Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is a valuable technique for diverse applications such as evaluating power distribution networks and ensuring signal path integrity. This primer focuses on TDR measurement techniques with the use of general-purpose, real-time oscilloscopes in combination with a dedicated TDR step generator. Sampling oscilloscopes, known for their excellent time and voltage resolution, operate on repetitive waveforms. However, general-purpose real-time oscilloscopes are more common on engineering benches. Despite the different sampling techniques, the underlying theory of TDR remains the same.
This primer:
- Describes applications for time domain reflectometry (TDR)
- Explains the theory behind TDR
- Explains how TDR works in practice
- Describes types of TDR measurements
- Explains how to set up TDR measurements with a real-time oscilloscope
- Gives TDR measurement examples