SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

SMD Test Solution is designed to measure transmission and reflection coefficients (S-parameters) and impedance of passive RLC surface mounted devices in the fixture.

• Measuring SMD component parameters with a vector network analyzer up to 20 GHz

• Determining S-parameters magnitude and phase

• Determining impedance magnitude and phase• Two types of fixtures - Serial and Shunt• Fixture service life - over 1000 connections• Component’s installation with standard vacuum

tweezers with special dielectric tip• SMD Test Solution software

• Measurements automation • Fixture removal built-in algorithm

• Measurement errors calculation• Data analysis

• Reports, instructions

• RF and microwave component validation

• Incoming inspection • Characterization (creating

definitions)

General Features Applications

Figure 1 - Fixture

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

SMT components, resistors, capacitors, or inductors, in addition to the nominal value of resistance, capacitance or inductance, respectively, have a set of parasitic intrinsic parameters characterizing their behavior with increasing frequency. When components are mounted on a printed circuit board, “external (or extrinsic)” characteristics, inherent to the contact pads of the PCB itself, are added to these intrinsic frequency-dependent parameters. This makes it necessary to determine component parameters that are directly installed on the board under conditions close to real applications. Obtained data can be useful for component validation, sampling, and sorting at production stage, or creating a design library for RF and microwave devices. Component parameters measurement is carried out with a vector network analyzer.

Overview

Figure 2 - Scope of Application

The measurement system uses metrology-grade COBALT series vector network analyzer (100 kHz – 20 GHz) and SMD measurement set with SMD Test Solution software. Optional hardware may include a calibration kit and RF cables with coaxial adapters.

The components are connected to the vector network analyzer using fixture, Figure 1. Each fixture consists of a printed circuit board located on a metal base and two coaxial-to-coplanar transitions. Contact pads for installing components are marked with a green mask on the printed circuit board. Nominal characteristic impedance of the leading transmission lines is 50 Ohms. Standard vacuum pen with dielectric tips could be used to install components in the fixture. The SMD Test Solution kit includes several tips with different geometric sizes to hold different types of components.

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Table 1 - Configuration Guide

Figure 3 - Calibration Plane Offset

To ensure parameters are measured at the point where the component is connected, the effect of leading transmission lines together with coaxial-to-planar transitions are automatically removed, i.e. the calibration plane is offset toward the component’s contacts. The de-embedding algorithm is implemented in the SMD Test Solution software. There are strict PCB topology accuracy requirements for effective algorithm operation. Each PCB installed in the fixture goes through geometric and electrical specifications testing to ensure the value of the characteristic impedance of its transmission lines is as close to 50 Ohm as possible.

Joint estimation algorithm is used to avoid the effect of the lines. This algorithm allows selection of signals reflected from the input and output of coaxial-to-coplanar transitions, as well as assessing lines’ transmission coefficient.

Depending on the component impedance and measurement accuracy, three component connection configurations are available. They are implemented using just two fixtures – Serial and Shunt. The fixtures are used to measure parameters in component placement configuration.

Recommended connection scheme ComponentReflect Impedance around 50 Ohm: ResistorsShunt Low impedance: Capacitors and ResistorsSerial Medium and High Impedance: Inductors and Resistors

Impedance measurement ranges and errors are provided in the specifications section

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

The platform (Figure 7) is used to make measurements easier and to produce more stable results. It allows fixture stabilization and reduces the movement due to cable connections. In addition, the platform has several compartments for keeping different tips, regular tweezers, and vacuum pen in order and close to the testing.

Figure 4 - Component Connection Configuration

Figure 5 - ShuntTaken under a microscope

Figure 6 - SerialTaken under a microscope

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Figure 7 - Platform with fixtures

• Cobalt series VNA provides highly accurate and stable S-parameter measurements • SMD Test Solution HW:

• Two Serial fixtures • Two Shunt fixtures • Dielectric vacuum pen tips • Two regular tweezers to move components • Platform for easy manual measurements • Set of components with known parameters • Plastic containers to store, move, or sort components

• SMD Test Solution software controls measurement procedures, processing and analyzing received data

• Vacuum system (pump, vacuum pen) for installing component in the fixture and holding it down.

• Optional accessories: • Mechanical calibration kit or automatic calibration module • Magnitude and phase stable RF cables with coaxial adapters

SMD Test Solution

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Parameter Value

SMT ComponentsResistors

CapacitorsInductors

SMD Package Type 0402

Connection configurationsReflect, Serial

ShuntFrequency Range (MHz) 0.1 to 20,000Reflection coefficient measurement range 0 to 1Transmission coefficient measurement range -80 dB to 0 dBPrinted circuit board

Laminate RO4350BNominal impedance of transmission lines 50 Ohm

Environmental specification:Operating temperature +18°C to +28°C (64°F to 82°F)

Table 2 - Specifications

• Saving in PDF format and printing measurement results for each component • Comparing component S-parameters measured in the same installation configuration • Comparing component impedance for all installation configurations • Saving in PDF format and printing comparison results • Saving in PDF format and printing measurement report

SMD Test Solution Software Allows:

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Configuration Impedance Impedance magnitude measurement error

Reflect

Shunt

Serial

Figure 8 - Relative measurement errors of impedance magnitude in the frequency range

• ∆S11max and ∆S21max –total measurement errors of the reflection and transmission coefficients of the component installed in the fixture, as a function of the systematic and random measurement errors of the vector network analyzer and the implemented de-embedding algorithm;

• Z0 – nominal value of the characteristic impedance of the leading transmission lines of 50 Ohm;

• ∆Z0 – error of determining the characteristic impedance of the lines, Ohm; • Sij – measured S-parameters of component under test.

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

• Install VNA software, if it has not been previously installed, and register COM server • Install SMD Test Solution software if it has not been previously installed • Connect VNA to the computer using USB cable • Start VNA software. Check the message “Ready” is displayed after a few seconds in the status

bar • Run SMD Test Solution SW, the program should automatically detect the VNA connected to the

computer; if necessary, click “Search” or “Refresh” button • Select a device from the list of “Connected Devices” and press the “Start” button • If necessary, on the “VNA Settings” page, enter the parameters of the vector network analyzer • On the “Menu” page:

• Enter report data • Select the type of component being measured • Add the required number of components

• Connect the measurement setup according to the SMD Test Solution instructions • From “VNA Calibration” page calibrate the VNA in the coaxial environment • Connect the fixture in accordance with the required component connection configuration • Select Reflect, Shunt, or Serial page corresponding to the selected configuration • Following instructions, measure fixture parameters without a component; upon completion

of measurements, SMD Test Solution SW will conduct removal of the fixture characteristics to determine the component parameters in its connection plane

• Install the component in the fixture using vacuum pen with dielectric tip; to verify the reliability of the component connection, it is recommended to check the repeatability of the reflection and transmission coefficient traces sweep by sweep in the VNA software

• Measure S-parameters and impedance by pressing “Measurement” button. To save the obtained data of the last full sweep of the VNA, press any button on the keyboard

• Repeat the procedure for all components • Select “ON” in the “Errors” drop-down list to display the limits of measurement error • Save or print the obtained measurement results

Operating Procedure

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Figure 10 - Full two-port calibration of the VNA in the coaxial environment

Figure 10 - Fixture parameters measurement without a component for performing the

automatic fixture removal procedure

Figure 12 - Component parameters measurement

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Component parameters are measured using the SMD Test Solution software.

SMD Test Solution SW contains all the necessary instructions and measurement setups. The program automatically sets the specified VNA parameters, such as frequency range, number of frequency points, output power level and IF bandwidth. During the measurement process, SMD Test Solution SW automatically calculates fixture parameters and corrects the results to obtain the component parameters at its connection plane.

SMD Test Solution SW displays measurement results graphically. All graphs are scalable. There are easy to use markers implemented into the program for analysis. The results can be saved to a file and/or printed in the report.

SMD Test Solution Software

Figure 13 - SMD Test Solution Software

Figure 14 - 51-Ohm SMD resistor impedance measurement

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Figure 15 - 10pF capacitor measurement, Shunt configuration. Impedance Comparison between three different components.

Figure 16 - 10pF capacitor measurement, Shunt configuration with graph scaling function applied. Impedance Comparison between three different components.

Figure 17 - 10pF capacitor transmission coefficient measurement, Shunt configuration. Comparison between five different components.

SMD TEST SOLUTIONMeasurement solution for quick verification and characterization of SMT components over a wide frequency range.

Figure 18 - 10nH inductor impedance measurement with error limits, Serial configuration. Comparison between three different components.

Equivalent Schematic

Figure 19 - Equivalent circuit of an SMD resistor (Reflect connection configuration) R, L, C – resistor intrinsic parameters

Le, Ce – printed circuit board extrinsic parameters

Figure 20 - Comparison analysis of experimental vs simulated results for 47 Ohm SMD resistor.Reflect configuration.