Fixtures for RF circuit testing

Abstract

The present application discloses a fixture for testing radio frequency circuits, which belongs to the field of radio frequency circuit testing. A fixture for testing radio frequency circuits, comprising a metal shielding box and a pair of signal conversion ports; the metal shielding box comprises a first cover plate, a second cover plate and a side wall, the side wall being connected between the first cover plate and the second cover plate; the pair of signal conversion ports are arranged on the set of side walls, including a channel and an interface arranged at the end of the channel. Radio frequency circuit testing is performed through the fixture, and a microstrip to waveguide interface is used instead of a coaxial connecting line for signal output, which can not only solve the problem of signal connection, but also provide shielding protection, thereby ensuring the stability of radio frequency circuit testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of radio frequency circuit testing, and in particular to a fixture for radio frequency circuit testing. Background Art

[0002] As human society enters the information age, wireless communication technology has developed rapidly. Mobile phones, wireless LANs, Bluetooth, etc. have become an indispensable part of social life and development. The progress of wireless communication technology is inseparable from the development of radio frequency chips and microwave technology.

[0003] RF chips need to be debugged during the R&D process. Currently, the main method for debugging RF chips is to solder the chip on a test board, and then connect the test board to the power supply through a coaxial cable to form an RF circuit. By performing system performance testing on the RF circuit, the relevant performance parameters of the chip can be obtained.

[0004] The problems with the above method are: on the one hand, the SMA connector of the coaxial cable is a lossy component and needs to be replaced regularly to ensure the accuracy of the test; on the other hand, the power cord is connected using a flat cable, and frequent plugging and unplugging during testing will cause poor line contact and affect the stability of the test; in addition, the test board is exposed, and the static electricity carried by the operator during the operation may damage the RF circuit and chip. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application aims to provide a fixture for testing radio frequency circuits. The radio frequency circuit is placed in the fixture, and a microstrip-to-waveguide interface is used to replace the coaxial connection line for signal output. This can not only solve the problem of signal connection, but also provide shielding protection, thereby ensuring the stability of radio frequency circuit testing.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present application, a fixture for testing a radio frequency circuit is provided, characterized in that it includes a metal shielding box and a pair of signal conversion ports. The metal shielding box includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate and a side wall, and the side wall is connected between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The pair of signal conversion ports are arranged on the side wall, including a channel and an interface arranged at the end of the channel.

[0007] By setting a fixture, placing the radio frequency circuit in the fixture for testing, and outputting the signal through the signal conversion port, the problem of signal connection can be solved and external signal interference can be shielded.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present application, the metal shielding box includes a first part and a second part. The first part includes a first cover plate and a first side wall, and the first side wall is arranged around the first cover plate. The second part is arranged on the first part, includes a second cover plate and a second side wall, and the second side wall is arranged around the second cover plate, and the first side wall and the second set of walls are attached to each other up and down to form the side wall.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first side wall includes a group of positioning rods, and the second side wall includes a group of positioning holes, and the group of positioning rods are inserted into the group of positioning holes.

[0010] The assembling and positioning of the upper and lower parts are facilitated by arranging positioning holes and positioning rods on the first part and the second part.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, the second part also includes a group of fixing components disposed on the second cover plate.

[0012] Further, the set of fixing components includes a set of fixing rods.

[0013] By arranging a fixing component on the second cover plate, when the upper and lower parts are closed, the fixing rod contacts the circuit board under test, thereby fixing the circuit board under test to ensure the stability of the electrical connection during the test.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, the clamp further includes a pair of electrical connectors, one end of which is disposed in the first cover plate through an insulating protective device, and the other end of which protrudes out of the first cover plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the first cover plate includes a pair of mounting holes, the insulating protection device is disposed in the pair of mounting holes, and the pair of electrical connectors are disposed in the insulating protection device.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present application, the pair of electrical connectors includes a pair of spring pins.

[0017] The circuit board under test is placed on the first cover plate, and the pair of spring pins are in contact with the power supply electrodes of the circuit board under test, so as to realize the connection between the circuit board under test and the power supply.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present application, the clamp further includes a pair of capacitors connected to the pair of electrical connectors.

[0019] Furthermore, the pair of capacitors comprises a pair of through-hole capacitors, the outer electrodes of the through-hole capacitors are connected to the first side wall via threads, and the through-hole inner electrodes of the through-hole capacitors penetrate into the first cover plate and are connected to the pair of electrical connectors.

[0020] The external power supply system supplies power to the circuit board under test through the through-hole capacitor, which can filter the power supply signal and further ensure the stability of the power supply.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first portion includes a first groove and a second groove, respectively disposed on first side walls opposite to each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the second portion includes a third groove and a fourth groove, which are respectively arranged on the second side walls arranged opposite to each other, and the first groove and the second groove are respectively fitted on the third groove and the fourth groove up and down to form the channels of the pair of signal conversion ports.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first groove, the second groove, the third groove, and the fourth groove include Z-shaped grooves.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, the outer ends of the first groove, the second groove, the third groove, and the fourth groove include a first boss, a second boss, a third boss, and a fourth boss, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, the first boss and the second boss are respectively fitted with the third boss and the fourth boss to form the interface of the pair of signal conversion ports.

[0026] Through a pair of signal conversion ports, the microstrip signal of the RF circuit board under test can be converted into a waveguide signal and output.

[0027] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the external structure of a clamp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first part of the structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0031] Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of the first part of the structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0032] Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of a feedthrough capacitor and an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second part of the structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0034] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency circuit board under test according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of installing a radio frequency circuit board under test according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0036] Figure 8 A flow chart of a testing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided to make this application more comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the concepts of example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar parts, and thus their repeated description will be omitted.

[0038] In addition, described feature, structure or characteristic can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical scheme of the present application can be put into practice without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. can be adopted. In other cases, known methods, devices, realizations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid blurring the various aspects of the application.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are only schematic diagrams of example embodiments and may not be to scale. The modules or processes in the drawings are not necessarily required to implement the present application and therefore cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0040] In view of the problems in the prior art, such as the need for regular replacement of connectors, poor power supply contact, and electrostatic interference in the RF circuit test structure, the inventor proposes a fixture. When testing the RF circuit, the circuit board is placed in the fixture, and the circuit under test is powered by a combination of a through-hole capacitor and a spring needle, and a waveguide to microstrip interface is used instead of a coaxial connection line for signal output. It can solve the problem of signal connection, the problem of poor power supply line contact, and provide electrostatic protection, thereby ensuring the stability of RF circuit testing.

[0041] The technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the external structure of a clamp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, according to the first aspect of the present application, a fixture 1000 for radio frequency circuit testing is provided, comprising a first part 100 and a second part 200. The first part 100 and the second part 200 are made of metal materials, such as brass, aluminum, etc. Placing the circuit board under test in the metal fixture 1000 can shield and protect the circuit board under test.

[0044] The first part 100 includes a first cover plate 110 and a first set of side walls 120. The first set of side walls 120 is disposed around the first cover plate 110.

[0045] The second part 200 is disposed on the first part 100 . The second part 200 includes a second cover plate 210 and a second set of side walls 220 . The second set of side walls 220 is disposed around the second cover plate 210 .

[0046] The first set of side walls 120 and the second set of side walls 220 are attached to each other up and down to form a closed space. The fixture 1000 further includes a first signal conversion port 310 and a second signal conversion port 320, which are disposed outside the closed space.

[0047] The first part 100 and the second part 200 can be two completely separate parts, or can be hinged together at one side wall.

[0048] See also Figure 1 The first side wall 121 and the second side wall 122 of the first set of side walls 120 are provided with a first boss 125 and a third boss 126 respectively. The third side wall 221 and the fourth side wall 222 of the second set of side walls 220 are provided with a second boss 225 and a fourth boss 226 respectively.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present application, the shapes of the first boss 125, the second boss 126, the third boss 225, and the fourth boss 226 may be semicircular, semi-elliptical, square, or rectangular. Accordingly, the shapes of the formed first signal conversion port 310 and the second signal conversion port 320 may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the specific shape may match the shape of the external interface.

[0050] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first part of the structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a first partial structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the clamp 1000 further includes a pair of electrical connectors 400, one end of which is disposed in the first cover plate 110 and the other end protrudes from the first cover plate 110. The first cover plate 110 is provided with a pair of mounting holes 111.

[0053] like Figure 3 The pair of insulating protection devices 112 are disposed in the pair of mounting holes 111, and the pair of electrical connectors 400 are disposed in the insulating protection devices 112. According to some embodiments of the present application, the pair of electrical connectors 400 may be a pair of spring pins.

[0054] See also Figure 2 The first side wall 121 and the second side wall 122 of the first group of side walls 120 are oppositely disposed and respectively include a first groove 127 and a second groove 128. The first groove 127 and the second groove 128 are in a Z-shape.

[0055] The inner ends of the first groove 127 and the second groove 128 are connected to the microstrip-to-waveguide structure of the circuit board under test, and the outer ends thereof are respectively the first boss 125 and the third boss 126 .

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 As shown, a group of positioning rods 129 are provided on the first group of side walls 120. When the first part 100 and the second part 200 are assembled, they can be positioned by the group of positioning rods 129. Figure 2 As shown, the number of a set of positioning rods 129 is 4 and they are arranged diagonally along the first set of side walls 120 , but the application is not limited thereto. The number and position of a set of positioning rods 129 only need to meet the assembly requirements of the first part 100 and the second part 200 .

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the fixture 1000 further includes a pair of through-hole capacitors 500. The pair of through-hole capacitors 500 are arranged on the first set of side walls 120 of the first part 100, penetrate the first cover plate 110 and are connected to the pair of electrical connectors 400. For example, the pair of through-hole capacitors 500 are arranged on the third side wall 123, and can also be arranged on the fourth side wall 124.

[0058] The through-hole capacitor 500 is disposed between the external power supply and the electrical connector 400, and plays a further filtering role when the circuit board is tested. According to some embodiments of the present application, other capacitors can also be selected to meet the filtering effect.

[0059] Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of a feedthrough capacitor and an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the pair of through-hole capacitors 500 includes a through-hole inner electrode 510 and an outer electrode 520. One end of the through-hole inner electrode 510 penetrates the first cover plate 110 and is respectively connected to a pair of electrical connections 400. The outer electrode 520 is threaded and can be rotatably fixed on the side wall. During the test, the pair of through-hole capacitors 500 is connected to an external power supply, and the pair of electrical connections 400 are connected to the power supply electrodes of the circuit board under test to form a power supply circuit.

[0061] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second part of the structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, the first side wall 221 and the second side wall 222 of the second set of side walls 220 respectively include a third groove 227 and a fourth groove 228. The third groove 227 and the fourth groove 228 are in a Z-shape.

[0063] The outer ends of the third groove 227 and the fourth groove 228 are respectively formed as a third boss 225 and a fourth boss 226 .

[0064] After the first part 100 and the second part 200 are assembled, the first boss 125 and the third boss 126 are respectively fitted with the third boss 225 and the fourth boss 226, and the first groove 127 and the second groove 128 are respectively fitted with the third groove 227 and the fourth groove 228, so as to form the first signal conversion port 310 and the second signal conversion port 320. When performing the RF circuit test, the microstrip electrical signal generated by the circuit board is converted into waveguide energy for transmission through the first signal conversion port 310 and the second signal conversion port 320.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, a group of positioning holes 229 are provided on the second group of side walls 220. When the first part 100 and the second part 200 are assembled, the group of positioning holes 229 can be used to cooperate with a group of positioning rods 129 on the first part 100 for positioning. The number of the group of positioning holes 229 is the same as the number of the group of positioning rods 129.

[0066] See also Figure 5 , the second part 200 further includes a set of fixing rods 230, which are arranged on the second cover plate 210. After the first part 100 and the second part 200 are assembled, the set of fixing rods 230 contacts the circuit board under test and plays a role in fixing the circuit board under test to ensure the stability of the electrical connection during the test. According to an example embodiment of the present application, the number of the set of fixing rods 230 is 4, but the present application is not limited thereto, and the number thereof can meet the fixing requirements of the circuit board under test.

[0067] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency circuit board under test according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown, the RF circuit board 700 under test includes a RF chip 710, a pair of microstrip-to-waveguide connectors 720, and a pair of power supply electrodes 730. The RF chip 710, the microstrip-to-waveguide connector 720, and the power supply electrodes 730 are electrically connected.

[0069] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a test installation of a radio frequency circuit board under test according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, when the RF circuit board 700 under test is tested by using the fixture, the RF circuit board 700 under test is placed in the first cavity 130 of the first part 100 and on the first cover 110. A pair of microstrip-to-waveguide connectors 720 are respectively placed at one end of the inner side of the first signal channel 127 and the second signal channel 128. A pair of power supply electrodes 730 are respectively connected to a pair of electrical connections 400.

[0071] Figure 8 A flow chart of a testing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0072] like Figure 8 As shown, the process of testing the RF circuit using the above fixture includes:

[0073] In step S1, the circuit board to be tested is placed in the first part. The power supply electrode of the circuit board to be tested contacts a pair of electrical connectors of the first part. The signal output connector of the circuit board is placed in the groove of the first part.

[0074] In step S2, the second part is assembled with the first part to fix the circuit board. The first part and the second part are assembled through positioning holes and positioning columns, and a set of fixing columns fix the circuit board under test, and the circuit board under test is stably connected to the electrical connector. After the first part and the second part are attached up and down, a pair of signal conversion ports are formed.

[0075] In step S3, the external signal port is connected via a pair of signal conversion ports. The pair of signal conversion ports converts the microstrip signal outputted by the circuit board under test into a waveguide signal and outputs it via the external signal port.

[0076] In step S4: connect an external power supply to power the through-hole capacitor and start testing. The external power supply powers the circuit board under test through the through-hole capacitor. The power supply signal is more stable after being filtered by the through-hole capacitor.

[0077] It should be noted that each embodiment described above with reference to the accompanying drawings is only used to illustrate the present application rather than to limit the scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that any modification or equivalent replacement of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application should be included in the scope of the present application. In addition, unless otherwise indicated by the context, words appearing in the singular include the plural form, and vice versa. In addition, unless otherwise specified, all or part of any embodiment may be used in combination with all or part of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A fixture for radio frequency circuit testing, characterized in that: include: A metal shielding box, comprising a first cover plate, a second cover plate and a side wall, wherein the side wall is connected between the first cover plate and the second cover plate; a pair of signal conversion ports, disposed on the side wall, including a channel and an interface disposed at an end of the channel; a pair of electrical connectors, one end of which is disposed in the first cover plate through an insulating protective device, and the other end of which protrudes out of the first cover plate; A pair of capacitors connected to the pair of electrical connectors, the pair of capacitors comprising a pair of through-hole capacitors, outer electrodes of the through-hole capacitors being connected to the first side wall of the side wall via threads, and through-hole inner electrodes of the through-hole capacitors penetrating the first cover plate and connected to the pair of electrical connectors; The metal shielding box comprises: A first part, comprising a first cover plate and a first side wall, wherein the first side wall is arranged around the first cover plate; A second part is arranged on the first part, comprising a second cover plate and a second side wall, wherein the second side wall is arranged around the second cover plate, and the first side wall and the second side wall are attached to each other up and down to form the side wall; The first side wall includes a group of positioning rods, and the second side wall includes a group of positioning holes, and the group of positioning rods are inserted into the group of positioning holes.

2. The clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second part also includes a group of fixing components arranged on the second cover plate.

3. The clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that: The set of fixing components includes a set of fixing rods.

4. The clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate includes a pair of mounting holes, the insulating protection device is arranged in the pair of mounting holes, and the pair of electrical connectors are arranged in the insulating protection device.

5. The clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of electrical connectors includes a pair of spring pins.

6. The clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first portion includes a first groove and a second groove, which are respectively arranged on first side walls that are opposite to each other.

7. The clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that The second part includes a third groove and a fourth groove, which are respectively arranged on the second side walls arranged opposite to each other. The first groove and the second groove are respectively fitted with the third groove and the fourth groove up and down to form the channels of the pair of signal conversion ports.

8. The clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first groove, the second groove, the third groove and the fourth groove include Z-shaped grooves.

9. The clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer ends of the first groove, the second groove, the third groove and the fourth groove respectively include a first boss, a second boss, a third boss and a fourth boss.

10. The clamp according to claim 9, characterized in that The first boss and the second boss are respectively attached to the third boss and the fourth boss to form the interface of the pair of signal conversion ports.

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