Application Note

Using TDR to Debug Signal Integrity Issues

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has long been used as a tool for evaluation of boards, cables, and connectors. For signal integrity analysis, the TDR "measurement" has traditionally been done on one instrument (sampling oscilloscope or VNA) and the system-level "analysis" performed on another instrument (real-time oscilloscope). Integrating the TDR measurement and analysis into the same instrument not only saves time using a single instrument but offers a more intuitive approach to overall signal integrity analysis.