How to Measure AC Signals over DC Signals

+ Oscilloscope

Measuring AC signals over DC signals with a high-resolution oscilloscope

Measuring small AC signals over large DC signals requires accurate and detailed signal analysis to ensure that power distribution networks stay within the tolerance band. Identifying ripple, noise, and transients riding on top of the voltage rail is essential to reducing them and ensuring that the power rail is clean. With power distribution networks lowering the supply voltages and tolerance bands tightening, accurate signal analysis is a constant concern.

Accurate AC and DC signal analysis requires a low-noise oscilloscope with a high-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to precisely measure ripple and noise in power rails. Low-noise oscilloscopes reduce injected noise and minimally impact the measured signal. Higher-bit ADC oscilloscopes provide better resolution, enabling detailed examination of DC signals and finer measurement of ripple and noise. Combine the oscilloscope with power rail probes to measure with high sensitivity.

High-resolution power measurement solution

Minimizing ripple, noise, and transients in your power supply requires an oscilloscope with a 14-bit ADC and low noise floor to measure small AC signals over large DC signals. The Keysight high-resolution power measurement solution consists of the Keysight InfiniiVision HD3 Series oscilloscope, which delivers four times the signal resolution and half the noise floor of other general-purpose oscilloscopes. Combine the HD3 with the Keysight N7020A power rail probe for higher-sensitivity measurements using the probe's large offset range and active signal range.

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