HP 54710A, User'S Reference Manual

Page: 48 / 412

Summary
There is no such thing as the perfect probe, so you must use some discretion
in choosing the best type of probe for each measurement.
To make the correct choice, it’s helpful to know the equivalent circuit of the
circuit under test. For truly demanding measurements, it may be worthwhile
to simulate the effect of the probe using SPICE. This discussion assumes a
simple resistance as the equivalent circuit for the circuit under test. For an
actual measurement, a more complete model is useful in evaluating the
effects of the probe.
Some knowledge of the expected signal, particularly its rise time or spectral
content, is also useful in making a probe choice.
Finally, it’s important to know what parameter (voltage or time) you need to
measure most accurately, because some tradeoff is almost always required.
How the Oscilloscope Works
System Bandwidth
1–31