplied............................................................................10

1.4.2 Optional Accessories............................................................................ 12

1.4.3 Service Accessories..............................................................................13

2 Putting into Operation.........................................................15

2.1 Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope...................................... 16

2.2 Identification of the Probe..................................................................17

2.3 Using the Probe.................................................................................. 17

2.3.1 Zero Adjustment....................................................................................17

2.3.2 Micro Button..........................................................................................18

2.3.3 Offset Compensation............................................................................ 18

2.3.4 R&S ProbeMeter...................................................................................19

3 Connecting the Probe to the DUT...................................... 21

4 Measurement Principles..................................................... 25

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R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

4.1 Signal Integrity of the Transferred Signal.........................................27

4.1.1 Bandwidth............................................................................................. 27

4.1.2 Connection Inductance......................................................................... 29

4.2 Signal Loading of the Input Signal....................................................32

4.2.1 Input Impedance................................................................................... 32

4.3 Probing Philosophy............................................................................ 35

Contents

5 Maintenance and Service....................................................37

5.1 Service Strategy..................................................................................37

5.2 Returning for Servicing...................................................................... 37

5.3 Cleaning...............................................................................................38

5.4 Calibration Interval............................................................................. 38

5.5 Discarding the Product...................................................................... 38

5.6 Spare Parts.......................................................................................... 38

6 Functional Check.................................................................41

Index..................................................................................... 42

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R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Key Features and Key Characteristics

Product Description

1 Product Description

1.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics

The R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 is a single-ended active voltage probe with high input
impedance. It is used for ground-referenced voltage measurements from DC to

1.0 GHz, 1.5 GHz and 3 GHz, respectively.

The comprehensive accessory set allows this probe to be connected to a wide
variety of devices under test (DUT). Provided with special features such as the
R&S ProbeMeter and the micro button, the R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 is designed to
meet tomorrow's challenges in probing.

Since the probe is equipped with Rohde & Schwarz probe interface, it can be
connected to any Rohde & Schwarz base unit that is compatible with this inter­face. When connected to the front panel of an R&S oscilloscope, the probe is
controlled via the software menus of the oscilloscope.

Using a specially developed adapter (see Chapter 1.4.2, "Optional Accessories",
on page 12), the probe can be connected to any other base unit.

1.1.1 Key Characteristics

The key characteristics of the probe are the following:

5User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07

R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Product Description

Key Features and Key Characteristics

Bandwidth DC to 1 GHz (R&S RT-ZS10)

DC to 1.5 GHz (R&S RT-ZS20)
DC to 3 GHz (R&S RT-ZS30)

Dynamic range ±8 V with ±12 V offset capability

16 V AC (Vpp)

Maximum non-destructive input voltage ±30 V

Input resistance 1 MΩ

Input capacitance 0.8 pF

R&S ProbeMeter, measurement error <0.1 %

Extremely low zero and gain errors throughout the entire temperature range, no significant tem­perature drift

Micro button

Rohde & Schwarz probe interface

1.1.2 Key Features

Micro button

The micro button at the probe head can remotely control different functions on the
base unit. The assigned function is configured via the base unit.

For details, see Chapter 2.3.2, "Micro Button", on page 18.

R&S ProbeMeter

The R&S ProbeMeter measures the DC voltage of the input signal directly at the
probe tip. It provides a continuous high-precision DC voltage measurement that is
independent of the settings of the oscilloscope and runs in parallel to the time
domain measurement. If activated on the base unit, the measured value is dis­played on the screen of the Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope.

For details, see Chapter 2.3.4, "R&S ProbeMeter", on page 19.

Data memory

The probe has an integrated data memory, containing the individual probe correc­tion parameters (e.g. gain, delay, offset). These parameters are read out and pro­cessed by the Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope. As a result, the probe offers a high
degree of accuracy, and additional calibration procedures are not required.

6User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07

R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Product Description

Unpacking

1.1.3 R&S RT-ZS10E

The R&S RT-ZS10E probe is a cost-efficient alternative to the R&S RT-ZS10
probe. The electrical specifications of both probes are identical. The two probes
are of the same high quality, for example, in terms of frequency response,
dynamic range, input resistance, input capacitance and zero and gain error. In
contrast to the R&S RT-ZS10, the R&S RT-ZS10E has a limited range of acces­sories, and does not offer offset compensation, micro button and R&S ProbeMe­ter. The R&S RT-ZS10E is ideally suited for customers who value the high signal
fidelity of Rohde & Schwarz probes, and who do not need a large set of accesso­ries and additional functions.

In the following, the R&S RT-ZS10E and the R&S RT-ZS10 are equivalent, with
the following exceptions:

●

The R&S RT-ZS10E does not come with a carrying case or its contents.

●

The R&S RT-ZS10E does not offer the offset compensation, micro button and
R&S ProbeMeter functions.

●

The R&S RT-ZS10E has only a limited set of accessories.

1.2 Unpacking

The carrying case contains the following items:

●

R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 active voltage probe

●

Carrying case

●

Accessory boxes

●

User manual

●

R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 data sheet

●

Calibration certificate

●

Documentation of calibration values (if
ordered)

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R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Product Description

Description of the Probe

1.2.1 Inspecting the Contents

●

Inspect the package for damage.
Keep the package and the cushioning material until the contents have been
checked for completeness and the device has been tested.
If the packaging material shows any signs of stress, notify the carrier and your
Rohde & Schwarz service center. Keep the package and cushioning material
for inspection.

●

Inspect the probe.
If there is any damage or defect, or if the R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 active voltage
probe does not operate properly, notify your Rohde & Schwarz service center.

●

Inspect the accessories.
If the contents are incomplete or damaged, notify your Rohde & Schwarz ser­vice center.
Accessories supplied with the device are listed in Chapter 1.4.1, "Accessories

Supplied", on page 10.

1.3 Description of the Probe

The probe consists of the probe head for connection to the DUT, the probe box
for connection to the oscilloscope, and the probe cable.

1.3.1 Probe Head

The small and lightweight probe head is designed for easy handling and high-per­formance measurements. The probe head is used for connecting the probe and
the DUT. Different accessories for the signal and ground sockets allow the probe
head to be connected to a wide range of DUTs.

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R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Product Description

Description of the Probe

(1) Signal socket
(2) Ground socket
(3) Micro button
The accessories supplied for the probe head

sockets are listed in Chapter 1.4.1, "Accesso-

ries Supplied", on page 10.

Signal and ground sockets are compatible with

0.64 mm (25 mil) square pins and 0.6 mm to

0.8 mm (24 mil to 35 mil) round pins.

1.3.2 Probe Box

The probe box connects the probe and the oscilloscope via the Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. The Rohde & Schwarz probe interface contains a male precision
7 mm (276 mil) BNC connector and six pogo pin connectors. This interface pro­vides the required supply voltage and is also used to transmit analog signals and
digital data simultaneously. All the analog voltages required by the probe are gen­erated in the probe box. This approach ensures that it will be possible to operate
future probes on any base unit that features a Rohde & Schwarz probe interface.

(1) Rohde
7 mm (276 mil) coaxial connector and 6 pogo
pins

(2) Release knob

& Schwarz probe interface with

9User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07

R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30

Product Description

Accessories and Items

1.4 Accessories and Items

The figure below shows all accessories that are available for the
R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 active voltage probe.

Figure 1-1: Available accessories

1.4.1 Accessories Supplied

The following table shows the accessories supplied with the R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30
active voltage probe.

Table 1-1: Accessories supplied

Item Quantity Description

ZS10/20/30 ZS10E

10 5 Signal pin

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