Abstract: A zero insertion force (ZIF) connector can include a connector housing defining an opening and an interior space for receiving a mating member, multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space and configured to apply pressure to the mating member while in a first position, and a locking component to cause the LIGA springs to move to a second position responsive to a user pressing the locking component. The LIGA springs do not apply pressure to the mating member while in the second position.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit for a flexible probe tip includes one or more conductive fault detection traces on a flexible substrate which are connected to a fault detector capable of determining if an electrical discontinuity or defect is present in the fault detection traces. The fault detector may also include a fault indicator, such as a light, to indicate to a user that it has detected a discontinuity and therefore that flexible probe tip should not be soldered onto the user's device under test. The fault detector may determine that there is a discontinuity in the fault detection traces by checking if the impedance of the fault detection trace changes, or by checking for a drop in voltage from one end of the fault detection trace to the other end, or by using other methods.

Abstract: A multiport zero insertion force (ZIF) connector can include a multiport connector housing defining an opening and an interior space for receiving a multi-path circuit device having multiple types of electrical connection paths therethrough and multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space to apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in a first position. A locking component can be configured to cause the LIGA springs to move to a second position responsive to a user pressing the locking component, wherein the LIGA springs do not apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in the second position.

Abstract: A zero insertion force (ZIF) connector can include a connector housing defining an opening and an interior space for receiving a mating member, multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space and configured to apply pressure to the mating member while in a first position, and a locking component to cause the LIGA springs to move to a second position responsive to a user pressing the locking component. The LIGA springs do not apply pressure to the mating member while in the second position.

Abstract: A multiport zero insertion force (ZIF) connector can include a multiport connector housing defining an opening and an interior space for receiving a multi-path circuit device having multiple types of electrical connection paths therethrough and multiple LIGA springs positioned within the interior space to apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in a first position. A locking component can be configured to cause the LIGA springs to move to a second position responsive to a user pressing the locking component, wherein the LIGA springs do not apply pressure to the multi-path circuit device while in the second position.

Abstract: A probe comprises a small “consumable” probe substrate permanently mounted to a circuit-under-test. The probe substrate includes a high-fidelity signal pathway, which is inserted into a conductor of the circuit-under-test, and a high-bandwidth sensing circuit which senses the signal-under-test as it propagates along the signal pathway. The probe substrate further includes a probe socket for receiving a detachable interconnect to a measurement instrument. Power is alternatively supplied to the probe by the circuit-under-test or the interconnect. When the interconnect is attached, control signals from the measurement instrument are supplied to the sensing circuit and the output of the sensing circuit is supplied to the measurement instrument. In one embodiment, the sensing circuit uses high-breakdown transistors in order to avoid the use of passive attenuation. In a further embodiment, the sensing circuit includes broadband directional sensing circuitry.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth attenuator input circuit for a measurement probe has a Z0 attenuator circuit coupled in series with a compensated RC attenuator circuit. The series attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits are coupled via a controlled impedance transmission line to the shunt attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits. The shunt element of the Z0 attenuator element terminates the transmission line in its characteristic impedance. The junction of the series and shunt attenuator elements are coupled to the input of a buffer amplifier. At low and intermediate frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit attenuates an input signal while at high frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit acts as a short and the Z0 attenuator circuits attenuates the input signal.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth attenuator input circuit for a measurement probe has a Z0 attenuator circuit coupled in series with a compensated RC attenuator circuit. The series attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits are coupled via a controlled impedance transmission line to the shunt attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits. The shunt element of the Z0 attenuator element terminates the transmission line in its characteristic impedance. The junction of the series and shunt attenuator elements are coupled to the input of a buffer amplifier. At low and intermediate frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit attenuates an input signal while at high frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit acts as a short and the Z0 attenuator circuits attenuates the input signal.

Abstract: A wide bandwidth attenuator input circuit for a measurement probe has a Z0 attenuator circuit coupled in series with a compensated RC attenuator circuit. The series attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits are coupled via a controlled impedance transmission line to the shunt attenuator elements of the Z0 and the compensated RC attenuator circuits. The shunt element of the Z0 attenuator element terminates the transmission line in its characteristic impedance. The junction of the series and shunt attenuator elements are coupled to the input of a buffer amplifier. At low and intermediate frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit attenuates an input signal while at high frequencies, the compensated RC attenuator circuit acts as a short and the Z0 attenuator circuits attenuates the input signal.

Abstract: A differential termination and attenuator network having an internal common mode termination voltage generator includes first and second termination resistors coupled in parallel with corresponding resistive attenuator circuits. A monitoring circuit coupled to input nodes of the network generates an output signal representative of the combination of a DC common mode voltage on the input nodes and an internal termination voltage. A control circuit generates scaled termination and compensation voltages and associated drive currents using the internal termination voltage and the monitoring circuit output signal. The scaled termination voltage and the scaled compensation voltage operate on the differential termination and attenuation network to optimize the dynamic range of a differential amplifier connected to the first and second attenuator outputs and null the DC currents at the input of the network.

Abstract: A differential termination and attenuator network having an automated common mode termination voltage generator includes first and second termination resistors coupled in parallel with corresponding resistive attenuator circuits. A monitoring circuit coupled to input nodes of the network generates an output signal representative of the combination of a DC common mode voltage on the input nodes and an adjustable termination voltage. A control circuit generates scaled termination and compensation voltages and associated drive currents using the adjustable termination voltage and the monitoring circuit output signal. The scaled termination voltage and the scaled compensation voltage operate on the differential termination and attenuation network to optimize the dynamic range of a differential amplifier connected to the first and second attenuator outputs.

Abstract: A differential termination and attenuator network receives a differential input signal having a DC common mode voltage. The network circuit includes first and second input termination resistors coupled in parallel with corresponding resistive attenuator circuits. A monitoring circuit coupled to input nodes of the network generates an output signal representative of the combination of a DC common mode voltage on the input nodes and an applied termination voltage. A control circuit receives the output signal from the monitoring circuit and the applied termination voltage and generates a scaled termination voltage and a scaled compensation voltage and drive currents.

Abstract: A attachable/detachable probing tip system has a housing that includes a probing tip mounting member and opposing substantially orthogonal attachment arms extending from the probing tip mounting member. The attachment arms define an inner surface of the probing tip mounting member in which is disposed at least a first a non-compressive set, resilient member. First and second probing tips are disposed over the non-compressive, resilient member and secured to the housing by latching means. The attachable/detachable probing tip system allows mounting of the probing tips to probing contacts on a device under test without a measurement probe being attached. The attachment arms allows a measurement probe to be attached and detached to the probing tip system.