Agilent Technologies 10400B Series User manual

A
User’s Guide
Publication number 10433-92002
October 2006
For Safety information, Warranties, Regulatory information, and publishing information,
see the pages at the back of this book.
©Copyright Agilent Technologies Company 1998-1999, 2006
All Rights Reserved.
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature
Passive Oscilloscope Probes

2
Contents
Inspect the probe 2
Probe parts supplied 4
Probe characteristics 8
Bandwidth considerations 10
Safety considerations 12
Cleaning the probe 12
To connect oscilloscope probes 12
To operate the probe 12
Compensation adjustments 15
Inspect the probe
❏Inspect the shipping container for damage.
Keep a damaged shipping container or cushioning material until the contents of
the shipment have been checked for completeness and the probe has been
checked mechanically and electrically.
❏Check the accessories.
See “Probe parts supplied” on page -4 for parts and accessories that were
supplied with the probe.
• If the contents are incomplete or damaged, notify your Agilent Technologies
Sales Office.
❏Inspect the instrument.
• If there is mechanical damage or defect, or if the probe does not operate
properly or pass performance tests, notify your Agilent Technologies Sales
Office.
• If the shipping container is damaged, or the cushioning materials show signs
of stress, notify the carrier as well as your Agilent Technologies Sales Office.
Keep the shipping materials for the carrier’s inspection. The Agilent
Technologies office will arrange for repair or replacement at Agilent
Technologies’ option without waiting for claim settlement.
!

3
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive
Oscilloscope Probes
The Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes provide
improved usability and performance of the Agilent 10400A Series Probes, and
they offer a broader range of accessories. The Agilent 10400B Series Probes
replace the Agilent 10400A Series, but maintain compatibility with them. To
select the appropriate replacement probe, see the following table.
The Agilent Technologies B Series of miniature probes significantly reduces the
problem of probing densely populated integrated circuit components and
characteristically small conductors on printed circuit boards. These small, light-
weight probes allow measurements that were previously very difficult, while
reducing the hazard of shorting. The probe body fits in the hand as comfortably
as a pencil.
Each probe includes a browser tip that will not slip off of the test point being
probed and short to some adjacent point. The browser uses a crown point that
“digs in” to solder, and will not slip.
These probes include a variety of ground leads for attaching to many different
ground points. Probe packaging provides convenient storage and ordering
information for replacement parts.
Other key features
• Narrow, sharp, replaceable probe tip.
• Browser attachment with ultra-sharp crown point. Use this to probe the
circuit in debug mode. The crown point will not easily slip off of the lead you
are probing. The pogo pin allows hand movement without losing contact.
• An assortment of accessories for connecting to a wide variety of points.
• Handle unscrews and pulls back to reduce the size of the probe.
• General-purpose retractable hook tip made of strong, durable music wire.
• Flexible, light-weight cable with kevlar strengthener.
• Multi-position barrel insulator exposes as much or as little probe ground as
desired at the probe tip.
• This manual provides information on ordering replacement parts and optional
accessories.
• Automatic Probe Identification Pin (Agilent 10441B only).
Agilent 10400A Family Agilent 10400B Family
10430A, 10431A, 10441A 10441B
10432A, 10433A, 10435A 10433B
10434A, 10436A 10436B
10437A 10437B
10438A, 10439A 10439B
10440A 10440B
10442A 10442B
10444A 10073B

4
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe parts supplied
Probe parts supplied
Parts supplied with the Agilent 10400B Series Probes are shown below.
Parts of the Agilent 10400B Series Probes
Agilent 10400B Series Probe Parts
Item Description Quantity
1 Probe 1
2 Probe tip 2
3 Barrel insulator 2
4 Browser 1
5 General-purpose retractable hook tip 1
6 Dual-lead adapter 1
7 SMD clip 2
8 Spring ground 4
9 Alligator ground lead 1
10 Socketed ground lead 1
11 Screwdriver 1
12 Browser pogo pin (spare) 1
You can order additional quantities of these parts. See the ordering information in this manual.
label.cdr
1
10
9
11
5
12
4
3
2
7
6
8

5
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe parts supplied
Replacement and Optional Parts
Item Replacement Part Agilent Part Number
1 10400B Series Probe
(For replacement, order the entire probe assembly.)
Models: 10433B, 10436B,
10437B, 10439B, 10440B,
10441B, or 10442B.
2 10433B probe tip (qty. 5) — Blue 5063-2167
2 10436B probe tip (qty. 5) — Green 5063-2168
2 10437B probe tip (qty. 5) — Black 5063-2138
2 10439B probe tip (qty. 5) — Black 5063-2138
2 10440B probe tip (qty. 5) — Yellow 5063-2171
2 10441B probe tip (qty. 5) — Violet 5063-2172
2 10442B probe tip (qty. 5) — Grey 5063-2139
3 Barrel insulator (qty. 4) *
4 Browser (qty. 1) 5063-2115
5 General-purpose retractable hook tip (qty. 2) 5063-2135
6 Dual-lead adapter (qty. 1) 5063-2147; See ** below
7 SMD clip (qty. 5) 5063-2149
8 Spring ground (qty. 4) *
9 Alligator ground lead (qty. 2) 5063-2140
10 Socketed ground lead (qty. 1) 5063-2120
11 Screwdriver *
12 Browser pogo pin (qty. 4) *
Accessory kit * 01160-68701
* Accessory kit includes 4 spring grounds, 4 browser pogo pins, 4 barrel insulators, and
1 screwdriver.
** Provides interface with the Agilent Wedges and 25 mil header pins.

6
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe parts supplied
Available accessories
• Agilent 10467-68701 SMD microclips (2 yellow and 2 green) for connection
to SMT parts with lead spacings of 0.5 mm (0.020 inch) to 0.8 mm (0.032
inch).
• Agilent 5063-2143 probe tip-to-BNC adapter.
• Agilent 0960-0301 BNC(m)-to-BNC(f) 50Ωfeedthrough terminator.
• Agilent N2768A (qty. 25) vertical mini-probe socket.

7
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe parts supplied
• Agilent N2766A (qty. 25) horizontal mini-probe socket.

8
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe characteristics
Probe characteristics
Agilent 10400B Series Probes Operating Characteristics
Voltage versus Frequency Rating Curve (except Agilent 10439B)
Voltage versus Frequency Rating Curve (Agilent 10439B)
Approximate Lengths of Probe Propagation Delay
Approximate probe length = 1 meter 4.5 ns
Approximate probe length = 1.5 meters 6.7 ns
Approximate probe length = 2 meters 9 ns
Safety Meets IEC1010-2-31
Pull strength (BNC to probe tip) ≤12 lb static pull
Pollution degree 2 Normally only non-conductive pollution
occurs. Occasionally, however, a temporary
conductivity caused by condensation must be
expected.
10 MHz
Frequency
200
300 MHz 500 MHz3MHz 100 MHz
300
5
100
30 MHz
Excessive power
dissipation
area
Acceptable
probe operation
area
Max
Voltage
Input
(peak ac)
!
CAT II
100 KHz
Frequency
25 V
100 MHz
43 MHz
10 KHz 10 MHz
125 V
1V
5V
1MHz
Excessive power
dissipation
area
Acceptable
probe operation
area
Max
Voltage
Input
(peak ac)
HP 10439B 1:1 Probe
150 V
625 V
!
CAT II

9
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Probe characteristics
The above curve only applies to 10 MΩ, 10:1 probes with the oscilloscope’s input
impedance set to 1 MΩ.
The Agilent 10437B 50Ωprobe is rated at 5 VRMS maximum (CAT I).
The Agilent 10442B 500Ωprobe is rated at 10 VRMS (dc + acRMS) maximum (CAT
I).
Environmental Characteristics
This symbol indicates that the Agilent 10400B Series Probes are in
compliance with European product regulations, including the
EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive.
This symbol indicates that the Agilent 10400B Series Probes are in
compliance with Australian product regulations.
CAT I and CAT II Definitions
Installation category (overvoltage category) I: Signal level, special equipment
or parts of equipment, telecommunication, electronic etc., with smaller transient
overvoltages than installation category (overvoltage category) II.
Installation category (overvoltage category) II: Local level, appliances, portable
equipment etc., with smaller transient overvoltages than installation category
(overvoltage category) III.
WEEE Compliance
Temperature
(operating)
0 °C to +55 °C
Humidity (operating) Up to 95% relative humidity at 40 °C
Altitude (operating) Up to 4,600 meters (15,000 ft)
Shock 50 g (400 g tip only)
Weight 2.6 oz.
Indoor Use
\
This product complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)
marking requirements. The affixed label indicates that you
must not discard this electrical/electronic productd in
domestic household waste.
Product Category: With reference to the equipment types in the
WEEE Directive Annex I, this product is classed as a
"Monitoring and Control Instrumentation" product.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return unwanted products, contact your local Agilent
office, or see www.agilent.com for more information.

10
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Bandwidth considerations
Bandwidth considerations
The dominant probe limitation to system bandwidth is its input capacitance,
assuming that the high-frequency compensation adjustments have been made.
The displayed bandwidth of any measurement system using an oscilloscope and
probe is determined by four factors: probe input capacitance, source impedance,
source bandwidth, and oscilloscope bandwidth.
Agilent 10400B Series Probes Selection Guide
The Agilent 10437B and Agilent 10442B probes are compatible with
oscilloscopes that have a 50 Ωinput.
Probe compatibility
Model
Number
Type of Probe Bandwidth
Scope/
Probe
System
Division
Ratio
Input R Input C Scope
Input R
Comp
Range
Length
(in
meters)
10433B High-
impedance,
passive
300 MHz 10:1 10 MΩ10 pF 1 MΩ10-16 pF 2
10436B High-
impedance,
passive
300 MHz 10:1 10 MΩ11 pF 1 MΩ18-22 pF 2
10437B 50ΩResistive
Divider
1 GHz 1:1 50Ωn/a 50Ωn/a 2
10439B High-
impedance,
passive
n/a 1:1 1 MΩn/a 1 MΩn/a 1.5
10440B High
impedance
passive
300 MHz 100:1 10 MΩ2.5 pF 1 MΩ6-14 pF 2
10441B High-
impedance,
passive
500 MHz 10:1 1 MΩ9 pF 1 MΩ6-9 pF 1.8
10442B 500-Ω
resistive
divider
1 GHz 10:1 500Ωn/a 50Ωn/a 1.5
Infiniium
Oscilloscope Compatible 10400B Series Probe
8000A Series 10433B, 10437B, 10439B, 10440B, 10442B

11
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Bandwidth considerations
54830A Series 10433B, 10439B, 10440B
MSO/DSO601xA 10433B, 10437B, 10439B, 10440B, 10442B
MSO/DSO603xA 10433B, 10437B, 10439B, 10440B, 10442B
MSO/DSO605xA 10433B, 10437B, 10439B, 10440B, 10442B
MSO/DSO610xA 10433B, 10437B, 10439B, 10440B, 10442B
Infiniium
Oscilloscope Compatible 10400B Series Probe

12
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Safety considerations
Safety considerations
WARNING SHOCK HAZARD!
These probes are designed for use with oscilloscopes that have a common
terminal at GROUND POTENTIAL (in accordance with OSHA requirements and
the National Electric Code). Exposed metallic surfaces of the probe and the
oscilloscope MUST BE GROUNDED. Failure to ground the common terminal
during certain applications, such as those requiring the oscilloscope to be
powered from an external battery, might expose the operator to an electrical
shock hazard that could be lethal (depending on voltage and current
conditions.)
Cleaning the probe
If the Agilent 10400B Series Probe requires cleaning, disconnect it from all power
sources and clean it with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap and water
solution. Make sure the probe is completely dry before reconnecting it to a power
source.
To connect oscilloscope probes
1Attach the probe connector to the desired oscilloscope channel.
2Connect the probe to the circuit using any of the probing aids.
To operate the probe
When operating the Agilent 10400B Series Probes, these additional parts can
help:
• SMD Clip
The SMD clip lets you connect the Agilent 10400B Series Probe to SMT
parts with dual lead adapter. See “Available accessories” described earlier
for more information.
• BNC-to-Probe Tip Adapter
This tip adapter lets you attach the probe to a BNC cable.
• Spring Ground
The spring ground attaches to the probe to make ground contact with the
circuit board, while letting you angle and maneuver the probe around an
area.

13
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
To operate the probe
CAUTION Do not solder probe tip to any surface. Solder will damage the probe tip.
CAUTION If you are using the probe without any accessories, the probe could cause a
short if you drop it within the circuit.
1Attach the probe to the circuit.
You may use the probe tip pin without any accessories for probing in places that
are difficult to reach.
You may unscrew the cable strain relief from the probe and slide it back on the
cable when using two or more probes in close proximity. When using the probe
without the browser or retractable hook tip, you should use the barrel insulator
(a supplied accessory) to cover the tip ground shield to prevent the hazard of
shorting when you are probing the circuit. You may unscrew the barrel insulator
and remove it to accommodate tight probing situations.
The barrel insulator can be screwed to multiple positions:
• With the barrel insulator screwed all the way on, you may add a spring ground
(a supplied accessory) to the probe tip to provide ground contact.
2With the barrel insulator screwed most of the way out, the barrel
insulator covers the ground shield by the probe tip.
Ground the probe tip and barrel insulator.
Ground the probe by attaching either the alligator ground, socket ground, or
spring ground. Any of these ground accessories provides reference for a ground
point.
To avoid possible shorting of other circuitry, use the barrel insulator in
conjunction with any of the grounding accessories. For optimum performance,
use the shortest ground lead.
3The browser.
The browser tip has a crown point that digs into solder and will not slip. The
spring-loaded pogo pin allows hand movement without losing contact.

14
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
To operate the probe
4The retractable hook tip.
Attach the hook tip to a probing point by pressing the retractable hook tip body
towards the probe body. Place the hook tip around the probing point, then
release the retractable hook tip body.
The retractable hook tip is used for most typical in-circuit probing and ICs.
The Agilent Wedge Probe Adapter
The Agilent Wedge Probe Adapter makes contact with legs of the IC under test
when the Agilent Wedge Probe Adapter conductors are inserted into the space
between the legs of the IC. If you are using the Agilent Wedge Adapter, refer to
the Agilent Wedge Adapter User’s Guide.
Connecting the Probe to an Agilent Wedge Adapter
Agilent Wedge Adapters
* 16-signal Agilent Wedge Probe Adapters include 3 removable jumpers
(Agilent part number 1258-0141 for quantity of 1 jumper)
Agilent Model Number Description
E2613A One 0.5 mm x 3-signal wedge
E2613B Two 0.5 mm x 3-signal wedge
E2614A One 0.5 mm x 8-signal wedge
E2615A One 0.65 mm x 3-signal wedge
E2615B Two 0.65 mm x 3-signal wedge
E2616A One 0.65 mm x 8-signal wedge
E2643A* One 0.5 mm x 16-signal wedge
E2644A* One 0.65 mm x 16-signal wedge

15
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Compensation adjustments
Compensation adjustments
You can adjust the probes for both low-frequency compensation and high-
frequency compensation. Low-frequency compensation is an operating
adjustment. You should perform high-frequency compensation periodically
according to maintenance schedules.
Adjusting low-frequency compensation
Before you can have a flat frequency response when using a compensated passive
divider probe, you must compensate the probe’s cable capacitance and scope
input capacitance to optimize the step response for flatness. You should
compensate your probe to match its characteristics to the oscilloscope. A poorly
compensated probe can introduce measurement errors.
1Connect the probe from the appropriate oscilloscope channel to the
front-panel probe adjust signal terminal [ ] on the scope.
You can attach the probe with the hole in the probe body facing up to allow
adjustment.
2Press Autoscale.
3Using the wide end of the supplied screwdriver tool, set the low-
frequency compensation adjustment on the probe for the flattest pulse
possible as shown below.
Low-Frequency Adjustment and Waveforms
When to Adjust Probe Compensation
Low-frequency compensation is adjusted when the probe is first connected
to the oscilloscope. Probe compensation will usually hold over all the
attenuator ranges when used with a Agilent Technologies oscilloscope. If
the input capacitance of the oscilloscope changes as ranges are switched,
compensation must be adjusted each time a new range is selected.
Low-frequency compensation
adjustment
Perfectly Compensated
Over Compensated
Under Compensated

16
Agilent 10400B Series Miniature Passive Oscilloscope Probes
Compensation adjustments
Adjusting high-frequency compensation
To compensate for cable loss in your probe, you’ll need the equipment listed
below.
Equipment Required
1Remove the probe cover to provide access to the two high-frequency
compensation adjustment resistors.
High-Frequency Adjustments
2Connect a 50 Ωfeedthrough to the oscilloscope BNC ac cal out.
3Connect the BNC-to-probe tip adapter to the 50 Ωfeedthrough.
4Remove any probing aid and the barrel insulator from the probe tip.
5Connect the probe tip to the BNC-to-probe tip adapter.
6Connect the probe BNC to the appropriate oscilloscope channel.
7Press Autoscale, then set the time base to 5 ns/div.
8Set the sample mode to equivalent time, and the # of averages to 4.
9Rotate the two high-frequency compensation resistors fully clockwise.
10 Adjust the two high-frequency compensation resistors alternately in
small increments until the displayed waveform has the flattest top.
Do Low-Frequency Compensation First
You must do the low-frequency compensation procedure described previously
before doing this high-frequency compensation procedure.
Equipment Specification Agilent Part Number
50 Ωfeedthrough 50 ΩBNC(m) and (f) 0960-0301
Adapter BNC-to-probe tip 5063-2143

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Agilent Technologies
Company will, at its option,
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further certifies that its
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to the extent allowed by the
Institute's calibration
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Organization members.

Safety
This apparatus has been
designed and tested in
accordance with IEC
Publication 1010, Safety
Requirements for
Measuring Apparatus, and
has been supplied in a safe
condition. To ensure safe
operation and to keep the
product safe, the
information, cautions, and
warnings in this operating
manual must be heeded. In
addition, note the external
markings on the instrument
that are described under
"Safety Symbols."
Safety Symbols
Instruction manual symbol:
the product is marked with
this symbol when it is
necessary for you to refer to
the instruction manual in
order to protect against
damage to the product.
Hazardous voltage symbol.
Earth terminal symbol:
Used to indicate a circuit
common connected to
grounded chassis.
WARNING
The Warning sign denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to
a procedure, practice, or
the like, which, if not
correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in
personal injury. Do not
proceed beyond a Warning
sign until the indicated
conditions are fully
understood and met.
CAUTION
The Caution sign denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to
an operating procedure,
practice, or the like, which,
if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result
in damage to or destruction
of part or all of the product.
Do not proceed beyond a
Caution symbol until the
indicated conditions are
fully understood or met.
About this edition
This is the Agilent 10400B
Series Miniature Passive
Oscilloscope Probes User’s
Guide.
Publication number
10433-92002, October 2006
Printed in USA.
Print history is as follows:
10433-92002, October 2006
10433-92001, Nov. 1999
10433-92000, Nov. 1998
New editions are complete
revisions of the manual.
Many product updates do
not require manual
changes; and, conversely,
manual corrections may be
done without accompanying
product changes.
Therefore, do not expect a
one-to-one correspondence
between product updates
and manual updates.
!

A
Agilent Technologies
Printed in the USA
Manual Part Number
10433-92002
*10433-92002*
User’s Guide