PCB insertionloss test system

Accurate measurement oft ransmiss ion l ine inser t ion lossfor mul t i -GHz PCB fabr icat ion

At las Si - for SPPAt las Si - for Del ta-L

At las Si - for SET2DIL

Ensures accurate insertion

loss measurement

Incorporates Delta-L, IPC

TM650 compliant SET2DIL

and Short Pulse

Propagation methods

Easy to use for non-skilled

operators

Supports bi-directional

SET2DIL

Support for SPP testing

with emulated impulse

forming networks

SET2DIL tests extract

effective Er and phasepolarinstruments.com

Atlas Si is a precision insertion lossmeasurement package designed specificallyfor PCB fabricators and OEMs. It providesaccurate, repeatable measurements offrequency based transmission line losses,allowing fabricators to meet stringent targetsthat maintain signal integrity within the limitsof the latest high-speed chipsets.

The emergence of a new generation of high-speed busses, such as SuperSpeed USB 3.0,PCI Express® Gen2.0, XAUI and RocketIOTM

means that PCB fabricators must be ready toprovide tight control over losses from multi-GHzPCB transmission lines.

The differential signalling techniques used by these new bussesallow PCBs operating at multi-GHz to be manufactured usingconventional and cost-effective PCB base materials. However, whilethis gives OEM designers the combination of high performance andlow PCB costs, it means that PCB fabricators must be able toaccurately measure and control transmission line losses.

Using Polar Atlas insertion loss measurement systemsin conjunction with the industry standard Si9000e fieldsolver enables PCB fabricators to predict and measurethe characteristics of ultra high speed differential signallines and reduce the number of prototype turns beforecommitting to production.

All new IPS series ergonomic probes (identified by theblue color on the tip and the labels, and the robustmetal insert supporting the SMAconnector) arecompatible with Atlas in situations where there is aneed to measure both impedance and insertion loss

Snapshot archive of fullor single test data

including both results andSDD21 displays

ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE INSERTION LOSS

MEASUREMENTS IN A PCB FABRICATION ENVIRONMENT.

Ergonomic ESD safe GGB probe body

Multi-GHz PCB fabricationWhile frequency-based losses areusually negligible on PCBs operatingbelow 2GHz, above this level signallosses become a major problem forPCBs manufactured in conventionalFR4 and other low-cost laminatematerials.

As more OEMs integrate high-speedchipsets onto their boards, the needfor PCB fabricators to measure andcontrol frequency-based lossesincreases. Measuring transmission linelosses presents fabricators with a setof challenges very different from thosefor controlling impedance: whereastrace width and dielectric separationare among the most important criteriafor impedance control, dielectric lossand smoothness of the copper foilsare the crucial parameters forcontrolling frequency-based losses.

Fast and accurate measurement of transmission line losses in theproduction environment allows you to increase manufacturing yield andreduces the comparatively high cost of multi-GHz PCB fabrication.

Atlas softwareAtlas uses powerful mathematical processing techniques to allownon-skilled operators to measure differential frequency-dependentlosses from a test coupon quickly and easily. The system is easyto set up, easy to use and delivers fast results without the needfor extensive operator training. A single insertion loss test can beperformed in a fraction of the time needed for traditionaltechniques.

Atlas is compliant with IPC TM650 2.5.5.12 (Test Methods toDetermine the Amount of Signal Loss on Printed Boards) andprovides support for Delta-L, SPP (Short Pulse Propagation)Bi-directional SET2DIL (Single Ended TDR to Differential InsertionLoss) and SET2SEIL (Single Ended TDR to Single EndedInsertion Loss).

Use the Atlas DRG Pro toprovide professionallypresented customer

conformance reports.Alternatively, Atlas now offers

direct export of results inMicrosoft Excel format.

Supported methodologiesMost recently added is the emergent Delta-L technique which uses longline short line measurement combined with innovative via de embeddingtechniques, Delta-L provides a sound method for removing the viaeffects from differential (mixed mode) s-parameters when characterisingraw PCBs for insertion loss.

SPP allows extraction of PCB electrical characteristics that impact signalpropagation. The technique uses your existing TDR/TDT equipment andproduces frequency dependent parameters such as the propagationconstant (alpha, attenuation and beta, phase constant) and effectivedielectric constant along with the characteristic impedance (including evenand odd mode impedance). Atlas measurements include launch pointextrapolation/long line regression fit.

Atlas also employs the SET2DIL test method to extract differentialinsertion loss and SET2SEIL to extract single ended insertion loss alongwith effective Er. Customers may license either or both techniques.

Atlas is compatible with the Tektronix DSA8300, DSA8200 and TDS8000oscilloscopes and 80E series TDR sampling heads which provide the rawdata from which Atlas can calculate insertion loss results.

Choose between hardware and software impulse forming networksAtlas provides support for both hardware and software emulatedimpulse forming networks (IFNs) for SPP testing. Atlas allows the SPPtest steps to be performed in any order guiding the user graphicallythrough the test via a series of helpful screens detailing the connectionof cables and impulse forming networks. Test results in both table andwaveform format can be saved and retrieved as snapshots forsubsequent sharing, viewing and analysis or exported in CSV format forevaluation and study.

Ideal for backplane testingUnique to Polar’s Atlas, emulated impulse forming networks (pulsedifferentiators) will save both testing time and equipment costs – andincrease signal / noise ratio and allow SPP testing on longer lines.

Atlas 800 – ESD Protection Module integrated with Atlas softwareAs high bandwidth systems are inherently sensitive to electrostaticdischarge (ESD) they must be implemented with the highest level ofESD control that is practical in the test environment. Atlas software isfully integrated with the Atlas 800 ESD protection unit which providesboth 26GHz bandwidth switching and active coupon pre-discharge. Atlas800 ESD protection unit should be used in an environment with goodESD practice in order to minimise your running costs.

Atlas includes SET2DILtesting of frequency-basedinsertion losses – SDD21and S21

Compatible with TektronixDSA8300 Time DomainReflectometer (TDR)with 80E series TDRsampling modules

Compatible with GGBPicoprobe type TLP-1450 micron GSSG(for SET2DIL testing)

Compatible with other PolarGHz PCB design andfabrication tools – Si9000e /Speedstack Si and CGen Si– Insertion Loss CouponGenerator.

Atlas is compatible with commonly specifiedtest techniques for TDR-based insertion loss(SDD21) measurement, Delta-L, SET2DIL & SPP.

Atlas can be used for standalone testing of insertionloss at the point of fabrication or as part of a suite ofGHz PCB fabrication tools with other Polar products,including the Si9000e Transmission Line FieldSolver, Speedstack Si Layer Stack-up DesignSystem and the CGen Si Insertion Loss CouponGenerator. The combination of these powerful toolscan help to improve manufacturing yields as well asreduce the cost of multi-GHz PCB fabrication.

Using the Si9000e to analyse and predict lossesduring the design stage, the fabricator can quicklymodel a range of scenarios, dramatically reducingboth material costs and engineering time, to improvemanufacturing yields. The data on the modeled stackgeometries can then be imported into the CGencoupon generator to create accurate insertion losstest coupons.

• Insertion loss testing uses criteria different fromimpedance control

• Allows PCBs over 2GHz to be manufactured with themost cost-effective laminates

• Meets PCB fabricators’ growing need to test lossy lines

• Reduces the high cost of multi-GHz PCB fabrication

• Insertion loss testing is often specified in addition toimpedance control

SpecificationsInsertion Loss measurement SDD21 magnitude vs frequency over the widest

range practical for a coupon of definedcharacteristics

Impedance measurement Single ended and differential impedanceAccuracy specifications: as defined by theTDR manufacturer

SPP SDD21 measured using the IPC-TM-650 definedSPP – Short Pulse Propagation technique

Delta-L SDD21 measured using Delta-L techniqueSET2DIL SDD21 measured using the IPC-TM-650 defined

SET2DIL technique.Impedance Controlled (characteristic) lossless impedance –

included as standard with SPP and SET2DILESD protection Included as standardDatalogging and output All tests data logged and output as pipe

delimited text files for customer processingMicrosoft Excel® CSV file exportPrintable test lists and waveforms

Probe GGB Picoprobe type TLP-1 450 micron GSSG for SET2DIL (customer supplied)

Bandwidth monitoring Real time monitoring of system bandwidthAcquisition system Tektronix DSA 8300 with 80E series TDR samplers

(Polar or customer supplied)Accessories ACC383: USB footswitchPC requirements PC running Windows 7 or later

Refer to Polar Application Note AP605Applicable standards IPC TM-650 2.5.5.12

Ordering Information

Atlas for SPP insertion loss measurement: Atlas SPPAtlas for Delta-L loss measurement: Atlas Delta-LAtlas for SET2DIL insertion loss measurement: Atlas SET2DILAtlas for both SET2DIL and SPP techniques: Atlas SET2DIL & SPPAtlas 2 channel impedance test & ESD isolation: Atlas PCB 2CHAtlas 4 channel impedance test & ESD isolation: Atlas PCB 4CHDatalogging: Atlas DRG Pro

Included in all of the above – Atlas 800 ESD Protection Module compatiblewith Delta-L, SPP & SET2DIL testing.

About Polar InstrumentsPolar Instruments is a market leader in designing and manufacturing tools to simplify and enhance the design,fabrication and testing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Their innovative tools include the industry-standardControlled Impedance Test System (CITS) which provides the global PCB industry with an easy-to-use testsystem for high-speed digital and RF boards, as well as class-leading tools for fast and accurate design andtesting of controlled impedance in PCBs. Polar also leads the industry in tools for automated PCB layer stackupdesign and documentation. Polar Instruments was established in 1976 and now has operations and channelpartners in the US, UK, Europe and Asia Pacific.

polarinstruments.com

USA / CANADA / MEXICOPolar Instruments IncT: (503) 356 5270E: ken.taylor@polarinstruments.com

ASIA / PACIFIC / SINGAPORE* Polar Instruments (Asia Pacific) Pte LtdT: +65 6873 7470E: terence.chew@polarinstruments.asia

CHINA* Polar Instruments (China) LtdEast China - ShanghaiT: +86 21 3530 7470E: jonson.jiang@polarinstruments.asiaSouth China - ZhuhaiT: +86 756 336 7470E: simon.chan@polarinstruments.asia

INDIA*

*

*

Polar Instruments (India) Pvt LtdT: +91 80 4911 6666E: india@polarinstruments.asia

JAPANCSI GLOBAL ALLIANCE INC. T: +81 6 6377 2451E: tetsuya.koizumi@csieda.co.jp

KOREAPolar Instruments Korea Corp T: +82 2 2644 2493 / 4E: jsbae@polarinstruments.asia

TAIWAN* Polar Instruments TaiwanT: +886 2 2991 7470E: rick.chang@polarinstruments.asia

GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND* Polar Instruments GmbHT: +43 7666 20041-0E: hermann.reischer@polarinstruments.eu

UNITED KINGDOM / EUROPEPolar Instruments (Europe) LtdT: +44 23 9226 9113E: neil.chamberlain@polarinstruments.com

REST OF WORLDPolar Instruments Ltd(Head Office)T: +44 1481 253081E: martyn.gaudion@polarinstruments.com

* Authorised distributor for Polar Instruments Ltd's products.These independent operations are neither agents or subsidiariesof Polar Instruments Ltd.

© Polar Instruments 2017.Polar Instruments pursues a policy of continuous improvement. The specifications in this document may therefore be changed without notice.

All trademarks recognised.

LIT233: 2017