EP0715177A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Architecture for RF signal automatic test equipment
Assignee: Teradyne Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-12-01
Abstract
Abstract An RF module useful for configuring RF sources and receivers to make a wide range of measurements on a device under test. The module includes a directional element which allows one receiver to measure both the input and the output signals from one test point. In addition, the module allows multiple input signals to be combined for intermodulation testing. Multiple copies of the module are used to construct multiple channels in an RF tester. At least one RF source and one RF receiver can be connected to each channel. Each lead of a device under test is assigned to a channel, but one channel may be multiplexed to more than one lead. Switching circuitry included in each module allows the source from one channel to be used as an intermodulation signal for another channel. The module includes calibration standards for source and receiver level accuracy. With this arrangement, numerous RF measurements, including measurement of s-parameters, can be made on a device under test without dedicated instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian C. Wadell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/3167; G01R27/00; G01R27/28; G01R27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
RF circuitry apparatus comprising: a) a first directional element having at least two of a first type of ports and at least two of a second type of ports wherein a signal applied as an input to one type of port appears as an output on ports of the other type; b) a first RF source coupled to a first type port of the directional element; c) a first switch having at least two input ports and an output port which is switchably coupled to one of the input ports, a first one of said input ports being coupled to a first type port of the directional element and a second one of said input ports being coupled to a second type port of the directional element; and d) a receiver coupled to the output port of the first switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The RF circuitry apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a bias-T network coupled to one of the second type of ports of the directional element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
The RF circuitry apparatus of claim 1: a) additionally comprising: i) a second directional element having at least two of a first type of ports and at least one of a second type of port wherein a signal applied as an input to one type of port appears as an output on ports of the other type; and ii) a second RF source coupled to the one of the first type ports of the second directional element; and b) wherein: i) the first RF source is coupled to the directional element through the second directional element, said first RF source being coupled to one of the first type ports of the second directional elements, and ii) one of the second type ports of the second directional elements is coupled to a first type port of the first directional element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The RF circuitry apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising a second switch having an input port coupled to a second type port of the second directional element and at least two output ports with the input port switchably connectable to the output port, with a first output port of the second switch being connected to one of the first type ports of the first directional element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The RF circuitry apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising a like RF circuitry apparatus wherein the second output port of the second switch of each RF circuitry element is connected as the second RF source of the other RF circuitry apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
Automatic test equipment for RF components comprising: a) a test head adapted to couple signals to a device under test; b) RF circuitry including a plurality of RF sources and a plurality of RF receivers; and c) a plurality of channels of electronic circuitry mounted within the test head, each channel containing means for directing a test signal from a selected one of the RF sources to at least one of a plurality of leads on the device under test or to a selected one of the plurality of RF receivers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The automatic test equipment for RF components of claim 6 additionally comprising means for directing the test signal from the selected one of the RF sources to the selected one of the RF receivers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automatic test equipment apparatus of claim 7 additionally comprising means for intermodulating signals from at least two of the channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automatic test equipment of claim 8 additionally comprising at least one set of VNA calibration references within the test head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The automatic test equipment of claim 9 additionally comprising: a) means for storing values indicating adjustments to the calibration references; and b) means for adjusting calibration measurements based on the stored values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
An RF switching module comprising: a) a source port adapted to connect to an RF source; b) a receiver port adapted to connect to an RF receiver; c) a test port adapted to connect to a device under test; d) electronic circuitry connected to the source port, the receiver port and the test port, said electronic circuitry coupling the signal from the source port to the test port, said electronic circuitry further having a directional characteristic allowing signals from the source port and from the test port to be selectively presented to the receiver port; and e) VNA calibration references switchably connected to the electronic circuitry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The RF switching module of claim 11 additionally comprising means for storing adjustment values for the calibration references.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of testing an electronic component including RF circuitry comprising the steps of: a) connecting at least a source and a receiver to a switching module; b) connecting at least two ports of the switching module to the component; c) measuring the input impedance of the component at the two ports; and d) without changing the connections to the module or the component, measuring the harmonics of the component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of testing an electronic component of claim 13 wherein the step of connecting at least a source and a receiver comprises connecting only one receiver.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of calibrating VNA circuitry of the type having directional characteristics between a source, a test port and at least one receiver whereby the signals propagating towards and away from the test port are measured, comprising the steps of: a) connecting the VNA circuitry to a plurality of external references through the test port and taking a plurality of measurements; b) connecting the VNA circuitry to a different plurality of references internal to the VNA circuitry and taking a plurality of measurements; c) computing an adjustment for the internal references based on the measurements of the external references; d) subsequently calibrating the VNA circuitry using the internal references and the computed adjustments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 additionally comprising the step of storing the computed adjustment in non-volatile memory.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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