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WO2001090764A1 - Procede et dispositif de mesure d'impedance dans le circuit - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de mesure d'impedance dans le circuit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001090764A1
WO2001090764A1 PCT/US2001/016618 US0116618W WO0190764A1 WO 2001090764 A1 WO2001090764 A1 WO 2001090764A1 US 0116618 W US0116618 W US 0116618W WO 0190764 A1 WO0190764 A1 WO 0190764A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
current
voltage
accordance
nodes
node
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/016618
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English (en)
Inventor
Larry J. Davis
Kenneth M. Cox
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SIGNUS Inc
Original Assignee
SIGNUS Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SIGNUS Inc filed Critical SIGNUS Inc
Priority to AU2001264826A priority Critical patent/AU2001264826A1/en
Publication of WO2001090764A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001090764A1/fr
Priority to US10/024,587 priority patent/US6737875B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/26—Testing of individual semiconductor devices
    • G01R31/27—Testing of devices without physical removal from the circuit of which they form part, e.g. compensating for effects surrounding elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00—Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02—General constructional details
    • G01R1/06—Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067—Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06788—Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R27/00—Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom
    • G01R27/02—Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00—Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02—General constructional details
    • G01R1/06—Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067—Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06711—Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins
    • G01R1/06755—Material aspects
    • G01R1/06761—Material aspects related to layers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/2801—Testing of printed circuits, backplanes, motherboards, hybrid circuits or carriers for multichip packages [MCP]
    • G01R31/281—Specific types of tests or tests for a specific type of fault, e.g. thermal mapping, shorts testing
    • G01R31/2813—Checking the presence, location, orientation or value, e.g. resistance, of components or conductors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/2832—Specific tests of electronic circuits not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/2836—Fault-finding or characterising
    • G01R31/2843—In-circuit-testing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to in-circuit impedance measurement. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the impedance of an electrical component while the component is coupled in a circuit.
  • the measurement of a component's impedance is useful in determining whether or not a component is functioning properly, and may be used in determining other operating characteristics of the component. In addition, such measurement may be utilized to verify whether or not a correct component was loaded on a printed circuit board.
  • Analog testing refers to the measurement of quantitative and continuous signals. For example, the measurement of voltage, current, and frequency are typically classified as analog measurements. Analog testing is sometimes referred to as dynamic testing when time or another dynamic variable parameter is involved. In addition, analog testing is sometimes referred to as static testing when a fixed, non-dynamic variable parameter is involved.
  • the process of functional testing includes applying a signal similar to the signal which would normally be experienced in the intended application to the input terminals of a device under test. The output signal is then determined to be acceptable or not for normal operation. In digital functional testing, a digital output is examined to determine if it matches the expected pattern of Is and 0s.
  • the output signals are measured to determine if their incremental levels fall within the acceptable limits of time, voltage, current or other parameters.
  • Separate components may be easily tested or measured by themselves. For example, measurement of impedance may be accomplished by connecting the component directly to a meter. A known current may be applied through the component and the voltage across the component measured. The impedance is the ratio of voltage to current.
  • the invention provides an in-circuit impedance measurement method and device to measure an impedance of a discrete component coupled in an electrical circuit at first and second nodes.
  • the method and device advantageously accurately measures the impedance of the component in-circuit.
  • the device includes at least one current source which provides respective first and second currents or current signals of known values.
  • first and second current sources may be provided.
  • the currents may be different or applied at different times..
  • the currents are good quality sine waves.
  • First and second probes are connected to the current source or respective first and second current sources. The first and second probes contact the respective first and second nodes to apply the first and second currents to the first and second nodes.
  • a third common probe is connected to the current source, or first and second current sources, to contact the circuit at a common location different from the first and second nodes.
  • At least one voltage meter is connected to the first and second nodes to measure voltages corresponding to the first and second currents.
  • first and second voltage meters are provided.
  • the first voltage meter measures two separate voltages at the first node due to the first current source and the second current source.
  • the second voltage meter measures two separate voltages at the second node due to the first current source and the second current source.
  • the first and second voltage meters may be connected to the respective first and second probes, and to the third common probe.
  • fourth and fifth probes may connect the first and second voltage meters to the first and second nodes, while a sixth common probe connects the first and second voltage meters to the circuit at a common location different from the first and second nodes.
  • a signal processor may be coupled to the voltage meters to isolate the voltages measured by the voltage meters caused by the first and second currents.
  • the signal processor may calculate the impedance of the component based on the known values of the first and second currents and the measured voltages.
  • the first and fourth probes may be disposed on a first single probe body, but define separate electrical paths with separate electrical contact points.
  • the second and fifth probes may be disposed on a second single probe body, but define separate electrical paths with separate electrical contact points.
  • the third and sixth probes may be disposed on a third single probe body, but define separate electrical paths with separate electrical contact points.
  • the device may be self-calibrating.
  • a reference resistor may be selectively connected to the current sources and voltage meters by at least one switch.
  • an internal shunt may be provided for situation or circuits in which no pi network is available.
  • the current sources may include a plurality of unbalanced resistors to create the internal shunt.
  • the current may be measured or determined to verify proper contact between the probes and the circuit.
  • a method for measuring the impedance of the discrete component includes applying the first and second currents or current signals of known values at the respective first and second nodes.
  • the current may be applied to the circuit by contacting the first and second nodes with the respective first and second probes, and contacting a common node with the third common probe.
  • the currents applied may be different first and second current signals.
  • the first and second currents may be applied at different times. Four voltages are measured, including two voltages at each of the first and second nodes, corresponding to the first and second current sources.
  • Measuring the four voltages may include measuring (1) the voltage between the first and common nodes caused by the first current; (2) the voltage between the first and common nodes caused by the second current; (3) the voltage between the second and common nodes caused by the first current; and (4) the voltage between the second and common nodes caused by the second current.
  • the voltages may be measured by contacting the first and second nodes with the respective fourth and fifth probes, and contacting a common node with the sixth common probe.
  • the impedance of the component is calculated based on the known values of the first and second currents, and the measured values of the four voltages.
  • the component is treated as a cross member of a pi network.
  • the remaining circuitry and measurement probes are treated as side shunts of the pi network containing the parallel effects of all components in the circuit and the loading of the probes.
  • the voltages corresponding to the first and second currents may be separated or isolated from each other and from any noise.
  • the impedance of the component may be measured while the circuit is active.
  • the circuit is first activated and system signals present in the circuit are analyzed. Frequencies for the currents are selected which will not conflict with the system signals, or which will have predictable conflicts with the system signals prior.
  • the voltages caused by the currents may then be separated or isolated.
  • the device may be calibrated by switching the current sources and voltage meters to a reference resistor.
  • the contacts between the probes and the circuit may be verified by measuring or determining the current.
  • an internal shunt may be provided by unbalancing a plurality of resistors forming the current sources.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic of an impedance measurement device in accordance with the present invention shown with an exemplary component in an exemplary circuit;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the impedance measurement device of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another impedance measurement device in accordance with the present invention shown with the exemplary component in the exemplary circuit;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the impedance measurement device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit used to calculate the impedance of the component
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a probe of the impedance measurement device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of another probe of the impedance measurement device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a current source in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another impedance measurement device in accordance with the present invention.
  • an in-circuit, impedance measurement device indicated generally at 10, in accordance with the present invention is shown for measuring the impedance of an electrical component 14 which is coupled in an electrical circuit 18. Electrical testing is one example of a field which may benefit from use of such an apparatus 10 for checking or testing electrical components while in a circuit. Other characteristics of the component
  • Components are the building blocks for foiming circuits, and include for example, resistors, capacitors, inductors, delay lines, amplifiers, logical gates, and integrated circuits. Components have terminals for use in connecting the components. Circuits are formed by a plurality of interconnected components which operate to perform functions. The points at which the components are connected in a circuit are called nodes. Circuits perform functions by receiving input signals on one or more selected input nodes to produce output signals on one or more select output nodes. These input and output nodes are called external nodes. In addition, circuits typically include internal nodes which are the connection points for components.
  • the component 14 is connected to the circuit 18 through its terminals at first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the first node 22 is designated as "0,” while the second node is designated as “1.”
  • the component 14 also has an impedance, designated "Z 2 ,” which is unknown and desired to be measured.
  • the device 10 includes at least first and second measurement probes 30 and 34 to contact and form an electrical connection with the respective first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the probes 30 and 34 may be similar to typical probes, and have insulating probe bodies 38 which may be grasped by a user's hand, and distal contact points 42 on the ends of the probe bodies 38 for contacting the nodes 22 and 24. Thus, a user may grasp the probe bodies 38 and contact the desired nodes of the desired component with the contact points 42.
  • the first and second probes 30 and 34 may be any other type of probe, such as an alligator clip, pin, etc.
  • the device 10 includes at least a third common or ground probe 46 for contacting and forming an electrical connection at a common or ground node 50, designated as "c," different from the first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the third common probe 46 may be a typical alligator clip type probe which may be attached or fastened to the circuit 18 or common node 50.
  • a user may connect the third common probe 46 to the common node 50, and manipulate the first and second probes 30 and 34 to contact the first and second nodes 22 and 24 of the component 14.
  • the circuit 18 may be treated as a ⁇ (pi) network with the desired component 14 forming the cross member of the pi network.
  • Side shunts 54 and 58, designated as "0" and "1," of the pi network may be treated as containing the parallel effects of all other components in the circuit 18, as well as the loading of the measurement probes 30, 34 and 46, or loading of the entire system, including the imperfections in current sources, voltage meters, probes, range control loading, etc.
  • the device 10 also includes first and second current sources 62 and 66 electrically connected to the respective first and second probes 30 and 34. The first and second current sources 62 and 66 provide or supply respective first and second currents or current signals i 0 and i, of known value.
  • the first and second currents i 0 and i are applied to the respective first and second nodes 22 and 24 through the first and second probes 30 and 34.
  • the device 10 injects first and second currents i 0 and i, through the component 14 from the first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the current sources 62 and 66 provide different current signals, which allows the currents i 0 and i, to be separated or isolated, as discussed below.
  • the current sources 62 and 66 preferably supply good quality sine waves. It is believed that a combination of sinusoids, namely 100 rad/sec, 3000 rad/sec and 100,000 rad sec, will provide the best results. It is believed that low frequencies are best when the component 14 is a capacitor or high value resistor, while high frequencies are best when the component 14 is a low value inductor.
  • the device 10 also includes first and second voltage meters 70 and 74 for measuring the voltage at the respective first and second nodes 22 and 24 due to the currents i 0 and i,.
  • the voltage meters 70 and 74 may be connected to the first and second nodes 22 and 24 by the first and second probes 30 and 34, and to the third common node 50 by the third common probe 46, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the first current source 62 and first voltage meter 70 utilize the same first probe 30 or electrical connection
  • the second current source 66 and second voltage meter 74 utilize the same second probe 34, or electrical connection.
  • FIG. 3 another device 76 is shown in which the first and second voltage meters 70 and 74 may be connected to the first and second nodes 22 and 24 by respective fourth and fifth probes 78 and 82, and connected to the common node 50 by a sixth common probe 86.
  • the voltage meters 70 and 74 are connected to the circuit 18 separate from the current sources 62 and 66. It is believed that the accuracy can be enhanced by using different connections for the current sources 62 and 66 and the voltage meters 70 and 74.
  • the voltage meters 70 and 74 measure four voltages, including two voltages at each node 22 and 24.
  • the first voltage meter 70 measures the voltage at the first node 22 (or across the first shunt 54) due to (1) the first current i 0 , designated as V 00 , and (2) the second current i l9 designated as V 01 .
  • the second voltage meter 74 measures the voltage at the second node 24 (or across the second shunt 58) due to (1) the second current i l5 designated as
  • V ⁇ V ⁇
  • V ⁇ the first current i 0 , designated as V ⁇ 0 .
  • the voltage meters 70 and 74 measure the voltages V 00 , V 01 , V ⁇ and V 10 at the two nodes 22 and 24 due to the two currents i 0 and i,.
  • an electrical circuit 90 is shown which is used to calculate the impedance Z 2 of the component 14.
  • the electrical circuit 90 is representative of the circuit 18 containing the component 14, including all of the components in the circuit 18, as well as the loading of the measurement probes 30, 34 and 50 (and 78, 82 and 86), or the loading of the entire system, including the imperfections in the current sources 62 and 66, voltage meters 70 and 74, probes, range control loading, etc.
  • the circuit 90 may be considered an equivalent circuit made up of both the circuit 18 and the testing device 10. It has been recognized that the component 14 in the circuit 18 can be accurately measured in the circuit 18 by identifying the component 14 as the cross member of a ⁇ (pi) network.
  • the side shunts 54 and 58 contain the parallel effects of all components in the circuit 18, as well as the loading of the probes 30, 34 and 50 (and 78, 82 and 86), of the entire device.
  • All the elements or components of the circuit 18 and the device 10 may be lumped as parallel combinations into pseudo-components or side shunts 54 and 58 of the pi network, designated as "0" and "1,” with shunt impedances Z 0 and Z, by careful selection of the nodes. Since signal processing can be used to accurately separate the voltages, very low values of the shunt impedances Z 0 and
  • the value for the shunt impedances Z 0 and Z x can be in the milliohm range if separate connections are made for monitoring the voltages and supplying the currents, as shown in FIG. 3, to avoid contact resistance errors.
  • the impedances are in the range of short printed traces or vias found in common electronic systems.
  • the test device 10 applies known currents i 0 and ii, and measures voltages V 00 , V 01 , V u and V 10 caused by those currents.
  • V ⁇ at the second node 24 or "1" ( or across the second side shunt 58) due to the current ii from the first current source applied at the second node 24 or "1" can be calculated by:
  • the voltage V 0 j at the first node 22 or "0" (or across the first side shunt 54) due to the current ii from the second current source applied at the first node 22 or "0" can be calculated by:
  • the voltage V 10 at the second node 24 or "1" (or across the second side shunt 58) due to the current i, from the first current source applied at the second node 24 or "1 " can be calculated by:
  • the impedance Z 2 of the component 14 may be expressed as:
  • the impedance Z 2 of the component 14 may be expressed as: w ( v (6)
  • Equation (1) may be arranged as: z 0 (z 1+ z 2 )
  • Equation (6) may be arranged as:
  • Equation (5) may be arranged as:
  • Equation 10 may be simplified as follows:
  • Equation (11) may be further simplified as follows:
  • Equation (12) may be rearranged to solve for the impedance Z 2 of the component 14 as follows:
  • the impedance Z 2 may be expressed as: ⁇ [ - ⁇ V W - ⁇ oi ] (14)
  • Equations (13) and (14) express the unknown impedance Z 2 in terms of the known currents i 0 and i and measured voltages V 00 , V 01 , V ⁇ and V 10 .
  • equations (13) and/or (14) may be utilized by the device 10 to calculate the impedance Z 2 of the component 14. It can be observed from equation (13) that there is a voltage transfer function V ⁇ /V 01 imbedded within the equation, and that there is no explicit involvement of the second current I,.
  • the transfer function voltages V ⁇ and V 01 were generated as a result of the injection of current I l5 but the equation infers an alternative method.
  • a voltage could be applied directly to the second node 24, or node 1, which would be V n , and then measure V 01 which would be the voltage measured at the first node 22, or node 0, as a result of V n .
  • V 01 which would be the voltage measured at the first node 22, or node 0, as a result of V n .
  • the design may be simplified by substituting a voltage source for a more complex current source, but doing so may break the symmetry, and may create unknown and potentially large currents flowing in the circuit under test due to the effect of shorting a node by means of a voltage source.
  • equation (14) can be made for equation (14) by the principal of symmetry.
  • the device 10 may include a signal processor 100, such as a digital signal processor, connected to the voltage meters 70 and 74.
  • the signal processor 100 may perform calculation functions, such as calculating the impedance Z 2 of the component 14 utilizing equations (13) or (14).
  • the signal processor 100 may be used to isolate the measured voltages from noise, and from each of the voltages caused by the separate current signals i 0 and i,.
  • the signal processor 100 may be connected to the current sources 62 and 66, and generate the current signals i 0 and ij.
  • one shunt side of the pi network can be a short length of copper circuit trace or via.
  • the impedance can be very small, it can be measured sufficiently accurately to allow isolation of the component's value even if in parallel with multiple components.
  • the currents i 0 and i may be good quality sine waves.
  • the voltages at the nodes 22 and 24 caused by these sine waves can then be filtered to a narrow bandwidth. This allows for the separation of measured voltages across the component 14 from noise and from the two separate current sources 62 and 66.
  • the sine waves may be detected by a narrow band filter, with a bandwidth on the order of 1 to 10 Hz.
  • the filter could be implemented using fast Fourier transforms (FFT), finite impulse response (fir), or infinite impulse response (iir), type filtering depending on how many sine waves are used.
  • FFT fast Fourier transforms
  • fir finite impulse response
  • iir infinite impulse response
  • All capacitors and inductors contain a small series resistance. By using a combination of frequencies and complex math, this series resistance can be calculated as a secondary component parameter that may be useful.
  • the primary value of inductance, capacitance and resistance can be calculated using commonly understood impedance equations.
  • the bandwidth is inversely proportional to the rate of measurement. Wider bandwidths may be used, but there is a tradeoff of speed and dynamic range which may be utilized.
  • the device 10 may include a housing 150 to contain the current generating circuitry, voltage measurement circuitry, and signal processing.
  • the housing 150 preferably is sized to be hand-held, and free standing.
  • the device 10 may be portable for ease of use, and leave the user's hands free to manipulate the probes.
  • the device 10 also may include a display 154, input controls 158, and an output port.
  • the display 154 may be utilized for displaying the calculated inductance Z 2 of the component 14, other calculated characteristics of the component, provide instructions and options, etc.
  • the display 154 may be electrical, such as an LCD type display, or mechanical, such as a needle.
  • the input controls 158 may be buttons or a keypad to receive instructions from a user and control operation of the device 10.
  • the output port 162 may be a standard communication port for connecting or transferring data to a computer, etc.
  • the output port also may be an input port for connecting the device 10 to a keyboard or other computing device.
  • a probe 200 is shown which may be utilized for any of the first or second probes 30 and 34, or third common probe 50, as well as the fourth and fifth probes 78 and 82, and sixth common probe 86.
  • the probe 200 advantageously combines the probe for applying the current, such as first probe 30, and the probe for measuring the voltage, such as fourth probe 78, into a single probe, but with separate electrical paths.
  • the probe 200 may be easily manipulated and handled by a user, while providing separate electrical connections for the current source and voltage meter.
  • the probe 200 has first and second electrical paths 204 and 208 which are separated from one another by an insulated wall 212.
  • the separate electrical paths 204 and 208 may be utilized by the first and fourth probes 30 and 78, the second and fifth probes 34 and 82, or the third and sixth common probes 50 and 86.
  • An insulated probe body 216 surrounds the electrical paths 204 and 208, which may be grasped by a user.
  • the probe 200 and electrical paths 204 and 208 terminate in separate first and second contact points or tips 220 and 224.
  • the probe 200 and/or probe tips 220 and 224 may be laminated probe tips, or formed of three layers.
  • Two outside layers 204 and 208 are conductive, such as stainless steel, while the inner layer 212 is nonconductive, such as a thermoset plastic.
  • the im er layer 212 may have a thickness of approximately 0.005 to
  • the tliree layers 204, 208 and 212 may be formed together by laminating the three layers together with a heated platten press.
  • the probe 200 or tips 220 and 224 may be cut out of the sheet by chemical etch.
  • the contact points 220 and 224 preferably have a sharp point or edge which allows the points 220 and 224 to break through the oxide layer that tends to build up on metals.
  • the distal end of the probe 200 preferably has a removable tip end 226 which is removably attached to the probe 200.
  • the removable tip end 226 may be removed from the probe 200 and replaced with a new tip end with sharp points. Therefore, as the contact points 220 and 224 wear, only the tip end 226 needs to be replaced, while the probe 220, cable and connectors may still be used.
  • a probe 230 combines the first and second probes 30 and 34 to allow the user to grasp the single probe 230 and contact both sides of the component 14, or the first and second nodes 22 and 24, simultaneously.
  • the probe 230 has a tweezer like configuration with a pair of arms 232 and 234 pivotally coupled or hinged at a pivot 236 at distal ends so that the arms may pivot towards and away from one another, or open and close, indicated by arrow 238.
  • a spring member 239 may be disposed between the arms 232 and 234 to bias the arms 232 and 234 away from one another so that the user may grasp the arms 232 and 234 and squeeze them together to make the appropriate contacts.
  • Contact points or probe tips 240 and 242 are disposed at the proximal ends of respective arms 232 and 234 for contacting the respective first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the probe tips 240 and 242 may be similar to the probe 200 with laminated probe tips 220 and 224 described above.
  • the first arm 232 may include the first and fourth probes 30 and 78
  • the second arm 234 includes the second and fifth probes 34 and 82. Therefore, the user may use one hand to manipulate the probe 230 to make four contacts (first, second, fourth and fifth probes 30, 34, 78 and 82) at the first and second nodes 22 and 24, while using the other hand to contact the common node 50 with the third probe 46.
  • the device 10 may measure current to verify that the contacts made by the probes are valid.
  • Current meters may be provided to measure the current output and the current returned. The current measurements are not required for the measurement of the unknown impedance, but to verify that the contacts are valid.
  • the current sources 62 and 66 may be created with circuitry 250 using operational amplifiers and resistors.
  • a voltage source 254 provides a signal to an inversing input of a first operational amplifier 258 through a first resistor 262, designated Rn.
  • the output signal of the operational amplifier 258 also is provided to the inversing input through a second resistor 266, designated R 1 t
  • the other input of the operational amplifier 258 is connected to third and fourth resistors 270 and 274, designated R 2 and R 3 .
  • the third resistor 270 also is connected to the voltage source 254.
  • the output of the operational amplifier 258 also is provided to the input of a second operational amplifier 278 through a fifth resister 282, designated R 4 .
  • the output of the second operational amplifier 278 is provided to the inversion input of the second operational amplifier 278, and the input of the first operational amplifier 258 through the fourth resistor 274.
  • a load 286 is connected to the output of the first operational amplifier 258 through the fifth resistor 282, and to the voltage source 254 or ground.
  • a voltage meter 290 may measure the voltage across the fifth resistor 282, or R 4 . Using the voltage meter 290 to measure the voltage across the fifth resister 282, or R 4 , allows the current to be measured to verify that proper contacts have been made.
  • the current I can be monitored by measuring the voltage across R 4 and then dividing the voltage by R 4 .
  • the above discussion has assumed that the component 14 to be measured can be identified as the cross member of a pi network. It will be appreciated, however, that situations or circuits may exist in which the desired component is an isolated single element without shunting sides, or without a pi network. The lack of a pi network causes the problem of current sources driving into each other although separated by the unknown component. For ideal circuits, the resultant voltages would be infinite. Although the current sources are not ideal, the signal levels can become out of range to the analog-to-digital converters. Thus, the measurement device advantageously may be provided with internal shunt loads which are switched on to form a pi network.
  • the measurement device detects such a situation by the low current out to high voltage measurement ratio.
  • the device may then switch on the internal shunt loads. Again, the shunt loads do not have to be accurately known, but only large compared to the contact resistance so not to introduce significant error voltages across the contact resistance.
  • the internal shunt impedances will construct the pi network internally, or partially internally, and allow the voltages to stay within the dynamic range.
  • the internal shunt impedances may be provided by making the current sources 62 and 66 less perfect, or by unbalancing the resistors described above, to produce the shunts.
  • the balance between the resistors Q , R l9 R 2 and R 3 can be upset.
  • the feedback balance may be upset by 10% so that the approximate output impedance when unbalanced is 10 times the value of R 4 .
  • the current used in the calculations remains as above, but the shunt impedance changes. The shunt impedance effect is removed by the as described above.
  • an impedance measurement device 300 may be self-calibrating.
  • a reference resistor 304 may be disposed in the device 300 and electrically coupled to the circuitry of the device.
  • the reference resistor 304 is switched into the measurement position, instead of the probes 30, 34 and 36, for a short time when the device 300 is powered on to calibrate the device 10.
  • a plurality of relays 308 may be used to switch the circuitry, or the current sources 62 and 66, and voltage meters 70 and 74, from the probes 30, 34 and 46 (and 78, 82 and 86) to the reference resistor 304.
  • the reference resistor 304 is substituted for the component 14 of the circuit 18.
  • each of the probes or contacts are individually switches, such as with six individual relays, so that the relay contact resistance effects are reduced in the same manner as they would be using the six probes.
  • the ratio of current I and voltage V is accurately calibrated by using a precision reference resistor 304.
  • a 1000 ohm reference resistor 304 will be used with an accuracy of 0.01% as a calibration standard.
  • the reference resistor 304 again may be the cross member of an internal pi network with internal shunts 320 and 324. Each measurement range may be calibrated against the reference resistor 304.
  • the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters may be highly linear delta sigma converters.
  • a method of using the devices 10, 78 and/or 300 described above includes applying the first and second currents or current signals i 0 and i x of known values to the respective first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the first and second current sources 62 and 66 are used to generate the currents i 0 and i l ⁇ and may generate different sinusoidal current signals.
  • the first and second probes 30 and 34 may be used to contact the first and second nodes 22 and 24.
  • the third common probe 46 may be used to contact the common node 50.
  • the four voltages are measured using the voltage meters 70 and 74.
  • the two voltages V 00 and V 01 at the first node 22 due to the first and second current sources i 0 and ij are measured using the first voltage meter 70.
  • the two voltages V ⁇ and V 10 at the second node 24 due to the current sources i 0 and ij are measured with the second voltage meter 74.
  • the first and second probes 30 and 34 may be used to connect the voltage meters 70 and 74 with the nodes 22 and 24.
  • fourth and fifth probes 78 and 82 may be used to connect the voltage meters 70 and 74 to the nodes 22 and 24.
  • the sixth common probe 86 may be used to contact the common node 50.
  • the device may first preform a self-calibration by switching the current sources 62 and 66, and the voltage meters 70 and 74 to an internal reference resistor 304, and /or internal pi network with side shunts 320 and 324.
  • the signal processor 100 may be used to separate the measured voltages V 0 o, V 01 , V n and V 10 due to the first and second current sources i 0 and ij.
  • the impedance Z 2 of the component 14 is calculated using the known values of the current i 0 and i l5 the measured voltages V 00 , V 01 , V n and V 10 , and the formulas described above.
  • the component 14 may be treated as the cross member of a pi network, and the remaining circuitry and probes as side shunts which contain the parallel effects of all the components in the circuit and the loading of the device 10.
  • the balance of the resistors may be upset to reduce the output impedance, and make the current sources 62 and 66 less perfect, to provide for internal shunts if a pi network cannot be obtained on the circuit 18.
  • the current may be measured to insure that proper contacts were made.
  • the circuit 18 may first be analyzed to determine which system signals are present, without applying the currents i 0 and i ! from the current sources 62 and 66 of the device 10. The analysis may be performed with a fast Fourier transform (FFT). Sinusoidal frequencies may then be selected which have no system conflicts, or predictable system conflicts. These sinusoidal frequencies are used as the current sources or signals i 0 and i,. The system signals are then measured with the current sources or signals i 0 and i t being applied by the device 10. The voltages caused by the currents i 0 and ij may be extracted and measured.
  • FFT fast Fourier transform
  • a fast Fourier transform may be used.
  • the impedance Z 2 may then be calculated as described above.
  • the fast Fourier transform can be used to insure linearity of the test by simultaneously observing harmonics of the currents i 0 and i,. Levels of the currents or signals i 0 and ij can be adjusted to insure maximum dynamic range and accuracy for a given circuit.
  • the data from the fast Fourier transform also may be used to calculate an error limit on the measured voltages and the calculated impedance Z 2 . Such an error limit may be displayed to provide a user with accurate limit information for a given component and situation. It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Resistance Or Impedance (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif (10) de mesure de l'impédance (Z2) d'un composant discret (14) couplé au premier et au second noeud (22, 24) d'un circuit électrique (18). Ce dispositif comporte au moins une source de courant (62 et/ou 66) délivrant un premier et un second courant ou signal de courant (i0, i1) de valeurs connues. Une première et une seconde sonde (30, 34) touchent respectivement le premier et le second noeud de façon à appliquer le premier et le second courant. Une troisième sonde commune (46) touche le circuit en un point commun (50) différent du premier et du second noeud. Au moins un voltmètre (70 et/ou 74) mesure les tensions (V00, V01, V11 et V10) correspondant au premier et au second courant. Un module de traitement du signal (100) peut intervenir pour séparer les tensions les unes des autres.
PCT/US2001/016618 2000-05-22 2001-05-21 Procede et dispositif de mesure d'impedance dans le circuit Ceased WO2001090764A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001264826A AU2001264826A1 (en) 2000-05-22 2001-05-21 Method and apparatus for in-circuit impedance measurement
US10/024,587 US6737875B2 (en) 2000-05-22 2001-12-17 Method and apparatus for in-circuit impedance measurement

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US57631300A 2000-05-22 2000-05-22
US09/576,313 2000-05-22

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Cited By (2)

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CN102667505A (zh) * 2009-12-22 2012-09-12 泰拉丁公司 低信号环境中的电容开路测试
CN101858940B (zh) * 2009-04-07 2012-09-19 中茂电子(深圳)有限公司 输出阻抗测量方法及装置

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US4651086A (en) * 1984-05-24 1987-03-17 Axis S.P.A. Apparatus and method for determining the resistance of a coil connection of an electric motor winding
US5140276A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-08-18 Automation Technology, Inc. Armature connection resistance measuring method and apparatus
US5307019A (en) * 1992-09-21 1994-04-26 Slaughter Company, Division Of R. E. Phelon Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining the weld and coil resistances of a motor winding
US5457402A (en) * 1994-04-25 1995-10-10 Odawara Engineering Co., Ltd. Armature resistance measuring apparatus and method
US5550477A (en) * 1994-08-01 1996-08-27 Axis Usa, Inc. Methods and apparatus for testing armature coils and coil lead connections using resistance measurements
US5804979A (en) * 1997-05-13 1998-09-08 Fluke Corporation Circuit for measuring in-circuit resistance and current

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US4050017A (en) * 1976-03-19 1977-09-20 Universal Instruments Corporation Sequence component tester
US4651086A (en) * 1984-05-24 1987-03-17 Axis S.P.A. Apparatus and method for determining the resistance of a coil connection of an electric motor winding
US5140276A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-08-18 Automation Technology, Inc. Armature connection resistance measuring method and apparatus
US5307019A (en) * 1992-09-21 1994-04-26 Slaughter Company, Division Of R. E. Phelon Company, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining the weld and coil resistances of a motor winding
US5457402A (en) * 1994-04-25 1995-10-10 Odawara Engineering Co., Ltd. Armature resistance measuring apparatus and method
US5550477A (en) * 1994-08-01 1996-08-27 Axis Usa, Inc. Methods and apparatus for testing armature coils and coil lead connections using resistance measurements
US5804979A (en) * 1997-05-13 1998-09-08 Fluke Corporation Circuit for measuring in-circuit resistance and current

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101858940B (zh) * 2009-04-07 2012-09-19 中茂电子(深圳)有限公司 输出阻抗测量方法及装置
CN102667505A (zh) * 2009-12-22 2012-09-12 泰拉丁公司 低信号环境中的电容开路测试

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