10 Passive Probe Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for passive probe as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 passive probe manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked passive probe companies as of April, 2024: 1.Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, 2.Teledyne LeCroy, 3.Warwick Test Supplies.
Table of Contents
What Is a Passive Probe?
A passive probe is an electrical connection between the signal at a measurement point and the input terminal of an oscilloscope.
In the case of waveform observation with an oscilloscope, it is a device that transmits the signal to be measured from the measurement point to the oscilloscope.
There are two types of oscilloscope probes: active probes with built-in signal amplification circuitry and passive probes consisting only of passive components, but this paper will limit its discussion to the latter.
Uses of Passive Probes
A passive probe is used to detect the signal at a measurement point when observing a signal waveform with an oscilloscope.
The voltage at the applied point is transmitted to the oscilloscope. When observing current waveforms directly, current probes must be used.
Principle of Passive Probes
The use of a passive probe does not guarantee accurate waveform observation on an oscilloscope. Careful handling of the probe is required for accurate measurement.
1. Influence of the Passive Probe on the Circuit Under Test
When an oscilloscope is combined with a passive probe for waveform observation, the circuit under test is considered having the combined impedance of the oscilloscope's input impedance and the probe's impedance connected to it. That is, the probe has a built-in resistor Rp and a capacitor Cp for adjustment in parallel with it, and the cable of the probe has a stray capacitance Cs.
Since the input terminal of the oscilloscope consists of a parallel circuit of an input resistor Ri (1MΩ) and an input capacitor Ci, it is important to consider this combined impedance.
2. How to Adjust Cp
To obtain a constant attenuation rate regardless of frequency, Cp must be adjusted to satisfy the following equation.
Cp = (Cs + Ci) × Ri / Rp
The adjustment capacitor Cp is a semi-fixed type, so it should be set to the optimum value in combination with the oscilloscope itself. The oscilloscope has a square wave output terminal for setting the optimum value of the adjustment capacitor.
Connect the tip of the probe to this terminal and change the value of Cp so that a square wave is displayed on the oscilloscope display.
Other Information About Passive Probes
1. How to Use Passive Probes
A passive probe is used for measurement with an oscilloscope, and is selected from three types of attenuation ratios 1:1, 1:10, and 1:100 by the built-in resistor Rp, based on the characteristics of the circuit under test.
1:1 Probe
A probe without built-in resistor Rp and capacitor Cp for adjustment. Since the signal is applied directly to the oscilloscope's input terminal, the oscilloscope's input impedance of 1MΩ and input capacitance Ci are connected to the circuit under test.
Care must be taken if the circuit under test has a high impedance, as this will affect the measurement circuit. On the other hand, when dealing with small signals, the input sensitivity of the oscilloscope can be used as it is, which is more advantageous in terms of signal level than other types that pass through Rp.
10:1 Probe
This is a general probe that is commonly used, with a built-in resistor Rp of 9MΩ. The input impedance is 10 MΩ when combined with an oscilloscope, making it easy to use with minimal influence on the circuit under test.
100:1 Probe
With a built-in resistor Rp99MΩ and a capacitor Cp for adjustment, this probe is mainly used when the signal voltage exceeds 100V because the attenuation factor is 1/100. It is also characterized by its extremely high input impedance of 100MΩ, which has particularly little effect on the circuit under test.
Connection Points for Ground Leads
Particular attention should be paid to the connection of ground leads and how to handle them when using Passive Probe. When observing multiple points simultaneously on a multi-channel oscilloscope, it is fundamental that the ground leads of each channel probe be connected to a single common point (preferably a single ground point).
Connecting to different ground lines will adversely affect the measurement of small signals due to ground loops.
Length of Ground Leads
Longer ground leads are advantageous in terms of connection to the measurement point, but when observing high-frequency signals, faulty phenomena such as ringing and large fluctuations in signal amplitude can occur. This is due to the resonance between the inductive inductance component of the ground lead and the input terminal capacitance of the probe, resulting in an extremely large amplitude near the resonance frequency.
Therefore, when observing high-frequency signals with a frequency of 10 MHz or higher, consider using a ground spring or the like in place of the ground lead.
2. Frequency Characteristics of Probes
The main measurement performance is determined by the frequency bandwidth and rise time of the measurement system that combines the oscilloscope and the probe. Therefore, the frequency bandwidth and rise time specifications are published for each oscilloscope main unit and probe combined with it.
3. Cable Flotation Capacitance
A factor that greatly affects the frequency response of a probe is the cable's floating capacitance. The higher the frequency, the smaller the capacitive reactance due to the floating capacitance, which in turn increases the load on the circuit under test.
As a result, the frequency bandwidth of the probe itself is narrowed, the rise time is slowed down, and other adverse effects occur. The stray capacitance of a probe also depends on the length of the cable, and the longer the cable, the larger the stray capacitance tends to be, so it is advantageous to keep the probe length as short as possible in terms of frequency response.
List of 10 Passive Probe Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Japan
- United Kingdom
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Carlisle Interconnect Technologies
Passive Probes
Manufacturer Overview
Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, founded in 1940 as Tensolite, is a vertically integrated manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive wire and cable solutions. They design, build, test, certify and deliver a diverse portfolio of connectors, cables, harnesses, and RF/microwave products. The company is AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 50001:2018 certified. With facilities in the US, Mexico, China, and Europe, they serve global markets of Aerospace, Military, Space, Test and Measurement, Industrial, and Medical Technology. They are ITAR and FDA Registered as well as RoHS/REACH and CFR Part 820 Compliant.
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Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc.
passive oscilloscope probes
Manufacturer Overview
Rohde and Shwarz, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is a technology business that creates, develops, and promotes innovative information and communication technology products for professionals. Customers all over the world rely on Rohde & Schwarz and its cutting-edge solutions in the test & measurement, secure communications, networks & cybersecurity, and broadcast & media areas. They were created in 1993 and have regional hubs in Asia and the United States.Rohde & Schwarz has invested heavily in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), 6G, cloud solutions, and quantum technology.
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Teledyne LeCroy
Passive Probes
Manufacturer Overview
Teledyne LeCroy was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York, with sales, service, and development subsidiaries in the US and throughout Europe and Asia. The company serves a wide variety of industries including semiconductor & computer, consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications. The company’s product categories include oscilloscopes, electronic test equipment, protocol analysis solutions such as SATA and USB devices, modular data acquisition devices, and sensors and calibrators. The company provides services such as SSD testing, automotive and device interoperability testing, and technology training.
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Keysight Technologies
Passive and Active Oscilloscope Probes
Company Overview
Keysight Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1939 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Keysight is a global developer and manufacturer of electronic design and test solutions to communications, networking, aerospace, defense, and government, automotive, energy, semiconductor, electronic, and education industries. Keysight’s communications solutions group solutions include electronic design automation software; radio frequency and microwave test solutions, hardware and virtual network test platforms and software applications, as well as optical laser source solutions. Keysight’s electronic industrial solutions group offers various design tools and verification tools. Keysight offers product support, technical support, and training and consulting services. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, resellers, and manufacturer's representatives.
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Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation
Passive Probe
Manufacturer Overview
Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation was founded in Japan in 1954. Yokogawa currently serves a wide array of industries including the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, semiconductor and telecommunications industries with both hardware and software solutions. Among Yokogawa’s suite of products are oscilloscopes, voltage probes, power analyzers and meters, data acquisition tools, optical test equipment, a wide variety of handled meters, calibrators, and testers; analog instruments, and manometers.
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SIGLENT Technologies America, Inc.
Passive Probes
Manufacturer Overview
SIGLENT Technologies America, Inc., is a Shenzhen, Guangdong, China-based designer and manufacturer of electronic test and measurement instruments established in 2002. The company offers digital & handheld oscilloscopes, RF & waveform generators, spectrum & vector network analyzers, digital multimeters, and DC electronic loads. These products are used for time domain analysis of RF systems, electromagnetic pre-compliance testing, and SMPS characterization techniques in the communication sector, government facilities, and electronic manufacturing. It has achieved the US UL certification and has additional establishments in Solon, Ohio, USA, and Europe.
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Warwick Test Supplies
Oscilloscope Passive Probes
Manufacturer Overview
Warwick Test Supplies Ltd. is a British manufacturer of electrical as well as electronic testing equipment that was established in Droxford, Southampton in 1989. The company’s specialized product lineup includes integrated circuit (IC) test tools and adaptors, test clips and leads, as well as test sockets for various connector types, test leads, and patch cords for extending the range of testing equipment. It also offers transistor pads for mounting on PCBs, and custom lead and cable assemblies by individual specifications. The company’s products are used mainly by clients in the consumer electronics, automotive, telecom, and defense industries.
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TEKTRONIX, INC.
Passive Probe
Manufacturer Overview
TEKTRONIX, INC., founded in 1946, is a manufacturer of measurement solutions used in 3D sensing, EMI/ EMC testing, high-speed serial communication, material science engineering, and Wireless & RF testing. The products include oscilloscopes & probes, signal generators, margin testers, multimeters, and analyzers. The company's products are used in advanced research, aerospace & defense, automotive, power semiconductor, and medical industries. The Bracknell Berkshire company offers calibration, repair, asset management, package assembling, and testing services following NEMA, HAlT & HASS, environmental, and shock-vibration testing.
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Pico Technology Limited
5 GHz low capacitance passive oscilloscope probes
Company Overview
Pico Technology was established in 1991 and is headquartered in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom where it designs, manufactures, and supplies PC-based test and measurement instruments. The company deals in data acquisition, oscilloscopes, and automotive diagnostics with various test and measurement instruments, including oscilloscopes, data loggers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and automotive diagnostics tools. The products help engineers, scientists, researchers, and technicians capture, analyze, and interpret signals and data in various applications. The company also collaborates with academic and research organizations besides aerospace, telecommunications, electronics, and manufacturing industries.
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Passive Probe Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlisle Interconnect Technologies |
23.8%
|
| 2 | Teledyne LeCroy |
19.0%
|
| 3 | Warwick Test Supplies |
14.3%
|
| 4 | Keysight Technologies |
14.3%
|
| 5 | SIGLENT Technologies America, Inc. |
4.8%
|
| 6 | Yokogawa Electric Corporation |
4.8%
|
| 7 | Pico Technology Limited |
4.8%
|
| 8 | Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc. |
4.8%
|
| 9 | TEKTRONIX, INC. |
4.8%
|
| 10 | Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation |
4.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the passive probe page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Yokogawa Electric Corporation: 17,258
- Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation: 250
Newly Established Company
- Warwick Test Supplies: 1994 (30 years ago)
- Pico Technology Limited: 1991 (33 years ago)
- Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc.: 1978 (46 years ago)
Company with a History
- Yokogawa Electric Corporation: 1915 (109 years ago)
- TEKTRONIX, INC.: 1946 (78 years ago)
- Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation: 1954 (70 years ago)
Passive Probe Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Passive Probe Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
4 | 44.4% |
Japan
|
2 | 22.2% |
United Kingdom
|
2 | 22.2% |
China
|
1 | 11.1% |
