Differential Attenuators - TiePie Handyscope HS4 DIFF-5MHz Instrument Manual

A differential input is not referenced to ground, but both sides of
the input are "floating". It is therefore possible to connect one
side of the input to one point in the circuit and the other side of
the input to the other point in the circuit and measure the voltage
difference directly.
Advantages of a differential input:
3.1.1 Differential attenuators
To increase the input range of the Handyscope HS4 DIFF, it comes
with a differential 1:10 attenuator for each channel. This differen-
tial attenuator is specially designed to be used with the Handyscope
HS4 DIFF.
For a differential input, both sides of the input need to be attenu-
ated.
Figure 3.2: Differential input
No risk of creating a short circuit to ground
Only one channel is required to measure the signal
More accurate measurements, since only one channel intro-
duces a measurement error
The CMRR of a differential input is high. If both points have
a relative high voltage, but the voltage difference between the
two points is small, the voltage difference can be measured
in a low input range, resulting in a high resolution
Figure 3.3: Differential attenuator
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Introduction