Rohde & Schwarz R&S RT-ZPR20 User manual

R&S®RT-ZPR20
R&S®RT-ZPR40
Power-Rail Probe
User Manual
User Manual
Version 03
1800503502
(B0ÀS2)

This manual describes the following R&S®RT-ZPR models:
●R&S®RT-ZPR20 (1800.5006.02)
●R&S®RT-ZPR40 (1800.5406.02)
© 2019 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Mühldorfstr. 15, 81671 München, Germany
Phone: [phone] - 0
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.rohde-schwarz.com
Subject to change – Data without tolerance limits is not binding.
R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
Trade names are trademarks of the owners.
1800.5035.02 | Version 03 | R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
Throughout this manual, products from Rohde & Schwarz are indicated without the ® symbol and without
product type numbers, e.g. R&S®RT-ZPR20/40 is indicated as R&S RT-ZPR20/40.

Contents
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
3User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 03
Contents
1 Safety Information................................................................. 5
2 Product Description.............................................................. 7
2.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics............................................... 7
2.2 Unpacking..............................................................................................8
2.2.1 Inspecting the Contents.......................................................................... 8
2.3 Description of the Probe...................................................................... 9
2.3.1 Probe Box............................................................................................... 9
2.3.2 Supplied Accessories............................................................................10
2.3.3 Optional Accessories.............................................................................11
2.3.4 Service Accessories..............................................................................12
3 Putting into Operation.........................................................14
3.1 Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope...................................... 14
3.2 Identification of the Probe..................................................................15
3.3 Offset Compensation and Dynamic Range...................................... 16
3.4 AC Coupling Mode..............................................................................17
3.5 R&S ProbeMeter..................................................................................18
4 Connecting the Probe to the DUT...................................... 19
4.1 R&S RT-ZA25 Power Rail Browser Kit.............................................. 19
4.2 R&S RT-ZA26 Pigtail Cable................................................................ 21
4.3 SMA Extension Cable......................................................................... 23
5 Measurement Principles..................................................... 24
5.1 Step Response.................................................................................... 25
5.2 Frequency Response..........................................................................26
5.3 Input Impedance................................................................................. 27

Contents
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
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6 Maintenance and Service....................................................28
6.1 Cleaning...............................................................................................28
6.2 Contacting Customer Support...........................................................28
6.3 Returning for Servicing...................................................................... 29
6.4 Calibration Interval............................................................................. 30
6.5 Discarding the Product...................................................................... 30
6.6 Spare Parts.......................................................................................... 30

Safety Information
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
5User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 03
1 Safety Information
The product documentation helps you use the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 safely and effi-
ciently. Follow the instructions provided here and in the "Safety Instructions".
Keep the product documentation nearby and offer it to other users.
Intended use
The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 is intended for the development, production and verifica-
tion of electronic components and devices in industrial, administrative, and labo-
ratory environments. Use the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 only for its designated purpose.
Observe the operating conditions and performance limits stated in the data sheet.
Where do I find safety information?
Safety information is part of the product documentation. It warns you about the
potential dangers and gives instructions how to prevent personal injuries or dam-
age caused by dangerous situations. Safety information is provided as follows:
●The printed "Basic Safety Instructions" provide safety information in many lan-
guages and are delivered with the R&S RT-ZPR20/40.
●Throughout the documentation, safety instructions are provided when you
need to take care during setup or operation. Read the documentation of the
probe, and also of the oscilloscope the probe is connected to.
Maximum input voltage
The maximum input voltage is ±60 V DC or ±5 V AC (peak) between the signal
and the ground.
Using the probe
Take the following measures for your safety:
●Do not connect a probe to any voltage that exceeds the maximum permissible
input voltage specified in the data sheet.
●Do not cause any short circuits when measuring on sources with high output
currents.
●The probe pins are extremely pointed and can easily penetrate clothes and
the skin. Handle the probe pins with great care. To exchange a probe pin, use
tweezers or pliers to avoid injuries. When transporting the accessories, always
use the box supplied with the probe.

Safety Information
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
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The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 can withstand a moderate amount of physical and electri-
cal stress. To avoid damage, treat the probe with care:
●Always observe the specified input voltage limits and measurement ranges.
●Connect the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 only to an instrument with Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. Never connect it to a usual BNC jack. Although the 7 mm
coaxial connector looks like a standard BNC connector, it is constructed differ-
ently and does not fit to the standard BNC jack. The interface of the R&S RT-
ZPR20/40 can withstand a higher frequency limit.
●Handle the probe by the probe box. Avoid excessive strain on the probe
cable, and kinking.
●Prevent the probe from receiving mechanical shock.
●Do not spill liquids on the probe.
●Store the probe in a shock-resistant case, e.g. in the shipping case.
Electrostatic discharge
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage the electronic components of the
probe and the instrument, and also the device under test (DUT). Electrostatic dis-
charge is most likely to occur when you connect or disconnect a DUT or test fix-
ture to the probe and to the instrument's test ports. To prevent electrostatic dis-
charge, use a wrist strap and cord and connect yourself to the ground, or use a
conductive floor mat and heel strap combination. Discharge cables and probe tips
before you connect them.

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
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2 Product Description
2.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics
The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-rail probe is designed for power integrity measure-
ments. The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 is specifically built to measure small signals in the
millivolt range with very large DC-offset components up to ±60 V. It is thus per-
fectly suited to measure small perturbations on DC power rails.
The probe consists of a probe box with an SMA connector and various accesso-
ries for different applications.
Since the probe is equipped with the Rohde & Schwarz probe interface, it can be
connected to any Rohde & Schwarz base unit that is compatible with this inter-
face and has the required firmware. When connected to the front panel of a sup-
ported Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope, the probe is controlled via the software
dialog of the oscilloscope. For a list of compatible base units, see the data sheet
of the probe.
The key characteristics of the probe are the following:
●Bandwidth:
– DC to 2.0 GHz for R&S RT-ZPR20
– DC to 4.0 GHz for R&S RT-ZPR40
●Extremely low noise, only 10 % additional to your scope noise
●Dynamic range: ±850 mV
●High offset capability: ±60 V
●Maximum non-destructive input voltage: ±60 V DC or ±5 V AC (peak) between
center conductor and ground
●AC coupling with low-frequency cutoff at 10 Hz
●DC input resistance: 50 kOhm
●Extremely low zero and gain errors over temperature
●R&S ProbeMeter with dynamic range ±60 V and measurement error < 0.1 %
●Rohde & Schwarz probe interface
Key Features and Key Characteristics

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
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2.2 Unpacking
The carrying case contains the following items:
●R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-rail probe
●Accessory container
●Pigtail cables
●User manual
●R&S RT-ZPR20/40 data sheet
●Calibration certificate
●R&S RT-ZA25 power rail browser kit
●Documented calibration values (if ordered)
2.2.1 Inspecting the Contents
●Inspect the package for damage.
Keep the package and the cushioning material until the contents have been
checked for completeness and the device has been tested.
If the packaging material shows any signs of stress, notify the carrier and your
Rohde & Schwarz service center. Keep the package and cushioning material
for inspection.
●Inspect the probe.
If there is any damage or defect, or if the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-rail probe
does not operate properly, notify your Rohde & Schwarz service center.
●Inspect the accessories.
If the contents are incomplete or damaged, notify your Rohde & Schwarz ser-
vice center.
Accessories supplied with the device are listed in Chapter 2.3.2, "Supplied
Accessories", on page 10.
Unpacking

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
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2.3 Description of the Probe
The probe consists of the active probe box with an Rohde & Schwarz probe inter-
face to connect to the oscilloscope, and an SMA connector to connect to the DUT.
Use the SMA interface to connect the supplied solder-in and extension cables or
the power rail browser.
All available accessories are documented in the following chapters.
2.3.1 Probe Box
The probe box connects the probe to the oscilloscope via the Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. The Rohde & Schwarz probe interface contains a male precision
7 mm (276 mil) BNC connector and six pogo pin connectors. This interface pro-
vides the required supply voltage and is also used for simultaneously transmitting
analog signals and digital data. All the analog voltages required by the probe are
generated in the probe box. This approach ensures you can operate future
probes on any base unit that features a Rohde & Schwarz probe interface. The
probe box provides an SMA connector to screw on different accessories suitable
for various measurement tasks.
(1) Rohde & Schwarz probe interface with
7 mm (276 mil) coaxial connector and 6 pogo
pins
(2) Release knob
(3) SMA connector
Connect the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 only to an instrument with Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. Never connect it to a usual BNC jack. Although the 7 mm coaxial
connector looks like a standard BNC connector, it is constructed differently and
does not fit to the standard BNC jack. The interface of the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 can
withstand a higher frequency limit.
Description of the Probe

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
10User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 03
2.3.2 Supplied Accessories
Before you can use the probe for measurements, connect one of the accessories
to the SMA connector at the probe box.
Table 2-1 shows the accessories that are supplied with the R&S RT-ZPR20/40
power-rail probe.
Table 2-1: Supplied accessories
Item Quantity Description
1R&S RT-ZA25 power rail browser kit
includes:
●Power rail browser
●Ground lead with alligator clip
●Ground spring (5)
●IC cap (5)
●Tip insulating cap
●Tip (5)
●Spring tip (5)
●Sprung hook
●Micro SMD clip
●Dual adapter
●Flexible ground lead with adapter
●Coding rings (8)
●Short tube
●Long tube
3 R&S RT-ZA26 pigtail cable, 15 cm
1 SMA extension cable, 1 m (R&S RT-
ZPR20)
SMA extension cable low loss, 1 m
(R&S RT-ZPR40)
Description of the Probe