Method and structure for variable pitch microwave probe assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A test probe assembly as comprising an adaptation of a micro-coaxial cable, said test probe assembly comprising:
- said micro-coaxial cable having at least one center conductor and a conductive outer wall;
a probe tip section comprising at least one center contact, each respectively being a tip of one of said at least one center conductor of said micro-coaxial cable, and at least one peripheral contact, each electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable, wherein a pitch between said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is adjustable; and
a sleeve that is longitudinally movable along said outer wall, wherein each said at least one peripheral contact is attached to said outer wall such that a longitudinal movement of said sleeve causes said adjustable pitch.
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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.
15 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A test probe assembly as comprising an adaptation of a micro-coaxial cable, said test probe assembly comprising:
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said micro-coaxial cable having at least one center conductor and a conductive outer wall; a probe tip section comprising at least one center contact, each respectively being a tip of one of said at least one center conductor of said micro-coaxial cable, and at least one peripheral contact, each electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable, wherein a pitch between said at least one center contact and said at least one peripheral contact is adjustable; and a sleeve that is longitudinally movable along said outer wall, wherein each said at least one peripheral contact is attached to said outer wall such that a longitudinal movement of said sleeve causes said adjustable pitch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A test probe assembly as comprising an adaptation of a micro-coaxial cable, said test probe assembly comprising:
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said micro-coaxial cable having at least one center conductor and a conductive outer wall; a probe tip section comprising at least one center contact, each respectively being a tip of one of said at least one center conductor of said micro-coaxial cable, and at least one peripheral contact, each electrically connected to said conductive outer wall of said micro-coaxial cable, wherein a pitch between 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 outer wall substantially adjacent to where said at least one peripheral contact contacts a device under test, wherein said shorting device comprises a spreader that urges said at least one peripheral contact away from said at least one center contact. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method of testing an electronic circuit, said method comprising:
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making an adjustment of a contact pitch on an air coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe having an adjustable contact pitch, said CPW probe being an adaptation of a micro-coaxial cable such that at least one contact point of said probe comprises a center conductor of said micro-coaxial cable; and placing contacts of said CPW probe in contact with test points of said electronic circuit, wherein said making an adjustment of said contact pitch includes moving a sleeve along an outer wall of said CPW probe. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of fabricating a test probe assembly, said method comprising:
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attaching at least one peripheral probe tip element to an outer wall of a micro-coax assembly having at least one center conductor, said center conductor being extended to serve as an inner probe element for testing a test point, said at least one peripheral probe tip element being attached to said outer wall a predetermined distance from an end of said inner probe element to be used to contact a test point; and incorporating an interface on said outer wall for a mechanism that allows said at least one peripheral probe tip element to be adjusted in separation from said at least one center conductor, wherein said mechanism comprises a moveable sleeve that moves longitudinally along said outer wall, a longitudinal location of said sleeve maintaining a position of said at least one peripheral probe tip element for said separation. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification