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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
3User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
4User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
5.4 Calibration interval............................................................................. 32
5.5 Storage.................................................................................................33
5.6 Disposal............................................................................................... 33
5.7 Spare parts.......................................................................................... 33

Safety and regulatory information
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
5User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
6User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
7User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
8User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
9User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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
R&S®RT-ZPR20 R&S®RT-ZPR40
10User Manual 1800.5035.02 ─ 04
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