TekVPI connector

TekVPI interface with 250 kΩ termination capability (notch in the upper right)

The TekVPI interface was introduced in 2006 (superseding the TekConnect interface) and is used in MSO/DPO2000/3000/4000/5000/7000 series scopes as well as the new 3, 4, 5 and 6 Siereis MSOs.

It consists of a plain BNC connector that allows traditional BNC based connections such as from passive probes, with additional surrounding contact pads carrying power and data.

The VPI connector saw several additions/modifications with intrduction of new scopes:

• The MDO Series introduced a notch on the upper right side of the connector to key compatability of the new 1 GHz TPP1000 probes and their 250 kΩ termination as well as the automatic probe compensation feature.
• With introduction of the 4, 5 and 6 Series MSOs the VPI interface was extended to inclue a USB interface to access the new file system some probes like the TDP77 series now have as well as a bottom row of digital logic analyzer inputs.

Evolution of Tektronix probe interfaces (click to enlarge)

Instruments and probes using TekVPI include

• TDP3500
• TDP1500
• TPP0500
• TPP0250
• TCP0150
• TCP0030
• TAP1500
• TCP0020
• TPP1000
• TPP0502
• THDP0200
• TMDP0200
• THDP0100
• TDP0500
• TDP1000
• TPP0850
• TPA
• TPA-BNC