[SI-LIST] Re: TDR Analsis Equipment..Tektronix vs Agilent?

  • From: "Nash, Timothy J" <timothy.j.nash@xxxxxxxx>
  • To: tom_cip_11551@xxxxxxxxx, si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:33:12 -0600

Hi, Tom.

I have tried using a Tektronix TDR (I'm not sure of the model) to probe
PCBs before, and found that what probe you were using, and WHAT you were
probing, can make or break your measurement.  We were using a hand-held
pressure-actuated type probe and simply bending your wrist a little
would change the response.  We had a tough time even discerning between
two vias spaced an inch apart from each other.  I believe the probes
used by most PCB manufacturers are on a robotic arm and they are probing
PCB coupons that have pre-defined TDR features.  I found it very
difficult to glean much useful info from real PCB traces when the
discontinuities were as close together as what you are describing.  I
don't believe this was a fault of the scope - just a function of the
probing method and the feature constraints of the PCB.

Tim



-----Original Message-----
From: si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of tom_cip_11551
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 10:47 AM
To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SI-LIST] TDR Analsis Equipment..Tektronix vs Agilent?

Hi to the Signal Integrity community.

I am looking for a set of equipment with wich to do TDR analysis on 
high speed PCB structures. We are now building boards to run at 
speeds of 3 Gb/s or faster and I would like to resolve 
discontinuites within, say, 50 mils to 80 mils of each other.

I have gotten quotes from Tektronix and Agilent for TDR equipment.  

The Tektronix system consists of the DSA8200 digital sampling scope, 
the 80E04 TDR sampling module and the 80SICON signal integrity and 
failure analysis software (a $20K item by itself).

The Agilent system consists of the 86100C scope, the 54754A TDR 
module and various other software programs for S parameters, Jitter 
analysis, etc.

I am wondering what the Signal Integrity community at large is 
using. Which system is more popular and, most important, cost 
effective?

What are some of the advantages and drawbacks of each?

Are there other solutions on the market that are more cost effective?

Thank You
Tom


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