• Bandwidth: 200 MHz
• Differential Voltage: ±2500 V
• Common Mode Voltage: ±60 kV
• Fiber Cable Length: 2 meters
• Less Common Mode Noise, More Detail

Uncover the fast, floating signals that your non-isolated probes are hiding. IsoVu™ Probe Technology virtually eliminates common mode interference using optical isolation. This delivers accurate differential measurements on reference voltages slewing ±60kV at 100V/ns or faster. And with our IsoVu Generation 2 design, you get all the benefits of IsoVu technology at 1/5 of the size.

With versatile MMCX connectors and an unmatched combination of bandwidth, dynamic range, and common mode rejection, IsoVu Gen 2 probes are setting new standards for isolated probe technology.

What is an Isolated Probe?

An Isolated probe uses galvanic (optical) or RF isolation to divorce the reference voltage of the probe from the reference voltage of the oscilloscope (typically Earth Ground). This enables power designers to accurately resolve high bandwidth, high voltage differential signals in the presence of large common mode voltages. Tektronix has developed a new technology (IsoVu) that uses galvanic isolation to provide best in class common mode rejection performance across a wide bandwidth.

The combination of isolation and high frequency in IsoVu probes provide power designers with more accurate measurements than traditional differential probes for applications that require high bandwidth while measuring high voltage signals. Example use cases include:

• Switched Mode Power Supply design
• Power FET design/analysis for Wide Bandgap GaN and SiC devices
• Inverter design
• Motor Drive design
• BCI or ESD measurements
• Current shunt measurements

soVu technology uses power-over-fiber and an optical analog signal path for complete galvanic isolation between the measurement system and your DUT. By allowing the probe to float independently at the common mode voltage, isolation greatly reduces common mode interference.

In combination with a 4, 5 or 6 Series MSO, IsoVu provides an efficient, reliable way to resolve high-bandwidth differential signals with fast-slewing references, allowing you to spend less time “designing blind” in a variety of situations:

• Floating measurements in power supplies
• Measuring current through shunt resistors
• Debugging ESD and EMI susceptibility problems
• Breaking ground loops

With traditional differential probes you had to choose between high bandwidth or high voltage levels. IsoVu probes, with their shielded coaxial cable and isolation, provide high bandwidth and a differential voltage range of ±2500V.

IsoVu Gen 2 offers a range of bandwidths – 200 MHz, 500 MHz, and 1 GHz – to fit your budget and build your bench with the performance necessary for your specific projects.

IsoVu Generation 2 probes offer the same bandwidth, common mode rejection, and voltage range as our original IsoVu probes, but at 1/5 of the size and without a separate controller box. The lasers and analog electronics are contained in the compact head and oscilloscope connector. Compared to our original IsoVu probes, Generation 2 probes also have:

• Better DC gain accuracy
• Improved step response
• More built-in ranges

IsoVu probe tips have a range of connections and accessories that offer high performance and accessibility.

For example, MMCX connectors are inexpensive, widely available connectors that make for stable, hands-free test points and offer the best bandwidth and common mode rejection. Their solid metal body shields the center conductor and minimizes ground loop area for the lowest interference possible.

Other accessories are available to adapt the probe tips to a wide range of connections. Additional 0.100” and 0.200” spaced square-pin tips are available for applications that require greater than ±250V differential voltage.

When not using a tip, the sensor head has 1 MΩ and 50 Ω switchable termination at the probe’s SMA connector. This feature effectively adds an isolated channel to any compatible oscilloscope.