IP Library Granted Patent US 12710469
Granted Patent B2
US 12710469 · App. 18/430,826 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Modular positioner and/or fixture, measurement system and data processing program product for a device under test (DUT)

Inventors: Constantin Schwerdtfeger (Munich, DE); Stefan Schoetz (Kollnburg, DE)
Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
G01R31/2844G01R31/2837
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12710469
App. No.
18/430,826
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a modular positioner and/or fixture, a measurement system and a data processing program product for a device under test (DUT), comprising a first positioning and/or fixing connector, adapted for being detachably mounted to a DUT, a second positioning and/or fixing connector for mounting to a test arrangement, the first positioning and/or fixing connector and second positioning and/or fixing connector being adapted to automatically interact with each other to provide a positioning and/or fixing of a DUT by automatically effecting a positive form-fit interaction and/or for non-positive force-fit interaction, further comprising elongated guiding elements, adapted for guiding the first positioning and/or fixing connector into a fixing position with respect to the second positioning and/or fixing connector.

Claims (51)

1 . A modular positioner and/or fixture for a device under test (DUT), comprising

a first positioning and/or fixing connector or a plurality of first positioning and/or fixing connectors, adapted for being detachably mounted to a DUT;

a second positioning and/or fixing connector or a plurality of second positioning and/or fixing connectors, adapted for being mounted to a test arrangement;

the or each first positioning and/or fixing connector being adapted to automatically interact with a respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to provide a positioning and/or fixing of said DUT by automatically effecting a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction;

and further comprising

an elongated guiding element or a plurality of elongated guiding elements, in particular a guiding pin or a plurality of guiding pins, said guiding element or elements being adapted for guiding the first positioning and/or fixing connector into a fixing position with respect to the second positioning and/or fixing connector;

wherein

a clamping arrangement is arranged in a positioning and/or fixing connector; and

interaction of a first positioning and/or fixing connector with the clamping arrangement in the respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to effect a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction can be actuated by an electrical actuator controllable via electrical or electronical control commands in order to actuate an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement into a fixing status and/or into a release status;

said actuator being provided in the electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement.

2 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator or said plurality of actuators is electrically or electronically connected to a proximity sensor or to a plurality of proximity sensors, in particular to a proximity switch.

3 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 1 , wherein said elongated guiding element or a plurality of elongated guiding elements, in particular said guiding pin or said plurality of guiding pins is arranged offset from a central axis of said first positioning and/or fixing connector.

4 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according claim 1 , wherein said elongated guiding element or said plurality of elongated guiding elements, in particular said guiding pin or said plurality of guiding pins is adapted to interact with a guiding recess or with a plurality of guiding recesses, thereby effecting a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction.

5 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 1 , wherein said first positioning and/or fixing connector or said second positioning and/or fixing connector comprises an elongated fixing element, in particular a clamping spigot, adapted for positive form-fit interaction and/or for non-positive force-fit interaction with the fixing arrangement, in particular with the clamping arrangement, such fixing arrangement being arranged in the respective other positioning and/or fixing connector.

6 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 5 , wherein said fixing arrangement, in particular said clamping arrangement, is configured as electrically or electronically controlled and/or as electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement, controllable via electrical or electronical control commands.

7 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 1 , wherein a first positioning and/or fixing connector and a respective second positioning and/or fixing connector comprise an electrical connector or a plurality of electrical connectors.

8 . A two-part positioner and/or fixture for a device under test (DUT), comprising

a first positioning and/or fixing connector, adapted for being detachably mounted to a DUT;

a second positioning and/or fixing connector, adapted for being mounted to a test arrangement;

the first positioning and/or fixing connector being adapted to automatically interact with a respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to provide a positioning and/or fixing of said DUT by automatically effecting a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction;

wherein

an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement comprising a clamping arrangement is arranged in the second positioning and/or fixing connector; and

interaction of the first positioning and/or fixing connector with the clamping arrangement in the respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to effect a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction can be actuated by an electrical actuator provided in the electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement, controllable via electrical or electronical control commands, in order to actuate the electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement into a fixing status and/or into a release status.

9 . A modular positioner and/or fixture according to claim 8 , further comprising an elongated guiding element or a plurality of elongated guiding elements, in particular a guiding pin or a plurality of guiding pins, said guiding element or elements being adapted for guiding the first positioning and/or fixing connector into a fixing position with respect to the second positioning and/or fixing connector.

10 . A measurement system for a device under test (DUT) comprising a modular positioner and/or fixture, comprising:

a test arrangement;

one or a plurality of two-part positioners and/or fixtures for a device under test (DUT), comprising a first positioning and/or fixing connector, adapted for being detachably mounted to a DUT and a second positioning and/or fixing connector, adapted for being mounted to said test arrangement;

said first positioning and/or fixing connector or a plurality of first positioning and/or fixing connectors, adapted for being detachably mounted to a DUT using a fastening element or a plurality of fastening elements adapted for positive form-fit connection and/or for non-positive force-fit connection;

said second positioning and/or fixing connector or a plurality of second positioning and/or fixing connectors mounted to said test arrangement;

the or each first positioning and/or fixing connector being automatically adapted to interact with a respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to provide a positioning and/or fixing of a DUT by automatically effecting a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction;

and further comprising

an elongated guiding element or a plurality of elongated guiding elements, in particular a guiding pin or a plurality of guiding pins, said guiding element or elements being adapted for guiding the first positioning and/or fixing connector into a fixing position with respect to the second positioning and/or fixing connector,

wherein

a clamping arrangement is arranged in a second positioning and/or fixing connector; and

interaction of a first positioning and/or fixing connector with the clamping arrangement in the respective second positioning and/or fixing connector to effect a positive form-fit interaction and/or a non-positive force-fit interaction can be actuated by an electrical actuator controllable via electrical or electronical control commands in order to actuate an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement into a fixing status and/or into a release status;

said actuator being provided in the electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement.

11 . A measurement system for a device under test (DUT), according to claim 10 ,

wherein

the test arrangement is arranged in an anechoic chamber, adapted to allow a removable introduction of a DUT.

12 . A measurement system for a device under test (DUT), according to claim 10 ,

wherein

a touch sensitive sensor is provided, arranged in electrical or electronical connection with an electrical actuator or with a plurality of electrical actuators controllable via electrical or electronical control commands and configured to actuate an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement or a plurality of electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangements provided in said second positioning and/or fixing connector or in said plurality of second positioning and/or fixing connectors.

13 . A data processing program product, adapted for operating a measurement system for a device under test (DUT), said data processing program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to carry out the following program steps:

a first program step of reading first control data from a proximity sensor or from a plurality of proximity sensors;

a second program step of actuating an actuator or a plurality of actuators using electrical or electronical control commands to actuate an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement or a plurality of electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangements into a fixing status based on previously read first control data from a proximity sensor or from a plurality of proximity sensors;

a third program step of initiating an electrical connection and/or a data connection from a second positioning and/or fixing connector and/or from a test arrangement to a first positioning and/or fixing connector and/or to a DUT via an electrical connector or via a plurality of electrical connectors;

a fourth program step of indicating data representing the fixing status and/or data connection status of the fixing connectors to a user;

a fifth program step of starting a predefined test procedure for said DUT;

a sixth program step of reading second control data from a touch sensitive sensor;

a seventh program step of actuating an actuator or a plurality of actuators using electrical or electronical control commands to actuate an electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangement or a plurality of electrically or electronically actuated fixing arrangements into a release status; and

an eighth program step of indicating data representing the release status and/or data connection release status of the fixing connectors to a user.