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Bode Plots are Overrated

Control loop stability is critically important. But whether your focus is on power supply design, power integrity, or mixed-signal power system design, the Bode plot probably isn’t going to provide you with reliable or optimum design guidance. The five major reasons why Bode plots are no longer sufficient is detailed in this article. Click here to read the entire article. #reference #phasemargin #gainmargin #ESR #j2110a #flatimpedance #J2101A #J2100A #J2113A #ddr #decoupling

Inside the 21st Century Power Test Lab

In this 5-minute video, Steve Sandler of AEi Systems (www.aeng.com) and Picotest (www.picotest.com) takes you on a tour of an advanced power test lab that contains a wide assortment of instruments for measuring various power supply waveforms and troubleshooting various power-related problems, particularly those encountered in power distribution networks or PDNs. Sandler introduces a number of different test instruments that he has used to make various measurements, and discus

Troubleshooting Distributed Power Systems: Why Stability Matters (Part 1 of the ongoing video series

In this 5-minute video presentation, Steve Sandler discusses how stability impacts circuit performance, offering examples that demonstrate the effects of stability problems on both power supply and system performance. Click here to watch the video. #phasemargin #gainmargin #design #j2110a #j2100aj2101a #powerintegrity #nyquist #bode100 #nism #j2111a #picotest #videos #pdn #noninvasivemeasurement #stability #converter #bodeplots #controlloop

FAQ #23 What Injectors do I need for PDN Measurements?

Our J2112A current injector has been the most requested product to date.  It provides a very fast low current pulse, though based on a RF BJT transistor with a 100MHz bandwidth loop, the interconnection can be a challenge.  An introductory application note is posted in this Publications section.  The J2112A works reasonably well at 1V, but many of our customers are now asking for 10A and 0.6V, which is not likely given BJT saturation characteristics and finite interconnect in

Essential Test Adapters for Your Network / Impedance Analyzer

The network analyzer, sometimes referred to as a Frequency Response Analyzer (FRA) is a common piece of equipment in most of our labs today. Analyzers are used for a variety of tasks including stability analysis, component characterization and of course frequency response measurements. They can vary in features but regardless of the analyzer being used, the analyzer oscillator signal must be injected into the circuit being tested in order for a measurement to be made. As desi

Introduction to the J2110A Solid State Injector

Introduction Most of us have experience using a wideband signal injection transformer to introduce a modulation signal into our loop stability test. While a high quality injection transformer, such as the Picotest J2100A or J2101A often provides more than adequate results, there areapplications where higher fidelity, lower noise and even wider bandwidth are required. This application note shows some applications that can benefit from the J2110A Solid State Injector, also some

FAQ #17: Does the J2110A Bode Box accept both +12V and -12V power supply at the same time?

Does the J2110A Bode Box accept both +12V and -12V power supply at the same time? I saw only one red banana jack and one black banana jack from the picture. OUT is sum of OSC and IN? Response: The J2110A ships with the J2170A low noise power supply.  The connector is a DIN type, not the banana jacks Yes, and the input stage is very linear, so there is minimal mixing of the signals.  The osc input impedance is 50Ohms and the other input is high impedance The bandwidth is speci

FAQ #10: What are the main differences between J2100A injection transformer, J2110A solid state inje

What are the main differences between J2100A injection transformer, J2110A solid state injector and the J2111A current injector? The J2110A is a solid state voltage injector, offering lower noise and wider bandwidth (DC-50+mhz) than a transformer.  The J2110A has a 25 ohm output impedance and is limited to +/- 10v input and output levels.  Picotest offers two transformers, the J2100A and the J2101A.  The difference between the two transformers is the bandwidth.  The J2100A of

FAQ #7: How do I choose between the J2100A, J2101A and J2110A?

How do I choose between the J2100A, J2101A and J2110A? If you plan to measure PFC’s, then the J2100A is a good choice, whereas the J2110A is a better choice if you need to measure linear regulators, dc/dc converters, POL regulators or other typical analog control loops above 10Hz. If you need bandwidth below 1Hz or above 10MHz the J2110A is the best choice, though it is limited to +/-10Vpk.   Also, the J2110A is an electronic injector and therefore the load current is not tra

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