Picotest J2154A Differential TDR
Video notes

Compatible with any 50Ω oscilloscope, the J2154A transforms basic test equipment into a comprehensive PCB trace analyser, cable tester, and impedance measurement system without the £20,000+ investment typically required for dedicated TDR instruments.
The internal 10.5GHz pulse generator and power splitter enable both single-ended and differential TDR measurements, making it ideal for modern high-speed digital designs requiring controlled impedance verification. Engineers worldwide rely on this tool for PCB coupon testing, signal integrity validation, and pre-production impedance verification across electronics development projects.Video notes
Videos are hosted on YouTube and load only when you press play.
The J2154A revolutionises impedance testing by delivering sampling-grade TDR performance in a pocket-sized, USB-powered package costing a fraction of traditional instruments. This breakthrough enables signal integrity engineers to perform professional impedance measurements without the £15,000-£50,000+ investment typically required for dedicated TDR systems.
| Feature | Why It's Important | What You Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 30ps Rise Time | Enables high-resolution spatial measurements | Detect impedance changes as small as 164 mils on FR4 |
| USB-C Power | Eliminates external power requirements | Portable testing capability for field and production use |
| Oscilloscope Integration | Leverages existing test equipment investment | Professional TDR without dedicated sampling instruments |
| Differential Capability | Modern designs require differential pair testing | Complete impedance characterisation for high-speed digital |
| Host | Direction | Through | Device | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscilloscope Ch1 | → | BNC-SMA Cable | J2154A Port 1 | TDR signal input/output |
| Oscilloscope Ch2 | → | BNC-SMA Cable | J2154A Port 3 | Differential mode (optional) |
| J2154A Port 2 | → | TDR Probe | Device Under Test | Signal injection point |
| J2154A Port 4 | → | TDR Probe | Device Under Test | Differential return (if used) |
| USB-C Port | → | USB Cable | 5V Power Source | 118mA typical, 130mA max |
// Oscilloscope Math Setup for TDR Analysis // Configure for impedance calculation from reflection coefficient Math1 = 50 * (1 + Rho) / (1 - Rho) where Rho = (Ch1 - Ch2) / (Ch1 + Ch2)
// Time-to-Distance Conversion
Distance = (Time × c × √εr) / 2
// c = speed of light, εr = relative permittivity (~4.3 for FR4)
| Ordering information | |
|---|---|
| Part number (SKU) | J2154A |
| Manufacturer | PicoTest Corp |
| EAN | 5055383624560 |
| Warranty | 12 Monate |
| Shipping weight | 0.5 kg |
The integrated 10GHz power splitter, fed by a 10.5GHz fast-edge pulse generator, enables:
Yes. It is compact, runs on USB-C power. It suits production line impedance verification, incoming inspection of cables/connectors, and quality control of PCB coupons and finished assemblies.
Each J2154A includes:
It comes with a one-year warranty.
Yes. By analysing the time-domain reflections you can calculate cable/trace lengths, characteristic impedance and the dielectric constant of PCB materials. This is useful for materials characterisation and design validation.
Connect known impedance standards (open, short, load) to set measurement references. Compatible TDR probes can make this simpler; the Picotest P2104A, for example, ships with a calibration board.
The J2154A works with any 50Ω oscilloscope that supports math expressions, including Tektronix 4, 5 and 6 Series MSO scopes with TDR software. The J2154A generates the TDR signals and your oscilloscope provides the display and analysis.
Yes. Use connectors 1&2 for single-ended measurements (typically 50Ω), or connectors 1&3 with 2&4 for differential TDR analysis of high-speed digital pairs.
About 164 mil (4.16mm) on FR4. This detects small impedance variations from via transitions, connector launches or PCB manufacturing tolerances.
Unlike a benchtop sampling TDR, the J2154A is portable, runs on USB power and works with your existing oscilloscope.
No questions match your search.