RFIM Measuring Unit

RFIM – MEASURING UNIT

Fully automated characterization of RFIMs (Radio Frequency Interface Modules).

DMTpe develops, builds and supplies RFIM measuring units for RFIM production lines as a development service provider and manufacturer. DMT Produktentwicklung GmbH has already produced several measuring units and will have delivered further systems for various RFIM types in the coming years.

The fully automated measuring unit can be controlled by a customer’s measuring computer with defined commands and parameters. This allows the customer to design the measurement process flexibly. The robot can be loaded with up to 20 RFIM components in a magazine. A handling system (4-axis robot) takes the RFIMs out of the magazine with a pneumatic gripper and places them in the test nest. There, the RFIMs are centred and contacted from below with RF connectors. At the same time, the cooling water system is docked onto the RFIM. Another 4-axis robot approaches the contacts which have to be measured with signal frequencies in the gigahertz range on the top of the RFIM. Numerous actuators and sensors control and monitor the measuring process, the handling systems and the cooling water flow. A PLC regulates all processes and communicates with the customer’s measuring computer. After characterization, the RFIM is returned to the magazine, and the next component is inserted into the test nest.

The RF measurement technology is very sensitive and must be positioned with high precision. With the handling system, various tools are used to automatically calibrate the entire measurement setup before the actual characterization of the RFIMs starts. The various calibration tools are picked up at the handling system with a pneumatic tool changing system.

Key features of the Advantest RFIM series:

• Fully automated systems for the characterization of electronic modules
• Use of the systems in production lines 
• Script control via customer’s measuring computer
• Docking in the gigahertz range with wear monitoring of the connectors
• Monitoring of component positions during all handling steps
• Controlling and monitoring of the cooling water flow
• Tool changing system for holding and handling various calibration tools 
• Integrated camera for scanning data matrix codes on the components and on the calibration tools

The main development services provided by DMTpe were:

• Identification of the system requirements in workshops with the customer
• Product definition and concept phase
• Interface definition between measuring computer and machine control system
• Realisation of preliminary tests for the feasibility check 
• Development of the technical assemblies and the overall system for automation 
• Integration of robots, pneumatics and sensors
• Electrical design 
• PLC programming (Beckhoff) and programming of the robot control (EPSON)
• HMI development
• Risk analysis and CE-marking
• Mechanical assembly, control cabinet installation and commissioning
• Checklists and function tests
• Installation, commissioning and acceptance at customer’s site