Tektronix P6330 User Manual

Instruction Manual

P6330

3.5 GHz Differential Probe

071-0757-04

Warning

The servicing instructions are for use by qualified
personnel only. To avoid personal injury, do not
perform any servicing unless you are qualified to
do so. Refer to all safety summaries prior to
performing service.

www.tektronix.com

Copyright © Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and
pending. Information in this publication supercedes that in all previously
published material. Specifications and price cha nge privileges reserved.

Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077

TEKTRONIX, TEK, TEKPROBE, and SureFoot are registered trademarks of
Tektronix, Inc. KlipChip is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc.

WARRANTY

Tektronix warrants that the products that it manufactures and sells will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. If a
product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will
repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a
replacement in exchange for the defective product.

In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the
defect before the expiration of the warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the
performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping the
defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges
prepaid. Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to
a location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is located. Customer
shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any other charges for
products returned to any other locations.

This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or
improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish
service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel other
than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to repair any
damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a
product that has been modified or integrated with other products when the effect of such
modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.

THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS
DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY
TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF
THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE
FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR
HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Table of Contents

General Safety Summary v..............................

Service Safety Summary vii..............................

Contacting Tektronix viii.................................

Product Features and Accessories 1.....................

Options 2............................................

Features and Standard Accessories 3......................

Optional Accessories 7.................................

Operating Basics 9...................................

Installation 9.........................................

Instruments with the TEKPROBE Interface (Tektronix TDS 400,

500, 600, and 700 Series Oscilloscopes) 10...............

Instruments without the TEKPROBE Interfac e 10............

Input Voltage Limits 10.................................

Maximum Input Voltage 11..............................

Common-Mode Signal Range 11..........................

Differential-Mode Signal Range 11........................

Common-Mode Rejection 11.............................

Probing Techniques to Maximize CMRR 12.................

Electrical Effects of Accessories 13........................

Input Impedance and Probe Loading 14.....................

Probe Grounding 15....................................

Functional Check 17...................................

Reference 19.........................................

Problems with Single-Ended Measurements 19...............

Differential Measurements 19............................

Common-Mode Rejection Ratio 20........................

Assessing CMRR Error 20...............................

Input Impedance Effects on CMRR 21.....................

Extending the Input Leads 21.............................

Extending the Ground Lead 22............................

Extending the Probe Output 22...........................

Terminating the Probe 22................................

Effect of Extending the Output Cable 23....................

Using the Probe with Other Instruments 23..................

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

i

Table of Contents

Specifications 25......................................

Warranted Characteristics 25.............................

Typical Characteristics 26...............................

Nominal Characteristics 30..............................

Theory of Operation 33................................

Probe Head and Cable Assembly 34.......................

Compensation Box 34...................................

Offset Amplifier 34.....................................

Probe Identification EEPROM 34.........................

TEKPROBE Interface 35................................

Performance Verification 37............................

Equipment Required 37.................................

Equipment Setup 38....................................

Probe Calibration Fixture 39.............................

Using the Probe Calibration Fixture 39.....................

Output Offset Voltage 41................................

DC Gain Accuracy 41...................................

Rise Time 43..........................................

Adjustments 47.......................................

Equipment Required 47.................................

Removing the Compensation Box Cover 48.................

Offset Zero and DC CMRR 50............................

Offset Range 53.......................................

Replacing the Compensation Box Cover 54.................

Maintenance 55.......................................

Replacing TEKPROBE Interface Pins 55...................

Removing and Replacing the TEKPROBE Interface Collar 56..

Inspection and Cleaning 57..............................

Replacement Parts 57...................................

Preparation for Shipment 57..............................

Replaceable Parts 59...................................

Parts Ordering Information 59............................

Using the Replaceable Parts List 60........................

Item Names 60........................................

Indentation System 60..................................

Abbreviations 60.......................................

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

List of Figures

Figure 1: P6330 differential probe 1......................

Figure 2: Input connector of TEKPROBE interface 10.........

Figure 3: Using the variable spacing adapter 12..............

Figure 4: Using the TwinFoot adapter 12....................

Figure 5: Typical effects on a signal using probe tip adapters 13.

Figure 6: Typical probe input model 14.....................

Figure 7: Probe ground input 15...........................

Figure 8: Probe functional check connections 17.............

Figure 9: Simplified model of a differential amplifier 20.......

Figure 10: Twisting the input leads 22......................

Figure 11: Typical common-mode gain 28...................

Figure 12: Typical differential input impedance vs frequenc y 28.

Figure 13: Probe head and compensation box dimensions 29....

Figure 14: Simplified schematic diagram 33.................

Figure 15: TEKPROBE interface 35.......................

Figure 16: Probe Calibration Fixture 39.....................

Figure 17: Probe Calibration Fixture test points 40............

Figure 18: Setup for the output offset voltage test 41..........

Figure 19: DC Gain Accuracy setup 42.....................

Figure 20: Test system rise time setup 43...................

Figure 21: Test system rise time setup with probe 44..........

Figure 22: Verifying both probe pins are contacting the

DM test points 45...................................

Figure 23: Removing the compensation box cover 48..........

Figure 24: Adjustment and test point locations 49.............

Figure 25: Offset zero and DC CMRR setup 51..............

Figure 26: P6330 offset range setup 53.....................

Figure 27: Replacing the compensation box cover 54..........

Figure 28: Replacing TEKPROBE interface pins 55...........

Figure 29: Replacing the TEKPROBE i nterface c ollar 56......

Figure 30: P6330 replaceable parts 61......................

Figure 31: P6330 standard accessories 63...................

Figure 32: P6330 optional accessories 65...................

Table of Contents

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

iii

Table of Contents

iv

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

General Safety Summary

Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent
damage to this product or any products connected to it. To avoid
potential hazards, use this product only as specified.

To Avoid Fire or Personal Injury

Connect and Disconnect Properly. Connect the probe output to the

measurement instrument before connecting the probe to the circuit
under test. Disconnect the probe input and the probe ground from the
circuit under test before disconnecting the probe from the measure­ment instrument.

Observe All Terminal Ratings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all

ratings and markings on the product. Consult the product manual for
further ratings information be fore making connections to the product.

The common terminal is at ground potential. Do not connect the
common terminal to elevated voltages.

Do Not Operate Without Covers. Do not operate this product with

covers or panels removed.

Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures. If you suspect there is damage

to this product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel.

Do Not Operate in Wet/Damp Conditions.

Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere.

Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry.

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

v

General Safety Summary

Safety Terms and Symbols

Terms in This Manual. These terms may appear in this manual:

WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that
could result in injury or loss of life.

CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that
could result in damage to this product or other property.

Terms on the Product. These terms may appear on the product:

DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you
read the marking.

WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as
you read the marking.

CAUTION indicates a ha zard to property including the product.

Symbols on the Product. These symbols may appear on the product:

CAUTION

Refer to Manual

vi

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Service Safety Summary

Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures. Re ad
this Service Safety Summary and the General Safety Summary before
performing any service procedures.

Do Not Service Alone. Do not perform internal service or adjustments

of this product unless another person capabl e of rendering fi rst aid
and resuscitation is present.

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

vii

Service Safety Summary

Contacting Tektronix

Phone [phone]*

Address Tektronix, Inc.

Department or name (if known)
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA

Web site www.tektronix.com

Sales
support

Service sup­port

Technical
support

* This phone number is toll free in North America. After office

hours, please l eave a voice mail message.
Outside North America, contact a Tektronix sales office or
distributor; see the Tektronix web site for a list of offices.

1-800-833-9200, select option 1*

1-800-833-9200, select option 2*

Email: [e-mail]

1-800-833-9200, select option 3*

6:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. Pacific time

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Product F eatures and Accessories

The P6330 is a high-bandwidth (3.5 GHz) active differential probe
with a miniaturized probe head design. The probe has low circuit
loading, high common-mode rejection, and comes with a variety of
accessories for connecting to surface-mount devices and othe r
components.

The P6330 probe uses the TEKPROBE interface, which provides
power, selects the correct display scaling, and automatical ly sets the
50 Ω termination on the oscilloscope input. The TEKPROBE
interface is standard on many Tektronix TDS series oscilloscopes.
The Tektronix 1103 TEKPROBE Power Supply can be used for
instruments without the TEKPROBE interface (refe r to page 7).

Figure 1: P6330 differential probe

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

1

Product Features and Accessories

Options

The following options are available when ordering the P6330 probe:

H Option D1 -- Calibration Data

H Option C3 -- 3 years Calibration Service

H Option D3 -- 3 years Calibration Data (requires Option C3)

H Option R3 -- 3 years Extended Warranty

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Product Features and Accessories

Features and Standard Accessories

Table 1 shows the features and standard accessories of the P6330
differential probe.

Table 1: P6330 features and standard accessories

Feature/Accessory Description

TEKPROBE interface. The TEKPROBE interface supplies

power to the probe, selects the correct display scaling, and
automatically sets the 50 Ω termination on the oscilloscope input.

If your oscilloscope does not have the TEKPROBE interface, you
can use the optional 1103 power supply (refer to page 7).

Input connections. The plus and minus connections of the probe
head accept the standard and optional probe accessories (some

+

--

Ground

of which connect through the square pin adapter).

WARNING: Skin penetration hazard. To prevent injury, install the
probe tip cover when the probe is not in use. The probe tips are
extremely sharp to ensure good contact and measurement
integrity.

Probe tip cover. The probe tips are extremely sharp to ensure
good contact and measurement integrity. When not using the
probe, slide the probe tip cover over the probe head to prevent
damage to the probe tips and to protect yourself from personal
injury.

Tektronix part number: 200-4236-00

Three-inch ground lead (2 ea). Use the ground lead for
connecting the probe ground to the circuit, if needed. The
socketed end of the lead may be connected to accessories, or
fitted onto 0.025-inch pins.

Tektronix part number: 196-3469-00 (package of 2)

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

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Product Features and Accessories

Table 1: P6330 features and standard accessories (Cont.)

Feature/Accessory Description

Variable spacing adapter (4 ea). The variable spacing adapter

fits over the probe tip. Push the adapter onto the probe tip until it
seats against the probe head.

Use the variable spacing adapter to probe any two adjacent leads
or test points spaced between 0.020 and 0.180-inches apart.
Adjust the articulated pins by gently rotating them using a pair of
tweezers.

NOTE: The articulated pins can be bent, but they are fragile. Use
extreme care when bending the pins.

The elastomeric contacts inside the adapter are rated for 50 -- 75
insertion cycles with the probe tip. Replace the adapter after

Seated
against

probe head

exceeding these limits to avoid unreliable operation.

Tektronix part number: 016-1885-00 (package of 4)

Seated
against

probe head

Square pin adapter (4 ea). Push the square pin adapter onto the
probe tip until it seats against the probe head. Use the square pin
adapter to connect the probe to other accessories, such as the
Y-lead adapter or TwinFoot adapter. The inputs on the adapter
are spaced 0.100-inches apart.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the square pin connectors, do not
insert anything larger than a 0.025-inch square pin into the inputs.

The elastomeric contacts inside the adapter are rated for 50 -- 75
insertion cycles with the probe tip. Replace the adapter after
exceeding these limits to avoid unreliable operation.

Tektronix part number: 016-1884-00 (package of 4)

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Product Features and Accessories

Table 1: P6330 features and standard accessories (Cont.)

Feature/Accessory Description

TwinFoot adapter (4 ea). Use the TwinFoot adapter to probe two

adjacent leads on a surface-mount integrated circuit. The
TwinFoot adapter connects to the probe through the square pin
adapter. Flexible fingers adapt to a range of lead spacings. See
Figure 4 on page 12.

Tektronix part number: 016-1785-00 (package of 4)

Y-lead adapter (2 ea). The Y-lead adapter connects to the probe
through the square pin adapter. The socketed ends of the leads
may be connected to the probe tips and accessories, or fitted onto

0.025-inch pins.

Color marker bands

Tektronix part number: 196-3468-00 (package of 2)

X-lead adapter (2 ea). The X-lead adapter connects between
accessories fitted with 0.025-inch pins, such as the SMT KlipChip
and Micro KlipChip adapters.

You can use the X-lead adapter with the adapters below to make
connections between the probe tip and your circuit under test.
Be aware of the electrical effects of the added lead length of the
adapters, especially as circuit frequencies increase.

Tektronix part number: 196-3473-XX (package of 1)

SMT KlipChip adapter (2 ea). Use this accessory to probe the
leads on dual-in-line packages (DIP). The 0.025-inch pins
recessed in the adapter body may be connected to the X- and
Y-lead adapters, and the 3-inch ground leads.

Tektronix part number: 206-0364-XX (package of 1)

Color marker bands (10 ea). Attach matching pairs of the color
marker bands onto the cable at the head and compensation box
of each probe. The marker bands enable quick verification of
which probe is connected to which instrument channel.

Tektronix part number: 016-1315-00 (package of 10)

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

5

Product Features and Accessories

Table 1: P6330 features and standard accessories (Cont.)

Feature/Accessory Description

Plastic accessory box. Use the plastic box to store the probe

accessories when not in use.

Tektronix part number: 006-7164-00

Instrument case. The instrument case protects the probe from
harsh environments and provides room for storing optional
accessories.

Tektronix part number: 016-1879-XX

Calibration certificate. A certificate of traceable calibration is
provided with every instrument shipped.

Instruction Manual. Provides instructions for operating the
P6330 differential probe and procedures for verifying the
performance, adjusting, and maintaining the probe.

Tektronix part number: 071-0757-XX

Accessory reorder sheet.

The accessory reorder sheet provides photos and part numbers
for identifying standard and optional accessories that are
compatible with your probe.

Tektronix part number 001-1362-XX

Antistatic wrist strap. When using the probe, always work at an
antistatic work station and wear the antistatic wrist strap.

Tektronix part number: 006-3415-04

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Optional Accessories

Table 2 shows the optional accessories that you can order for the
P6330 differential probe.

Table 2: Optional accessories

Accessory Description

Release tool. Use for opening the compensation box to access

adjustments.

Order Tektronix part number 003-1383-00

Adjustment tool. Use for making internal adjustments to the
probe.

Product Features and Accessories

Order Tektronix part number 003-0675-01

Probe calibration fixture. Use the probe calibration fixture to
perform some of the calibration procedures. The calibration fixture
connects to signal sources used to test the probe characteristics.
Refer to page 39 for details on using the fixture.

Order Tektronix part number 067-0419-XX

1103 Power supply. Order the 1103 power supply for
performance verification procedures, and for instruments that do
not have the TEKPROBE Interface. Power cord options are
available for the following countries or regions.

Standard. North America and Japan

Option A1. European

Option A2. UK

Option A3. Australia

Option A5. Switzerland

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

7

Product Features and Accessories

Table 2: Optional accessories (Cont.)

Accessory Description

50 Ω termination. Terminates the output of the 1103 power

supply to the required 50 Ω if the oscilloscope does not have a
50 Ω input setting. Order Tektronix part number 011-0049-01.

50 Ω BNC cable. Connects to the 1103 output.
Order Tektronix part number: 012-0076-00

IEEE1394 Adapter. The IEEE1394 Adapter allows you to probe
signals on the bus, external to system enclosures, without
disturbing system operation. The adapter maintains a balanced
55 Ω signal path and can be used in both single-ended and
differential modes.

Order Tektronix part number: 679-5027-00

Micro KlipChip adapters (2 ea). Use the adapters to probe the
leads on integrated circuits that are surface-mounted. The

0.025-inch pin at the back of the adapter may be connected to the
X- and Y-lead adapters, and the 3-inch ground leads.

Order Tektronix part number: SMK4 (package of 4)

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Operating Basics

This section discusses operating considerations and probing
techniques. For more detailed information about differential
measurements and common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), see the
Reference sectiononpage19.

The P6330 probe design is optimized for high bandwidth, low
capacitance applications; it is not a general purpose probe. The probe
head and tips are miniaturized for electrical characteristics and
access to dense circuitry, and must be handled carefully. Rough or
careless use will likely damage the probe.

To avoid damaging the probe tips, minimize your lateral pressure on
the tips. Always probe as directly straight onto the circuit (perpe ndic­ular) as possible. The probe tips are extremel y sharp to ensure good
contact and measurement integrity.

WARNING. Skin penetration hazard. Use care when handling the
probe. To prevent injury and/or probe damage, install the protec tive
cover over the probe tips when the probe is not in use.

Installation

Before you connect the output of the P6330 differential probe,
determine whether or not your oscilloscope has a TEKPROBE
interface. See Figure 2 on page 10.

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

9

Operating Basics

Figure 2: Input connector of TEKPROBE interface

Instruments with the TEKPROBE Interface (Tektronix TDS 400, 500, 600,
and 700 Series Oscilloscopes)

On instruments that have the TEKPROBE interface, simply connect
the probe to the input. The TEKPROBE interface provides power,
selects the correct display scaling, and automatically sets the 50 Ω
termination on the oscilloscope input.

NOTE. TDS 400 and TDS 400A series oscilloscopes do not interpret
the scale factor coding of the P6330 differential probe. To correct for
this problem, divide the measurement (or scale factor) by 5.

Instruments without the TEKPROBE Interface

On instruments that do not have the TEKPROBE interface, you must
order the optional 1103 power supply (refer to page 7). Each 1103
can supply power for two probes. The input of the osc illoscope must
also terminate into 50 Ω. Refer t o page 22 for informat ion on the
effects of extending the output of the probe.

Input Voltage Limits

The P6330 differential probe is designed to probe low-voltage
circuits. Before probing a voltage, take into account the limits for
maximum input voltage, the common-mode signal range, and the
differential-mode signal range. For specific limits, see Specifications
on page 25.

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

Operating Basics

Maximum Input Voltage

The maximum input voltage is the maximum voltage to ground that
the inputs can withstand without damaging the input circuitry of the
probe.

CAUTION. To avoid damaging the inputs of the P6330 differential
probe, do not apply more than ± 15 V (DC + peak AC) between each
input and ground.

Common-Mode Signal Range

The common-mode signal range is the maximum voltage that you
can apply to each input, with respect to earth ground, without
saturating the input circuitry of the probe. A common-mode voltage
that exceeds the common-mode signal range may produce an
erroneous output waveform even when the differential-m ode
specification is met. For Specifications, refer to page 25.

Differential-Mode Signal Range

The differential-mode signal range is the maximum voltage
difference between the plus and minus inputs that the probe can
accept without distorting the signal. The distortion from a volta ge
that is too large can result in a clipped or otherwise distorted and
inaccurate measurement. For Specifications, refer to page 25.

Common-Mode Rejection

The common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) is the ability of a probe
to reject signals that are common to both inputs. More prec isely,
CMRR is the ratio of the differential gain to the common-mode gain.
The higher the ratio, the greater the ability to reject common-mode
signals.

Common-mode rejection decreases as the i nput frequency increases.
Figure 11 on page 28 is a plot of typical CMRR of the probe versus
input frequency. For additional information about CMRR, see
page 20.

P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual

11

Operating Basics

Probing Techniques to Maximize CMRR

The common-mode rejection of the probe is highest when the probe
is applied directly to the circuit, without using adapters. However,
some probing tasks are made easier using accessories incl uded with
the probe. The accessories shown in Figures 3 and 4 achieve a high
CMRR by minimizing the distance between the probe head and the
signal source.

Figure 3: Using the variable spacing adapter

TwinFoot adapter

Square pin adapter

Conductive side

Probe

of probe tip

Insulated side of probe tip

Figure 4: Using the TwinFoot adapter

IC leads being probed

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P6330 3.5 GHz Differential Probe Instruction Manual