Probe system with compensating network

A probe system for registering a differential input signal has a first input network, which is supplied with a first component of the differential input signal in order to generate a first intermediate signal, and a second input network which is supplied with a second component of the differential input signal in order to generate a second intermediate signal. A differential amplifier for the amplification of the difference between the intermediate signals is arranged in the signal flow direction downstream of the input networks. At least one compensation network is used to compensate the influence of the input networks and is arranged at the output end of the differential amplifier or in a feedback path connecting an output to an input of the differential amplifier.

The invention relates to a probe system, for example, for an oscilloscope. However, the probe system can also be used for other measuring instruments, for example, a spectrum analyser or a network analyser.

Various probe systems with different amplifier architectures are already known from the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,126 B2 discloses an amplifier architecture with a differential probe with two bipolar buffer units operated in a common-base circuit and a differential amplifier. In this context, compensation networks which are supposed to compensate the zero of the peak network are present.

Accordingly, the invention is based upon the object of providing a probe system with an improved common-mode suppression, which acts as homogeneously as possible over the entire frequency range.

The object is achieved by the features of claim1. The independent claims specify advantageous further developments of the inventions.

According to the invention, at least one compensation network is arranged at the output end of the differential amplifier or in a feedback path connecting an output to the input of the differential amplifier. By contrast with the input-end arrangement of the compensation network known from the prior art, this has the advantage of providing a substantially improved common-mode suppression. While in the case of the prior art, the two input currents are supplied to the compensation networks individually referenced to the ground and independently from one another, and the difference formation is implemented only after this at the voltage level, in the case of the invention, the difference between the input currents is formed first, and only then is the difference between the input currents supplied to the at least one compensation network at the output end of the amplifier. While in the case of the prior art, the common-mode currents are routed directly to the differential amplifier as a common-mode modulation, in the case of the invention, the common-mode input signals are already suppressed before they are supplied to the compensation network. As a result, the sensitivity with regard to common-mode noise is also strongly reduced.

While in the case of the prior art, even small differences between the two input-end compensation networks, such as occur, for example, through manufacturing tolerances, immediately lead to a conversion of common-mode voltages into differential voltages, this effect is strongly reduced with the embodiment according to the invention, because the compensation takes place after the difference formation, and only one compensation network is relevant. Accordingly, no problems with tolerances, as in the case of two independent compensation networks, can occur. Moreover, it has been shown that a difference formation of currents is possible with a high linearity over a broad bandwidth.

The embodiment of the input network with two resistors, wherein only one of the resistors is bridged by a parallel-connected capacitor, has the advantage that a pole is also present in the input network in addition to a zero. In the case of the prior art, by contrast, only a zero is present, because the series resistor is missing. As a result of the pole, the input impedance at high frequencies is raised in the range of several GHz.

However, with a corresponding embodiment of the compensation network with two series resistors and a capacitor connected in parallel to one of the two series resistors, a mutual compensation is achieved with an appropriate dimensioning. In this context, the pole of the compensation network compensates the zero of the input network, and the zero of the compensation network compensates the pole of the input network. In general, it is sufficient to provide only a single compensation network at the output, preferably at the output, at which the signal to be further processed is picked up. If the amplifier is embodied as a fully differentiating amplifier with a differential output, it can be advantageous for the improvement of symmetry, also to provide a second compensation network at the second inverted output. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange the compensation network directly between the two outputs instead of between each output and the circuit ground, wherein at least two series resistors are then advantageously provided, and the capacitor is arranged parallel to one of the resistors.

As an alternative, it is also possible to arrange the compensation network in a feedback path between the output and the allocated input instead of arranging the compensation network between the output and the circuit ground.

FIG. 1shows a first exemplary embodiment of the probe system according to the invention. The probe system according to the invention is used especially as a probe for an oscilloscope; however, it can also be used in other ways.

The voltage Vinp of an input signal is supplied to an input terminal E1. In the exemplary embodiment, this input signal Vinp initially passes through a first resistor R1pand a second resistor R2pbefore it reaches a transmission line Tp. This transmission line Tp can be, for example, a coaxial line. However, flat strip conductors or striplines, especially coplanar lines are also possible. By means of the transmission line Tp, the signal is transported over a given spatial distance to an amplification unit VE.

In the amplifier unit VE, the input signal then travels via a third resistor R3pto the input ENI of a differential amplifier A1. The input resistance of this amplifier A1is preferably designed to be low-ohmic, so that a significant current IP flows into the input of the amplifier A1. The amplifier A1is preferably designed as a differential current amplifier, that is to say, its output current Ioutn or Ioutp is proportional to the difference between the input currents Ip, In.

The second resistor R2pin the preferred exemplary embodiment is bridged by a first capacitor C1pby connecting this capacitor C1pin parallel to the resistor R2p. Accordingly, the resistor R2pis bridged and not active for the high-frequency signal portions of the input signal Vinp, that is, for the high-frequency signal components. The resistors R1pand R2ptogether with the capacitor form an input network ENp.

A first compensation network KNp, comprising a fourth resistor R4p, a fifth resistor R5pand a second capacitor C2p, is connected to the first output OUTp of the first amplifier A1. In the exemplary embodiment, the compensation network KNp is embodied as a parallel circuit of the resistor R5pwith the capacitor C2pand arranged between the first output terminal OUTp of the amplifier A1and the circuit ground M. With the prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,126 B2, by contrast, only one compensation network is relevant for the function of the circuit. This has substantial advantages. In particular, unavoidable manufacturing tolerances between the compensation networks KNp, KNn do not lead to a conversion of common-mode signals into differential signals. The CMM (Common Mode Response Ratio, behaviour under common-mode control) is substantially improved in the embodiment according to the invention.

The probe system is conceived for differential input signals, that is to say, the output voltage Vout at the output A is dependent upon the voltage difference between the first input terminal E1and a second input terminal E2or respectively the current difference Ip−In between the inputs ENI and EIP of the amplifier A1. Parallel with the first signal path for the positive input signal Vinp, there is a second signal branch for the negative input signal Vinn, which is connected to the second input terminal E2. This negative input signal Vinn travels via a corresponding first resistor Rln and a second resistor R2nto the input terminal of a second transmission line Tn. The second resistor R2N is also bridged here with the corresponding first capacitor C1n. From the output of the transmission line Tn, the signal travels via a third resistor R3nto the inverting input EIN of the amplifier A1, which is embodied as a fully differential amplifier.

The amplifier A here is a current amplifier. The output current Ioutp at the first output OUTp is dependent via the amplification factor A1upon the difference between the currents Ip and In at the input. The following equation applies: Ioutp=Ai*(Ip−In). Conversely, the following applies for the current Ioutn Von at the second output OUTn: IOutn=Ai*(In−Ip). A compensation network KNn, which comprises a parallel circuit of a fifth resistor R5nand a second capacitor C2nwith a fourth resistor R4nconnected in series to the latter and which connects the second inverting output OUTn of the amplifier A1to the circuit ground M can also be present in the second signal branch. The second compensation network KNn is not absolutely necessary and can also be provided instead of the first compensation network KNp. In every case, small differences between KNp and KNn do not play a part and do not lead to an output signal Vout with common-mode modulation (Vinp−Vinn).

FIG. 2shows a second exemplary embodiment of the probe system according to the invention. Circuit elements already described with reference toFIG. 1have been marked with corresponding reference numbers and will not be described again in order to avoid repetition. The following description focuses only on the peculiarities of the second exemplary embodiment.

In the illustrated second exemplary embodiment, the amplifier A2is embodied as a fully differential operational amplifier. By contrast with the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the compensation network KNp and respectively KNn in the second exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2is not embodied between the output OUTp and respectively OUTn and the circuit ground M, but between the inverted output OUTn of the fully differential operational amplifier A2and an non-inverting input ENI of the amplifier A2or respectively between the non-inverted output OUTp and the inverting input EIN.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, the compensation network KNp is also embodied as a parallel circuit of a fifth resistor R5pand a second capacitor C2pin combination with a fourth resistor R4pconnected in series to this parallel circuit. This latter circuit connects the output OUTn of the amplifier A2to a non-inverting input ENI. The compensation network KNn, which connects the output OUTp of the amplifier A2to its inverting input EIN is embodied in a similar manner. The circuit illustrated inFIG. 2is substantially functionally equivalent to the circuit illustrated inFIG. 1.

The resistors R1, R2and the capacitor C1each generate a zero and a first pole in the frequency response. Typical values are disposed at R2n=R2p=50 kOhm. A preferred value range is disposed between 5 kOhm and 100 kOhm. A typical value for R1p=R1nis disposed at 450 Ohms. A reasonable value range is disposed between 50 Ohms and 1 kOhm. A typical value for the first capacitor is disposed at C1p=C1n=0.2 pF. A preferred value range is disposed between 0.1 pF and 1 pF. A typical value for the third resistor R3p=R3nis disposed at 50 Ohms. The preferred value range here is disposed between 10 Ohms and 100 Ohms. A typical value for the fourth resistor R4p=R4nis disposed, for example, at 5050 Ohms. A preferred value range is disposed between 1 kOhm and 10 kOhms. A typical value for the capacitance of the second capacitor C2p=C2nis disposed at 2 pF. A preferred value range for this is disposed between 0.5 pF and 5 pF.

The resistors R3pand R3nare used to terminate the transmission lines Tp and Tn correctly with regard to surge-impedance. So-called trans-impedance operational amplifiers can be used for the amplifier A1, which should provide a relatively low input impedance up to high-frequencies.

A second zero and a second pole in the frequency response is generated with the compensation networks KNn and KNp comprising the resistors R4p, R5pand R4n, R5nand the capacitors C2pand C2n, wherein the frequency of the second pole is equal to the frequency of the first zero, and the frequency of the second zero is equal to the frequency of the first pole.

The transmission lines Tp and Tn are terminated correctly over the entire frequency range, so that no interfering waviness arises in the frequency response. The input resistance of the circuit with direct voltage corresponds to the sum of the resistances R1+R2+R3and is therefore very high. The input network ENp and respectively ENn arranged at the input end of the transmission line Tp and respectively Tn in the proximity of the probe is very much smaller than the amplifier module VE and can very simply be arranged in positions with difficult access within a probe.

The value ranges and explanations named above apply not only to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, but also to all exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3shows a further alternative exemplary embodiment. With this exemplary embodiment, by contrast withFIG. 1, a compensation network KNp is not provided respectively between the output OUTp and the circuit ground M and a second compensation network KNn between the output OUTn and the circuit ground M, but a common compensation network KNpn is present, which is arranged between the two outputs OUTp and OUTn. Because of the symmetry relative to the circuit ground, a connection to the circuit ground is not required. This compensation network KNpn expediently comprises two series-connected resistors R4pn, R5pn. The capacitor C2pnis then expediently connected in parallel to the resistor R5pn. In this exemplary embodiment, the output voltage Vout is the difference between the two output voltages Vop, Von: Vout=Vop−Von.

FIG. 4shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the probe system according to the invention. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1in that the second compensation network KNn at the output OUTn not used for the further processing of the signal is dispensed with. Instead, the output OUTn, from which the difference between the currents In−Ip multiplied by the amplification factor Ai flows, is terminated with a terminal resistor Ra. This terminal resistor Ra connects the output OUTn to the circuit ground M. In a similar manner, the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2could also be modified by omitting the second compensation network KNn here.

Accordingly, only a single compensation network KNp is sufficient, because it acts on the output current, which is dependent via the amplification factor Ai upon the difference Ip−In between both input currents Ip and also In. Accordingly, the compensation network KNp acts against both input networks ENp and ENn. It is even advantageous to use only a single compensation network KNp, on the one hand, in order to simplify the circuit and on the other hand, to avoid the effect of component tolerances on the precise position of the second zero and the second pole of the compensation networks. This is expediently arranged at the output OUTp, at which the output voltage Vout is picked up via the output terminal A. However, in principle, the single compensation network KNn could also be arranged at the other output OUTn, and the compensation network KNp can then be dispensed with.

The embodiment according toFIG. 4can also be used if the differential amplifier A1has only a single output, for example, only the output OUTp, of which the output current Ioutp is dependent only upon the difference between the currents Ip−In, but not the output OUTn, of which the output current Ioutn is dependent upon the difference between the currents In−Ip.

The output voltage Vout can also be further buffered in order to be supplied via a further waveguide to a measuring device. The voltages Vop and Von can also be supplied directly to a measuring device with differential input. To improve the residual waviness resulting from multiple reflections on the waveguide Tp and Tn further, the waveguides Tp and Tn can also be terminated with a resistor in the order of magnitude of the resistance values of the resistors R3pand R3n. Instead, it is also conceivable to connect a resistor of the magnitude 2*R3p=2*R3nbetween the inputs of the waveguides Tp and Tn.

As already mentioned, the output voltage Vout at the output A is proportional to the difference between the input voltages, that is to say, proportional to Vinp−Vinn. If the threshold frequencies of the poles and zeros of the compensation network or respectively of the compensation networks are selected correctly, the amplification Vout/(Vinp−Vinn) is at least approximately frequency-independent. If the waveguides are terminated correctly across the entire frequency range, no interference in the waviness occurs in the frequency response. The input resistance of the circuit with direct voltage corresponds to the sum of the resistance values of R1p+R2p+R3p=R1n+R2n+R3n. The input resistance is therefore very high.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments presented. For example, the compensation network can also be subdivided, wherein a first part of the compensation network is disposed respectively in the feedback path and another part of the compensation network is arranged at the load end of the amplifier.