IsoVu technology with 1GHz bandwidth and wide common mode range
Revealing hidden signals by combining with common mode rejection capability

Tektronix announced that it will supply the IsoVu™ measurement system, which was showcased at the APEC2016 show this year, to customers worldwide.

The IsoVu platform uses electro-optic sensors to convert input signals into optical modulation, electrically isolating the device under test from the Tektronix oscilloscope. The system is composed of four individual lasers, optical sensors, and five optical fibers, and incorporates sophisticated feedback and control technologies.

The sensor head connected to the test point is completely electrically isolated and receives power through optical fiber. Ten patent applications have been submitted for this innovative technology. The technology is useful for designers working on power device applications related to GaN and SiC technologies, and the greatest advantage is excellent common mode rejection, which allows engineers to see signals for the first time that were previously obscured by common mode noise.

IsoVu provides common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of 1,000,000:1 (120dB) at frequencies up to 100MHz, and CMRR performance of 10,000:1 (80 dB) at 1GHz. Compared to competing solutions operating at 100MHz with approximately 20dB CMRR performance, IsoVu is 100,000 times superior.

Chris Witt, General Manager of Tektronix's Time Domain business unit, states: "The feedback we received from design engineers who visited us through APEC was extremely positive. Many designers desperately needed a new perspective for their design work, and IsoVu made that possible. There is currently no measurement system on the market like IsoVu with high bandwidth, a common mode voltage range of 2000V, and an outstanding common mode rejection ratio."

Using IsoVu, engineers can precisely measure very small differential signals from 5mV to 50V even with an extremely large common mode voltage of 2000V from DC to 1GHz. IsoVu is the first probing system that does not degrade common mode voltage performance across bandwidth.

IsoVu technology is offered as the TIVM series isolated measurement system in six models, with bandwidth configurations of 200MHz, 500MHz, and 1GHz, and optical fiber cables available in 3-meter or 10-meter lengths. Even when selecting the 10-meter cable option, the same performance specifications as the 3-meter option are achieved, allowing users to position the test system away from the device under test in environments with interference and radiated emissions. With this option, IsoVu can be appropriately utilized for remote testing or EMI verification applications.

The price of the optical isolation measurement system starts from approximately 16 million won.