Cinclidae is an RF-frontend immediately interfaced with the dual-mode probe. Its primary objective is to:
- Allow dual-mode excitation (i.e. common-mode and differential-mode)
- Direct reflections from the probe into the measurement unit.
There are 6-ports used
- PROBE1: connects to one of the core of the dual-mode probe
- PROBE2: connects to the second core of the dual-mode probe
- CM: excites signals at PROBE1 and PROBE2 in phase
- DM: excites signals at PROBE1 and PROBE2 with a 180 degrees phase shift.
- MEAS1: reflections from PROBE1 is directed into this port
- MEAS2: reflections from PROBE2 is directed into this port
- ISO1 and ISO2 must be terminated with 50 ohm load.
The design is optimized for operation at 15GHz. The laminate is Rogers RO4350B with a thickness of 0.254mm. The SMA connectors are end-launch. The diemnsions is 61.4mm x 41.4mm.