Apparatus and method for measuring phase noise/jitter in devices under test
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a device interface board configured to transport signals between a product tester and a device under test; and
a test board coupled to the device interface board, the test board configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board, the test board also configured to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test, the test board comprising;
a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; and
a control loop configured to adjust at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of approximately zero direct current volts at an output of the phase detector.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for testing integrated circuit products and other devices under test (DUT) includes a DUT tester, which stimulates the devices under test and analyzes signals from the devices under test. A device interface board transports signals between the DUT tester and the devices under test. A test board is coupled to the device interface board and used to generate measurements associated with the devices under test, such as phase noise or phase jitter measurements. The test board could, for example, include a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between two signals and a control loop for adjusting at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of zero DC volts at an output of the phase detector. A customization module could also be used to customize the test board. The customization module could include a phase shifter, a phase-locked loop synthesizer, and/or an oscillator.
80 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a device interface board configured to transport signals between a product tester and a device under test; and a test board coupled to the device interface board, the test board configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board, the test board also configured to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test, the test board comprising; a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; and a control loop configured to adjust at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of approximately zero direct current volts at an output of the phase detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a device interface board configured to transport signals between a product tester and a device under test; and a test board coupled to the device interface board, the test board configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board, the test board also configured to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test, the test board comprising; a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; a plurality of amplifiers, a first of the amplifiers configured to receive and amplify an output of the phase detector, one or more remaining amplifiers configured to receive and amplify an output of a prior amplifier; and a switch configured to selectively output one of multiple signals received from the plurality of amplifiers. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A system comprising:
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a device interface board configured to transport signals between a product tester and a device under test; a test board coupled to the device interface board, the test board configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board, the test board also configured to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test; and a customization module coupled to the test board, the customization module configured to generate one or more signals used to generate the one or more measurements, the customization module comprising at least one of;
a phase shifter, a phase-locked loop synthesizer, and an oscillator.
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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an interface configured to communicate with a device under test through a device interface board; and circuitry configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board and to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test, the circuitry comprising; a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; and a control loop configured to adjust at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of approximately zero direct current volts at an output of the phase detector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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an interface configured to communicate with a device under test through a device interface board; and circuitry configured to receive a signal from the device under test through the device interface board and to generate one or more measurements associated with at least one characteristic of the device under test, the circuitry comprising; a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; a plurality of amplifiers, a first of the amplifiers configured to receive and amplify an output of the phase detector, one or more remaining amplifiers configured to receive and amplify an output of a prior amplifier; and a switch configured to selectively output one of multiple signals received from the plurality of amplifiers.
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18. A method comprising:
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coupling a test board to a device interface board of a product tester, the device interface board configured to transport signals between the product tester and a device under test; receiving a signal from the device under test at the test board; and generating one or more measurements associated with phase noise or phase jitter in the device under test using the signal from the device under test; wherein the test board comprises; a phase detector configured to detect a phase difference between two signals, at least one of the two signals based on the signal from the device under test; and a control loop configured to adjust at least one of the two signals to maintain an average of approximately zero direct current volts at an output of the phase detector. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification