The Ultimate Guide to the R&S MXO5 for Power Integrity

Power integrity is the silent hero of modern electronics. Without a stable power delivery network (PDN) and voltage regulator modules (VRMs), even the most brilliantly designed circuits can fail. The R&S MXO5 series oscilloscopes are a game-changer in this field, offering powerful features to diagnose and solve these complex issues. We've explored the MXO5's capabilities in a series of detailed blogs, and now we're bringing them all together to give you a comprehensive roadmap to power integrity mastery.

Remember, power integrity is critical for the reliable operation of any circuit board and electronic system. It depends on the interaction of various components within the PDN to ensure stable performance.

The Ultimate All-in-One: All about the R&S MXO 5 Oscilloscopes

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand the foundation. This blog provides a high-level overview of the MXO5 series, highlighting its core features and why it stands out in the crowded world of oscilloscopes. From its superior acquisition rate to its user-friendly interface, this is your starting point to discover what makes the MXO5 so powerful.

How Can the MXO5 Oscilloscope Help With Power-Related Issues?

Diagnosing Instability: Importance of Measuring Impedance of a PDN or VRM Before Design Integration (Part 2: Fixing the Instability)

This blog takes a deep dive into the critical step of measuring impedance. It explains why a stable PDN is crucial for reliable circuit performance and how a simple measurement can prevent catastrophic failures down the line. Analyzing the PDN in the frequency domain helps identify voltage fluctuations and maintain low impedance across the entire frequency range. Learn how to use the MXO5 to identify and fix instability issues before they become a problem, ensuring your pcb design meets the demands of high speed and high frequency operation.

The Perfect Pair: Understanding Power Integrity: VRM Noise, PDN Impedance & the Role of MXO5 & Bode 100

This blog introduces the powerful combination of the MXO5 oscilloscope and the Bode 100 vector network analyzer. It explains how these two instruments work in tandem to provide a complete picture of your power integrity landscape. Discover how to accurately measure VRM noise and PDN impedance, giving you the insights you need to optimize your design and maintain low impedance for stable supply voltage.

Real-World Application: Debugging VRM Designs Using the Bode 500, MXO58, and Eval Boards to Isolate Power Issues

Ready to put theory into practice? This blog provides a hands-on guide to debugging VRM designs. Using a practical example with evaluation boards, we walk you through the process of isolating and resolving power-related issues. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to see the MXO5 in action and understand the impact of design tools and pcb design choices on power integrity.

Advanced Probing Techniques: Low Noise Power Integrity Measurements - A Guide to Effective Probing with the MXO58 Oscilloscope

The accuracy of your measurements is only as good as your probing technique. This blog focuses on the crucial link between your circuit and the oscilloscope: the probe. Learn best practices for low-noise probing with the MXO58, ensuring you capture clean, accurate data without introducing unwanted artifacts.

Advanced Techniques for Complex Signals:

The MXO5 isn't just for power integrity. Its advanced triggering and measurement capabilities make it an indispensable tool for a wide range of applications, such as analyzing digital signals, active devices, and integrated circuits in electronic devices, ensuring better signal integrity and stable supply voltage across multiple layers and the entire frequency range.

Large Signal Phenomena using the MXO5 - Sequential Trigger Measurement Setup: When dealing with large signals that are difficult to capture, the MXO5's sequential trigger is a lifesaver. This blog explains how to set up this powerful feature to capture and analyze complex, non-periodic events with ease.

MXO5 & S10 Measurement Tips for Large Signal Phenomena with TPSM828393 PDN: Building on the previous blog, this post provides specific tips and tricks for measuring large signal phenomena on a TPSM828393 PDN. Learn how to optimize your measurement setup for accuracy and efficiency.

Measuring multiple non-synchronized signals with the MXO5 Zone Trigger Setup: The MXO5's Zone Trigger is a revolutionary feature that allows you to trigger on multiple, non-synchronized signals simultaneously. This blog explains how to configure and use this powerful tool to capture complex system behavior that would be impossible with traditional oscilloscopes.

How Can You Optimize Your Workflow and Protect Your Instruments?

Automate Power Supply Testing with PulseLoad Pro: This blog introduces PulseLoad Pro, a software solution designed to save you time by providing an approach to automating transient response. It details how you can use the software with your MXO5 oscilloscope, an NGL202 power supply, and an S10 Load stepper to automate transient response measurements and data analysis. The setup is straightforward: connect your MXO5 and NGL202 to your computer, hook up the S10 to the MXO5's waveform generator, and connect your probes and DUT. With PulseLoad Pro, you can automate complex testing and get back valuable time in your day.

Protect Your Investment: Protect Your Instruments with the Picotest Port Saver DC Block

Finally, a quick but important note on protecting your equipment. This blog introduces the Picotest Port Saver DC Block, a simple yet effective tool for preventing accidental damage to your MXO5 and other sensitive instruments.

The R&S MXO5 is more than just an oscilloscope; it's a complete solution for tackling the toughest power integrity challenges. We hope this roadmap helps you navigate our resources and get the most out of your MXO5. Happy debugging!