ATE Channel Timing Calibration via Virtual Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital automatic test equipment (ATE) faces challenges in achieving timing accuracy due to varying calibration methods, which can be costly and inefficient, especially as device under test (DUT) operational speeds increase, requiring effective channel-to-channel timing alignment without substantial hardware upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for calibrating test equipment by aligning timing of channel groups, determining misalignment between channels, and compensating for delays using a device interface board (DIB) and robotic calibration, solving a set of linear equations to program delays into channels, thereby improving timing accuracy without the need for full robotic calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external equipment (oscilloscope and probing robot) is used for calibration, then timing accuracy can be measured directly, but calibration time and cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model of the physical calibration setup by capturing oscilloscope measurements and representing them as mathematical equations. This virtual model allows the calibration problem to be solved computationally rather than requiring continuous physical measurement, dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical probing robot system with a computational solution. Instead of using a physical robot to probe and measure each channel, the system uses mathematical equations and computer algorithms to calculate timing offsets, eliminating the need for complex mechanical calibration equipment during the actual calibration process.
2Measurement precision
If full robotic calibration is performed on all channels, then timing accuracy is maximized, but calibration cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the calibration problem into two segments: (1) physical measurement phase where only representative channels are measured using external equipment, and (2) computational phase where mathematical equations are solved to determine calibration values for all channels. This segmentation reduces the need for complex robotic calibration across all channels while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal calibration approach where a single set of mathematical equations can be applied to multiple channels. By formulating the calibration problem as a system of linear equations, the solution obtained from measuring a subset of channels can be used to calibrate all channels, making the calibration process more universal and less complex.
3Ease of manufacture
If on-board calibration matrix is used, then calibration cost is reduced, but timing accuracy may be insufficient for high-speed DUTs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mathematical equations as an intermediary between the physical measurement and the final calibration values. Instead of directly using on-board calibration matrix values, the system uses captured oscilloscope measurements as intermediate data, processes them through mathematical equations, and then applies the calculated offsets to achieve higher timing accuracy while keeping costs lower than full robotic calibration.
Data Source
AI summary
Calibrating test equipment may include: aligning timing of a first group of channels in the test equipment; aligning timing of a second group of channels in the test equipment, with the second group of channels being different from the first group of channels; determining a misalignment in timing between a first channel and a second channel, with the first channel being from the first group of channels, and the second channel being from the second group of channels; and compensating, for the misalignment, channels in at least one of the first group or the second group.