Rohde & Schwarz RT-ZS10 User manual

R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
Active Voltage Probe
User Manual
User Manual
Version 07
1410353102
(>:SO2)

This User Manual describes the following R&S®RT-ZS models and options:
●R&S®RT-ZS10 (1410.4080.02)
●R&S®RT-ZS10E (1418.7007.02)
●R&S®RT-ZS20 (1410.3502.02)
●R&S®RT-ZS30 (1410.4309.02)
© 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.
1410.3531.02 | Version 07 | R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
Throughout this manual, products from Rohde & Schwarz are indicated without the ® symbol, e.g.
R&S®RT-ZS10/20/30 is indicated as R&S RT-ZS10/20/30.

1171.1307.42 - 05
1
Safety Instructions
Instrucciones de seguridad
Risk of injury and instrument damage
The instrument must be used in an appropriate manner to prevent
personal injury or instrument damage.
●Do not open the instrument casing.
●Read and observe the "Basic Safety Instructions" delivered as
printed brochure with the instrument.
●Read and observe the safety instructions in the following sections.
Note that the data sheet may specify additional operating conditions.
●Keep the "Basic Safety Instructions" and the product documentation
in a safe place and pass them on to the subsequent users.
Riesgo de lesiones y daños en el instrumento
El instrumento se debe usar de manera adecuada para prevenir
descargas eléctricas, incendios, lesiones o daños materiales.
●No abrir la carcasa del instrumento.
●Lea y cumpla las "Instrucciones de seguridad elementales"
suministradas con el instrumento como folleto impreso.
●Lea y cumpla las instrucciones de seguridad incluidas en las
siguientes secciones. Se debe tener en cuenta que las
especificaciones técnicas pueden contener condiciones adicionales
para su uso.
●Guarde bien las instrucciones de seguridad elementales, así como
la documentación del producto, y entréguelas a usuarios
posteriores.

Safety Instructions - Informaciones de seguridad
1171.3200.12 E/Esp-1 Page1
Safety Instructions for Active Voltage Probes
When handling active voltage probes, the following basic rules must be observed.
Prior to using an active voltage probe, read the applicable manual including the safety
instructions. Keep the safety instructions and the product documentation in a safe place
and pass them on to other users. Use active voltage probes exclusively within the
measurement ranges specified in the applicable data sheets. Rohde & Schwarz accepts
no responsibility for misuse of the product. Use only the accessories supplied with the
active voltage probe.
Risk of electric shock
Do not connect an active voltage probe to any voltage that exceeds the maximum
permissible input voltage specified in the data sheet. Non-compliance with this
instruction carries the risk of an electric shock.
Make sure not to cause any short circuits when performing measurements on sources
with high output currents. Short circuits may cause injuries or burns.
Risk of injury caused by pointed object
The pins of the active voltage probes are extremely pointed and can easily penetrate
clothes and the skin.
Therefore, handle the probe pins with great care. When transporting an active voltage
probe, e.g. when carrying it in a pocket or tool bag, always use the box supplied with
the probe. To exchange a probe pin, use tweezers or pliers to avoid injuries.

Instructions - Instrucciones
1171.0300.62 E/Esp-3
Instructions for Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Risk of damaging electronic components
To avoid damage of electronic components, the operational site must be
protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Wrist strap with cord
Ground connection
of operational site
Heel strap
Floor mat
The following two methods of ESD protection may be used together or
separately:
,Wrist strap with cord to ground connection
,Conductive floor mat and heel strap combination

1171.0200.22-06.00
Customer Support
Technical support – where and when you need it
For quick, expert help with any Rohde & Schwarz equipment, contact one of our Customer Support
Centers. A team of highly qualified engineers provides telephone support and will work with you to find a
solution to your query on any aspect of the operation, programming or applications of Rohde & Schwarz
equipment.
Up-to-date information and upgrades
To keep your instrument up-to-date and to be informed about new application notes related to your
instrument, please send an e-mail to the Customer Support Center stating your instrument and your wish.
We will take care that you will get the right information.
Europe, Africa, Middle East Phone [phone]
[email protected]
North America Phone 1-888-TEST-RSA(1-888-837-8772)
[email protected]
Latin America Phone [phone]
[email protected]
Asia/Pacific Phone [phone]
[email protected]
China Phone [phone] /
[phone]
[email protected]

Contents
R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
3User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07
Contents
1 Product Description.............................................................. 5
1.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics............................................... 5
1.1.1 Key Characteristics................................................................................. 5
1.1.2 Key Features...........................................................................................6
1.1.3 R&S RT-ZS10E.......................................................................................7
1.2 Unpacking..............................................................................................7
1.2.1 Inspecting the Contents.......................................................................... 8
1.3 Description of the Probe...................................................................... 8
1.3.1 Probe Head.............................................................................................8
1.3.2 Probe Box............................................................................................... 9
1.4 Accessories and Items....................................................................... 10
1.4.1 Accessories Supplied............................................................................10
1.4.2 Optional Accessories............................................................................ 12
1.4.3 Service Accessories..............................................................................13
2 Putting into Operation.........................................................15
2.1 Connecting the Probe to the Oscilloscope...................................... 16
2.2 Identification of the Probe..................................................................17
2.3 Using the Probe.................................................................................. 17
2.3.1 Zero Adjustment....................................................................................17
2.3.2 Micro Button..........................................................................................18
2.3.3 Offset Compensation............................................................................ 18
2.3.4 R&S ProbeMeter...................................................................................19
3 Connecting the Probe to the DUT...................................... 21
4 Measurement Principles..................................................... 25

Contents
R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
4User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07
4.1 Signal Integrity of the Transferred Signal.........................................27
4.1.1 Bandwidth............................................................................................. 27
4.1.2 Connection Inductance......................................................................... 29
4.2 Signal Loading of the Input Signal....................................................32
4.2.1 Input Impedance................................................................................... 32
4.3 Probing Philosophy............................................................................ 35
5 Maintenance and Service....................................................37
5.1 Service Strategy..................................................................................37
5.2 Returning for Servicing...................................................................... 37
5.3 Cleaning...............................................................................................38
5.4 Calibration Interval............................................................................. 38
5.5 Discarding the Product...................................................................... 38
5.6 Spare Parts.......................................................................................... 38
6 Functional Check.................................................................41
Index..................................................................................... 42

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
5User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07
1 Product Description
1.1 Key Features and Key Characteristics
The R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 is a single-ended active voltage probe with high input
impedance. It is used for ground-referenced voltage measurements from DC to
1.0 GHz, 1.5 GHz and 3 GHz, respectively.
The comprehensive accessory set allows this probe to be connected to a wide
variety of devices under test (DUT). Provided with special features such as the
R&S ProbeMeter and the micro button, the R&S RT‑ZS10/20/30 is designed to
meet tomorrow's challenges in probing.
Since the probe is equipped with Rohde & Schwarz probe interface, it can be
connected to any Rohde & Schwarz base unit that is compatible with this inter-
face. When connected to the front panel of an R&S oscilloscope, the probe is
controlled via the software menus of the oscilloscope.
Using a specially developed adapter (see Chapter 1.4.2, "Optional Accessories",
on page 12), the probe can be connected to any other base unit.
1.1.1 Key Characteristics
The key characteristics of the probe are the following:
Key Features and Key Characteristics

Product Description
R&S®RT-ZS10E/10/20/30
6User Manual 1410.3531.02 ─ 07
Bandwidth DC to 1 GHz (R&S RT-ZS10)
DC to 1.5 GHz (R&S RT-ZS20)
DC to 3 GHz (R&S RT-ZS30)
Dynamic range ±8 V with ±12 V offset capability
16 V AC (Vpp)
Maximum non-destructive input voltage ±30 V
Input resistance 1 MΩ
Input capacitance 0.8 pF
R&S ProbeMeter, measurement error <0.1 %
Extremely low zero and gain errors throughout the entire temperature range, no significant tem-
perature drift
Micro button
Rohde & Schwarz probe interface
1.1.2 Key Features
Micro button
The micro button at the probe head can remotely control different functions on the
base unit. The assigned function is configured via the base unit.
For details, see Chapter 2.3.2, "Micro Button", on page 18.
R&S ProbeMeter
The R&S ProbeMeter measures the DC voltage of the input signal directly at the
probe tip. It provides a continuous high-precision DC voltage measurement that is
independent of the settings of the oscilloscope and runs in parallel to the time
domain measurement. If activated on the base unit, the measured value is dis-
played on the screen of the Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope.
For details, see Chapter 2.3.4, "R&S ProbeMeter", on page 19.
Data memory
The probe has an integrated data memory, containing the individual probe correc-
tion parameters (e.g. gain, delay, offset). These parameters are read out and pro-
cessed by the Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope. As a result, the probe offers a high
degree of accuracy, and additional calibration procedures are not required.
Key Features and Key Characteristics