Connectorless Probes Claimed As Industry's Smallest

With a footprint of 7 mm x 22 mm, the new 17-channel E5396A and E5398A soft touch logic analyzer probes are said to use 60% less board space than competitive connectorless probes. In addition, the company says the new probes offer 75% less capacitive loading than traditional connector-based probes. The small size and accurate measurements offered by the new probes are expected to simplify validation of high-speed digital designs that are tight on space or that require minimal disruption of signal routing. Both probes are 17-channel, single-ended, connectorless probes. The E5396A is compatible with the company's logic analyzers that use a 40-pin connector interface, while the E5398A is compatible with the company's logic analyzers that use a 90-pin connector interface. Both probes use spring-pin technology, and so the probe pads do not require special cleaning or special surface finishes to make a reliable connection. The E5396A and E5398A probes are priced at $1,900 and can be ordered now, with first shipments expected in April. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, Palo Alto, CA. (800) 452 4844, ext. 7875.