New Near-Field Probe with High Resolution up to 10 GHz

The new SX probe heads’ high measurement resolution allows the developer to pinpoint RF sources of between 1 GHz and 10 GHz on densely packed printed circuit boards or on IC pins. The handy compact pin shape of the EMC near-field probes from Langer EMV-Technik GmbH provides the developer with convenient working conditions on the respective PCB.

High clock rates of 2 GHz, for example, may result in 5th order harmonics of up to 10 GHz. These harmonics are coupled out by RF sources on the PCB such as conductor sections, ICs and other components. They may stimulate other structural parts of the PCB to vibrate and generate emissions.

In view of the high internal fundamental frequency of current PCBs, the measurement of harmonics of this frequency is an important step towards reliable EMC.

The new SX1 near-field probe set contains three near-field probes with high resolution for measurements in the upper frequency range.

The SX-E 03 is an E-field probe for frequencies between 1 GHz and 10 GHz with an electrode on the underside of the probe head sized approx. 4 x 4 mm. This probe can be used to pinpoint small E-field sources such as conductors, individual components on a printed circuit board, etc. The head of the near-field probe is usually placed directly on the object of the measurement (high electric field strength).

The SX-R 3-1 is an H-field probe for frequencies between 1 GHz and 10 GHz with a very small probe head to identify even the smallest components as a source of interference. This small probe head is also ideal for carrying out measurements in hard-to-reach locations such as in the vicinity of IC pins. The SX-R 3-1 detects magnetic field lines that emerge from the object of the measurement in an orthogonal direction. Magnetic field lines that enter the probe sideways are not detected.

What is new in the SX 1 set is the SX-B 3-1 H-field probe for frequencies between 1 GHz and 3 GHz whose measurement coil is arranged orthogonally to the probe shaft and thus rests directly on the surface of the printed circuit board when the probe head is held vertically. This also enables measurements to be made between large parts of switching controllers, for example.

The near-field probes in the SX family are passive probes. They are compact and handy. The magnetic field probes are electrically shielded and sheath currents are attenuated. The upper side of the probe head is electrically shielded in the SX-E 03 electric field probe. The near-field probes are connected to the 50   input of a spectrum analyzer or oscilloscope via a shielded cable and SMA connector during the measurement. The near-field probes have an internal terminating resistor.