Example Project: Tektronix TekProbe Adapter/Breakout

[voltsandjolts]

I have some TekProbes which I wanted to use on another brand of 'scope so made this adapter board.
Signal path feeds straight through on a BNC coupler.
Requires +/-18VDC supply preferably from current limited dual channel bench supply.

Overview PDF and CircuitStudio Project:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bcglmw3oyjebbi6/AAAEL99iNCpyd_N8FTopRDaZa?dl=0
 

[JamesH-AltiumOfficial]

Hi voltsandjolts,

Thank you for posting your useful project! It's nicely documented and good to see CircuitStudio in use.

Also it's nice to see that you used the little known Guides feature to add guides for alignment.
For others:
Home > Board > Board Options > Guides button, opens the Snap Guide Manager.
Click the Add button to add a guide and click the ... button to snap to an object on your board.
It will snap to the object like a pad center if (Hotspot Snap) or (Hotspot Snap (All Layers)) is displayed in the Status Bar. Press Shift E to cycle through the 3 Electrical snap modes.

In the Board Options dialog, enable the Snap To Linear Guides if you'd like objects to snap to them.

Best regards,

James Harriman
Altium

[KE5FX]

I'd totally buy one of these if you were selling them.    (Same Agilent scope, same Tek probes.)  How about some pogo pins for the Agilent probe interface, instead of requiring an external supply?  The voltages you need might already be available.

[tggzzz]

Consider posting the gerber files, or some PCB houses allow you to make the design available for anyone to buy (e.g. dirtypcbs.com)

[MarkL]

I'd totally buy one of these if you were selling them.    (Same Agilent scope, same Tek probes.)  How about some pogo pins for the Agilent probe interface, instead of requiring an external supply?  The voltages you need might already be available.

Unfortunately, the TekProbe interface needs +/15V and the Agilent autoprobe interface only supplies +/-12V.  There's some discussion of autoprobe here:

  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/agilent-probe-interface-(-autoprobe-and-probe-id)/msg42290/#msg42290

Agilent/Keysight solves this problem by putting DC-DC converters in their N2744A TekProbe adapter.  So it's possible, but more complicated.

A lot of Agilent/Keysight scopes are fairly limited in the power available from the autoprobe interface anyway, so the external power supply I don't think is so bad.  Ideally, a solution could implement both by getting power from the autoprobe interface for low power probes, with an option for external power if more is needed.

[voltsandjolts]

I wanted this adapter to be usable with any scope so didn't consider using Agilent Autoprobe interface.

Consider posting the gerber files

Now included in the download (gerber + drill)

[Neomys Sapiens]

Well, this is not exactly what I thought about, but close. And your layout contains the necessary data. I want to build a real breakout box for TekprobeII, not an interface for other scopes. Coax needs to go through, all other lines ending in double 2mm jacks with 10mm or 12.5mm shorting plugs.

[Harvs]

Also it's nice to see that you used the little known Guides feature to add guides for alignment.
For others:
Home > Board > Board Options > Guides button, opens the Snap Guide Manager.
Click the Add button to add a guide and click the ... button to snap to an object on your board.

Thanks voltsandjolts for posting, and to James for pointing out something I'm not currently using.

However I can't for the life of me find the ... button.  I must be blind.  Could someone point it out for me?

[voltsandjolts]

Hi Harvs,
Prepare to kick yourself!
In the table click on a X or Y value cell for a guide or snap point, as if you were editing the value.
When you click on the cell the fabled [...] button shall appear at the side of that cell which allows you to select an object to snap to.

[Harvs]

Hi Harvs,
Prepare to kick yourself!
In the table click on a X or Y value cell for a guide or snap point, as if you were editing the value.
When you click on the cell the fabled [...] button shall appear at the side of that cell which allows you to select an object to snap to.

Oh god...  Thanks!

[JamesH-AltiumOfficial]

No problem harvs, oh I should have posted a screen capture!

Best regards,

James Harrman
Altium

[Belgarath]

Hello happy eev-blogers,

I built some of the nice breakout adapter of Voltsandjolts (thanks for sharing the work), and a few sets of board are remaining on my bench.

For those of you interested, I will sell them for the buying cost 18€/set, plus the letter shipping (real cost depending where you're living).

Recto/verso of the boards on the picture hereunder.

François / F4HTX

[PeterMichael]

Hi Francois,
My name is Peter and I has been a Guest since about two years - now I have registered. Many thanks for posting this project! Thus, I like your breakout adapter from your post on May 30, 2021, 10:08:58 am. You offered you'll send a set for €18,-- plus shipping costs. If you have two sets left I'll want to order these (I need it for four channels). Do you have PayPal ? I will pay you 2x€18 + shipping costs (please declare me how much  ). I'm from Austria (be aware no kangaroos!  )

[voltsandjolts]

Hi Peter, welcome to the forum. It looks like François is not here very often, so might be better to contact him by personal message (Belgrath > Actions - Send Personal Message) and that should email him. BUT because you are new here, it might not be possible for you to send a message yet (needs 10 posts or something?...I don't remember)....so I sent him a message.

[PeterMichael]

Thank you for this tip - I will do so !
Started to learn how to...

[Belgarath]

Hi PeterMichael,

Yes still have pcbs available, I'll have to dig them out from somewhere as I just move to a new home, some boxes to move/open.

Let me check with the post office and I'll come back to you with a grand total to Austria.

Kevin : thanks for the help, if you need a couple pcbs I'll be glad to send them for free to thank you for the share.

François

[PeterMichael]

Hi Francois,
Thank you for your fast reply  .
From my experience the best and cheapest is to send it as mail package - it's cheap because it's not heavy and it is automatically registered. A letter cost more.
All the Best
Peter