Are there any Siglent probing solutions for LQFN 0.22mm width pins? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: danieljfarrell
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 05:45:50 pm
content: Hi,I have a Siglent SDS2104X Plus and it came with the standard 200MHz probe set. Looking on Siglent's side, I see they sellhttps://siglentna.com/product/probe-accessory-kit-pak2/which has a needle tip. I thought this might be good for probing a single pin at a time by hand.What I would like would be a bit more of a robust solution. How can I keep the probes on IC pins without doing this by hand? Is there a probing solution for that? Ideally, I would like to probe 2 or 3 pins simultaneously.Regards,

author: Chalcogenide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 05:56:16 pm
content: Have you heard of PCBite by Sensepeek?https://sensepeek.com/They are really handy for probing around IC pins.

author: S13
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 06:58:30 pm
content: Agree with Chalcogenide. Sensepeek PCBite is amazing for probing anything on your board. The fact that you can probe many signals at the same time, and keep your hands free to operate the scope, power supply, or debugging firmware is amazing! Wouldnt be without it any more.Your LQFN should be doable if you have enough pad stickout.Those SQx00 probes have very sharp needle like tips, spring loaded, and come in a range of bandwidth options (100MHz - 500MHz).Hmm they also seem to have a new SQG series up to 6GHz passive? (but these wont suit your needs obviously)

author: danieljfarrell
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 07:12:26 pm
content: Thanks!Yes, this is exactly what I was after!It seems the standard probes go up to around 10MHz (139EUR)https://sensepeek.com/pcbite-kit-with-4x-sq10-probes-and-test-wiresbut the scope has the 200MHz upgrade applied, so considering the 200MHz version (249EUR)https://sensepeek.com/pcbite-kit-with-2x-sq200-and-4x-sq10-handsfree-probesAt the moment, I could probably get away with the 10MHz option for SPI which I am running around 1MHz... hmmm need to make a decision...

author: S13
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 07:21:51 pm
content: Dont use the SQ10 probes for higher speed signals. They are x1 only, and hence bw limited. SQ10 is more suitable for measuring power rails and low speed analog / digital.The SQx00 are 10x probes which are more suitable for true scope probing (and they come with the bnc connector to connect to your scope, the SQ10 only has those header pins meant for logic analyzers)Btw, our dear friend Dave reviewed the older version of the pcbite:Starts at 25:11And the newer version is even nicer

author: Chalcogenide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 09:43:01 pm
content: If you have a 3D printer you can buy the cheap SP10 set, use just the magnetic holders, and 3d print an adapter that screws onto the magnetic arm to hold your existing scope probes (if they are not too chunky/heavy). I have done that for Tek TPP0500B probes.The 10 MHz probe are meant to be used with a logic analyzer and are really only good for I2C and slow SPI, for anything else use a 10:1 probe.

author: S13
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2025, 12:03:16 pm
content: Im not sure if i would recommend that, but i guess it might be better than nothing?Downside of using your own probes with the pcbite magnetic stands is that the weight and size is quite different. And you dont get those ultra tiny very sharp spring loaded probe tips. They need to be sharp to make a reliable connection when all you have is the weight of the probe pressing down it. Regular probes have a very dull tip that needs a bit of force for reliable contact.