Tektronix, Inc.

William R Mark

Gary W Reed

Lester L Larson

J Steve Lyford

Roland E Andrews

Donald F Murray

A Roy Kaufman

Colin L Shepard

Paul K Andersen

Collin L Shepard

An instrument includes a probe providing a single signal path for conveying a signal from a circuit under test to the instrument. A receiver circuit within the instrument divides the path into an analog path and a digital path. The digital path includes a comparator for determining the logic state of the signal and producing a digital representation of the signal under test. The analog path includes a multiplexer to selectively couple one of a plurality of analog input signals to an output terminal for viewing on an oscilloscope. Preferably, the probe head includes a buffer amplifier to reduce loading on the circuit under test and to increase bandwidth of the signals conveyed along the test cable to the instrument. An electrically trimmable resistor is employed to terminate the transmission line of the test cable in its characteristic impedance in order to reduce reflections and maintain transmission bandwidth.

Capturing both digital and analog forms of a signal through the same probing path

A multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe head has a housing that receives one or more substrates having input signal pads exposed on one end of the substrate. The substrate is positioned in the housing such that the signal contact pads are exposed at an open end of the housing. A removable signal contact holder mounts to the housing and supporting electrically conductive elastomer signal contacts. The holder is disposed over an open end of housing such that the elastomer signal contacts engage the input signal pads. A probe head retention member is provided for securing the multi-channel signal probe head to a device under test.

Multi-channel, low input capacitance signal probe and probe head

A latching electrical connector with a body connectable to a receptacle and having a latch mechanism that mechanically engages the receptacle to resist disconnection. A flexible electrical cable extends from the body, and a grip element is connected to the latch mechanism to unlatch the mechanism upon pulling. The grip element is flexibly connected to the latch mechanism so that it may be folded aside to provide a compact arrangement.

Latched electrical connector

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Hillsboro, OR, United States of America

William R Mark