Tektronix TriMode P7500 Series Manual

P7500 Series
TriMode™ Probes
ZZZ
Quick Start User Manual
xx
www.tek.com
071-2158-02

Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by
national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously
published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
EZ-Probe is a registered trademark of Cascade Microtech, Inc.
TriMode is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14150 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tek.com to find contacts in your area.

Warranty
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. If
any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair the defective product without charge for parts
and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product. Parts, modules and replacement products used by Tektronix for
warranty work may be new or reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the warranty period and make
suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping the defective product to the service
center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid. Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a
location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties,
taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Tektronix
shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix
representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to
repair any damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with
other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX' RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS
ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
[W2 – 15AUG04]

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
General safety summary ................................................................................................................... iii
Environmental Considerations .............................................................................................................. v
Preface...................................................................................................................................... vi
Documentation........................................................................................................................ vi
Key Features ............................................................................................................................... 1
Operating Considerations .................................................................................................................. 2
Installation .................................................................................................................................. 3
Connecting to the Host Instrument...................................................................................................3
Connecting Accessories to the Probe Body.......................................................................................... 5
Control Box Controls and Indicators.................................................................................................. 7
Functional Check and Calibration . ........................................................................................................ 10
Functional Check .................................................................................................................... 10
TriMode Probe Calibration........................................................................................................... 14
Basic Operation............................................................................................................................ 20
Attenuation and Input Mode Settings................................................................................................ 20
Connecting to a Circuit Board .......................................................................................................23
Connecting the Probe to Instruments without a TekConnect Interface . ............................................................ 36
Probe Applications......................................................................................................................... 37
Measuring a PCI Express Signal with a P7500 Series Probe and RT-Eye Application Software. ........................... 37
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual i

Table of Contents
Accessories and Options.................................................................................................................. 38
Standard Accessories ............................................................................................................... 38
Optional Accessories . ............................................................................................................... 44
Options............................................................................................................................... 52
Maintenance............................................................................................................................... 53
Host Instrument Firmware ........................................................................................................... 53
Error Conditions...................................................................................................................... 54
User-Replaceable Parts ............................................................................................................. 56
Handling the Probe .................................................................................................................. 62
Cleaning the Probe .................................................................................................................. 63
Returning the Probe for Servicing...................................................................................................64
Index
ii P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

General safety summary
General safety summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any products connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
To avoid fire or personal injury
Connect and disconnect properly. Connect the probe output to the measurement instrument before connecting the probe to the
circuit under test. Connect the probe reference lead to the circuit under test before connecting the probe input. Disconnect the probe
input and the probe reference lead from the circuit under test before disconnecting the probe from the measurement instrument.
Observe all terminal ratings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the product
manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
Do not apply a potential to any terminal, including the common terminal, that exceeds the maximum rating of that terminal.
Do not operate without covers. Do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.
Do not operate with suspected failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified
service personnel.
Avoid exposed circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
Do not operate in wet/damp conditions.
Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.
Keep product surfaces clean and dry.
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual iii

General safety summary
Terms in this manual
These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to this product or other property.
Symbols and terms on the product
These terms may appear on the product:
DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the marking.
WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the marking.
CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product.
The following symbol(s) may appear on the product:
iv P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations
This section provides information about the environmental impact of the product.
Product End-of-Life Handling
Observe the following guidelines when recycling an instrument or component:
Equipment Recycling. Production of this equipment required the extraction and use of natural resources. The equipment may
contain substances that could be harmful to the environment or human health if improperly handled at the product’s end of life. In
order to avoid release of such substances into the environment and to reduce the use of natural resources, we encourage you to
recycle this product in an appropriate system that will ensure that most of the materials are reused or recycled appropriately.
The symbol shown below indicates that this product complies with the European Union’s requirements according to Directive
2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). For information about recycling options, check the
Support/Service section of the Tektronix Web site (www.tektronix.com).
Restriction of Hazardous Substances
This product has been classified as Monitoring and Control equipment, and is outside the scope of the 2002/95/EC RoHS Directive.
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual v

Preface
Preface
This manual describes the installation and operation of the P7500 Series TriMode Probes. Basic probe operations and concepts
are presented in this manual. All documents listed below are located on the Documentation CD that came with your product. You
can also access the Tektronix Web site for these documents (www.tektronix.com/manuals).
Documentation
To read about Use these documents
Installation and Operation (overviews) Read the user manual for general information about how to use your probe.
In-Depth Operation Use the technical reference manual (located on your documentation
CD-ROM) along with the user manual.
Specifications Use the technical reference manual.
Applications Read the Application Examples in the user manual.
Reordering accessories Use the Accessories and Options section or refer to the insert in your
accessory kit when reordering accessories.
vi P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Key Features
Key Features
The P7500 Series TriMode Probes allow you to take differential, single-ended, and common mode measurements with one probe
connection. Key features include:
Revolutionary TriMode operation
TekConnect Interface
Bandwidth (typical)
>13 GHz P7513
>16 GHz P7516
>20 GHz P7520 (A – B Mode only;
>18 GHz in other modes)
Rise time 10-90% (typical)
<40 ps P7513
<32 ps P7516
<27 ps P7520 (A – B Mode only;
<29 ps in other modes)
100 kΩdifferential input resistance, 50 kΩ
per side
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual 1

Operating Considerations
Operating Considerations
Table 1: P7500 Series TriMode Probes
Characteristic Description Specification
Input Voltage Dynamic Range
Input Voltage Range
(DC + peak AC, Both ranges;
input referenced to ground)
P7513, P7516: ±0.750 V (5X),
±1.75 V (12.5X)
P7513, P7516: +4.0 V, –2.0 V
P7520: ±0.625 V (5X),
±1.60 V (12.5X)
P7520: +3.7 V, –2.0 V
Temperature Operating
Nonoperating
0 to +40 °C (+32 °F to +104 °F)
-20 °C to +71 °C (-4 °F to +160 °F)
Humidity Operating
Nonoperating
Up to +40 °C (+104 °F) 20%-80% RH
+30 °C to +46 °C (+86 °F to +115 °F) 0-90% RH
Pollution
Degree
2, Indoor use only
CAUTION. To avoid ESD damage to the probe, always use an antistatic wrist strap (provided with your probe), and work at
a static-approved workstation when you handle the probe.
2P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Installation
Installation
Connecting to the Host Instrument
NOTE. Your TekConnect instrument may
require a firmware upgrade to support full
functionality of the P7500 Series probes.
Before you connect the probe, check the
version requirements. (See page 53, Host
Instrument Firmware.)
1. Slide the probe into the TekConnect
receptacle. The probe clicks into place
when fully engaged.
2. Turn the thumbscrew clockwise (finger-tight
only) to secure the probe to the instrument.
3. To disconnect, turn the thumbscrew
counter-clockwise.
4. Press the latch release button and pull the
probe away from the instrument.
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual 3

Installation
Probe Power-On
When the probe is powered on, all LEDs briefly
flash as the self-test routine runs, and then the
following LEDs remain lit:
5X Attenuation
A – B TriMode (Differential)
This indicates that the probe is in normal
operating mode.
NOTE. The host instrument sets all probe
settings to the last known state for the
probe/channel combination. If none of the
Range LEDs are lit, the instrument may have
detected an error condition. Disconnect and
reconnect the probe to clear the error.
4P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Installation
Connecting Accessories to the Probe Body
CAUTION. The probe has replaceable contacts inside the probe body connector that may stick to the accessory connector
when it is disconnected. To prevent damage to the probe, before you connect accessories to the probe body, always check that
the contacts are located in the probe body only.
The probe body and tip cable ends are keyed
to ensure correct installation. Connect them
as follows:
1. Orient the probe body with the A and B
inputs on top, as shown.
2. Align the tip cable lead with the red band to
the A input.
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual 5

Installation
3. Grasp the cable connector by hand and
push the cable into the probe body until
you feel a click. The cable housing is fully
seated when it is flush with the edge of the
probe body.
4. To remove the tip, pull the cable tab straight
out from the probe body.
CAUTION. Pull only on the cable tab when
removing the tip. You may damage the tip or
probe if you pull on the cables.
6P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Installation
Control Box Controls and Indicators
Atten. Button and LEDs
Press the Atten. button to toggle the
attenuation setting between 5X and 12.5X.
The corresponding LED lights to indicate the
selected attenuation.
Basic Operation includes more information on
selecting the Attenuation and Input Mode. (See
page 20, Attenuation and Input Mode Settings.)
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual 7

Installation
Input Mode Button and LEDs
Press the Input Mode button to select one of
the four TriMode measurements. The modes
cycle in the following sequence:
A – B (for differential signal measurement)
A – GND (for A input single-ended
measurement)
B – GND (for B input single-ended
measurement)
(A + B)/2 – GND (for common mode
measurement)
NOTE. Some oscilloscope models only allow
the A – B Input Mode to be selected, depending
on which input tip is selected in the oscilloscope
Probe Setup screen. (See page 55, Input Mode
Selection.)
The following pages discuss characteristics of
the TriMode measurements.
8P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual

Installation
TriMode Probing
The TriMode feature allows you to view
two single-ended signals and the resultant
differential waveform and common-mode
voltage without moving the probe connection.
Press the Input Mode button to cycle through
the waveform views.
This example shows a typical HDMI signal (one
half-lane) on the A and B inputs. The resultant
differential waveform and common-mode
voltage are shown.
P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual 9

Functional Check and Calibration
Functional Check and Calibration
After you connect the probe to the oscilloscope, perform a functional check using the calibration board included with the probe.
CAUTION. To avoid ESD damage to the probe, always use an antistatic wrist strap (provided with your probe), and work at
a static-approved workstation when you handle the probe.
Functional Check
This procedure checks the four TriMode settings on the probe, using the PROBE COMPENSATION or FAST EDGE connection on
the front panel of the oscilloscope. The A-B (differential mode) is set up and verified first, and then the remaining input modes are
checked and compared to the differential mode measurement.
Table 2: Required Equipment
Item Description Performance Requirement Recommended Example 1
Oscilloscope TekConnect Interface Tektronix DPO72004, TDS6154C
Test board TriMode DC Calibration board 067-1821-XX 2
Coaxial cable SMA, 50Ω, male-to-male 174-1120-XX 2
Coaxial cable BNC, 50Ω, male-to-male 012-0208-XX 2
1Nine-digit part numbers (xxx-xxxx-xx) are Tektronix part numbers
2Standard accessory included with probe
10 P7500 Series TriMode Probes Quick Start User Manual