Programmable multi-function module for automatic test equipment systems
View Patent ↗A programmable source/measurement module for automatic test equipment is disclosed. A high resolution low frequency source, high resolution low frequency measurement capability, low resolution high frequency source, and a low resolution high frequency measurement capability are provided in a single module. The module comprises an input/output switch matrix selectively coupled to a low frequency filter block and a high frequency filter block. Each filter block may be used for either source or measurement. The filter blocks are selectively coupled to a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The ADCs and DACs are coupled to a digital interface.
1. A programmable module for automatic test equipment systems comprising:
a programmable digital interface for transmitting and receiving digital data;
a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to said digital interface;
a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) coupled to said digital interface;
a first relay for selectively coupling at least one of said ADCs and at least one of said DACs to a first filter bank;
a second relay for selectively coupling at least one of said ADCs and at least one of said DACs to a second filter bank;
a first source block and a first measure block coupled to said first filter bank and also coupled to an input/output switch matrix, and wherein said first filter bank is shared by said first source block and said first measure block; and
a second source block and a second measure block coupled to said second filter bank and also coupled to said input/output switch matrix, and wherein said second filter bank is shared by said second source block and said second measure block.
2. The module of claim 1 , wherein said first filter bank comprises a filter with a passband frequency less than 100 KHz and said second filter bank comprises a filter with a passband frequency greater than 100 KHz and less than 200 KHz.
3. The module of claim 1 , wherein said first filter bank comprises active filters and said second filter bank comprises passive filters.
4. The module of claim 1 wherein said module comprises at least three ADCs.
5. The module of claim 1 , wherein one of said DACs has a resolution of at least 14 bits and one of said ADCs has a resolution of at least 14 bits.
6. The module of claim 1 , wherein at lease one of said DACs has a resolution of at least 24 bits and one of said ADCs has a resolution of at least 24 bits.
7. The module of claim 1 , further comprising a first AC coupling between one of said DACs and said input/output switch matrix, and a second AC coupling between one of said ADCs and said input/output switch matrix.
8. A programmable module for automatic test equipment systems comprising:
a programmable digital interface for transmitting and receiving digital data;
a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to said digital interface;
a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) coupled to said digital interface;
a plurality of filters selectively coupled to said ADCs and selectively coupled to said DACs;
at least one source block and at least one measure block coupled to said plurality of filters, said source block and said measure block comprising:
a plurality of amplifiers selectively coupled to said filters; and
a plurality of attenuators coupled to said amplifiers;
wherein at least one of said plurality of filters is shared by said source block and said measure block; and
an input/output switch matrix coupled to said attenuators.
9. The module of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of filters comprises a filter with a passband frequency of less than 100 KHz and a filter with a passband frequency greater than 100 KHz.
10. The module of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of filters comprises both active filters and passive filters.
11. The module of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of filters comprises fifth order filters.
12. The module of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of DACs comprises a first DAC and a second DAC, wherein said first DAC has a different resolution than said second DAC.
13. The module of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of DACs comprises a first ADC and a second ADC, wherein said first ADC has a different resolution than said second ADC.
14. The module of claim 9 , wherein said input/output switch matrix is coupled to an array of pogo pins.
15. The module of claim 14 , wherein said array of pogo pins comprises pins for ground sense.
16. The module of claim 15 , wherein said array of pogo pins comprises pins for remote sense.
17. A programmable module for automatic test equipment systems comprising:
a programmable digital interface for transmitting and receiving digital data;
a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to said digital interface;
a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) coupled to said digital interface;
an array of pogo pins, said array comprising a plurality of analog input/output pins; and
a differential filter bank selectively coupled to the DACs, selectively coupled to the ADCs, and also selectively coupled to said analog input/output pins;
wherein said programmable module is operable to provide a selectable resolution.
18. The module of claim 17 , wherein said array of pogo pins is coupled to said differential filter bank by an input/output switch matrix.
19. The module of claim 18 , wherein said array of pogo pins comprises ground sense pins.
20. The module of claim 18 , wherein said array of pogo pins comprises remote sense pins.