Tektronix Begins Delivery of the IsoVu™ Optically Isolated Measurement System

BEAVERTON, Ore., Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Tektronix, a leading worldwide provider of measurement solutions, today announced that the IsoVu™ Measurement System previewed earlier this year at the APEC 2016 show is now shipping and available for worldwide delivery to customers. Pricing for the optically isolated measurement system starts at $12,000. For full details, go to https://www.tek.com/isolated-measurement-systems.

The IsoVu™ platform uses an electro-optic sensor to convert input signals to optical modulation, electrically isolating the device-under-test from a Tektronix oscilloscope. The system incorporates four separate lasers, an optical sensor, five optical fibers, and sophisticated feedback and control techniques. The sensor head, which connects to the test point, has complete electrical isolation and is powered over one of the optical fibers. Ten patent applications have been filed for this ground breaking technology.

A critical advantage this technology offers for designers, such as those working on power devices involving GaN and SiC technologies, is superior common mode rejection that makes signals previously buried in common mode noise visible for the first time. IsoVu offers 1 Million:1 (120 dB) common mode rejection (CMRR) up to 100 MHz and 10,000:1 (80 dB) CMRR at 1 GHz. By comparison, competitive solutions at 100 MHz offer approximately 20 dB CMRR at 100 MHz, making IsoVu 100,000 times better.

“The feedback we received from designers at APEC was overwhelmingly positive, with many of them facing a critical need for the design insights IsoVu now makes possible,” said Chris Witt, general manager, Time Domain Business Unit, Tektronix. “Currently there is no measurement system on the market with IsoVu’s combination of high bandwidth, 2000V common mode voltage range and breakthrough common mode rejection ratio.”

Using IsoVu, engineers can accurately measure small differential signals (5 mV – 50 V) in the presence of large common mode voltages from DC to 1 GHz. IsoVu is the first signal acquisition product where the common mode voltage capability does not de-rate over bandwidth. IsoVu technology is available in 6 models of the TIVM Series Isolated Measurement Systems with 200 MHz, 500 MHz and 1 GHz bandwidth configurations with either 3-meter or 10-meter fiber optic cable lengths. The 10-meter cable option offers the same performance specifications as the 3-meter option and allows users to move their test system away from the interference and radiated emissions of the device under test. With this option, IsoVu is well-suited for such applications as remote testing and EMI validation.