Architecture for RF signal automatic test equipment
US6066953A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R27/32
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An RF module useful for configuring RF sources and receivers to make a wide range of measurements on a device under test. The module includes a directional element which allows one receiver to measure both the input and the output signals from one test point. In addition, the module allows multiple input signals to be combined for intermodulation testing. Multiple copies of the module are used to construct multiple channels in an RF tester. At least one RF source and one RF receiver can be connected to each channel. Each lead of a device under test is assigned to a channel, but one channel may be multiplexed to more than one lead. Switching circuitry included in each module allows the source from one channel to be used as an intermodulation signal for another channel. The module includes calibration standards for source and receiver level accuracy. With this arrangement, numerous RF measurements, including measurement of s-parameters, can be made on a device under test without dedicated instruments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.