Near-field probes and wideband amplifier turn spectrum analyzers into pre-compliance testers
February 10, 2015
Fairport, NY: Saelig Company, Inc. announces the availability of the
TBPS01-TBWA2
EMC Probe Kit, which includes investigative near-field probes and a wideband amplifier to increase the versatility
of economical spectrum analyzers to identify EMC issues. The economical
TBPS01-TBWA2 EMC Probe Kit consists
of four rubber-handled near-field probes (three H-field and one E-field), a 20 dB or a 40 dB wideband
amplifier, and associated cables, supplied in an attractive wooden case. The shielded probes have built-in ferrites
and insulated rubber handles to insure that measurements are insensitive to the human hand.
The H- or E-field probes are useful for detecting radiated emissions when placed near potential sources of
electromagnetic radiation, and can help locate and identify interference issues in electronic assemblies and PCBs.
Scanning the probe over the surface of a PCB assembly or housing quickly identifies locations which emit electromagnetic
radiation. The probes act as wide bandwidth antennas, picking up radiated emissions from components, PCB traces,
housing openings, or gaps - and from any other parts that could be emitting unwanted RF signals. The probes are
usually connected to a spectrum analyzer but may also be used (less effectively) with the FFT capability of a
digital oscilloscope. By changing to a probe with smaller size, the origination of the emissions can be further
narrowed down.
Engineers usually have to rely on experience and best-practice methods in order to design an EMC-compliant
product. But when it comes time for compliance testing at an authorized test house many products fail first time
through. Failing is expensive, and retesting costs are high too; the project schedule gets delayed and market
introduction targets are missed. Therefore it is essential for an engineer to do pre-compliance testing in-house
to increase the chances of success when it comes time to book space in an anechoic chamber. One of the key components
of an in-house pre-compliance test set-up is a spectrum analyzer. Entry-level models are now very affordable but
the near-field antennas often are not. The TBPS01-TBWA2 EMC Probe Kit is an affordable antenna kit and amplifier
that will enable any spectrum analyzer to be used to localize the origin of emissions or immunity compromises.
Scanning the board with these hand-held probes will help identify problem areas, as well as the subsequent effectiveness
of experimental solutions. An additional use of the probe kit with a signal generator is to identify PCB areas
that are susceptible to RF interference, by locally transmitting signals from the probes.
The included USB-5V-powered TBWA2 Wideband Amplifier, housed in a compact metal box (1.9" x 2.6" x 1") provides
either 20 dB or 40 dB amplification (depending on model) with a flat response from 10 MHz to 3 GHz,
increasing the sensitivity of near-field probe measurements when attached to a spectrum analyzer.
Applications include: radiated EMC measurements, contactless (load free) relative measurement of RF signal
chains, contactless (load free) relative measurement of oscillators, modulators, RF immunity testing (by feeding
a RF signal into the probe and radiating it into potentially susceptible circuit sections), non-invasive measurement
of RF building blocks such as modulators or oscillators, etc.
Manufactured by Singapore-based Tekbox Digital Solutions, the TBPS01-TBWA2 EMC Probe Kit is available now from
their authorized North American distributor Saelig Company, Inc. Fairport, NY. For detailed specifications, free
technical assistance, or additional information, please contact Saelig at 888-7SAELIG, via email:
info@saelig.com,
or by visiting http://www.saelig.com/category/MFR00154.htm
.
About Saelig Company, Inc.
Founded in 1988 in Rochester, New York, Saelig is a North American distributor with a growing reputation for
finding and sourcing unique, easy-to-use control and instrumentation products and related active components, for
use in a variety of industries. Products lines are continuously added from sources across the globe, and are offered
at highly competitive prices, accompanied by full in-house technical support, exceptional customer service, and
fast delivery. For full details of available product lines, please visit
www.saelig.com.
Contact Info
Alan Lowne
President
Saelig Company, Inc.
71 Perinton Parkway
Fairport, NY 14450
USA
Toll-Free: (888) 7-SAELIG
(888) 772-3544
Tel: (585) 385-1750
Email: info@saelig.com
Posted April 22, 2015