Bare Circuit Board Antenna Inspection via Direct Probing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna inspection methods for circuit boards in mobile devices are time-consuming and costly due to the need for mounting a chip for inspection, which is not only unnecessary but also increases the overall inspection time and expense.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus that directly connects to the pads on a bare circuit board, using a probing device and measurement device to input and measure testing signals without an active component, allowing for the evaluation of antennas without the need for a mounted chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chip for inspection is mounted on the circuit board to inspect the antenna, then the antenna inspection can be performed, but the inspection time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inspection function from the mounted chip approach and implements it directly through probing devices contacting the pads on the bare circuit board. This eliminates the need for chip mounting while maintaining antenna inspection capability, thereby reducing inspection time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probing devices as an intermediary to establish electrical connection between the measurement device and the antenna through the pads on the bare circuit board. This intermediary approach enables direct inspection without requiring a mounted chip, solving the time and cost issue while maintaining inspection reliability.
2Reliability
If a chip for inspection is mounted on the circuit board to inspect the antenna, then the antenna inspection can be performed, but the inspection cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chip mounting step from the inspection process, extracting only the essential function of electrical connection for measurement. This simplification eliminates the cost of purchasing and mounting inspection chips while maintaining the ability to inspect antenna functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bare circuit board itself serves the inspection function through its existing pads, which are already part of the antenna circuit. The pads on the bare board directly provide the electrical connection points needed for measurement, eliminating the need for additional inspection chips and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If a chip for inspection is mounted on the circuit board, then the antenna can be controlled to transmit and receive wireless signals, but the inspection process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex chip mounting process. By using probing devices to directly contact the pads on the bare circuit board, the inspection process is simplified to basic electrical connection and signal measurement, eliminating the complexity of chip mounting while maintaining antenna functionality verification capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces inspection time and costs by eliminating the requirement for chip mounting, enabling efficient and cost-effective inspection of bare circuit boards directly, thereby improving the efficiency and reducing the time and expense associated with the current inspection methods.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement device is configured to input the first testing signal to the antenna, and the antenna outputs a second testing signal to the measurement device after receiving the first testing signal
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection apparatus used for inspecting a bare circuit board is provided, where the bare circuit board includes an antenna. The inspection apparatus includes a holding stage, a probing device, and a measurement device. The holding stage can hold the bare circuit board. The measurement device is electrically connected to the probing device and electrically connected to the antenna via the probing device. The measurement device can input a first testing signal to the antenna. The antenna can input a second testing signal to the measurement device after receiving the first testing signal. The measurement device can measure the antenna according to the second testing signal, where the first testing signal and the second testing signal both pass through no active component.