Tektronix 1502/1502B/1502C and the CT100B TDR Cable Analyzer

Tektronix produced the analog 1502 TDR starting in 1976. In 1986, Dr. Charles Mohr initiated the development of the Tektronix digital version of the 1502 TDR, which became known as the Tektronix 1502B. The Tektronix 1502B, and later the Tektronix 1502C, were widely adopted by commercial and military users and quickly became the industry standard TDRs. Tektronix discontinued production of the 1502 series TDRs about 2007.

MOHR has developed TDR technology for over 30 years. In 2008, MOHR Test and Measurement released the CT100 TDR as the direct replacement for the Tektronix 1502C TDR. The CT100 is a faster, higher resolution TDR with greatly improved storage and analysis features, all in a more compact enclosure.

   

Introduced in 2016, the Mohr CT100B is the latest iteration and takes additional advantage of improved computational hardware to provide features not previously available in a portable TDR.

CT100-series TDRs have been selected as the direct upgrade to the Tektronix 1502 by:

• US Navy & NAVAIR
• Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF)
• GE Reuter Stokes
• Boeing, Lockheed Martin, L3

and many other commercial and military customers.

MOHR CT100B vs. Tektronix® 1502C
Specification	MOHR CT100B	Tektronix® 1502C
Risetime, ps* (20-80%)	100 (CT100) 60 (CT100HF)	130
Pulse amplitude (into 50Ω load)	300 mV	300 mV
Sequential sampling rate	2 - 250 kHz	12.5 kHz
Sampling resolution	16 bits	12 bits
TDR frame rate	500 fps	25 fps
Horizontal scale	0.003 - 200 ft/div (0.001 - 50 m/div)	0.1 - 200 ft/div (0.03 - 50 m/div)
Horizontal range	0 - 30,000 ft (0 - 9 km)†	0 - 2000 ft (0 - 0.6 km)
Distance resolution	0.003 in (0.075 mm)	0.05 in (1.2 mm)
Spatial resolution+	<0.5 in (<1 cm)	<1 in (<2 cm)
Vertical scale	0.5 - 500 mρ/div	0.5 - 500 mρ/div
Battery life	> 6h	> 5h
Battery recharge	< 3h	< 20 h
I/O options	USB host/client 10/100 Ethernet	Thermal printer optional RS-232, Ethernet
Data storage	Thousands of traces	Temporarily store single trace
Network integration	10/100 Mb Ethernet	None
Display	4.3" 480x272 backlit color TFT-LCD	4.7" 256x130 backlit mono LCD
TDR trace display	Unlimited	2 traces
TDR digital filtering	Smooth, difference, derivatives, FFT, S-parameters, many others	Smooth
Unit Weight	4.7 lb (2.2 kg)	23 lb (10 kg)
Dimensions	4.3 x 11.5 x 6.9 in (10.9 x 29.2 x 17.5 cm)	5.0 x 12.4 x 16.5 (12.7 x 31.5 x 41.9 cm)

^* Typical system risetimes as measured at the reflected rise.
⁺ Spatial resolution is how close together two faults can be detected as separate details.
^† Testable cable length may be limited by cable signal attenuation characteristics. Typical coaxial cables are scannable to at least 10,000 ft (3.0 km).

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Tektronix 1503B/C and the CT100B

The Tektronix 1502B/C used a step pulse signal and was able to measure cables up to 2000 ft. in length. The Tektronix 1503C used high energy, 1/2-sine shaped pulses allowing it to test longer cable runs, up to a maximum length of 50,000 ft. The resolution was not as good as the 1502C however, detecting multiple faults only as close as one foot apart.

The CT100B can be used as a substitute for the Tek 1503C in many situations. The nominal range of the CT100B is 30,000 ft. The resolution is exceptional, detecting multiple faults separated by less than 1/2 inch.

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Key environmental qualifications of the CT100B:

• EMC: MIL-PRF-28800F, MIL-STD-461F RE102, CE102. IEC 61000
• Shock/Vibration: MIL-PRF-28800F (Class 3)
• Temperature/Humidity: MIL-PRF-28800F (Class 3)
• Explosive Atmosphere: MIL-STD-810G 511.5 Procedure 1 (+55°C, 0-4600 m)