14 GHz 25 ps TDR kit

The TA237 14 GHz TDR/TDT Kit is designed for high-speed interconnect, cable, connector and transmission-line measurements where accurate time-domain reflectometry or time-domain transmission analysis is required.

Pico states that the kit contains the components needed for connection and calibration of the TDR function on PicoScope 9000 Series sampling oscilloscopes. It is particularly relevant for PicoScope 9311-based TDR/TDT systems and can also be used with other PicoScope 9300 Series models when combined with a suitable PicoSource PG900 pulse generator.

The TA237 includes:

• 18 GHz SMA female reference short
• 18 GHz SMA female reference load
• 30 cm precision SMA male-to-male cable
• 14 GHz usable TDR bandwidth
• Approximately 25 ps equivalent rise-time capability
• Precision RF components intended for TDR calibration and setup

Pico uses 18 GHz calibration components so that the calibration hardware itself does not limit the quoted 14 GHz TDR performance.

14 GHz TDR Measurement Bandwidth

The kit is specified for 14 GHz TDR operation.

Pico notes that a 14 GHz bandwidth corresponds to approximately 25 ps rise time. This makes the TA237 suitable for resolving very fast impedance changes and short electrical discontinuities in high-speed transmission structures.

Typical applications include:

• PCB transmission-line analysis
• High-speed connector testing
• Cable fault location
• Differential interconnect testing
• Controlled-impedance PCB verification
• Backplane analysis
• Package and via characterisation
• High-speed digital interface development
• Semiconductor interconnect analysis
• Signal-integrity research

Reference Short

The kit includes an 18 GHz SMA female reference short.

The reference short provides a known high-reflection termination for TDR calibration. It helps establish the expected response of the measurement system when the transmission path terminates in a short circuit.

This known reference assists with:

• TDR response calibration
• Reflection amplitude verification
• Timing alignment
• Reference-plane definition
• Comparison of DUT reflections with a known standard

Reference Load

The TA237 also includes an 18 GHz SMA female reference load.

The load represents a well-matched termination and is used to establish the matched response of the TDR system.

It can help identify and correct:

• Baseline reflections
• Source mismatch
• Cable and adaptor effects
• Measurement-path imperfections

Together, the short and load provide the key reference conditions required for accurate TDR setup.

30 cm Precision SMA Cable

The kit includes a 30 cm SMA male-to-male precision coaxial cable.

Pico lists the cable loss at approximately 1.3 dB at 13 GHz.

The precision cable is used to connect the TDR source, calibration components and measurement path while maintaining the required high-frequency performance.

Why 18 GHz Calibration Components Are Used

Although the TDR measurement bandwidth is 14 GHz, Pico supplies 18 GHz-rated short and load standards.

This higher component bandwidth helps ensure that the reference standards do not become the limiting factor during TDR calibration.

This is important because insufficient calibration-standard bandwidth could introduce:

• Slower apparent transitions
• Additional reflection artefacts
• Inaccurate impedance measurements
• Distorted TDR waveforms

Use with PicoScope 9311

Pico recommends using the TA237 with:

• TA238 14 GHz power divider kit
• PicoScope 9311 TDR/TDT-enabled sampling oscilloscope

This combination provides the components required for differential or single-ended TDR/TDT measurements depending on the measurement setup.

The PicoScope 9311 includes built-in step-recovery-diode pulse sources and is supplied with calibrated TDR/TDT accessories as part of its standard configuration.

Use with Other PicoScope 9300 Series Oscilloscopes

The TA237 can also be used with other PicoScope 9300 Series sampling oscilloscopes when paired with a PicoSource PG900 Series pulse generator.

In this arrangement, the PG900 provides the fast pulse stimulus while the PicoScope captures the reflected or transmitted waveform.

This expands the usefulness of TA237 beyond dedicated 9311 systems.

TDR Measurements

Time-domain reflectometry sends a fast edge into a transmission structure and observes the reflected waveform.

TDR can reveal:

• Open circuits
• Short circuits
• Connector discontinuities
• Impedance changes
• Cable defects
• PCB trace variations
• Via discontinuities
• Transmission-line transitions
• Differential imbalance

The physical distance to a discontinuity can be estimated from the round-trip propagation delay when the signal velocity in the transmission medium is known.

TDT Measurements

Time-domain transmission measures the waveform after it passes through a device or transmission path.

TDT can help evaluate:

• Insertion behaviour
• Propagation delay
• Rise-time degradation
• Pulse distortion
• Overshoot
• Ringing
• Dispersion
• Differential skew
• Interconnect quality

TDR and TDT are often used together to understand both the reflected and transmitted behaviour of a high-speed structure.

Signal Integrity Applications

The TA237 is particularly relevant for high-speed signal-integrity work.

Typical DUTs include:

• High-speed PCB traces
• Backplanes
• Connectors
• Cable assemblies
• Flex circuits
• Test fixtures
• Packages
• Differential transmission lines
• High-speed serial links

A 25 ps edge contains significant high-frequency content, making the kit suitable for analysing small and closely spaced impedance discontinuities.

Calibration and Reference-Plane Control

Accurate TDR measurements depend heavily on establishing the correct measurement reference plane.

The TA237 short and load references help remove or minimise the effects of:

• Measurement cables
• Adaptors
• Source mismatch
• System delay
• Connector transitions

This allows the displayed TDR waveform to more accurately represent the DUT rather than the complete measurement fixture.

PicoScope 9300 Compatibility

Pico lists the TA237 as a recommended accessory for the PicoScope 9300 Series.

It is particularly relevant for:

• PicoScope 9311 TDR/TDT systems
• Other PicoScope 9300 sampling oscilloscopes used with a PicoSource PG900

PG900 Compatibility

Pico also lists TA237 as a recommended accessory for the PicoSource PG900 Series pulse generators.

This allows engineers to build a modular TDR system using:

• PicoSource PG900 fast pulse source
• TA237 TDR calibration accessories
• Suitable PicoScope 9300 Series sampling oscilloscope
• TA238 power divider where required

Replacement or Spare Kit

Pico states that the TA237 components are supplied as standard with relevant PicoScope 9311 TDR/TDT configurations. The separately sold TA237 is therefore useful as:

• A replacement calibration kit
• A spare laboratory kit
• A second test-station kit
• An accessory for another PicoScope 9300 setup

Applications

The TA237 is suitable for:

• Time-domain reflectometry
• Time-domain transmission
• PCB impedance measurement
• Cable fault analysis
• Connector characterisation
• Backplane testing
• High-speed interconnect validation
• Differential transmission-line testing
• Semiconductor package analysis
• High-speed digital system development
• Signal-integrity troubleshooting
• RF and microwave research
• Engineering education
• Production validation

Why Buy from RevineTech?

RevineTech can supply the TA237 together with related Pico TDR/TDT equipment and accessories.

Technical selection support can include:

• TA237 TDR kit selection
• TA238 power divider selection
• PicoScope 9311 configuration
• PicoSource PG900 selection
• Sampling oscilloscope selection
• TDR and TDT measurement setup
• SMA cable and adaptor selection
• Signal-integrity measurement planning