Hybrid ATE for Multi-Lane Optical Transceiver Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern automatic test equipment (ATE) systems are not configured to rapidly test and calibrate hybrid high-speed devices like multi-lane gigabit optical transceivers, which require both electrical and optical testing, due to their complex architectures and the use of off-the-shelf components from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid optical-electrical ATE system is implemented by augmenting an electrical ATE system with an optical test assembly, using optical interfaces such as fibers and gratings to interface with optical test devices, and an external broadband light source to inject light into single mode fibers for simultaneous electrical and optical calibration of each lane in a multi-lane transceiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current ATE systems are used for testing, then the testing process is simple, but they cannot rapidly test and calibrate multi-lane optical transceivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical ATE and optical test assembly into a hybrid ATE system, allowing simultaneous electrical and optical testing of multi-lane transceivers. This merging enables rapid calibration of both electrical and optical components without requiring separate testing processes, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid ATE system is designed to perform multiple functions: electrical testing, optical testing, and calibration of multi-lane transceivers. The system can handle different types of components (electrical and optical) and perform various operations (testing and calibration) within a single unified platform, improving versatility and productivity.
2Reliability
If hybrid optical-electrical ATE system is implemented, then rapid testing and calibration is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical test assembly is divided into separate functional modules: light source, optical switches, and optical testing devices. Each module can be independently configured and controlled, allowing precise testing of specific lanes while maintaining overall system reliability. This segmentation enables accurate calibration without requiring the entire system to be reconfigured for each test.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical switches serve as intermediaries between the light source and optical testing devices, enabling flexible routing of optical signals to different lanes. This intermediary component allows the system to rapidly switch between testing different lanes without physical reconfiguration, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If multi-lane transceiver is tested lane by lane, then each lane can be calibrated accurately, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid ATE system maintains continuous testing operation by using optical switches to rapidly switch between lanes while the light source continues to provide optical signals. This allows the system to test multiple lanes in sequence without stopping the overall testing process, maintaining calibration precision while minimizing idle time between lane measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of optical switches and light source settings before actual lane-by-lane calibration begins. This preliminary setup ensures that when each lane is tested, all parameters are already optimized, allowing rapid accurate calibration without time-consuming adjustments during the actual measurement process.
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 enables efficient and accurate simultaneous electrical and optical testing and calibration of high-speed devices, ensuring they operate correctly at multi-gigabit data rates by allowing each lane to be tested and calibrated individually, thereby improving the reliability and speed of the testing process.
Implementation Method 1
configuring the optical test lane switch selector by selecting, using an optical switch in the optical test lane switch selector, one of a plurality of output fibers coupled to the optical-electrical device under test to a testing fiber that is coupled to an optical testing device
Implementation Method 2
activating an external light source in the optical test lane switch selector to transmit light to the optical-electrical device under test on one of a plurality of input fibers that are coupled to the optical-electrical device under test
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid automated testing equipment (ATE) system can simultaneously test electrical and optical components of a device under test, such as an optical transceiver. The device under test can be a multilane optical transceiver that transmits different channels of data on different lanes. The hybrid ATE system can include one or more light sources and optical switches in an optical test lane selector to selectively test and calibrate each optical and electrical components of each lane of the device under test.