Agilent Technologies 42941A Operation manual

Agilent 42941A Impedance Probe Kit
Operation and Service Manual
Third Edition
Agilent Part No. 42941-90010
December 1999
Printed in: Japan

2
Notices
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright.All
rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or
translated to another language without the prior written consent of the Agilent
Technologies.
Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.
Component Test PGU-Kobe
1-3-2, Murotani, Nishi-Ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo, 651-2241 Japan
© Copyright 1999 Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.
Manual Printing History
The manual’s printing date and part number indicate its current edition. The
printing date changes when a new edition is printed. (Minor corrections and
updates that are incorporated at reprint do not cause the date to change.) The
manual part number changes when extensive technical changes are incorporated.
April 1999 First Edition (part number: 42941-90000)
September 1999 Second Edition (part number: 42941-90010)
December 1999 Third Edition (part number: 42941-90010)
Safety Summary
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of
operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to comply with these
precautions or with specific WARNINGS elsewhere in this manual may impair the
protection provided by the equipment. In addition it violates safety standards of
design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument.
The Agilent Technologies assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply
with these requirements.
NOTE 42941A comply with INSTALLATION CATEGORY Ι and POLLUTION
DEGREE 2 in IEC 1010-1. 42941A are INDOOR USE product.

3
• DO NOT Operate In An Explosive Atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gasses or fumes.
Operation of any electrical instrument in such an environment constitutes a
definite safety hazard.
• Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component
replacement and internal adjustments must be made by qualified maintenance
personnel. Do not replace components with the power cable connected. Under
certain conditions, dangerous voltages may exist even with the power cable
removed. To avoid injuries, always disconnect power and discharge circuits
before touching them.
• DO NOT Service Or Adjust Alone
Do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person, capable of
rendering first aid and resuscitation, is present.
• DO NOT Substitute Parts Or Modify Instrument
Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install
substitute parts or perform unauthorized modifications to the instrument.
Return the instrument to a Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office for
service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
• Dangerous Procedure Warnings
Warnings, such as the example below, precede potentially dangerous
procedures throughout this manual. Instructions contained in the warnings must
be followed.
WARNING Dangerous voltages, capable of causing death, are presenting this instrument.
Use extreme caution when handling, testing, and adjusting this instrument.
Certification
Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at
the time of shipment from the factory. Agilent Technologies further certifies that
its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of
Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institution’s calibration
facility, or to the calibration facilities of other International Standards
Organization members.

4
Warranty
This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in
material and workmanship for a period corresponding to the individual warranty
periods of its component products. Instruments are warranted for a period of one
year. Fixtures and adapters are warranted for a period of 90 days. During the
warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair or replace
products that prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility
designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to
Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay shipping charges to
return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties,
and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.
Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designated by
Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will execute its programming
instruction when property installed on that instrument. Agilent Technologies does
not warrant that the operation of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be
uninterrupted or error free.
Limitation Of Warranty
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or
inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied software or interfacing,
unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside the environmental
specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or maintenance.
IMPORTANT No other warranty is expressed or implied. Agilent Technologies specifically
disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.
Exclusive Remedies
The remedies provided herein are buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies. Agilent
Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory.

5
Assistance
Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are
available for Agilent Technologies products.
For any assistance, contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Sales and Service
Office. Addresses are provided at the back of this manual.
Safety Symbol
General definitions of safety symbols used on the instrument or in manuals are
listed below.
Instruction Manual symbol: the product is marked with this symbol when it is
necessary for the user to refer to the instrument manual.
Alternating current.
Direct current.
On (Supply).
Off (Supply).
In position of push-button switch.
Out position of push-button switch.
Frame (or chassis) terminal. A connection to the frame (chassis) of the equipment
which normally include all exposed metal structure.
WARNING This warningsign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could
result in injury or death to personnel.
CAUTION This Caution sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition 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.
NOTE Note denotes important information. It calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition or the like, which is essential to highlight.

6

Contents
7
1. Installation Guide
Incoming Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connecting the 42941A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Serial Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2. Overview
Product Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3. Operation
4294A Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Adapter Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting Probe Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Connecting Pin Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Connecting Ground Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connecting BNC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Fixture Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Performing Fixture Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
DUT Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
DUT Measurement Using Pin Probe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
DUT Measurement Using BNC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4. Specifications
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5. Service
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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Contents

9
1Installation Guide

10 Chapter1
Installation Guide
Incoming Inspection
Incoming Inspection
Inspect the shipping container for damage. If the shipping container or cushioning
material is damaged, it should be kept until the contents of the shipment have been
checked for completeness and the 42941A has been checked mechanically and
electrically. The shipment should contain everything listed in Table 1-1. If the
contents are incomplete or if there is mechanical damage or defect, notify the
nearest Agilent Technologies office. If the shipping container is damaged or the
cushioning material shows signs of unusual stress, notify the carrier as well as the
Agilent Technologies office. Keep the shipping materials for the carrier’s
inspection.
Table 1-1 Contents
Description Agilent
Part Number Qty.
Probe and Four-terminal Pair Connection Block - 1
Pin Probe 42941-60002 1
Spare Pin Set (includes 3 spare pins) 42941-60004 1
3.5-mm Shorta1250-2840 1
3.5-mm Loada0955-1105 1
Operation and Service Manual 42941-90010 1
BNC Adapter 1250-1787 1
Clip Lead 8121-0003 1
Ground Lead 04193-61629 1
Carrying Case 42941-60011 1
a. Not furnished with Option 001.

Chapter 1 11
Installation Guide
Connecting the 42941A
Connecting the 42941A
Follow the steps below to connect the 42941A to the 4294A.
Step 1. Join the 42941A four-terminal pair connection block to the test connectors on the
front panel of the 4294A by gently matching the four BNC connectors and
securing screws of the block with the test connectors and accessory mounting
holes of the instrument until they come into complete contact.
Step 2. Turn the block’s two fastening screws clockwise at the same time until the
four-terminal pair connection block is secured firmly to the instrument.
Figure 1-1 Connecting 42941A to 4294A

12 Chapter1
Installation Guide
Serial Number
Serial Number
Agilent Technologies uses a two-part, ten-character serial number that is stamped
on the serial number plate (Figure 1-2) attached to the bottom of the four-terminal
pair connection block. The first four letters and one digit are the serial prefix and
the last five digits are the suffix.
Figure 1-2 Serial Number Plate

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2 Overview

14 Chapter2
Overview
Product Overview
Product Overview
The 42941A is the impedance probe kit designed for the 4294A Precision Impedance
Analyzer. When used with the 4294A, this kit allows impedance measurement and analysis
in a wide frequency range of up to 110 MHz. Its 1.5-meter cable for probing allows you to
evaluate implemented circuits and mounted devices.
Figure 2-1 Product Overview

Chapter 2 15
Overview
Functions
Functions
Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3 show the names of the 42941A’s parts and probe adapters,
respectively.
Figure 2-2 42941A Parts
Table 2-1 42941A Function
No. NAME FUNCTION
1 Four-terminal Pair
Connection Block Connects the 42941A to the 4294A
2 Securing Screws Secures the 42941A to the 4294A.
3 Probe Attaches to various probe adapters for measurement.

16 Chapter2
Overview
Functions
Figure 2-3 Probe Adapters
Table 2-2 Probe Adapters
No. NAME FUNCTION
4 3.5-mm Short A short device used for the adapter setup.
5 3.5-mm Load A load device (50 Ω) used for the adapter setup.
6 Pin Probe Attached to the probe to measure implemented
circuits, mounted devices, and printed circuit
patterns.
7 Ground Lead Attached to the pin probe to connect to the GND of
the DUT.
8 BNC Adapter Attached to the probe to measure devices and cables
that have BNC connectors.
9 Clip Lead Attached to the top of the BNC adapter by the probe
to measure mounted lead components or large
devices.

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3Operation
This chapter describes the proper methods for setting up the 4294A, connecting the
probe adapter, fixture compensation with the 42941A, and DUT measurement.

18 Chapter3
Operation
4294A Setup
4294A Setup
Before beginning measurements, you should perform the adapter setup to extend
the calibration plane from the surface of the four-pair terminal to the tip of the
probe. Also refer to the operation manual of the 4294A for more information on
the adapter setting.
NOTE For adapter setup, use the furnished short and load devices.
CAUTION When handling the 42941A, care must be taken not to give it any mechanical
shock, which may cause damage to the fixture. Never give any mechanical shock
to the probe.
Adapter Setup
Connect the 42941A to the 4294A as shown in Figure 1-1 and perform the adapter
setup described below.
1. More than 30 minutes warm-up time is required after turning on the 4294A.
2. Press [Cal] key to bring up the Calibration Menu.
3. Press ADAPTER [ ] key to bring up the Adapter Setup Menu. [ ] should
indicate current settings.
4. Select PROBE 42941A. When selected, the softkey label will be underlined.
5. Press SETUP key to bring up the Adapter Setup Menu.
6. Leave the 3.5-mm port of the 42941A open (no connection). There is no OPEN
standard for the 42941A.
7. Press PHASECOMP[-]key to start the phase compensation data measurement.
About 1 minute later, phase compensation data measurement is completed and
the softkey label changes to PHASE COMP [DONE].
8. With nothing connected to the 3.5-mm port, press OPEN [-] key to start open
data measurement. When the open data measurement is completed, the softkey label
changes to OPEN [DONE].
9. Connect the SHORT to the 3.5-mm port.
10.Press SHORT [-] key to start the short data measurement.When the short data
measurement is completed, the softkey label changes to SHORT [DONE].
11.Remove the SHORT from the 3.5-mm port of the 42941A. Then connect the
LOAD to the 3.5-mm port.
12.Press LOAD [-] key to start the load data measurement. When the load data
measurement is completed, the softkey label changes to LOAD [DONE].
13.Press done key.

Chapter 3 19
Operation
Connecting Probe Adapter
Connecting Probe Adapter
Probe adapters are furnished with the 42941A to measure DUTs of various shapes
and characteristics. Attach the appropriate probe adapter for your DUT.
Connecting Pin Probe
Attach the pin probe to the 3.5-mm connector top of the probe and insert the pin.
WARNING The pin is sharp and potentially hazardous to personnel. When using or
changing, handle the pin probe with care to prevent injury.
Figure 3-1 Connecting Pin Probe

20 Chapter3
Operation
Connecting Probe Adapter
Connecting Ground Lead
Remove the screw fixing the ground contact to detach the contact. Use the
removed screw to attach the ground lead to the pin probe.
Figure 3-2 Connecting Ground Lead