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CITS880s – impedance measurement made easy – now with launch point extrapolation (LPE) and groundless on board differential test
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CITS880s Controlled Impedance Test System – tests shorter and fine line traces. See also CITS Assure Can't view the video? Click here Finer geometries and thinner copper can present a challenge for fabricators measuring impedance on leading edge PCBs. The CITS880s answers that challenge with the introduction of Launch Point Extrapolation (LPE). LPE extrapolates the TDR response back to a point close to the start of the transmission line effectively allowing to users more accurately to measure the instantaneous or incident impedance of the line. CITS880s supports groundless differential test with Polar's unique groundless differential probes which enable on board test where access to ground points can be a challenge. Groundless differential probes for the CITS feature a single coaxial connection and are easy to handle for operators and have lower ownership costs than traditional differential probes. The CITS880s is the ninth generation of Impedance test system from Polar and is a development of the CITS880 which is in widespread use across the industry. In addition to LPE the CITS880s is able to test shorter traces – typically 2 to 3 inches shorter than previous generations of CITS. CITS880s also ships with completely re-engineered IPS high speed probes which reassuringly are precision molded with ESD dissipative materials to give maximum protection for your CITS. Controlled impedance PCBs are used across a broad range of applications to help ensure high frequency signal integrity. Designers invariably specify these types of PCBs whenever the edge speeds of digital signals are faster than 1ns or analog signals climb above 300MHz. CITS880s – impedance measurement made easy
The characteristic impedance of a PCB trace is determined by the dimensions of the trace and the properties of the PCB material which can vary from batch to batch. To control trace impedance PCB manufacturers usually vary trace width to compensate for different batches of PCB material. Historically, they were then forced to use specialist laboratory equipment such as a time domain reflectometer (TDR) to measure the characteristics of a representative trace etched on the board or a test coupon. This approach was complex, expensive and far from ideal in a production environment. Many electronics designers – especially those pushing performance boundaries in the defense/aerospace, communications and IT industries – are now taking controlled impedance PCBs a stage further by using differential signals and balanced traces to improve noise immunity and reduce timing errors on very high speed interconnects. For PCB manufacturers serving these rapidly-growing electronics sectors, verifying the differential impedance of these balanced traces is now a simple task. |
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Polar test probes – IPDS probes designed for the CITS880s Polar produces a comprehensive range of test probes, including the IPDS-100 differential model shown here.
Click picture for full size view The IPDS probe family is designed especially for use with the CITS880s and combine revised internals with more robust mechanical design and enhancements to the signal path, along with ergonomic precision moldings in 100% ESD dissipative materials. IPS and IPDS probes are easily identified and contrast with previous generation probes by the use of blue labels and blue resist on the probe tip interface. Groundless differential testing Groundless probes are available for 2015 editions of the CITS880s and onwards, both fixed pitch and precision variable pitch groundless probes are available for situations where OEMs mandate on board test of differential pairs - and where the ground connection on the PCB is either difficult to access or completely inaccesible. Polar's optional CGen Coupon Generator enables you to design your test coupons using a range of styles and probe foot prints. For a full selection of probe foot prints please refer to Application Note AP146. Easy to use CITS impedance test systems are exceptionally easy to use. Powerful Windows-based software automates every aspect of testing, enabling the entire process to be controlled by a single click of a mouse or footswitch. You simply position the IPS probes, select a test file containing the normal PCB test impedance and tolerance, and press the footswitch. There is no requirement to perform any of the adjustments that are conventionally associated with complex TDR measurements such as setting-up vertical gains, pulse time delays and timebase values. For maximum throughput, the CITS can execute a series of impedance tests automatically, prompting you to reposition the probes as appropriate. Test results are simple to understand – the CITS automatically processes the data to produce an unambiguous display of characteristic impedance vs distance, and provides clear visual indication of pass/fail status. On fine geometry boards which sometimes exhibit an upward sloping trace, the use of Launch Point Extrapolation (with the approval of the board design authority) will allow you to better correlate the impedance test resutls with 2d field solver (such as the Si8000m) predictions. Use of LPE also makes the measurement far less subjective to the positioning of the test limits. Automatic datalogging
enables test results – together with system set-up data
and measurement criteria – to be easily exported to a
wide variety of third-party database or spreadsheet
packages for real-time statistical process control. The
pass/fail status of each test is also made available via
opto-isolated signals on the instrument's rear panel,
facilitating integration with other factory automation
equipment. Traceable measurement activity Traceable measurement accuracy complements the CITS simplicity of operation. Furthermore, QA specialists still have the freedom to specify complex measurement parameters as well as standard test functions like pass/fail limits, result handling and data logging. Multi point calibration with reference air lines ensures traceable impedance measurements from under 28 Ohms single ended to over 150 Ohms differential. You can print test results to provide conformance reports for your customers, store the data on disk for archive purposes or future analysis or export it for real-time SPC purposes. An optional datalog report generator (DRG) accommodates a wide variety of standard forms, for simplicity of reporting. A barcode reader is also available as an option, which enables PCB identification labels to be scanned-in during the test process, reducing handling time and eliminating error. Design and process control When considering starting impedance controlled production you will also find the Polar Si8000m controlled impedance design system helps you tailor your customers designs to your production process. It is also ideal in helping your front end team to optimise the incoming data for maximum controlled impedance yield. Working with both CITS and Si8000m will give you a complete solution for impedance test and process control. Automatic test program generation Speedstack layer stackup software can now directly export CITS880s test programs from a controlled impedance stackup. Professional reports with CITS DRG - Datalog report generator option The CITS DRG Datalog report generator option allows you to deliver finished measurement result reports in a professional format. CITS880s Assure Annual subscription: CITS880s Assure Annual Subscription is a new way to deploy CITS with assurance of service continuity from a maintained CITS880s for a low initial outlay at a fixed annual cost. |
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Important! Protecting the CITS from electrostatic discharge
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Sensitive electronic test equipment like the Polar Controlled Impedance Test Systems can prove vulnerable to damage from static electricity if proper anti-static procedures are not followed. Application Note AP8500 note looks at the best ways to prevent the build up of static charge in the work area – and avoid expensive repairs to your CITS. |
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Purchasing a used CITS? Important information
Cross-territory purchases
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Trade in your CITS100 / 200 / 500 /900 for a new CITS880s The CITS880s includes batch conversion utilities to speed file importation and conversion from legacy CITS systems. |
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Feature request policy and process |
Designed for PCB production environments
Ideal for CEM inwards inspection
Measures PCBs and test coupons
Automatic data logging