New software brings stability, impedance, noise and jitter analysis into a single workflow for 4 Series B, 5 Series B, and 6 Series B Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes
BEAVERTON, ORE, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Tektronix today introduced its Power Distribution Network (PDN) Analysis Software for 4 Series B, 5 Series B, and 6 Series B Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes. By combining power integrity and signal integrity validation into a single workflow, the solution helps hardware designers evaluate power rail stability, identify sources of noise, and understand how power delivery affects signal performance.
The scaling of modern electronic architectures-specifically AI servers, high-performance compute, and advanced automotive electronics-fundamentally alters the demands on power distribution networks. Delivering fast-changing currents of 1000 A or higher and tighter voltage tolerances, these modern power networks must respond to rapid transient step loads without causing bit errors on critical high-speed data links.
Historically, validation teams have diagnosed the stability of these PDNs using frequency-domain measurements on standalone vector network analyzers. While effective for small-signal measurements, these workflows cannot capture real-world performance under active, high-current load conditions. They also require engineers to access voltage regulator feedback loops, which are often inaccessible in modern designs.
Step-load measurements better reflect the dynamic conditions under which today's power distribution networks operate and do not require access to voltage regulator feedback. Building on the Stability Evaluation for Power Integrity Analysis (SEPIA) methodology pioneered by Picotest, Tektronix is the first to embed SEPIA directly into an oscilloscope, enabling engineers to evaluate power supply and voltage regulator behavior using real load-transient conditions without breaking control loops and modifying boards.
"The boundary between power integrity and signal integrity has become a primary bottleneck in hardware validation," said Daryl Ellis, Vice President and General Manager, Signal Acquisition and Analysis Portfolio. "By bringing time-domain stability analysis into the oscilloscope, engineers can evaluate power distribution network behavior under real operating conditions and better understand how power integrity affects signal performance."
Integrating power integrity analysis natively into the oscilloscope
The PDN Analysis Software consolidates critical validation methodologies within the oscilloscope interface, utilizing the instrument's multi-channel architecture to support power distribution network validation.
- Large signal transient stability analysis: SEPIA extracts phase margin, damping characteristics, and equivalent electrical circuit models directly from a typical high-speed step load response in as little as 500 microseconds without breaking control loops or modifying boards.
- Native 2-port shunt-through impedance: Supports automated multi-channel 2-port impedance profiling from 10 Hz to 50 MHz using the internal function generator.
- Power-supply-induced jitter correlation: Cross-correlates periodic timing variations in high-speed serial waveforms directly with power supply rail noise, allowing designers to evaluate how power rail noise contributes to signal degradation.
- Noise spectrum and automated rejection measurements: Typically features 85 dB of automated Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR) metrics to quantify regulator noise attenuation, combined with multi-channel spectrum analysis to isolate rail noise sources.
A unified approach to power integrity analysis
Engineers rely on oscilloscopes for system-level visibility and debug. PDN Analysis Software extends those capabilities by bringing advanced power integrity measurements into the oscilloscope environment. When paired with Tektronix low-noise oscilloscopes and power rail probes, the software helps teams evaluate stability, identify sources of noise, and better understand how power delivery affects signal performance within a familiar workflow, creating a unified power integrity solution.
Availability
PDN Analysis Software is available immediately worldwide as an instrument option or an application bundle upgrade for all Tektronix 4 Series B, 5 Series B, and 6 Series B Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes. For more information, visit tek.com.
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About Tektronix
Tektronix is the partner engineers have trusted to measure, understand, and solve complex problems for nearly 80 years. Today we deliver test and measurement solutions that unite precision with simplicity, helping engineers build, test, and bring new technologies to life. Learn more at tek.com/newsroom.
Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
SOURCE: Tektronix, Inc.
Contact Info
Tektronix
media@tektronix.com
Attachments
- Tektronix PDN 6 series demo
- PDN Tektronix demo
