Product category:
ATE Systems
News Release from: ProbeStar | Subject: Short Finder
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 26 December 2005
Embedded tester spots shorts at
functional test
The Short Finder offers a novel approach to short circuit detection at the functional test stage, allowing manufacturers to bypass in-circuit testing.
More and more electronics manufacturers are choosing to bypass in-circuit test (ICT), and opting to send printed circuit boards directly to functional test As a cost and time saving measure this strategy works well - assuming there are no shorts present on the PCB
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Oct 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Short Finder provides eight relay channels to connect to "key" test points on the PCB.
The test points might include input voltages, power rails, voltage regulators and references, processor reset or clock circuits.
By verifying these test points prior to applying power to the PCB, the Short Finder can prevent damage to the board, external test equipment or both.
The Short Finder is designed to be integrated into functional test fixtures, and makes contact to the PCB via pogo pins.
The Short Finder operates like most ohm meters: a constant current is supplied to the circuit under test and a voltage is measured that is proportional to the resistance.
The source current is limited to 1mA, and the open-circuit voltage is just 200mV (which is less than the nominal turn-on voltage for most PN junctions).
When the measured resistance exceeds a certain voltage the Short Finder outputs a digital bit that indicates a short.
Controlling the Short Finder is made possible through a simple 10-pin interface header.
The interface includes a three-wire SPI-bus and digital I/O to activate the relays.
Other features include an optional 12bit ADC (for measuring external voltages), and a relay switch that can route signals to external test equipment.
This allows the Short Finder to be used as a general purpose relay scanner.
The Short Finder is a member of ProbeStar's ETS Series of embedded test solutions.
The ETS Series is a smart collection of (hardware and software) tools that are designed to reduce the high cost-of-test, while providing test engineers greater flexibility and more opportunities to apply test automation.
Pricing for the Short Finder starts at just $119 (single qualities), and units are in stock.
A comprehensive user's guide is available with complete installation instructions and application examples.
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