Zmetrix ST Series User manual

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ST-SERIES TDR USER GUIDE
This manual can be used with all ST-series TDR’s
running ZScan V 4.8.3
Zmetrix Inc
1195 Spring Creek Pl., Suite B, Springville, UT 84663
801-489-8708 http://www.zmetrix.com

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Preface
Copyright
Copyright ©by Zmetrix, Inc. This manual and the hardware described in it are copyrighted, with all rights
reserved. The manual may not be copied in whole or in part for any use without prior written consent of
Zmetrix.
Disclaimer
The following paragraph does not apply in any state or country where such statements are not agreeable with
local law.
Even though Zmetrix has reviewed its documentation, Zmetrix provides this publication “as is”without
warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This documentation is subject to change without notice,
and should not be construed as a commitment or representation by Zmetrix.
This publication may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. Zmetrix will periodically update the material
for inclusion in new editions. Changes and improvements to the products and / or programs described in this
manual may be made at any time.
ST-Series Warranty, Installation, Service, and Repair Policies
Warranty:
Zmetrix warrants ST-series controlled impedance test systems to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for two years from the date of original purchase. During the warranty period, Zmetrix will
repair, or at its option, replace any defective component(s) without charge for parts or labor.
The Zmetrix warranty applies only to products manufactured by Zmetrix. Accessories and items not
manufactured by Zmetrix are covered by the warranty of the original equipment manufacturer. Product
defects caused by misuse, accidents, or user modification are not covered by this warranty. No other
warranties are expressed or implied. Zmetrix is not responsible for consequential damages.
Installation:
Installation of ST-series systems is not a technical or time consuming process. The ST-series are USB devices,
and installation is primarily a software function. The ST-series comes ready to take measurements.
Real Time Diagnostics:
The ST-series continually generates a file named TDR.csv. This file contains a “snapshot”of the system
electronics for the last measurement. In the event of a serious malfunction, e-mail that file to
www.zmetrix.com and our engineers will be able to diagnose system issues.
A Note on Repairs:
The typical repair for a TDR system is due to an ESD event originating at one of the input/output connectors.
As part of the ST-series design, these events are dramatically reduced when compared to our competitors.
Additionally, those same design features dramatically reduce the cost of a repair due to ESD.

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The ST-series
The ST-series has SMA connections on the front panel. The configuration of SMA connectors depends on the
number and type of channels that come with a particular ST-series model. The illustration below shows the
configuration for an ST600 TDR.
The USB port connects to a standard USB peripheral cable connection. The ST-series is compatible with USB
version 2.0 or higher.
The ST-series systems are configured with multiple channels so that the user can take both single ended (SE)
and differential (Diff) measurements without having to change cable connections. The SE and Diff probes can
be left connected to the system continuously.
For high bandwidth systems (typ. 20Ghz), both high and low bandwidth connections are typical.
During test operation, the LED above the channel in use is illuminated.
The Zmetrix ZScan™Software is designed for use within the Microsoft Windows environment. Windows XP
through Windows 10 is assumed, running on an IBM-PC compatible computer with USB 2.0 ports. The ST-
series is controlled by keyboard and mouse. A foot switch is provided for “hands off”operation.
There is no wrist strap port on the ST-series. The supplied wrist strap should be plugged into any anti-static
mat that might be employed.
Communication Differential 1. Single 2. Single
LED Ports ended Port ended Port

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ST600 Specifications
Controlled Impedance Range 10 –200 ΩSingle Ended / 10 - 200 ΩDifferential
Measurement Accuracy 1% of reading over the entire range
Impedance Tolerance Range 0.1 % - 99.9 %
Vertical Display Ranges (Ω) 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Ω/ Division
Horizontal Display Ranges Infinitely adjustable to 30 inches
Testable trace lengths Maximum 30 inches - Minimum 2.5 inches
Horizontal Distance Units inches, feet, millimeters, meters
Horizontal Time Units Nano seconds, Picoseconds
Test Method Time Domain Reflectometry
Reflected Pulse Rise time ≥75ps
System Bandwidth 7 GHz
Calibration Method Ratiometric measurement to calibrated internal
reference
Series Loss Compensation 0 –5 Ω/ inch
Vp Compensation 0.33 - 0.99
Channels 4, 2 single ended and 2 differential
Inputs and Outputs
ØUSB 2.0 (or higher) peripheral port
ØTest probe channels –4 (SMA)
Controls and Connectors
SMA Connectors
The front panel SMA connectors should be connected to Zmetrix Micro strip probes using Zmetrix cables.
CAUTION: Tighten with care. Use a torque wrench set to 5 lbf inches.
It is nearly impossible to get the SMA connectors tight enough with the fingers. Connectors that are not tight
combined with the stiffness of the test cables can create erratic readings.
USB2 Interface to the PC
The host computer must have available a USB 2.0 or higher ports.
Any newer computer will have them. A USB 1.0 is not fast enough for the correct functioning of the ST800.
IMPORTANT! : Install ZScan and USB driver software prior to connecting ST-series to the
host computer via the USB cable.

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ST808 Specifications
Controlled Impedance Range 10 –200 ΩSingle Ended / 10 - 200 ΩDifferential
Measurement Accuracy 1% of reading over the entire range
Impedance Tolerance Range 0.1 % - 99.9 %
Vertical Display Ranges (Ω) 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Ω/ Division
Horizontal Display Ranges Infinitely adjustable to 30 inches
Testable trace lengths Maximum 30 inches - Minimum 0.5 inches
Horizontal Distance Units inches, feet, millimeters, meters
Horizontal Time Units Nano seconds, Picoseconds
Test Method Time Domain Reflectometry
Pulse Rise time 20ps
System Bandwidth 20 GHz
Calibration Method Ratiometric measurement to calibrated internal
reference
Series Loss Compensation 0 –5 Ω/ inch
Vp Compensation 0.33 - 0.99
Channels 6, 2 single ended and 2 differential
Inputs and Outputs
ØUSB 2.0 (or higher) peripheral port
ØTest probe channels –4 (SMA)
Controls and Connectors
SMA Connectors
The front panel SMA connectors should be connected to Zmetrix Micro strip probes using Zmetrix cables.
CAUTION: Tighten with care. Use a torque wrench set to 5 lbf inches.
It is nearly impossible to get the SMA connectors tight enough with the fingers. Connectors that are not tight
combined with the stiffness of the test cables can create erratic readings.
USB2 Interface to the PC
The host computer must have available a USB 2.0 or higher ports.
Any newer computer will have them. A USB 1.0 is not fast enough for the correct functioning of the ST800.
IMPORTANT! : Install ZScan and USB driver software prior to connecting ST-series to the
host computer via the USB cable.

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Anti-Static Wrist Strap
While the ST-series is not overly sensitive to ESD, it is a good policy to wear the wrist strap when operating the
system. The wrist strap can be plugged into any anti-static mat that you might be using.
Also, even if not strictly necessary it is always a good habit to prepare a proper environment for the
instrument.
The following picture describes clearly a “perfect”working environment.

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Probes and Cables
Probes and cables should be considered to be consumables. Like tires on cars, they are required for
operation, but at some point they will need to be replaced.
Cables
The cables supplied with the ST-series are premium high bandwidth cables selected for the best electrical
performance. Cables do wear out with repeated flexing over thousands of tests, test results can become
erratic, therefor it is extremely important that the cables be electrically checked periodically. This is simple
procedure, takes only seconds, and will save hours of grief.
The cables are expected to provide trouble free performance for hundreds of hours.
Probes
The ST-series is supplied with both single ended and differential probs. The interior of the probe is a Microstrip
made of Rogers™material and the spring loaded probe pins have been selected for optimal performances.
Standard pin separation is 0.10”for low bandwidth probes, and 0.035”for high bandwidth probes. Variable
pitch probes for both single-ended and differential High Bandwidth measurements are also available.
Different pin spacing and/or configurations are available on special order. Unless you require a different pin
spacing, these are the only probes you will need. In fact thanks to the high bandwidth of the ST-series, you can
measure over the full impedance range with the same probe with full accuracy. No matching probes are
required as in other competitor instruments.
Please do not attempt to repair the probe, it is a consumable! Measurements made with
repaired or modified probes will not be guaranteed by Zmetrix.
Impedance measurements are polarity sensitive. The ground pin is the pin soldered to the copper side.
This is the Ground Side.

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1. Overview
The ST-series needs to be connected via USB 2.0 or higher to any PC with Windows XP or higher. It has also to
be connected to the power line.
Older versions of ST-series were powered directly by the USB port or with an external dongle. Newer ST-series
have their own internal power supply and thus need to be connected to the power line.
Do not connect the ST-series to the PC before having installed the software and the drivers.
On the PC you need to have installed the proper Zscan software and the drivers supplied with the instruments.
2.Installation and set up
2.1 Unpacking
The ST-series is shipped in custom packaging. Please report any obvious damage to the carrier.
Note: We recommended saving the packaging for return of the instrument for annual re-
certification.
The standard packaging should contain:
1 ST-series TDR
3 Probe Cables
1 USB Interface Cable
1 Single Ended low bandwidth Probe
1 Differential low bandwidth Probe
1 Footswitch
2 50 Ωsemi-rigid standards
1 Torque Wrench
1 Anti-static Wrist Strap and Cable
1 A/C power cable
* Note - High Bandwidth models will also come with single, and differential probes standard
2.2 Controls and Connectors
SMA Connectors
The front panel SMA connectors should be connected to Zmetrix cables only. The connectors should be
tightened with the supplied torque wrench. It is nearly impossible to get the SMA connectors tight enough
with the fingers. Connectors that are not tight combined with the stiffness of the test cables can create erratic
readings.

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USB Interface to the PC
Use the supplied USB cable. Do not connect it before Zscan and proper drivers are installed on the host PC.
Foot Switch
The footswitch should be plugged into any available USB port on the host computer.
Wrist Strap
The ST-series does not have a socket to accommodate a wrist strap. Connect the supplied wrist strap to your
anti-static test surface if you employ one.
Power
Connect the ST-series to the A/C power line using the included cable.

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2.3 Getting Started
Go to www.zmetrix.com and click on Download Software. Once downloaded, just run it to install on the
computer.
The ZScan software will run on any version of Windows™from XP through Windows 10™.
If you do not select a different directory, the installation will create a “C:/program files (x86)/Zmetrix Inc ”
folder.
Everything you need is inside this folder.
Once the software is installed, you will find a Zmetrix icon on your desktop. Usually the required drivers are
not installed automatically and thus you need to do it manually. Go to Windows Device Manager and locate
the Zmetrix hardware (it will be under USB devices). Click on update drivers and direct the system to look for
the drivers in C:/program files (x86)/Zmetrix Inc/Zscan.
2.4 Connecting the ST-series to the computer
Now that Zscan and drivers are installed you can connect the ST-series to the PC.
2.5 Running the program
Double click on the Zmetrix icon.
You should see the Zmetrix logo appearing in the middle of your desktop. The Zmetrix logo should remain on
the dektop for few seconds. During this time the ST-series and the PC will exchange data. If the logo appears
and instantly disappears, it means that data have not been exchanged and the communication is not active.
You should investigate why the communication is not active. If all is OK you should see the main screen
The screen colors may be different. This may be a good time to select the colors you prefer. Click on UTILITIES.
Select PREFERENCES and then COLORS.
You will be given the possibility to choose the colors you like for your main
screen.

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In PREFERENCES you can set not only the COLORS but many of the default configurations of the software.
We will list them here below. Some of them will be more clear further on this manual.
Auto Advance
In the testing process, once you have data logged, auto advance will advance to the next test. There are three
choices: None, After test and After pass. We suggest selecting After Pass. Using this setup allows you several
tries to make a good reading.
Auto Log
Selecting Auto Log will log the test automatically.
Auto Log w/Entry
Selecting Auto Log will bring up the log dialog automatically, and allow data entry.
Show Cursors
Two selectable cursors are available. The cursors are a screen tool used to help make measurements.
Example:
The cursors can be used to set test region.
The cursors can also be used to measure propagation times.
The cursor colors are selected in the Color Set utility.
Report Preferences
This table will allow you to set
the look and contents of your
report files.

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Colors
Set the screen colors
to your preferences.
Set Directories
In this window you can select the default directories for the files that you will generate and save.
Set Output File
The output file is an important file that contains all of the diagnostic info for system. Every time you test, that
file is overwritten with the latest system information. This file is labeled as default as tdr.csv and you should
store it in a directory that is easily accessible. If you will experience problems with the instrument and call
Zmetrix for assistance, this is the file Zmetrix customer service wants to see. With this file we can determine
the “health”of the system (calibration, static damage, etc.) within minutes.
Sounds
Turns system sounds on / off (pass / fail).
Auto Export
It creates a delimited data file which can be exported. This saves an export file after every measurement. The
export file works with third party databases.
Auto Save
It saves the “.tds file”automatically after every measurement.
Skip Report Summary
This removes the summary at the top of the report
Swap Single Channels
This allows swapping the two single ended Channels. If for any reason, a single ended channel is damaged, the
other single ended channel can be used to continue testing. Normally this would require editing all the test
files for the new channel number. The ‘Swap Single Channels’option allows the user to make the change
without editing any of the test files. All the files that have the old channel in the definition will now use the
swapped channel
Language
Zscan software currently supports Korean, Chinese Traditional, and Chinese Simplified languages.

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Default Test Def
The Default Test Def function allows you to set certain parameters which are not likely to change from
program to program, thereby saving test programming time. For instance you may want to set millimeters as
your standard unit, or you want to set a standard for starting and ending position. This window is exactly the
same of the test programming window and thus all its fields will be explained in details in following chapters.
Every value stored in this Default Test Def window will be prompted as default value at the opening of the
TEST PROGRAMMING WINDOW.

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3.Tool bar and Menu bar
3.1 The Tool Bar
The tool bar contains the most frequently used commands and they have a correspondent on the MENU bar.
We list them here below. Their meaning will be clearer in the following chapters.
Clicking on brings up
the new job screen. The same thing could
have been accomplished by clicking on File,
then New.
Clicking on opens the folder holding the test files (*.TDS).
Clicking on saves the current job.
Clicking on Logs the current coupon data. The same thing could have been accomplished
by clicking on Actions and then on Log Coupon Data.
Clicking on Toggles “live mode”and single test
Clicking on Displays
The version of ZScan installed.

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3.2 The Menu Bar
The menu bar contains all possible actions you can do with the Zscan software. Clicking on each menu will
open a pop up window.
File
This window is similar to a standard generic Windows File. You can do all most common operations on files.
View
This popup window will allow you to view or hide status bar and menu bar.
Actions
This window will bring up options that are explained later in this document.
Window
This window allow you to control the active windows in Zscan. With Zscan you can open multiple test windows
and rearrange them as you wish. You can keep them open and use one of them without losing the test data on
the others.

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Utilities
As described on page 10.

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4. A guide to Zscan
The ZScan software is intuitive and easy to use when you have an understanding of the basic screen layout.
Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the location of the various functions.
The main screen is divided in three main areas
4.1 The Test List Screen
In the TEST LIST screen you will find the list of all test programs included in the current coupon in use.
Here is where you will generate new programs or edit existing ones.
4.2 Datalog Pane.
The DATALOG Pane will show the list of your tests with all data. Zscan offers different levels of saving data.
They will be explained later on this manual.
TEST LIST
MEASUREMENT SCREEN
DATALOG PANE

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4.3Main Test Screen
The MAIN TEST SCREEN is where you will see the result of your last test.
’•‘Ž••Œ“
Œ- waveform
•- testing area
Ž- cursors
•- end of probe line
•- data summary
‘- result of test
’- impedance axis
“- length axis

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5.Actions
We will explain here the Actions menu. Clicking on Actions on the tool bar displays this dropdown menu.
Customer Info
Clicking on Customer info allows you to enter your customer data. This is “Your OWN Company”data and they
will printed on all reports.
Perform test
This is exactly what it implies. Depress the footswitch or left click with the cursor in the Test screen or click on
Actions/Perform Test or hit Enter any of these actions will initiate a single test.

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Insert trace def
This opens test editor. Test editor can be opened by right clicking with the cursor in the test list pane, or
hitting F4. Full explanation will be given in following chapters.
Log coupon data
Logs the data of the current coupon.
Create Report
Generates a .PDF report using current Datalog data. Select Full or Incremental report.
Set Next Serial #
Allows you to set a new serial number Serial numbers are automatically sequenced. This allows the user to set
the next serial number.