Method and apparatus for inspection of high frequency and microwave hybrid circuits and printed circuit boards
First Claim
1. A method of assessing the operation of a device under test (DUT) at high and microwave frequencies comprising using an antenna terminating in a tip or apex to acquire microwave electromagnetic field measurements in a near field region of a test point of the DUT comprising the steps of:
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siting the antenna in a test position with its tip at a predetermined distance and at a predetermined inclination to the test point;
energising the DUT; and
measuring and recording a microwave property of the DUT.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the inspection of high frequency and microwave circuits such as printed test circuit boards. The invention uses a probe or antenna (3) which is separated from the device under test (DUT) (2). The invention provides a relatively long central protruding conductor (8) for the antenna (3) which protrudes from its shielding (7). In the method, the antenna (3) is used to acquire microwave electromagnetic field measurements in a near field region of a test pont of the DUT (2). Generally, this is done at two test positions with a difference in separation (Δl) between the apex (8) of the antenna (3) and the DUT (2). The two test results calculated and recorded and the difference of the microwave properties of the two tests is obtained to provide information about the operation of the DUT (2). The antenna (3) can be either a straight electric field antenna or loop antenna. Further, the antenna (3) can be inclined to the vertical and thus it is possible, by taking a series of measurements, to obtain both the phase and frequency of the currents being carried by the DUT (2) when it is energised.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of assessing the operation of a device under test (DUT) at high and microwave frequencies comprising using an antenna terminating in a tip or apex to acquire microwave electromagnetic field measurements in a near field region of a test point of the DUT comprising the steps of:
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siting the antenna in a test position with its tip at a predetermined distance and at a predetermined inclination to the test point;
energising the DUT; and
measuring and recording a microwave property of the DUT. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification