Rohde & Schwarz R&S RT-ZPR20 User manual

R&S®RT-ZPR20
R&S®RT-ZPR40
Power-Rail Probe
User Manual
1800503502
Version 04
(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)
© 2022 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Muehldorfstr. 15, 81671 Muenchen, Germany
Phone: [phone] - 0
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.
All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
1800.5035.02 | Version 04 | 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, and R&S®ProbeMeter
is indicated as R&S ProbeMeter.

Contents
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Contents
1 Safety and regulatory information....................................... 5
1.1 Safety instructions................................................................................5
1.2 Labels on the product.......................................................................... 7
1.3 Warning messages in the documentation.......................................... 7
2 Product description...............................................................9
2.1 Key characteristics and key features..................................................9
2.2 Unpacking and checking....................................................................10
2.3 Description of the probe.................................................................... 10
2.4 Probe box.............................................................................................11
2.5 Accessories and items....................................................................... 11
3 Connecting the probe..........................................................16
3.1 Handling the probe............................................................................. 16
3.2 Connecting the probe to the oscilloscope....................................... 16
3.3 Identification of the probe..................................................................18
3.4 Connecting the probe to the DUT......................................................18
4 Features and characteristics.............................................. 24
4.1 Measurement principles.....................................................................24
4.2 Offset compensation and dynamic range........................................ 28
4.3 AC Coupling mode..............................................................................29
4.4 R&S ProbeMeter..................................................................................30
5 Maintenance and service.................................................... 31
5.1 Cleaning...............................................................................................31
5.2 Contacting customer support............................................................31
5.3 Returning for servicing...................................................................... 32

Contents
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5.4 Calibration interval............................................................................. 32
5.5 Storage.................................................................................................33
5.6 Disposal............................................................................................... 33
5.7 Spare parts.......................................................................................... 33

Safety and regulatory information
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1 Safety and regulatory information
The product documentation helps you to use the product safely and efficiently.
Follow the instructions provided here and in the Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions",
on page 5.
Intended use
The product is intended for the development, production and verification of elec-
tronic components and devices in industrial, administrative, and laboratory envi-
ronments. Use the product only for its designated purpose. Observe the operating
conditions and performance limits stated in the data sheet.
The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-rail probe is designed for measurements on cir-
cuits that are only indirectly connected to the mains or not connected at all. It is
not rated for any measurement category.
The probe is designed for usage with oscilloscopes that have a Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. Supported Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes are listed in the pro-
be's data sheet.
Where do I find safety information?
Safety information is part of the product documentation. It warns you of potential
dangers and gives instructions on how to prevent personal injury or damage
caused by dangerous situations. Safety information is provided as follows:
●In Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions", on page 5. The same information is
provided in many languages as printed "Safety Instructions". The printed
"Safety Instructions" are delivered with the product.
●Throughout the documentation, safety instructions are provided when you
need to take care during setup or operation.
1.1 Safety instructions
Products from the Rohde & Schwarz group of companies are manufactured
according to the highest technical standards. To use the products safely, follow
the instructions provided here and in the product documentation. Keep the prod-
uct documentation nearby and offer it to other users.
Safety instructions

Safety and regulatory information
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Use the product only for its intended use and within its performance limits. Inten-
ded use and limits are described in the product documentation such as the data
sheet, manuals and the printed "Safety Instructions". If you are unsure about the
appropriate use, contact Rohde & Schwarz customer service.
Using the product requires specialists or specially trained personnel. These users
also need sound knowledge of at least one of the languages in which the user
interfaces and the product documentation are available.
Reconfigure or adjust the product only as described in the product documentation
or the data sheet. Any other modifications can affect safety and are not permitted.
Never open the casing of the product. Only service personnel authorized by
Rohde & Schwarz are allowed to repair the product. If any part of the product is
damaged or broken, stop using the product. Contact Rohde & Schwarz customer
service at https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/support.
In these safety instructions, the term "product" covers instruments (oscillo-
scopes), probes and their accessories.
Choosing the operating site
Only use the product indoors. The product casing is not waterproof. Water that
enters can electrically connect the casing with live parts, which can lead to elec-
tric shock, serious personal injury or death if you touch the casing. If
Rohde & Schwarz provides accessories designed for outdoor use of your product,
e.g. a protective cover, you can use the product outdoors.
Unless otherwise specified in the data sheet, you can operate the product up to
an altitude of 2000 m above sea level.
The product is suitable for pollution degree 2 environments where nonconductive
contamination can occur. For more information on environmental conditions such
as ambient temperature and humidity, see the data sheet.
Performing measurements
Take the following measures for your safety:
●To ascertain voltage-free state, use an appropriate voltage tester. Any mea-
surement setup including an oscilloscope is not suitable for this purpose.
●The maximum input voltage on channel inputs and the external trigger input
must not exceed the value specified in the data sheet.
●Observe all voltage and current ratings of the instrument, the probes, and the
accessories. Exceeding the allowed voltages can lead to an electric shock.
Safety instructions

Safety and regulatory information
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Limits and ratings are marked on the products and listed in the data sheets.
Consider that the rated voltage depends on the frequency. The voltage limita-
tion curves or values are provided in the data sheet.
●Never cause any short circuits when measuring sources with high output cur-
rents.
●Use only probes and accessories that comply with the measurement category
(CAT) of your measurement task. The measurement category of the products
is defined in the data sheet. If you use other than Rohde & Schwarz accesso-
ries, make sure that they are suitable for the instrument and the measurement
task.
●Set the correct attenuation factor on the instrument according to the probe
being used. Otherwise, the measurement results do not reflect the actual volt-
age level, and you might misjudge the actual risk.
●Prevent the probe from receiving mechanical shock. Avoid putting excessive
strain on the probe cable or exposing it to sharp bends. Touching a broken
cable during measurements can cause injuries.
●Set up all probe connections to the instrument before applying power.
1.2 Labels on the product
Labels on the casing inform about:
●Personal safety
●Product and environment safety
●Identification of the product
Table 1-1: Meaning of safety labels
Potential hazard
Read the product documentation to avoid personal injury or product damage.
1.3 Warning messages in the documentation
A warning message points out a risk or danger that you need to be aware of. The
signal word indicates the severity of the safety hazard and how likely it will occur
if you do not follow the safety precautions.
Warning messages in the documentation

Safety and regulatory information
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WARNING
Potentially hazardous situation. Could result in death or serious injury if not avoi-
ded.
CAUTION
Potentially hazardous situation. Could result in minor or moderate injury if not
avoided.
NOTICE
Potential risks of damage. Could result in damage to the supported product or to
other property.
Warning messages in the documentation

Product description
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2 Product description
2.1 Key characteristics and key features
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 characteristics and key features

Product description
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2.2 Unpacking and checking
1. Unpack the product carefully.
2. Retain the original packing material. Use it when transporting or shipping the
product later.
3. Using the delivery notes, check the equipment for completeness.
4. Check the equipment for damage.
If the delivery is incomplete or equipment is damaged, contact
Rohde & Schwarz.
Delivery notes
The delivery contains the following items:
●R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-rail probe
●Carrying case
●Accessory boxes
●Pigtail cables
●User manual
●Data sheet
●Calibration certificate
●Documentation of calibration values (if
ordered)
●Safety instructions for oscilloscopes and
accessories (multilingual)
●R&S RT‑ZA25 power rail browser kit
Accessories supplied with the probe are listed in Chapter 2.5.1, "Supplied acces-
sories", on page 11.
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.
Description of the probe

Product description
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2.4 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 probe only to an instrument with Rohde & Schwarz probe interface.
Never connect it to a usual BNC jack, because this can damage the probe inter-
face.
2.5 Accessories and items
2.5.1 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.
Accessories and items

Product description
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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)
Accessories and items

Product description
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Item Quantity Description
1 Solder wire, lead free, 5 m
7 Adhesive pads
For a list of spare parts, see Chapter 5.7, "Spare parts", on page 33.
2.5.2 Optional accessories
If the delivered accessories do not meet individual customer requirements,
Rohde & Schwarz offers different accessory sets for sale. The order numbers are
provided in the data sheet.
Table 2-2: Optional accessories
Item Description
R&S RT‑ZA9 probe box to N / USB adapter
The adapter connects the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 power-
rail probe to any other oscilloscope or any other mea-
surement instrument (e.g. a network or spectrum ana-
lyzer).
Using the USB interface of the adapter, the probe can
be powered and controlled from any conventional PC.
However, full software functionality is only provided by
the supported oscilloscopes (see data sheet).
R&S RT‑ZA10 SMA adapter
SMA adapter with SMA (female) jack to BNC (male)
plug.
Accessories and items

Product description
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Item Description
R&S RT‑ZA50 probe interface extender
The adapter is a breakout box that leads out the R&S
probe interface to the following standard connectors:
USB-C for power and control, SMA for signal and DC
jack for auxiliary supply.
Together with the R&S RT‑ZA51 probe to 3.5 mm
adapter, it moves the R&S probe interface closer to
your test setup.
R&S RT‑ZA51 probe to 3.5 mm adapter
The probe adapter has an R&S probe interface and
standard connectors USB-C, 3.5 mm and DC jack.
Using this adapter, you can power and control your
Rohde & Schwarz probe without an appropriate Rohde
& Schwarz oscilloscope.
Together with the R&S RT‑ZA50 probe to 3.5 mm
adapter, it moves the R&S probe interface closer to
your test setup.
R&S RT‑ZAP probe positioner
Use the R&S RT‑ZAP probe positioner to position and
stabilize your probe.
R&S RT-ZF20 power deskew fixture
The R&S RT-ZF20 power deskew fixture is a tool to
align the time delay (skew) of any combination of
Rohde & Schwarz voltage and current probes. The fix-
ture can be used with any oscilloscope.
Accessories and items

Product description
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2.5.3 Service accessories
To order accessories for servicing the probe, contact your Rohde & Schwarz ser-
vice center. The following accessories are available:
Table 2-3: Service accessories
Item Description
R&S RT-ZK1 The service kit is used to calibrate the probe, to do perfor-
mance tests, and for servicing. The service kit includes all
adapters and accessories to connect the probe to the
required measuring instruments.
R&S RT-ZPR20/40 Service Man-
ual
The service manual contains a detailed description of the
performance test to verify the specifications, and other
important service procedures.
Accessories and items

Connecting the probe
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3 Connecting the probe
Read and observe Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions", on page 5.
3.1 Handling the probe
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:
●Handle the probe by the probe box.
●Prevent the probe from receiving mechanical shock.
●Avoid strain on the probe cable and route it carefully.
●Do not spill liquids on the probe.
3.2 Connecting the probe to the oscilloscope
The probe is designed for usage with oscilloscopes that have a Rohde & Schwarz
probe interface. Supported Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes are listed in the pro-
be's data sheet.
To ensure proper grounding, connect the oscilloscope to an outlet with protective
conductor terminal.
1. If the extension cable is connected to the probe box, disconnect it. To avoid
damage to the device, connect the cable only to a grounded probe box.
2. If your DUT is floating and not grounded, connect the DUT ground to the oscil-
loscope ground before connecting the probe to your DUT.
3. NOTICE! Risk of damaging the probe.
Connect the probe only to an instrument with Rohde & Schwarz probe inter-
face. Never connect it to a usual BNC jack, because this can damage the
probe interface.
Connect the probe box (1) to the Rohde & Schwarz probe interface of the
base unit (2).
The probe snaps in when connected properly to the port.
Connecting the probe to the oscilloscope

Connecting the probe
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4. Connect the extension cable to the probe box.
Figure 3-1: Connecting the probe to the Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope
Disconnecting
1. Disconnect the accessories from the probe box before changing a probing
point, or before disconnecting the probe box from the oscilloscope.
2. To disconnect the probe:
a) Press and hold the release button (3).
b) Pull the probe box away from the oscilloscope.
During usage, the probe slightly heats up. Warming is normal behavior and not a
sign of malfunction.
Connecting the probe to the oscilloscope

Connecting the probe
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3.3 Identification of the probe
When the probe is connected to the oscilloscope, the oscilloscope recognizes the
probe and reads out the probe-specific parameters.
The oscilloscope settings for attenuation and offset are automatically adjusted.
After the probe is connected to the oscilloscope and the settings are adjusted, the
waveform is shown for the channel to which the probe is connected.
The complete probe information is shown in the probe settings dialog. For more
information, refer to the user manual of your oscilloscope.
3.4 Connecting the probe to the DUT
This chapter describes how to connect the probe to the DUT using different
accessories supplied for the R&S RT-ZPR20/40 probe. The various accessories
are described and their use is explained.
The recommended configurations are designed to give the best probe perfor-
mance for different probing situations, to measure with confidence in the perfor-
mance and signal fidelity. Using the recommended connection configurations is
your key to making accurate oscilloscope measurements with known perfor-
mance levels.
Using solder-in accessories
Some solder-in accessories are very fine and sensitive. Stabilize the probe using
appropriate means (e.g. adhesive pads, probe positioner) in order to protect the
solder joint from excessive mechanical stress.
Before soldering or unsoldering the pigtail cable, disconnect the pigtail cable from
the probe box.
Observe voltage limits
The maximum non-destructive input voltage is ±60 V DC or ±5 V AC (peak). A
higher input voltage can destroy the probe.
Observe operating temperature range
The R&S RT-ZPR20/40 probe box has a specified operating temperature range
from 0 °C to 40 °C, whereas the pigtail and extension cables can withstand wider
Connecting the probe to the DUT

Connecting the probe
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temperature ranges (see Chapter 3.4.2, "R&S RT‑ZA26 pigtail cable",
on page 21). Do not subject the probe box to temperatures outside of its operat-
ing range.
3.4.1 R&S RT‑ZA25 power rail browser kit
The R&S RT‑ZA25 power rail browser kit allows handheld probing with maximum
convenience at the DUT and is sufficient up to 350 MHz bandwidth.
To avoid damaging the browser parts, use them carefully:
●Do not apply a side load to the browser.
●Do not apply too much force when browsing. The weight of the probe in your
hand is sufficient.
●Always remove the browser from the DUT before disconnecting the probe
from the oscilloscope.
1. CAUTION! Risk of injuries. Always observe the maximum rating of ±60 V DC
or ±5 V AC (peak). The R&S RT‑ZA25 is not equipped with a protective impe-
dance and must not be used to measure higher voltages.
Connect the R&S RT‑ZA25 power rail browser to the SMA interface of the
R&S RT-ZPR20/40 probe box.
2. Use the browser in the same way as conventional passive probes.
Connecting the probe to the DUT

Connecting the probe
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R&S RT‑ZA25 power rail browser
Bandwidth: > 350 MHz
Length: 1 m
Temperature range: 0 °C to +40 °C
For highest bandwidth and signal integrity, use
the ground spring and spring loaded or rigid
signal tips.
For convenient probing and medium band-
width, use the flexible ground lead with
adapter.
Connecting the probe to the DUT