Tetris probes for testing high-speed circuits

With their active circuitry, the company claimed the probes deliver an improvement in performance over passive probes.

While the input capacitance of a passive probe loads the signal source even at frequencies below 1MHz, causing distortion, the Tetris probes maintain high input impedance into the GHz range.

This enables the accurate display of pulses with sub-nanosecond rise times, according to Pico Technology.

The Tetris probes are compatible with all standard high-bandwidth oscilloscopes with 50ohm BNC inputs, such as the Picoscope 6000 series.

The Tetris probes are compatible with all standard high-bandwidth oscilloscopes with 50ohm BNC inputs, such as the Picoscope 6000 series.

The Tetris 1000 has a probe bandwidth of 1GHz, while the Tetris 1500 is rated at 1.5GHz.

Other specifications include: input impedance 1megaohm in parallel with 0.9pF; measuring range +/-8V; attenuation 10:1 +/-5 per cent; cable length 1.3m; weight (probe only) 96g.

The probe heads have a T-shaped cross-section that allows them to be stacked side by side, closely enough to probe adjacent pins of a 0.1in IC package.

The probes are supplied with an accessory pack consisting of: low-inductance ground blade; assorted ground leads; L-In adapter; Z-Ground, two adhesive copper pads, two pico hooks, replacement solid and sprung tips, 0.8mm socket adapter and coloured cable markers.

A universal mains power supply is also included.

The Tetris 1GHz and 1.5GHz probes are covered by Pico Technology's free two-year parts and labour warranty against manufacturing faults.