Keysight N1021B User manual

Keysight N1021B 18 GHz
Differential TDR/TDR
Probe Kit
User’s
Guide

2N1021B User’s Guide
Notices
© Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2009 - 2014
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
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Manual Part Number
N1021-90001
Edition
First edition, June 2009
Published by:
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
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 resul t in personal
injury or death. Do not proceed
beyond a WARNING notice until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.

User’s Guide 3
Contents
Keysight N1021B—At a Glance / 5
Supplied Accessories / 6
Using the Probe / 7
Proper Handling Techniques / 7
Adjusting the Probe Tip Separation / 9
Calibrating the Probe / 10
Performing an Operation Verification / 11
Probing a Differential Trace’s Length Midpoint / 12
Probe Characteristics / 13
Returning the Probe for Service / 14

4User’s Guide
Contents

5
Keysight N1021B 18 GHz Differential TDR/TDR Probe Kit
User’s Guide
Keysight N1021B—At a Glance
The N1021B TDR/TDT probe facilitates differential time domain reflectometry
measurements in situations where RF connectors are unavailable. It is ideal for use with the
Keysight N1055A and 54754A TDR plug-in modules. Although the N1021B probe was
designed for TDR applications, it is also suitable as a high bandwidth, passive probe for
non-TDR applications.
Figure 1 N1021B Probe

6User’s Guide
N1021B Probe Kit
Supplied Accessories
Table 1 lists the items provided with the probe. The information on the actual shipping list is
more accurate and should supersede the information in this list. To order the parts listed in
the table, search for “Parts” at www.keysight.com/find/parts. There are no replaceable
parts on the probe.
Table 1 Items Supplied With N1021B
Item Qty Part Number
Pair of phase-matched cables (1m) 1 N1021-60003
SMA 50ΩLoad (m) 2 1810-0118
SMA Short (m) 2 0960-0055
SMA Adapter (f-f) 2 1250-1666
Positioner Adapter 1 N1021-60008
M2.5 socket-head screws (6 mm long) 2 —
M2.5 Allen wrench 1 —
ESD Wrist Strap 1 9300-1367
ESD Wrist Strap Ground Cord 1 9300-0980

N1021B Probe Kit
User’s Guide 7
Using the Probe
Proper Handling Techniques
Use the following techniques to avoid damaging the probe. The probe tips are not
replaceable.
- Hold the probe perpendicular to the device under test as shown in Figure 2 on page 8.
Probing angles greater than 15°from perpendicular will likely damage the tips over
time.
- Do not apply side force to the probe tips.
- Avoid fully compressing the probe-tip springs.
- Hand tighten the cable connection to the probe. Or, use a 5 in-lb (0.56 Nm) torque
wrench.
- Before cleaning the external case parts of the N1021B, disconnect the probe from all
cables. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with a mild soap and water solution.
Do not attempt to clean internally.
CAUTION
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy electronic components and the input
circuits on plug-in modules. Coaxial cables with both ends unconnected may store
electrostatic charges. Before connecting any coaxial cable to a device or instrument,
momentarily short the center and outer conductors of the cable. When making
connections, ensure the proper use of a grounded, resistor-isolated wrist strap.
CAUTION
Before connecting the phase-matched cables, always discharge any static buildup.
Momentarily short the center and outer conductors of the cable together. Avoid touching
the front-panel input connectors without first touching the frame of the instrument.
CAUTION
Applying excessive force when handling the probe can result in bent or otherwise damaged
probe tips. Apply only enough pressure to ensure a secure connection. The probe tips are
spring loaded. Avoid fully compressing the probe-tip springs. The probe tips are not
replaceable.
CAUTION
Do not use too much liquid in cleaning the probe. Water can enter the case.

8User’s Guide
N1021B Probe Kit
Figure 2 Proper Handling Technique

N1021B Probe Kit
User’s Guide 9
Adjusting the Probe Tip Separation
Turn the probe spacing adjustment wheel to change the spacing between the probe tips.
Avoid using excessive force at the limits of the adjustment range.
Figure 3 Probe Tip Spacing Adjustment

10 User’s Guide
N1021B Probe Kit
Calibrating the Probe
The differential probe tips do not have a ground, which is required for a calibration.
However, due to the short electrical length of the probe, the frequency-dependent losses of
the probe are small compared to those of the cables. Use the following procedure to
calibrate the path to the input of the probe.
1Turn on the 86100D with the TDR module in the left slot and allow it to warm up for one
hour.
2Perform a module calibration, if needed.
3On the 86100D menu, click Help > Contents to open the online help.
4In the help, click on the search tab and search for the TDR Calibration topic to learn about
using the TDR Calibration Setup dialog box. Close the help.
5Place the 86100D In TDR mode, and open the TDR Calibration Setup dialog box. For the
TDR setup, connect the N1021B kit’s phase-matched cables to the TDR module’s TDR
ports as the TDR test setup cables. The N1021B probe will be the DUT (Device-Under-Test)
for this procedure.
6As you go through the TDR setup steps in the dialog box, be sure to perform Step 5. “Step
Deskew”.
7When you have completed all of the steps in the dialog box, click Start Calibration
Measurement Wizard.
NOTE
When the TDR calibration instructs you to disconnect everything from the module, leave the cables
connected to the module; the cables must be included in the TDR calibration.