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Probe Calibration Control Window
Access this control window from the Vertical menu Probe Cal command.
Control Window Overview
Use the Probe Calibration control window to check the probe
status and to compensate the entire signal path, from the probe
tip to digitized signal, to improve the probe gain and offset
accuracy.
Probe calibration is one of several features of the instrument
that can optimize measurement accuracy. In addition to the
probe calibration, you should also perform the following
procedures:
 Probe Compensation. Use this procedure with passive
probes to compensate them to ensure maximum distortion-
free inputs to the instrument and to avoid high frequency
amplitude errors.
 Signal Path Compensation. Use this procedure to
compensate the internal signal path used to acquire
waveforms based on the ambient temperature.
 Probe Deskew. Use this procedure to compensate probes for
delays due to differences in cable length.
The Probe Status control indicates the status of the probe calibration for the selected channel. If
the probe status does not indicate Pass, the instrument may not take accurate measurements. You
may want to perform the probe calibration procedure before taking any measurements with the
selected probe.
Probe Calibration Control Window: Probe Status
To Use
The Probe Status control provides information on the status of the probe connected to the vertical
input channel. This control provides information only; the data in the control cannot be changed
directly.
Behavior
The instrument automatically detects the type of probe that you have installed and displays the
probe status information.
 Initialized. The instrument was unable to detect any information from the probe in its
memory. This message often appears when you connect a probe where you have not
performed the probe calibration. You should perform the probe calibration before you use the
probe. This message also appears when you disconnect a probe from the vertical input.
 Pass. The instrument recognized the probe information stored in nonvolatile memory and that
the probe had previously passed the probe calibration procedure.
 Fail. The instrument was unable to complete the probe calibration procedure. If the Fail
message appears, try performing the signal path compensation procedure before continuing
with the probe calibration. If the Fail message still appears after performing the probe
calibration procedure, you may have a faulty probe. You should have the probe checked by
Tektronix service personnel.
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