Testing software major Tektronix has revealed the IsoVu Measurement System previewed earlier this year at the APEC 2016 show which is shipping and available for worldwide delivery to customers.
The details of the optically isolated measurement system are available at the company website and it comes with a price tag starting at $12,000.
“The feedback we received from designers at APEC was overwhelmingly positive, with many of them facing a critical need for the design insights IsoVu now makes possible,” said Chris Witt, general manager, Time Domain Business Unit at Tektronix.
The IsoVu platform uses electro-optic sensor to convert input signals to optical modulation, electrically isolating the device-under-test from a Tektronix oscilloscope. The system sports four separate lasers, an optical sensor, five optical fibers, and sophisticated feedback and control techniques. The sensor head, which connects to the test point, has complete electrical isolation and is powered over one of the optical fibers. Ten patent applications have been filed for this technology, till date.
This technology aids projects on power devices involving GaN and SiC technologies, with superior common mode rejection making signals previously unseen between common mode noise visible for the first time.
IsoVu offers 1 Million:1 (120 dB) common mode rejection (CMRR) up to 100 MHz and 10,000:1 (80 dB) CMRR at 1 GHz. The competitive solutions at 100 MHz offer approximately 20 dB CMRR at 100 MHz, making IsoVu 100,000 times better.
IsoVu products will measure small differential signals (5 mV – 50 V) in the presence of large common mode voltages from DC to 1 GHz, with the first signal acquisition product where the common mode voltage capability does not de-rate over bandwidth.
IsoVu technology has 6 models of the TIVM Series Isolated Measurement Systems with 200 MHz, 500 MHz and 1 GHz bandwidth configurations with either 3-meter or 10-meter fiber optic cable lengths.
The 10-meter cable option will provide same performance specifications to that of the 3-meter option, allowing users to move their test system away from the interference and radiated emissions of the device under test. This option enables IsoVu for applications such as remote testing and EMI validation.
Tektronix claims that there is no measurement system on the market with IsoVu’s combination of high bandwidth, 2000V common mode voltage range and breakthrough common mode rejection ratio.
IsoVu isolated measurement systems are well-suited for such applications as half/full-bridge GaN, SiC, and IGBT designs, floating measurements, power converter design, power device evaluation, EMI compliance testing; ESD testing; and remote probing.
Vina Krishnan
