Reverse Compliance Test Channel Control for Higher Power Density

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional test systems face limitations in efficiently managing power dissipation and current output as voltage increases, often requiring larger output stages to maintain power delivery, which can restrict test channel density and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a test system that supports both traditional and reverse compliance curves, where the maximum current output increases with absolute voltage, allowing for greater power delivery without increasing the output stage size, through the use of power amplifier circuitry controlled by processing devices and a current clamp to manage power dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional compliance curves are used where maximum current output decreases as voltage output increases, then power dissipation is controlled within safe limits, but test channel density is reduced and the physical size of the output stage must be larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower dissipation controlVSAvoidtest channel density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional compliance curve relationship by implementing a reverse compliance curve where maximum current output increases as absolute voltage output increases, rather than decreasing. This inversion allows the system to deliver greater instantaneous power through the same output stage, effectively increasing test channel density without compromising power dissipation control through the processing device's monitoring and adjustment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Power

If the physical size of the output stage is increased to maintain power delivery under traditional compliance curves, then sufficient power can be delivered to the device under test, but the test channel density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidoutput stage physical size

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing the compliance curve characteristics, allowing the same physical output stage size to deliver greater instantaneous power. The reverse compliance curve enables higher current output at higher voltages, eliminating the need to increase output stage physical size while maintaining or improving power delivery capability to the device under test

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compliance curve parameters from the traditional decreasing current-voltage relationship to an increasing relationship. By modifying the compliance curve parameters in the processing device, the system achieves enhanced power delivery capability without physical expansion of the output stage, as the parameter change allows more efficient utilization of the existing output stage capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If maximum current output is limited under traditional compliance curves, then power dissipation is managed safely, but the instantaneous power delivery to the device under test is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower dissipation managementVSAvoidinstantaneous power delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by implementing a reverse compliance curve where maximum current output increases as absolute voltage output increases. This inversion enables the system to deliver greater instantaneous power to the device under test while the processing device continuously monitors and manages power dissipation to ensure it remains within safe limits, thus resolving the contradiction between power delivery and energy loss management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If the output stage physical size is reduced to increase test channel density, then more test channels can be accommodated, but power delivery capability is insufficient under traditional compliance curves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest channel densityVSAvoidpower delivery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by implementing a reverse compliance curve that allows a reduced physical size output stage to deliver sufficient instantaneous power. The inverted compliance characteristics enable higher current output at higher voltages, compensating for the smaller output stage size and maintaining adequate power delivery capability while achieving increased test channel density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compliance curve parameters to an increasing current-voltage relationship, which allows the smaller output stage to operate more efficiently and deliver the required power levels. By modifying the operational parameters through the processing device's control of the reverse compliance curve, the system achieves both reduced output stage size and maintained power delivery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11415623B2Test system supporting reverse compliance

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 TERADYNE INC

AI summary

An example test system includes power amplifier circuitry to force voltage or current to a test channel and one or more processing devices configured to control the power amplifier circuitry to comply with a compliance curve. The compliance curve relates output of the voltage to output of the current. According to the compliance curve, maximum current output increases as an absolute value of the voltage output increases.