The PS-400 from Com-Power Corporation is a Near Field Probe Set that is designed to assist in troubleshooting EMI problems both at the board level and at the component level. It consists of three probes (H-field loop, broadband, and fine tip) operating from 9 kHz to 5 GHz and a custom storage case. The fine tip probe is a precision E-field probe that features the ability to singularly identify a problem trace or pin and is designed to be extremely sensitive to distance from the source which allows easy discrimination between traces on a PCB. The unique patented design allows measurement on individual traces as narrow as 3 mm. The H-field probe's magnetic loop design makes it ideal for isolating sources of magnetic noise. The unique design of this probe set allows easy access for tight or hard to reach places while reducing the effect of hand position or cable placement.
Typically, the broadband probe is used to locate the general area of emission and then the tip probe is used to isolate the source to a specific trace or pin. A typical use for the H-field probe is to verify the integrity of the chassis of the computer. This is done by moving the probe along the seams of the chassis which may be acting as slot antennas. This probe is also very useful for detecting magnetic noise sources such as large current switching circuits or transformers.
The PS-400 Near Field Probe Set is used to detect radiation from cables, cases, traces, and ICs. This near-field probe set is available with BNC-female connectors and has an option for a pre-amplifier.
