RF AUTOMATED TEST SYSTEM
USER SOLUTION
OVERVIEW
Nexjen Systems was contracted by an electronic manufacturing
company to develop an automated RF functional test system
to test RF phase modular assemblies per the client’s calibration
and function test specifications. Nexjen delivered a turnkey ATE
based on 6.6 GHz PXI hardware, running TestStand and LabVIEW
software.
CHALLENGE
Develop a turnkey ATE to replace a manual test bench, provide
throughput enhancement on a 4-hour test process covering 150
test and calibration steps, deliver traceable test documentations,
provide RF test coverage from 1 to 5 GHz, and provide tight input
voltage control to +/-0.001 V and closed-loop UUT temperature
control.
SOLUTION
Nexjen Systems designed and implemented a turnkey RF verification test stand, which utilized RF acquisition and
analysis, data acquisition, signal conditioning and DC source hardware. The solution included a 20U, 19” rack mount
enclosure containing the controller, RF and switching hardware connected to an LCD monitor with USB keyboard
and mouse for operator input. The system connects to a single UUT via standard SMA RF and baseband connectors.
For this project, Nexjen Systems provided electrical and software design engineering, software development, and
system integration of the test racks and test plans, and partnered with a local manufacturer to develop custom test
fixtures.
The 6.6 GHz RF test system was designed as a one-up test station. The system multiplexed the following components
during execution of tests: vector signal analysis, power meter, data acquisition, and DMM. The system delivered the
following:
• Test sequences with 152 validated test steps as defined in
client requirements documents
• RF test to 5 GHz, including power, power control, spurious
emissions, bandwidth, phase noise, and linearity
• Baseband calibration of reflected and forward power leveling
circuits
• Throughput enhancement of over 800% by automating most
manual measurements and setups
• Closed-loop UUT temperature control
• Closed-loop analog control of DC source hardware to achieve
+/- 1mV source accuracy
• Minimized instrumentation costs by sharing RF measurement
devices across the test rack
• User-friendly operator interface for TestStand on top of simple
and easy to maintain LabVIEW software
• Professionally integrated rack mount system with fixture, PXI
hardware and computer control
5933 Brookshire Boulevard • Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 • www.nexjen.com
Phone: 800.797.0825 • Fax: 800.797.0826 • Email: sales@nexjen.com