The Effects of Passive Probe Ground Leads
This article explains how the inductance of passive probe ground leads can dramatically reduce effective bandwidth, distort measurements, and introduce resonance and frequency-response errors.
Insights into performing EMC, ESD, and EMI compliance tests in lab settings and pre-compliance diagnosis and mitigation using time- and frequency-domain measurements. Focuses on practical test methods to make measurements, identify noise sources and improve electromagnetic compatibility.
This article explains how to properly configure an oscilloscope for ESD pulse testing, covering rise-time thresholds, EMC pulse measurements, parameter limiting, and automated trend capture for compliance testing.
This article explains how to properly configure an oscilloscope for EFT testing, covering sample rates, parameter acceptance, EMC pulse measurements, energy calculations, and efficient burst acquisition techniques.
This article explains how to properly configure an oscilloscope for surge testing, including attenuation setup, measurement threshold adjustments, and calculating pulse area and transferred charge.
Accurate ESD pulse measurement depends on using a high enough sampling rate to capture sufficient points on the rising edge for reliable characterization.
Standard IEEE pulse definitions can misinterpret fast-decaying ESD pulses, requiring manual threshold adjustments for accurate measurements.
Accurate EMC/ESD testing begins with verifying surge and ESD pulse characteristics—such as rise time and bandwidth—using high-speed oscilloscopes before applying them to the DUT.
A real-time oscilloscope can help engineers identify EMI sources and reduce radiated emissions before submitting products for costly FCC compliance testing.