2 layers100 × 22.5 mm
Differential probe
CGrassin/rf_differential_probe
A passive differential RF probe for in-circuit measurement of 500 MHz to 6 GHz.
10 parts9
2 layers100 × 22.5 mm
Differential probe
CGrassin/rf_differential_probe9A passive differential RF probe for in-circuit measurement of 500 MHz to 6 GHz.
- Size
- 100 × 22.5 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 10
- Nets
- 9
- Pads
- 20
- Tracks, vias
- 18, 0
- Pours
- 3
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 8 Apr 2023
- Updated
- 15 May 2026
Overview
Differential probe is an open-source printed circuit board by CGrassin, from the CGrassin/rf_differential_probe repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 100 × 22.5 mm with 10 parts on 9 nets, routed with 18 tracks and 0 vias.
It is built around the TCM1-63AX+. Its parts include 3 resistors and 2 capacitors. It belongs with the sensors and measurement and radio and wireless boards of this library.
Main components
1README
README.mdRF Passive Differential Probe
Article about the project: https://charleslabs.fr/en/project-RF+Passive+Differential+Probe
This passive RF differential probe is a cost-effective solution for in-circuit measurements of RF systems operating within the frequency range of 500 MHz to 6 GHz. It is well-suited for situations where a test port is unavailable and it is engineered to have minimal impact on the device under test.
The probe's spring-loaded pins can be positioned at any angle to fit the ground-signal track spacing, with a practical lower bound of 1 mm, equivalent to the length of an 0402 component.
Compared to commercial active probes, this probe is significantly more affordable and has a different input power range, making it suitable for use on high-power RF circuits for instance.
A typical application for this probe is for tuning multiple-stage RF power amplifiers.
This repository contains the KiCad files (schmematic and PCB layout).
License
This probe is licensed under the BSD 4-clause license, please see the LICENSE file.
Parts
10| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1p,N0G | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C1, C2 |
| 2 | 220 | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R1, R2 |
| 2 | MountingHole_Pad | MountingHole:MountingHole_2.7mm_M2.5_Pad | H1, H2 |
| 2 | Pogo pin | TestPoint:TestPoint_Loop_D1.80mm_Drill1.0mm_Beaded | TP1, TP2 |
| 1 | DNP | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R3 |
| 1 | TCM1-63AX+ | Transformer_SMD2:Mini-Circuits_TB-553_LandPatternPL-364 | TR1 |
More from CGrassin/rf_differential_probe
1Similar boards
- 4 layers98 × 100 mm
- 8 layers89 × 65 mm
MurPhySDR
MillePoels/MurPhySDR
MurPhySDR is an open source software-defined radio platform based on the AD9364 transceiver IC.
221 parts14GPL-3.0 - 6 layers71 × 126 mm
QuasarSDR
petrinm/QuasarSDR-Hardware
Hardware design files are disrtributed under CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 - Weakly Reciprocal licence.
454 parts7CERN-OHL-W-2.0 - 12 layers92 × 92 mm
- 4 layers96.9 × 71.6 mm
- 2 layers57 × 55.2 mm
LogicAnalyzer
gusmanb/logicanalyzer
24 channel, 100Msps logic analyzer hardware and software
10 parts5.1kGPL-3.0 - 2 layers32.2 × 15.4 mm
Protector
byrantech/laptop
anyon_e, a highly integrated, high end, open source laptop. Attempt the impossible.
10 parts4.3kMIT - 2 layers14.4 × 10.1 mm
Q3Q SWAB A1-00 Temperature + Test Points + OPT3001
joeycastillo/Sensor-Watch
A board replacement for the classic Casio F-91W wristwatch
10 parts2.1k
Questions
How big is the Differential probe PCB?
It measures 100 × 22.5 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Differential probe use?
10 parts, built around the TCM1-63AX+. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Differential probe KiCad files?
From the CGrassin/rf_differential_probe repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB_files_CoreAndWire/differential_probe.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB_files_CoreAndWire/differential_probe.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Differential probe design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask CGrassin before reusing the design.