Sensepeek PCBite Oscilloscope Compatibility: PicoScope, Keysight, Tektronix, R&S, and GW Instek

Sensepeek PCBite Oscilloscope Compatibility: PicoScope, Keysight, Tektronix, R&S, and GW Instek

One of the most common questions from engineers evaluating the Sensepeek PCBite system is straightforward: will these probes work with my oscilloscope? The short answer is yes, the SQ-series probes use standard BNC connectors with 10 M-ohm impedance matching, and the SQG-series probes use SMA connectors with 50-ohm impedance matching. Both are open standards, not proprietary to any oscilloscope manufacturer.

This guide covers the specifics of pairing PCBite probes with oscilloscopes from the major brands used in Indian electronics labs.

SQ-Series: Universal 10 M-ohm BNC Compatibility

The SQ200 (200 MHz, 10:1) and SQ500 (500 MHz, 10:1) probes connect via standard BNC to any oscilloscope with a 1 M-ohm input impedance channel. This is the default input impedance on virtually every oscilloscope manufactured in the last three decades. The SQ10 (10 MHz, 1:1) connects via test wires (Dupont or banana) to oscilloscopes, multimeters, or logic analyzers.

Automatic Probe Detection

The SQ200 and SQ500 support automatic 10:1 probe attenuation detection. When connected to an oscilloscope that reads the probe identification pin on the BNC connector, the scope automatically scales the vertical axis to account for the 10:1 attenuation. This feature works with oscilloscopes from:

• Keysight (InfiniiVision, InfiniiVision X-series)
• Tektronix (TBS, TDS, MDO, MSO series)
• Rohde & Schwarz (RTB, RTM, RTO, RTP series)
• GW Instek (GDS series, MDO series)
• PicoScope (via PicoScope software probe setting)
• Rigol (DS, MSO series)
• Siglent (SDS series)

If your oscilloscope does not auto-detect the probe attenuation, manually set the channel to 10:1 in the channel setup menu. This is a one-time configuration per channel.

Bandwidth Consideration

The system measurement bandwidth is limited by the lower of the probe bandwidth and the oscilloscope bandwidth. An SQ500 (500 MHz) connected to a 100 MHz oscilloscope produces a system with roughly 100 MHz usable bandwidth. The probe’s extra bandwidth is not wasted, it contributes to flatter phase response within the oscilloscope’s passband, but you will not see 500 MHz signals on a 100 MHz scope.

For maximum benefit from the SQ200, your oscilloscope should have at least 200 MHz bandwidth. For the SQ500, at least 500 MHz. Oscilloscopes from Keysight, Tektronix, R&S, and PicoScope offer models at these bandwidths across a range of price points.

Compatibility by Brand

PicoScope (Pico Technology)

PicoScope USB oscilloscopes are widely used in Indian electronics labs for their combination of high sample rate, deep memory, flexible channel configurations, and broad cross-platform software support. The SQ200 and SQ500 connect via BNC to PicoScope models including the 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 series. PicoScope software allows manual probe attenuation setting (1:1 or 10:1) in the channel properties dialog.

The PicoScope 5444D (200 MHz) pairs well with the SQ200, while the PicoScope 6000E series (500 MHz+) matches the SQ500’s bandwidth.

Keysight

Keysight InfiniiVision oscilloscopes (DSOX/MSOX 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 series) auto-detect the SQ200 and SQ500 probe attenuation via the BNC sense pin. The InfiniiVision 3000T X-Series (350 MHz to 1 GHz) and 4000 X-Series (200 MHz to 1.5 GHz) are natural matches. For SQG high-frequency probes, Keysight Infiniium series oscilloscopes (4 GHz+) with 50-ohm SMA inputs provide the necessary bandwidth.

Tektronix

Tektronix TBS, TDS, MDO, and MSO series oscilloscopes all accept the SQ200 and SQ500 via BNC with auto-probe detection. The MSO4 (200 MHz to 1.5 GHz) and MSO5/6 series are commonly paired with PCBite probes. Tektronix’s probe interface supports both passive and active probe detection, the SQ-series probes are detected as standard passive 10:1 probes.

Rohde & Schwarz

R&S RTB2000, RTM3000, and RTO/RTP series oscilloscopes accept PCBite SQ-series probes via BNC. The R&S probe detection system recognizes 10:1 passive probes automatically. The RTO6 (600 MHz to 6 GHz) with 50-ohm input channels can also accept SQG-series probes via BNC-to-SMA adapters, though direct SMA connection to a dedicated signal integrity oscilloscope is preferred for GHz measurements.

GW Instek

GW Instek GDS-1000B, GDS-2000E, MDO-2000E, and MPO-2000 series oscilloscopes are popular in Indian labs for their price-to-performance ratio. The SQ200 and SQ500 connect via BNC and are recognized as 10:1 probes on models that support auto-detection. For models without auto-detection, set the probe attenuation manually in the channel menu.

GSAS provides both Sensepeek probes and GW Instek oscilloscopes, and can recommend matched configurations for teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune setting up new test benches.

SQG-Series: 50-Ohm SMA Compatibility

The SQG15 (1.5 GHz), SQG30 (3 GHz), and SQG60 (6 GHz) probes output via SMA connector designed for 50-ohm instrument inputs. Compatible instruments include:

• High-bandwidth real-time oscilloscopes with 50-ohm SMA inputs (Keysight Infiniium, Tektronix MSO5/6, R&S RTP)
• Sampling oscilloscopes (Keysight 86100 series, Tektronix DSA8300)
• Spectrum analyzers with 50-ohm RF inputs
• Network analyzers (VNA) for S-parameter measurements

If your oscilloscope has BNC 50-ohm inputs rather than SMA, use a quality SMA-to-BNC adapter. Ensure the adapter is rated for the frequency range of the SQG probe, a low-quality adapter will degrade bandwidth.

What to Verify Before Purchase

Before purchasing PCBite probes, confirm two things about your oscilloscope:

1. Input impedance: SQ-series probes require 1 M-ohm input. SQG-series probes require 50-ohm input. Most oscilloscopes offer 1 M-ohm on all channels. The 50-ohm option is available on mid-range and higher models.
2. Bandwidth: Match or exceed the probe bandwidth for full benefit. An SQ500 on a 200 MHz scope works, but you are paying for bandwidth you cannot use.

For teams in Chennai and Mumbai evaluating PCBite alongside a new oscilloscope purchase, GSAS can recommend scope-probe combinations optimized for your measurement requirements and budget.

Why Buy from GSAS

GSAS is an authorized engineering partner in India and also represents GW Instek, Pico Technology, and Digilent, allowing us to recommend and supply matched oscilloscope-probe configurations from a single source. Our application engineers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR verify compatibility, configure probe settings, and ensure your measurement chain delivers its full specified bandwidth from day one. Contact GSAS for bundled oscilloscope-probe pricing and compatibility verification.