High-frequency probe tip assembly
US5506515A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R1/06772
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A probe suitable for low-loss microwave frequency operation has a tip assembly including a semi-rigid coaxial cable having a Teflon.TM. dielectric for temperature stability and a freely-suspended end. On this end a semicylindrical recess is formed defining a shelf along which an inner finger and outer pair of fingers are mounted, each made of resilient conductive material, so as to form a coplanar transmission line. Cantilevered portions of the fingers extend past the end of the cable to form an air-dielectric transmission path of uniform and stable characteristic despite exposure to numerous contact cycles and to provide suitable means for probing nonplanar device pads while also offering good visibility of device pads generally. Corresponding sections of the cantilevered portions are equivalently configured in terms of material composition, cross-sectional geometry and spatial orientation to provide a uniform deflection characteristic relative to each finger for even wearing of the pads and fingers and for stability of transmission characteristic despite contact pressure variation. A rearwardly-inclining end face on each finger reflects dark background shading to cause a dark lin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.