Keysight Technologies N7020A User manual

Keysight N7020A & N7024A
Power Rail Probes
User’s Guide

2 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
Notices
© Keysight Technologies 2014, 2015, 2017,
2018
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Manual Part Number
N7020-97005
Edition
Sixth edition, August 2018
Published by:
Keysight Technologies
1400 Fountaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA, 95403
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Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard.
It calls attention to an operating
procedure, practice, or the like that,
if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in personal
injury or death. Do not proceed
beyond a WARNING notice until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.

N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 3
Contents
1 N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview / 5
Introduction / 6
Probe Accessories / 9
Oscilloscope Compatibility / 16
2 General Information / 19
Inspecting the Probe / 20
Handling the Probe / 21
Cleaning the Probe / 22
Returning the Probe for Service / 23
Contacting Keysight Technologies / 24
3 Specifications and Characteristics / 25
N7020A Probe Specifications and Characteristics / 26
N7024A Probe Specifications and Characteristics / 30
4 Safety and Regulatory Information / 35
5 Using the Power Rail Probe / 39
Requirements for Optimum Probe Performance / 41
Connecting to the DUT / 44
Replacing N7023A Probe Browser Tips / 52
Avoiding Costly Repairs / 53
Common Types of Power Integrity Measurements / 55
6Calibrating/57
N7020A / N7024A Probe’s DC Attenuation/Offset Calibration Using N7022A
Main Cable / 58

4 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
Contents
N7020A / N7024A Probe’s DC Attenuation/Offset Calibration Using
N7023A Probe Browser / 59
7PerformancePlots/61
N7020A Performance Plots / 62
N7020A Input Impedance Equivalent Model / 66
N7024A Performance Plots / 68
N7024A Input Impedance Plots / 70
8 Performance Verification / 77
DC Input Resistance Performance Verification / 78
Bandwidth Performance Verification for N7024A Probe / 81
Index

5
Keysight N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes
User’s Guide
1 N7020A / N7024A Probes -
Overview
Introduction 6
Probe Accessories 9
Oscilloscope Compatibility 16

6 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
Introduction
In this guide, the following two probes in the power rail probing category are
described.
• N7020A 2 GHz Power Rail Probe
• N7024A 6 GHz Power Rail Probe
These probes are designed for power integrity measurements such as Periodic and
Random Disturbances (PARD), static and dynamic load response, and
programmable power-rail response.
These probes have an output connector with the Keysight AutoProbe 1 interface
that allows these probes to connect directly to a compatible Keysight oscilloscope
(see page 16). The oscilloscope’s AutoProbe interface provides the probe power,
probe offset, and auto configuration of probe type and attenuation setting on
connection.
A variety of accessories are shipped with these probes to suit various DUT
connection scenarios and to make the connection to DUT possible in the most
difficult to reach situations as well (see page 44).
These probes provide the following advantages:
• Low noise due to a low attenuation ratio and 50Ωoutput. See Figure 1 and
Figure 2 on page 8.
• A large probe offset range. The offset allows small signals (~1 mV), that exist on
top of a DC supply, to be centered on an oscilloscope screen for maximum
vertical sensitivity.
• Low DC loading due to a 50 kΩinput impedance at DC.
N7024A Probe
N7020A Probe

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 7
• Large active signal range in addition to the offset range
NOTE
While the N7020A and N7024A probes have a number of features in common, the N7024A
probe is an extension to the capabilities and performance of the N7020A probe. When
compared to the N7020A probe, the N7024A probe provides enhanced features such as:
> higher bandwidth (upto 6 GHz)
> compatibility with high-end Keysight oscilloscopes (V-series and Z-series)
> improved usability and browsing capabilities
> unique s parameters stored in each N7024A probe for maximum accuracy
CAUTION
Before using these probes, refer to “Safety and Regulatory Information" on page 35.
Handle the probes with care and refer to the safety notices in this manual. Avoid any
mechanical shocks to these products to guarantee accurate performance and protection.

8 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
Figure 1 Example of Measured Mean Noise at 2 GHz BW: 1.04369 mVp-p
Figure 2 Example of Measured Mean Noise at 20 MHz BW: 443.74 mVp-p

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 9
Probe Accessories
Standard Accessories
The N7020A and N7024A probes are shipped with the accessories shown in
Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively. These standard accessories are described in
Table 1.
Figure 3 N7020A Probe with Standard Accessories

10 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
Figure 4 N7024A Probe with Standard Accessories
N7024A Probe
N7033A Probe
Browser
N7032A Probe
Browser
Dual Lead Adapter
N7021A Pigtail
Cables
N7022A Main
Cable
Wrench
N7023A Probe
Browser
Ground Lead
Micro SMD Clip
Rotating
Adapter
Ground
Spring
SMA Adapter
Glass Tube containing
Spring-loaded and
Rigid Probe Tips Color Coding
Rings

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 11
Table 1 Standard Accessories
Accessories Quantity
Supplied
Description Shipped with
N7020A Probe N7024A Probe
N7021A Pigtail Cables 3 Coaxial cables designed to be soldered onto the
DUT and connected to the probe via the main
cable.
Refer to the topic “Using the N7021A Pigtail
Cable and N7022A Main Cable" on page 46 to
know more.
✓✓
N7022A Main Cable 1 Coaxial cable that you can use to establish
connectivity between the probe and DUT in
multiple ways such as direct connection to DUT,
connection via pigtail cables, or connection via
N7033A / N7034A probe browsers.
✓✓
SMA Adapter 1 Used to connect the main cable to:
- the pigtail cable.
- the N7032A / N7033A probe browser.
✓✓
Rotating Adapter 1 Used to connect the main cable to:
- the pigtail cable.
- the N7032A / N7033A probe browser.
✓
Wrench 1 Used to effectively grip and tighten the smaller
side of the rotating adapter.
✓
N7032A Power Rail
Probe Browser
1 Browser based on .086" semi-rigid coax that has
an approximate fixed span of .055" for probing
0603 and 0805 SMT parts.
NOTE: Though this browser is not shipped as a
standard accessory with the N7020A probe, you
can order it separately for use with the N7020A
probe.
✓
N7033A Power Rail
Probe Browser
1 Browser based on .047" semi-rigid coax that has
an approximate fixed span of .035" for probing
0201 and 0402 SMT parts.
NOTE: Though this browser is not shipped as a
standard accessory with the N7020A probe, you
can order it separately for use with the N7020A
probe.
✓

12 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
N7023A Power Rail
Probe Browser
1 Provides a convenient way to probe the power
rails with a number of accessories available for
connection to DUT. The trade-off for this
convenience is the lower signal fidelity than the
N7021A pigtail cables or the N7022A main cable
or other two supported browsers. Mechanically,
this browser is similar to a traditional passive
probe and is used in the same manner.
✓✓
N7023A Browser Accessories
(N7023A bowser is shipped with the following accessories.)
Ground Spring 2.5 mm 1 Provides the highest performance connection for
the N7023A probe browser.
✓✓
Ground Lead 15 cm 1 Used to reach grounding locations that are
farther away from the probing location than can
be reached by the ground spring. However, the
longer lead means it has a larger inductance in
the ground return path which corresponds to a
lower performance than using the ground spring.
✓✓
Spring-loaded Probe
Tips
3 Allows you to probe signals with less
susceptibility to vibration or movement than
traditional rigid tips. The spring loaded tips work
when they are either partially or fully compressed
and are protected against over compression
damage.
Note: One spring-loaded tip is pre-installed by
Keysight into the N7023A browser.
These tips are replaceable. To know how to
replace these tips, refer to “Replacing N7023A
Probe Browser Tips" on page 52.
✓✓
Rigid Probe Tips 2 Replaceable probe tips. To know how to replace
these tips, refer to “Replacing N7023A Probe
Browser Tips" on page 52.
✓✓
Table 1 Standard Accessories
Accessories Quantity
Supplied
Description Shipped with
N7020A Probe N7024A Probe

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 13
Dual Lead Adapter 1 Allows you to easily connect the N7023A browser
to the popular 0.1” pin headers with 0.025”
square pins. This dual lead adapter has no
shorting hazards since all external metal surfaces
are insulated.
✓✓
Micro SMD Clip
(Surface Mount Grabber)
1 Provides fast and convenient hands-free probing
of surface mount capacitors. The Micro SMD clip
is used in conjunction with the dual lead adapter.
It is a best practice to twist the leads off the dual
lead adapter to reduce coupling of external noise
into the probe.
✓✓
Protection Cap 2.5 mm 1 Provides a protective cover to the browser when
not in use.
✓✓
Color Coding Rings 3x4 colors Used to keep track of which probe is connected to
which channel input on your oscilloscope. Place
one ring on the probe cable near the oscilloscope
input and place another ring of the same color
near the probe head. This ensures that you can
pick up a probe and immediately know which
channel it is connected to without having to track
the cable back to the oscilloscope channel input.
✓✓
Table 1 Standard Accessories
Accessories Quantity
Supplied
Description Shipped with
N7020A Probe N7024A Probe

14 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
Optional Orderable Accessories
Besides the standard accessories that are shipped with the probes, a number of
optional accessories are also available that you can order separately. These
optional accessories are shown in this picture and briefly described in Table 2 on
page 15.

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 15
Table 2 Orderable Accessories
Optional Accessory Quantity Accessory P/N Keysight Product
Number
IC Cap 2.5 - 0.5 mm green 3 0960-2983 -
IC Cap 2.5 - 0.65 mm blue 3 0960-2984 -
IC Cap 2.5 - 0.8 mm gray 3 0960-2988 -
IC Cap 2.5 - 1.0 mm brown 3 0960-2989 -
IC Cap 2.5 - 1.27 mm black 3 0960-2986 -
Insulating Cap 2.5 mm 1 0960-2985 -
Ground Spring 2.5 mm 3 0960-2980 N4838A
Set of 5 Spring Tips Gold-plated 0.5
mm
1 0960-2981 -
Set of 5 Solid tips CuBe 0.5 mm 1 0960-2979 -
Dual adapter 2.5 to
0.8 mm sockets
1 0960-2898 N4836A
QFP IC-Clips 13 mm long down o
0.5 mm pitch (1 pair yellow/green)
2 0960-2992 -
QFP IC-Clips short down to 0.5 mm
pitch (1 pair yellow/green)
2 0960-2995 -
Ground Lead 15 cm 1 0960-2906 N4837A
2-leg Probe Positioner 1 N2786-60001 N2786A
Micro SMD Clip 1 1400-3652 -

16 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview
Oscilloscope Compatibility
The N7020A and N7024A probes are compatible with the Keysight oscilloscopes
shown in Table 3 and Table 4. The tables also list the minimum required firmware
version to support these probes.
Table 4 Compatible Oscilloscopes for the N7024A Probe
NOTE
The N7020A and N7024A probes are designed for Keysight oscilloscopes with 50Ω
AutoProbe-interface channel inputs.
Table 3 Compatible Oscilloscopes for the N7020A Probe
Oscilloscopes Required
Firmware Version
S-Series ≥5.20
9000 Series ≥5.20
9000A ≥5.20
6000 X-Series ≥6.10
4000 X-Series ≥4.00
3000T X-Series ≥4.00
3000A-X-Series ≥2.39
Infiniium Oscilloscopes Required
Firmware Version
S-Series ≥06.20.00803
V-Series
(with N5442A adapter)
Z-Series
(with N5442A adapter)

N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview 1
N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide 17
Is Your Oscilloscope Software Up-to-Date? Keysight periodically releases software
updates to support your probe, fix known defects, and incorporate product
enhancements. To download the latest firmware, go to www.keysight.com and
search for your oscilloscope’s topic. Click on the “Drivers, Firmware & Software”
tab.

18 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
1N7020A / N7024A Probes - Overview

19
Keysight N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes
User’s Guide
2 General Information
Inspecting the Probe 20
Handling the Probe 21
Cleaning the Probe 22
Returning the Probe for Service 23
Contacting Keysight Technologies 24

20 N7020A and N7024A Power Rail Probes User’s Guide
2General Information
Inspecting the Probe
• Inspect the shipping container for damage.
Keep the 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.
• If the contents are incomplete or damaged, notify your Keysight Technologies
Sales Office.
• Inspect the probe. If there is mechanical damage or defect, or if the probe does
not operate properly or pass calibration tests, notify your Keysight Technologies
Sales Office.
If the shipping container is damaged, or the cushioning materials show signs of
stress, notify the carrier as well as your Keysight Technologies Sales Office. Keep
the shipping materials for the carrier’s inspection. The Keysight Technologies
office will arrange for repair or replacement at Keysight Technologies’ option
without waiting for claim settlement.
WARNING
Must be Grounded. Before making connections to the input leads of this probe, ensure
that the probe’s output connector is attached to the channel input of the oscilloscope
and the oscilloscope is properly grounded.
CAUTION
To protect against electrical shock, use only the accessories supplied with this probe or in
the accessory kit.