CT100 Automated Metallic TDR Cable Tester Features


CT100 Series Automated Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR) Cable Testers combine next-generation advances in time-domain reflectometry with labor-saving software features, long battery life, bright color screens, and industry-leading ergonomics. Read on for more details.



CT100HF Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR) with 50 Ohm SMA test port. Screen shows 50-75 Ohm SMA interconnect.

Figure 1 -- CT100HF TDR, SMA test port. The red trace is a previously-stored high-resolution TDR waveform of a 50-75 Ω SMA coaxial interconnect; this waveform can be repositioned or rescaled to display higher or lower detail. The green trace is the first-derivative of the red TDR trace; like other math traces, it will display changes dynamically if linked to a live TDR waveform. Click image for detail.

50 Ohm BNC to SMA interconnect that is slightly loosened. The difference trace highlights the change in impedance at the connection signaling this subtle partial cable fault.

Figure 2 -- Scanned TDR traces help detect subtle cable defects. A baseline waveform has been saved of a firmly seated BNC-SMA coaxial interconnect (top photograph, green trace). A waveform obtained sometime later shows a new impedance discontinuity (purple trace) corresponding to the female BNC port of the BNC-SMA adapter, which is still seated and conducting but no longer in the locked position (bottom photograph). A difference waveform (blue trace), normalized to 50 Ω, shows the associated partial cable fault as a deviation from the previously stored TDR waveform. Finally, the black (live) trace shows the trace after the loosened connector has been returned to the correct position. Click image for detail.

Library of saved TDR traces. Scanned traces can be compared with each other at different horizontal and vertical gain levels.
Cable time library stores commonly encountered coaxial and twisted pair cable industry standards. Add your own cable types.
Store your commonly used cable test settings in the user configuration library.

Figure 3 -- Library of saved TDR traces (top): Saved TDR waveforms can be rescaled and translated horizontally and vertically, and compared with other live or scanned TDR waveforms.
Cable type library (middle), an easily-accessible library of industry-standard coaxial and twisted pair cable types is included. Add your own custom cable types.
Configuration library (bottom), lets you quickly set horizontal and vertical postion, vertical gain, cursor positions, and other TDR settings with a single keypress. Save a different configuration for each type of cable test you perform frequently to save time throughout the day.



Unmatched high-resolution step TDR performance

  • Step-rise signal with 60 ps (CT100HF) or 100 ps (CT100) 20-80% reflected risetime provides spatial resolution that is at least 8-10 times sharper than most competing devices.
  • Horizontal cursor resolution of 0.76 ps, regardless of cable length, provides length measurement and localization of cable faults with up to 75 µm precision in standard coaxial cable (VoP=0.66), 100-1000 times better than most competing devices.
  • Precision 16-bit sampling with industry-leading impedance accuracy -- < 1% of measured value (< 1 Ω) from short to > 1000 Ω (typ.).
  • Sequential sampling rates up to 250 kHz (500 full TDR frames/sec) lets you capture transient cable impedance changes and implement sophisticated digital filtering (shown below).
  • Need more precision when you measure cable length? CT100 Series TDRs let you select VoP out to 6 digits. In concert with 75 µm horizontal cursor resolution, this lets you measure cables of any length with unprecedented accuracy.


Innovative time-saving features

  • Get quick differential measurements with the CT100's dual cursors (Figures 1, 2).
  • Shift function using the multifunction (M-Func) knob lets you shift the entire selected trace horizontally. If a scanned trace is selected, it is translated horizontally independent of the other traces on the screen.
  • Dedicated function buttons minimize soft-menu navigation and save time:
    • M-Func -- Selects function of the M-Func knob.
    • Scan -- Brings up the scan function menu.
    • Library -- Loads the scan, configuration and cable library menu.
    • Select -- Cycles through selectable TDR traces (live and scanned) on the screen.
    • AutoFit -- Fits the cable onto the screen.
    • Cursor -- Toggles the active cursor.


Cable scanning

  • Scan a cable at high resolution, store it in your waveform library, and call it up later for comparison with live or other stored TDR waveforms at any time, either on the device itself or on CT Viewer™ (Figures 2, 3).
  • Select and independently translate and vertically scale scanned TDR traces for direct comparison with other TDR traces.
  • Apply math transforms to scanned and live TDR waveforms: subtraction, 1st derivative, and more (Figure 2).


Configuration and cable libraries

  • An industry-standard cable-type library is at your fingertips. Add new cable types as needed with VoP precision of up to 6 digits. See Figure 3, middle panel.
  • Save time setting up cable tests. Store cursor position, horizontal and vertical zoom, and other settings under a unique name in the configuration library and reapply them at any time. Set up as many configurations as you want. See Figure 3, bottom panel.


Communication and collaboration

  • Live Internet streaming of TDR waveform data from and remote control of any CT100 Series TDR, from next door or from thousands of miles away.
  • Upload your TDR waveform data to your Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista PC running CT Viewer™ via 10/100 Mbit Ethernet or client USB.
  • Full integration with CT Viewer™ lets you share and compare your TDR waveform data with others and upgrade your device with the latest features.
  • Front-panel USB host functionality, compatible with barcode readers, keyboards, USB thumbdrives, and more.