Automated domain reflectometry testing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A robotic domain reflectometry test system comprising:
- domain reflectometry instrumentation;
a robotic arm; and
a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe having a fixed, non-adjustable pitch, said probe further comprising a controlled impedance, said probe assembly being electrically connected to said domain reflectometry instrumentation, and being movable by said robotic arm in an X, Y and Z axis for placing and retracting said signal probe and said ground probe from test points on an unloaded printed wiring board (PWB), said domain reflectometry instrumentation and said probe assembly configured to measure impedance values of said test points on said PWB.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic domain reflectometry test system (and corresponding method) comprising: domain reflectometry instrumentation; a robotic arm; and a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe having a fixed, non-adjustable pitch, the probe assembly being electrically connected to the domain reflectometry instrumentation, and being moved, electrically connected to, and retracted from test points on an electrical component to be tested by the robotic arm.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A robotic domain reflectometry test system comprising:
-
domain reflectometry instrumentation;
a robotic arm; and
a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe having a fixed, non-adjustable pitch, said probe further comprising a controlled impedance, said probe assembly being electrically connected to said domain reflectometry instrumentation, and being movable by said robotic arm in an X, Y and Z axis for placing and retracting said signal probe and said ground probe from test points on an unloaded printed wiring board (PWB), said domain reflectometry instrumentation and said probe assembly configured to measure impedance values of said test points on said PWB. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
- 9. A probe assembly changing station for a robotic domain reflectometry test system, said station being accessible by a robotic arm of said system, and said station comprising holders for a plurality of passive, high frequency probe assemblies, each probe assembly comprising a different pitch between a signal probe and a ground probe and further comprising a controlled impedance, said probe assemblies affixable to a test head of the robotic arm and from which the robotic arm can affix any of the plurality of probe assemblies on the test head and locate the probe assembly in an X, Y and Z axis and automatically and accurately place said signal probe and ground probe on traces on an unloaded PWB.
-
11. A robotic domain reflectometry test system comprising:
-
domain reflectometry instrumentation;
a robotic arm;
a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe, said probe assembly being electrically connected to said domain reflectometry instrumentation said probe further comprising a controlled impedance, and being movable by said robotic arm in an X, Y and Z axis for placing and retracting said signal probe and said ground probe from test points on a trace of an unloaded PWB;
means for recording impedance and propagation delay for each test of the test points and means for calculating and recording a dielectric constant for each test of the test points.
-
-
12. A robotic domain reflectometry test method comprising the steps of:
-
providing to a robotic arm a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe having a fixed, non-adjustable pitch said probe assembly comprising a controlled impedance, the probe assembly being electrically connected to domain reflectometry instrumentation; and
moving the probe assembly in an X, Y and Z axis for placing and retracting the probe assembly from test points on an electrical component via the robotic arm.
-
-
13. A robotic domain reflectometry test method comprising the steps of:
-
providing within reach of a robotic arm a probe assembly changing station comprising holders for a plurality of passive, high frequency probe assemblies, said probe assembly comprising a controlled impedance, each probe assembly comprising a different pitch between a signal probe and a ground probe;
without human intervention affixing to a test head of the robotic arm a selected probe assembly from the plurality of probe assemblies; and
maneuvering and the selected probe assembly in an X, Y and Z axis and automatically and accurately placing the selected probe assembly'"'"'s signal probe and ground probe on test points.
-
-
14. A robotic domain reflectometry test method comprising the steps of:
-
providing to a robotic arm a passive, high frequency probe assembly comprising a signal probe and a ground probe, said probe assembly comprising a controlled impedance, the probe assembly being electrically connected to domain reflectometry instrumentation;
maneuvering the probe assembly via the robotic arm;
electrically connecting the probe assembly to, and retracting the probe assembly from test points on an electrical component to be tested; and
recording impedance and propagation delay for each test of the test points and calculating and recording a dielectric constant for each test of the test points.
-
Specification