TSQA-1X8PME

Medium Power Extension

TSQA-1X8PME is available in a variant with “Medium Power Range Extension”. In this variant the output power range extends from -20 dBm (10 μW) up to +40 dBm (10 W). High and medium power section are provide on separate RF connectors.

High TX to TX Port Isolation

HTOL systems must offer a high isolation between the RF output ports. A failing DUT should not have any influence to the other DUTs during the tests. The TSQA-1X8PME offers very high isolation of 85 dB type between ports to avoid this effect.

Optimized Power Consumption

The power consumption and efficiency are adapted to the required RF output power level in 2 power classes. Dependant on the desired RF output power the supply voltage of the power amplifier stages is varied. This optimizes cost for electrical power and heat generation.

High RF Level Precision

Each output channel provides a very precise RF output level with closed-loop level control (ALC), and virtually no visible steps. As a consequence, the symmetry between the 8 outputs as well as the long stability is guaranteed. Also, the control loop’s smooth characteristic guarantees avoidance of overshoot. The output level range is large to cover a big variety of DUT categories. HTOL tests can be run both with active components and gain (e.g. amplifiers) as well as passive components with low insertion loss (e.g. filters).

Harmonic Suppression

The RF energy in HTOL tests should be concentrated on the fundamental of the signal to avoid additional stress to the DUTs coming from harmonics. The TSQA-1X8PME has an adaptive harmonic filter for effective suppression of harmonics.

High precision RF level detection

Corresponding to each output channel, the TSQA-1X8PME subsystem provides one input channel to precisely measure the power at the DUT output.

Optional Pulse Modulator

With option pulse modulator installed, the TSQA-1X8PME is able to generate CW and pulse modulated signals.

Input for External Generator

For HTOL tests with complex modulated signals like e.g. LTE or Wi-Fi TSQA-1X8PME has an input for the connection of external signal generators.

Minimizing RF Cable Losses

Losses of RF cables to and from the DUTs have important consequences with respect to performance. High cable losses must be compensated by the power stages to avoid reduction of power level at the DUT input. This causes high impact on the power consumption and heat generation of HTOL systems. Additionally, RF cables have temperature and frequency dependent effects which reduce the precision of the power level at the DUTs. Depending on the location of the DUTs, the TSQA-1X8PME features RF output and input ports on the left or the right site allowing keep cables as short as possible.

Software Functionalities

Physical remote interfaces: LAN or USB. TSQA-1X8PME is controllable via GUI (Graphic User Interface) without any additional effort of application software development and regardless of location. Alternatively, the system offers the control via an SCPI inspired ASCII string protocol for ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) applications.

Impact of Cable Losses

The unavoidable loss of the RF cables to and from the DUTs is taken into account by the software. Therefore, cable type and length are configurable. The data of many customary cable types are already implemented in the software. The software calculates the input- and output power levels at the DUT.

System Self-Monitoring

TSQA-1X8PME can run without human intervention during entire test periods of multiple months. It contains automatic self-checking like current consumption, module temperature and logging of errors.

Optional automatic Test Sequencing

The Automatic Test Sequencing option reduces significantly the number of operator interventions. The operator defines all test parameters before starting the test: E.g. test duration, warm up time, insertion loss limits. After that the system runs autonomously over the entire test time, displaying test status and statistics and writing protocol data for later analysis. In order to allow optimal failure analysis the device offers the possibility to take off the RF stress from failed DUTs individually and immediately after the failure occurs. After the predefined test time has elapsed, the test procedure stops automatically and the RF levels will be turned down to remove the RF stress from the DUTs.

Higher Number of Channels

Often batches of 77 DUTs are tested simultaneously in a HTOL test. Higher number of test channels can be provided by stacking TSQA-1X8PME subsystems in a 19” system rack. 10 subsystems are needed to realize an 80 channel HTOL system and can be provided in just 42 U, which is extremely compact. Becker Nachrichtentechnik GmbH offers turnkey solutions with higher number of channels on customer demand.