Test Apparatus Relay Compensation for Circuit Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing testing methods require multiple external terminals for accessing various circuit points, leading to increased circuit size and cost, limited measurement accuracy due to internal converters, and signal distortion from analog switches, making accurate testing of arbitrary circuit points challenging.
Innovation Solution
A test apparatus with external terminals, a switching section, and a relay section that connects internal terminals to external terminals, allowing for the calculation and compensation of transmission characteristics to enable accurate testing with fewer external terminals and reduced signal distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external terminals are provided to access various circuit points, then testing capability is improved, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a switching section that allows a small number of external terminals to be multiplexed for testing multiple different circuit points. The switching section connects different internal circuit points to the same external terminals through switching action, enabling one external terminal to serve multiple testing functions. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining comprehensive testing capability while minimizing the number of external terminals required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching section as an intermediary component between the external terminals and internal circuit points. This switching section acts as a mediator that dynamically connects appropriate internal circuit points to external terminals based on testing requirements. By inserting this intermediary switching mechanism, the system achieves flexible access to multiple circuit points without requiring proportional increases in external terminal count.
2Device complexity
If internal DA converter and AD converter are disposed inside the device, then terminal count is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the DA converter and AD converter functions from the device under test and relocates them to the external test apparatus. This extraction eliminates the need for internal converters in the device, thereby improving measurement accuracy while still maintaining reduced terminal count. The external test apparatus provides high-precision conversion capabilities without adding internal complexity to the device under test.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external test apparatus as an intermediary that provides high-precision DA and AD conversion capabilities. This external intermediary handles the signal conversion tasks that would otherwise require internal converters, allowing the device under test to maintain simplicity while achieving accurate measurements through the capabilities of the external test system.
3Device complexity
If analog switch is used to connect circuits, then terminal count is reduced, but signal distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching function from analog switches and replaces it with digital switching mechanisms in the switching section. This extraction eliminates the signal distortion problems associated with analog switches while maintaining the ability to connect multiple circuit points to external terminals. The digital switching approach provides clean signal paths without the distortion inherent in analog switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a relay section that creates a copy of the transmission characteristic for compensation purposes. By measuring and compensating for the transmission characteristics through this relay copy, the system can correct for any remaining distortions and maintain signal integrity while using switching mechanisms to reduce terminal count.
4Measurement precision
If loop-back line is formed outside the circuit, then measurement accuracy is improved, but testing flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching section that can flexibly connect external terminals to different internal circuit points based on testing requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the system to adapt to various testing scenarios while maintaining accurate measurement capabilities. The switching section enables the system to move between different connection configurations, providing both measurement accuracy and testing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching section serves multiple functions: it enables flexible connection to different circuit points for comprehensive testing coverage, maintains accurate measurement paths when needed, and adapts to various testing configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same external infrastructure serve both high-precision measurement and flexible testing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test. The device under test includes: a circuit under test; and a switching section that that connects an internal terminal being tested, from among one or more internal terminals of the circuit under test, to external terminals connected to the test apparatus. The test apparatus includes: a measuring section that controls a relay section, which provides a connection or a disconnect between two of the external terminals such that a transmission characteristic of the relay section in a connected state serves as a basis for calculating the transmission characteristic between each external terminal and each internal terminal of the circuit under test, to be in a connected state and measures the transmission characteristic of the relay section via the two external terminals; and a compensating section that compensates a signal to be supplied to the circuit under test via an external terminal and the switching section and/or a signal acquired from the circuit under test via the switching section and an external terminal, based on the measured transmission characteristic of the relay section.