ATE User-Site Calibration Using Hilbert Phase Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AC calibration methods for automated test equipment (ATE) require high resource effort and cost, especially for user-site calibration, due to the need for external measurement equipment and complex factory calibration processes, which limits the ability to achieve ideal frequency characteristics in analog IO pins.
Innovation Solution
A user-site calibration unit that uses a level meter to measure the magnitude characteristic of electrical signals and a calculator to determine the Hilbert phase characteristic, enabling the calculation of a compensation Hilbert phase function for achieving a flat frequency response with minimal resource consumption, allowing for onboard calibration and reduced overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external measurement equipment and complex factory calibration processes are used for AC calibration, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration method enables the test equipment to perform self-calibration using its own internal resources (signal generator, level meter, and processor) without requiring external measurement equipment. The system generates test signals, measures its own frequency characteristic deviations, calculates compensation functions, and applies corrections autonomously, thereby simplifying the calibration process while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential calibration functionality from complex factory calibration processes by implementing a simplified user-site calibration method that uses minimal onboard resources. It separates the critical calibration steps (signal generation, magnitude measurement, Hilbert phase calculation, and compensation function application) from unnecessary external equipment requirements
2Measurement precision
If onboard calibration resources are increased to improve calibration accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but area of board space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The level meter is designed to serve multiple functions: it measures the magnitude characteristic of calibration signals during AC calibration, measures signal levels during normal operation, and works with both AWG and DTZ calibration modes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated calibration-only measurement equipment, reducing board space while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the calibration measurement function with the existing level meter hardware that is already present in the test equipment for normal signal measurements. By combining these functions in a single device, the system avoids duplicating measurement equipment solely for calibration purposes, thereby minimizing board space occupation
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional calibration methods are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to high resource effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts calibration parameters including signal frequency, amplitude, and sweep rates based on the specific device under test and calibration requirements. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes the calibration process speed while maintaining precision, allowing the system to complete calibrations more efficiently without sacrificing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessments of the device under test to determine the appropriate calibration range, signal levels, and frequency sweeps before executing the full calibration sequence. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary calibration steps and optimizes resource usage, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
A test equipment has a signal input/signal output and a use-site calibration unit for determining a user-site compensation function. The user-site compensation function has a compensation magnitude function and a compensation Hilbert phase function. The calibration unit has a level meter and a calculator. The level meter is configured to measure a magnitude characteristic of the electrical signal, the magnitude characteristic being the basis for the determination of the compensation Hilbert phase function. The calculator is configured to determine a Hilbert phase characteristic of the electrical signal based on a Hilbert transformation of a function dependent on the measured magnitude characteristic and to determine the compensation Hilbert phase function on the basis of the Hilbert phase characteristic.