Waveguides for Capturing Close-Proximity Electromagnetic Radiation Transmitted by Wireless Chips During Testing on Automated Test Equipment (ATE)

摘要

A test fixture has a flexible plastic cable that acts as a waveguide. The Device-Under-Test (DUT) is a small transceiver and antenna that operate in the Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) band of 30-300 GHz. The size of the DUT transceiver is very small, limiting the power of emitted electromagnetic radiation so that close-proximity communication is used. The envelope for reception may only extend for about a centimeter from the DUT transceiver, about the same size as the test socket. A slot is formed in the test socket very near to the antenna. The slot receives one end of the plastic waveguide. The slot extends into the envelope by the DUT transceiver so that close-proximity radiation is captured by the plastic waveguide. The waveguide has a high relative permittivity and reflective metalized walls so that the radiation may be carried to a receiver that is outside the envelope.

主权项

1. A test system for testing a Device-Under-Test (DUT) that emits close-proximity electromagnetic radiation, the test system comprising:
a test socket that holds the DUT during testing; an interface board, electrically connected between a test controller and electrical contacts of the DUT when the DUT is held in the test socket; an opening formed in the test socket, the opening extending into an envelope of electromagnetic radiation created by the DUT while being tested by the test controller and held in the test socket; a plastic waveguide having a first end inserted into the opening, the first end of the plastic waveguide being placed to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by the DUT during testing; and a receiver antenna placed near a second end of the plastic waveguide, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the DUT during testing is carried by the plastic waveguide and directed onto the receiver antenna; wherein the receiver antenna is physically located outside of the envelope; wherein the receiver antenna receives the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the DUT during testing and carried by the plastic waveguide.