How Equalization Works in 10x Passive Probes

Figure 1: The adjustable equalization circuit on the oscilloscope
end of the coaxial cable compensates for the 10x passive
probe's inherent low-pass filter characteristics

We've been discussing 10x passive probes and their inner workings; our last post covered all the ways in which a 10x passive probe is apt to be a liability. They'd be basically unusable for any measurements at all but for one attribute: their equalization circuit (Figure 1). Without it, the 10x passive probe makes a pretty good low-pass filter, but the equalization circuit counters that with a high-pass filter to balance things out.

Putting Probes in Perspective

Figure 1: Probe, cable, and oscilloscope form a system
that makes or breaks the accuracy of signal acquisitions

Few aspects of using an oscilloscope are as important as the probe: after all, the probe forms both the mechanical and electrical interfaces between the device under test (DUT) and the oscilloscope itself. To feed a signal into an oscilloscope, we're limited to a coaxial connection. Thus, we need a geometry transformer that picks up the signal of interest from the DUT and transfers it to the oscilloscope's coaxial connection.

Transmission Lines (Part II): More on Bandwidth vs. Rise Time

Figure 1: In the frequency domain (right), a near-ideal
square wave displays predictable 1/f amplitude dropoff

We began this series about transmission lines by thinking about some pertinent principles and relationships that can help form our thinking about the topic. In particular, we'd covered the relationship between bandwidth and rise time and why we have this rule of thumb that says that bandwidth can be estimated using 0.35/10-90% rise time.

The Effects of Passive Probe Ground Leads

Figure 1: Teledyne LeCroy's PP108,
a representative passive probe

When you open the box containing your shiny new oscilloscope, one of the items you'll likely find inside is a set of basic 10:1 passive probes (Figure 1). Those probes have a ground lead that you'll want to use when you make measurements. Your probe has a bandwidth specification that's probably somewhere between a few hundred megahertz to 1 GHz; that spec was obtained at the factory with a specialized test jig having a specific ground inductance and source impedance. Now, the way in which you connect your ground lead can have a big impact on the real-world bandwidth and response of the probe.