Method and structure for variable pitch microwave probe assembly

• US 7,492,143 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kwark, Young Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Dole; Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US11/580,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20070029988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 324/72.5
• US Class Current: 324/72.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06772 High frequency probes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe includes at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point. The pitch between the at least one center contact point and the at least one peripheral contact point is adjustable.

Claims

1. A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe assembly comprising an adaptation of an end of a micro-coaxial cable having at least one center element and a conductive outer wall, said CPW probe assembly comprising:

at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and being a tip of one of said at least one center element of said micro-coaxial cable;

at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point and electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable; and

a spreader for urging said at least one peripheral probe element apart from said at least one center probe element,

wherein a pitch of said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is adjustable.

2. The CPW probe assembly of claim 1, wherein a physical separation between said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is controlled by a longitudinal translation of a movable sleeve fitted to said conductive outer wall of said CPW probe assembly.

3. The CPW probe assembly of claim 2, wherein said movable sleeve is fitted to said conductive outer wall as a threaded mechanism.

4. The CPW probe assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a calibration indication associated with a position of said movable sleeve.

5. The CPW probe assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a shorting device that maintains an electrical contact between said at least one peripheral contact and said conductive outer wall of said CPW probe as said pitch changes.

6. The CPW probe assembly of claim 5, wherein said shorting device comprises a conductive material in a compressed state that urges said at least one peripheral probe element apart from said at least one center probe element.

7. The CPW probe assembly of claim 6, wherein said shorting device comprises a metal spring.

8. A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe assembly comprising an adaptation of an end of a micro-coaxial cable having at least one center element and a conductive outer wall, said CPW probe assembly comprising:

at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and being a tip of one of said at least one center element of said micro-coaxial cable;

at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point and electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable; and

a movable sleeve fitted to said conductive outer wall as a threaded mechanism, wherein a physical separation between said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is controlled by a longitudinal translation of said movable sleeve, thereby adjusting a pitch of said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact.

9. The CPW probe assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a calibration indication associated with a position of said movable sleeve.

10. A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe assembly comprising an adaptation of an end of a micro-coaxial cable having at least one center element and a conductive outer wall, said CPW probe assembly comprising:

at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and being a tip of one of said at least one center element of said micro-coaxial cable;

at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point and electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable wherein a pitch of said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is adjustable; and

a shorting device that maintains an electrical contact between said at least one peripheral contact and said conductive outer wall of said CPW probe as said pitch changes, said shorting device comprising a conductive material in a compressed state that urges said at least one peripheral probe element apart from said at least one center probe element.

11. The CPW probe assembly of claim 10, wherein said shorting device comprises a metal spring.