ATE Calibration via Burst Power Level Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic test equipment (ATE) calibration during performance verification is inefficient, as existing methods often require individual burst calibration, which is time-consuming and lacks precise power level determination for signal characteristics like frequency and amplitude.
Innovation Solution
The method involves programming ATE to generate bursts corresponding to specific signal characteristics, using sensors to measure power levels, and processing devices to determine if these levels match expected values, allowing for calibration adjustments to ensure accurate signal generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual burst calibration is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming calibration process
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into multiple bursts rather than treating each burst individually. Multiple bursts are generated in sequence, and their power levels are measured and averaged together, combining individual precision with improved throughput through batch processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements of multiple bursts before final calibration determination. By measuring several bursts in advance and computing their average, the system establishes a more reliable baseline that improves precision while reducing the need for repeated individual calibrations
2Productivity
If multiple bursts are generated for calibration, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal generator produces bursts in a periodic sequence rather than continuous or random patterns. This regular periodic structure simplifies control logic and timing management while enabling efficient batch measurement of multiple bursts, improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by measuring the actual power levels of generated bursts and using this information to adjust subsequent bursts. This closed-loop approach ensures that increased burst generation maintains calibration accuracy while optimizing the calibration process
Data Source
AI summary
A method for use with automatic test equipment (ATE) includes programming the ATE to generate bursts, each of which corresponds to a signal characteristic produced by the ATE, obtaining power levels for the bursts, and determining if the power levels for the bursts correspond to expected power levels for signal characteristics corresponding to the bursts.