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Common test & measurement challenges and the equipment that solves them
Published on 26 June 26
Modern electronic systems are becoming faster, more complex and more integrated than ever before. As a result, engineers face a growing range of test and measurement challenges across design, validation and production environments.
From signal integrity issues in high-speed digital designs to power efficiency constraints in embedded systems, having the right instrumentation is essential to diagnose problems accurately and develop reliable products.
This article explores some of the most common engineering challenges and the types of test and measurement equipment typically used to solve them.
1. Debugging signal integrity issues in high-speed designs
Typical causes:
Poor PCB layout
Impedance mismatches
Inadequate grounding
High-frequency interference
Equipment used:
High-performance oscilloscopes are essential for visualising waveforms and identifying anomalies in real time. Advanced triggering and analysis tools help engineers isolate intermittent faults and capture complex signal behaviour.
Tools from manufacturers such as Tektronix are widely used in this area due to their deep waveform analysis capabilities and support for high-speed debugging.
2. Analysing power consumption in embedded systems
Typical challenges:
Battery life optimisation
Dynamic power draw
Sleep mode inefficiencies
Voltage instability
Equipment used:
Power analysers and source measurement units (SMUs) allow engineers to measure current consumption with high precision. These tools help identify inefficiencies and validate low-power design strategies.
Oscilloscopes with power analysis software options can also provide deeper insight into transient behaviour and switching performance.
3. Troubleshooting RF and wireless performance
Typical issues:
Signal interference
Poor antenna design
Frequency drift
Harmonics and spurious emissions
Equipment used:
Spectrum analysers are key tools for visualising frequency-domain behaviour. They allow engineers to detect unwanted signals, measure spectral purity and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
In more advanced applications, signal generators are used to simulate real-world conditions and validate receiver performance.
4. Overcoming probe loading and signal distortion
Typical challenges:
Circuit loading (altering the behavior of the device under test)
High-frequency signal attenuation
Inability to measure small AC signals riding on large DC offsets
Ground loop noise and common-mode interference
Equipment used:
Specialised oscilloscope probes are critical for capturing clean, unaltered signals.
Active probes feature low input capacitance to minimise circuit loading in high-speed applications, while differential probes allow engineers to accurately measure non-ground-referenced signals and suppress common-mode noise.
5. Ensuring measurement accuracy in complex systems
Typical issues:
Calibration drift
Environmental interference
Probe loading effects
Instrument limitations
Equipment used:
High-precision multimeters, calibrated test systems and reference-grade instruments are used to maintain measurement confidence.
Regular calibration and correct probe selection are essential to ensure reliability.
The role of the right test equipment partner
Selecting the right instrumentation is only part of the solution. Engineers also need access to expertise that helps them interpret results, configure equipment correctly and apply the right measurement techniques.
Working with an experienced test and measurement partner can help ensure engineers are not only equipped with the right tools but also supported in using them effectively.
With our in-house technical expertise, we can help guide product selection across leading manufacturers such as Tektronix, ensuring engineers have access to instruments suited to their specific application.
This is particularly valuable in environments where teams are working under time pressure or dealing with complex, multi-domain systems.
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