Date: 29/10/2020
Enhanced IsoVu probes improve characterisation tests of WBG devices
The new IsoVu Gen 2 probes from Tektronix comes with significant improvements over its previous version which could help to do accurate measurements on high speed ungrounded systems.
Tektonix' IsoVu probes electrically isolate under-test terminals with scope using electro-optical conversion. Due to which, IsoVu probes delivers high bandwidth, dynamic range and best in class CMRR over the probe’s full bandwidth. Nonisolated directly connected probes are prone to CMRR derating with the change in frequency particularly at higher frequencies. Since it is isolated and the signal is optical the cable is immune to growing RF noise and other electromagnetic interferences and the cable length can be quite long.
One particular market which definitely need such probes is wideband gap semiconductor device testing. Tektronix says Engineers working with wide-bandgap technologies such as SiC and GaN face difficult challenges to accurately measure and characterize devices due to the higher frequencies and switching speeds involved. These isolated probes have reduced their testing complexities.
“When first introduced, the IsoVu probes represented a true breakthrough for our customers because they could gain actual insight into the performance of the high side of their half-bridge designs, eliminating a significant blind spot,” said Suchi Rinivasan , General Manager of Tektronix Mainstream Solutions. “With this second generation of IsoVU, we are making this cutting edge isolated measurement technology accessible to a broader range of customers for such tasks as product level R&D, validation and EMI troubleshooting.”
Let's look at the improved factors of the second-generation:
The new probes are about 1/5 the size of first-generation, so smaller the size it is easy to handle and can reach testing points which were hard to reach earlier.The separate controller box has been condensed and is now self-contained inside the probe’s compensation box.
The sensitivity also been improved with lesser voice at +/- 50V measurements for greater visibility and voltage sensitivity in wide bandgap measurements.
The accuracy is enhanced in areas such as improved DC accuracy, enhanced gain accuracy over the full input range and improved temperature drift correction. Deeper semiconductor characterization of wide bandgap device designs is possible with these enhancements for increased energy efficiency.
With the earlier version, engineers used to change probe tips for different ranges of measurement, but with the new probesthey are saved from doing this due to wider dynamic range at the sensor head.
“IsoVu technology has been critical in our support of customers adopting our Power Conversion technology in their designs,” says Cam Pham, Global Automotive Field Application Engineer Leader, Wolfspeed, a Cree Company. “with its galvanic isolation capability, IsoVu technology enables us and customers to accurately characterize high side events with confidence.”
The TIVP Series probes are now available worldwide in bandwidths ranging from 200 MHz to 1 GHz and are priced from €9,320 / £8,090 / $9,450. immage: Tek-TIVP-21.png
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http://news.tektronix.com/10-27-2020-Tektronix-Introduces-Second-Generation-IsoVu-Isolated-Oscilloscope-Probes