ATE Channel Timing Calibration via Signal Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) calibration for thousands of digital channels is time-consuming and mechanically intensive, leading to wear and inefficiency due to the use of relay matrices and robotic probes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sum-combination or difference-combination of digital channel signals from ATE channels to generate a combined residual signal, which is then measured to determine relative timing, allowing for parallel processing and reducing mechanical wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If relay matrices and robotic probes are used for calibration, then measurement capability is achieved, but calibration time becomes very long and mechanical wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay matrices and robotic probes with an electronic signal processing system. Multiple channel signals are electronically combined through sum-combining or difference-combining circuits, eliminating the need for mechanical switching and physical probe movement. This substitution dramatically reduces calibration time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple channel signals into a single composite signal that contains timing information from all channels. By sum-combining or difference-combining multiple digital channel signals, the system creates a composite residual signal that can be measured once to determine timing relationships across all channels simultaneously, rather than measuring each channel sequentially.
2Measurement precision
If relay matrices and robotic probes are used for calibration, then timing measurement is possible, but mechanical components wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical relay matrices and robotic probes by implementing an all-electronic signal combining approach. Digital channel signals are processed through electronic sum-combining or difference-combining circuits, completely removing mechanical components from the calibration path and thereby eliminating wear and reliability issues associated with mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If sequential calibration of thousands of channels is performed, then each channel is measured, but calibration speed becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel signals into a single composite residual signal through electronic combining circuits. This allows simultaneous measurement of timing relationships across all channels in one operation, transforming the calibration process from sequential (one channel at a time) to parallel (all channels simultaneously), thereby dramatically increasing calibration speed while maintaining individual channel measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical or complementary test patterns on multiple channels to create redundant signal copies. By applying the same test signal pattern across all channels and combining the responses, the system can determine timing relationships through correlation analysis, enabling fast parallel calibration without sacrificing measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns devices and methods for calibrating an Automated Test Equipment for automated testing of a Device Under Test. The method includes providing two digital channel signals by two different channels of the Automated Test Equipment, wherein the digital channel signals include an identical or a complementary pattern with respect to their edges. The method further includes sum-combining or difference-combining the two digital channel signals in order to obtain a combined residual signal. The step of combining is performed such that combining provides a combined residual signal without a time-variant component if the two digital channel signals have a predetermined time shift or a predetermined phase shift relative to each other, or such that the combined residual signal includes a time variant component if the two digital channel signals have a time shift different from the predetermined time shift or a phase shift different from the predetermined phase shift.