Low-Profile Probes
Low-Profile Logic Analyzer Probe Family
The Low-Profile probe family is a collection of logic
analyzer probes designed to interface either a customer's target
or a Nexus Technology adapter to a Tektronix Logic Analyzer.
These low profile, right angle probes have been designed to work
in mechanically tight applications that require high signal
fidelity. Connections to the target are made at a right-angle to
the target surface, greatly reducing the probe vertical keep-out
volume relative to similar products available from Tektronix.
The low-profile probes were designed to be used with Tektronix's TLA7NAx or TLA7Axx modules. These probes can be used with a Tektronix system where Tektronix P6800/P6900 Series Probes could also be used.
Low-Profile probes are distributed probes which greatly reduce the effect of the probe by requiring the placement of the probe input resistor on the adapter or target. The probe input resistor can be placed very close to the probe point, reducing the electrical stub length as seen by the target. This also provides the ability to customize the signal amplitude presented to the logic analyzer for capture by adjusting the size of the input resistor. Please see the manual for details.
Important
It is critical to realize that termination must be used on the target and must be an appropriate value to insure the maximum input voltage to the logic analyzer is not exceeded. Failure to do so will damage the logic analyzer acquisition module.
Typical applications for the Low-Profile probe family would include:
- High-speed ( > 800MT/s parallel applications)
- DDR3
- Embedded DDR3
- DDR2 (DDRII)
Currently, Low-Profile probes are required for the following products
Low-Profile Probe Solutions
Available Low-Profile Probes include:
- NEX-PRB1X(-T)
- Direct connection of 34-channels to a single probe input on the TLA.
- NEX-PRB2X(-T)
- Enabling 2x-demux of 34-channels to two probe inputs on the TLA.
- NEX-PRB4X(-T)
- Enabling 4x-demux of 34-channels to four probe inputs on the TLA.
- NEX-PRBDBL(-T)
- Enabling 4x-demux of 34-channels to eight probe inputs on the TLA, though double-probing with a single probe head.
Probe Retention on Target or Adapter
Each probe head that connects to the target has two holes so screws can be used to hold the probe head onto the target. Holes must be added to the target to use this method of retention. Alternatively, these holes can be removed from the probe head. This results in a probe that is considerably narrower and allows for closer spacing of the probe head to other items on a target. However, if the retention holes are removed, it is strongly recommended that another method of retention is determined. The probes can be ordered with the retention holes on the probe head or with the holes removed. Please see the manual for recommended probe footprints and for alternate retention methods.
- Probe With Retention Holes
- Probe Without Retention Holes
Additional Information in the Manual
Please see the manual for: channel mapping information, probe dimensions, keep-out requirements and recommended probe footprints.
