Teledyne LeCroy ZS-A High Impedance Active Probes

Introduction

Teledyne LeCroy ZS-A High Impedance Active Probes are precision oscilloscope accessories designed for accurate measurement of fast electronic signals. They combine wide bandwidth, high input resistance, and low input capacitance to help engineers observe high-frequency circuits while minimizing the probe’s effect on the signal being tested.

Part Description

The ZS-A probe family is a range of active oscilloscope probes from Teledyne LeCroy with bandwidth options from 1 GHz to 4 GHz. These probes use a high-impedance input architecture with 1 MΩ input resistance, helping reduce loading on sensitive circuit nodes.

Low input capacitance is particularly useful when probing high-speed digital lines, RF-related circuitry, clock signals, and fast transient events. Compared with conventional passive probes, active probes can preserve signal edge shape and amplitude more effectively at high frequencies.

ZS-A probes use Teledyne LeCroy ProBus connectivity, providing compatibility with supported Teledyne LeCroy oscilloscopes. ProBus interfaces can enable automatic probe recognition, scaling, and power delivery through the oscilloscope connection.

Key characteristics include:

• Active oscilloscope probe design
• Bandwidth options from 1 GHz to 4 GHz
• 1 MΩ input resistance
• Low input capacitance
• Reduced loading on sensitive circuits
• ProBus connectivity for compatible Teledyne LeCroy oscilloscopes
• Designed for high-fidelity, high-frequency measurements

Applications

Potential applications for ZS-A High Impedance Active Probes include:

• High-speed digital signal debugging
• Clock and timing signal verification
• Serial communication interface analysis
• Signal-integrity measurements
• FPGA and microprocessor validation
• Memory bus troubleshooting
• RF and mixed-signal circuit observation
• Fast transient and edge-rate analysis
• Power-management control loop measurements
• Component-level board debugging

Industries

These active probes may be used in a variety of industries, including:

• Semiconductor design and test
• Telecommunications
• Networking equipment development
• Consumer electronics
• Automotive electronics
• Aerospace and defense
• Industrial automation
• Medical electronics
• Research laboratories
• Education and university engineering programs

Usage Ideas

1. FPGA Clock Integrity Check

Probe a high-frequency FPGA clock line to evaluate rise time, overshoot, ringing, jitter-related behavior, and reflections caused by PCB trace routing or termination issues.

2. High-Speed Interface Debugging

Use the probe with a compatible oscilloscope to inspect control, clock, or data signals on a digital interface during board bring-up and troubleshooting.

3. Switching Power Control Analysis

Measure the gate-drive or feedback signals of a high-speed switching regulator while minimizing capacitive loading that could alter the circuit’s normal operation.

Conclusion

Teledyne LeCroy ZS-A High Impedance Active Probes are designed for engineers who need reliable visibility into high-frequency electronic signals. With bandwidths ranging from 1 GHz to 4 GHz, 1 MΩ input resistance, low input capacitance, and ProBus connectivity, the probes support detailed signal-integrity analysis and debugging in demanding digital, mixed-signal, and high-speed electronic systems.