R. A. Wood Associates QuickNews

• 10 MHz - 18 GHz test range as built with capability to expand up to 20 GHz
• Reduce manual test time
• Eliminate errors in recording of results
• Increase throughput
• Eliminate manual RF connections and DC connections in mid-test
• Provide automated test reports
• Save test results electronically in a database structure

• DAQ/Switch Unit
• Three programmable power supplies
• Signal Generator
• Spectrum Analyzer
• Table/Work Surface
• Rack Mount Computer
• Monitor
• LabVIEW Software utilities to support setting up the Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator, retrieving data from the Spectrum Analyzer, controlling the RF Switch/DIO Box and other measurement equipment in the Test Station
• Storage drawer
• Custom RF Switch/DIO Box provides:
• Automated RF Switching to 1 of 6 RF Inputs and 1 of 6 RF Outputs up to 18 GHz
• Oscillators needed for Test Units
• Digital I/O to control and read digital signals to/from Test Units
• Relay Switching to read Resistances and switch DC Power to Test Units

• Tektronix RSA6120A Real Time Spectrum Analyzer
• An R. A. Wood Associates custom designed Test Set Load Box, capable of handling 50W loads
• Rack mount computer, keyboard, and monitor with digital I/O, GPIB interfaces
• A PXI chassis with fiber optic interface, digital I/O, serial interfaces, temperature monitors, and GPIB interface
• LabVIEW Software utilities to support setting up the Real Time Spectrum Analyzer, retrieving information from the Real Time Spectrum Analyzer, controlling the Test Set Load Box, and controlling other measurement equipment in the Test Station

We delivered a Test Station to NAVSEA Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Crane, Indiana. The Test Station contains many state of the art features, including:

• The latest Agilent Network Analyzer (PNA-X Series)
• A 10-port Extension for measuring multi-port S-parameters
• An R. A. Wood Associates custom-designed RF Load Box/Chassis for testing high power RF devices
• Rack mount computer, keyboard, and monitor with digital I/O, GPIB interfaces
• A PXI chassis with fiber optic interface, digital I/O, serial interfaces, temperature monitors, and GPIB interfaces
• LabVIEW Software utilities to support setting up the Network Analyzer, retrieving S-parameters from the Network Analyzer, controlling the RF Load Box, and controlling other measurement equipment in the Test Station

This was a very exciting project, and we really enjoyed working with our customer on this program. The complete project was delivered within 7 months of the order being placed. Great job everybody!

1. Developed automated test software for a complex RF/digital board providing RF receive, transmit, and digital signal processing functions
2. Modified/retrofitted 12 automated test stations to test this complex RF/digital board
3. Developed automated test software to test a LRU chassis, including point to point wiring and DC power supply checks
4. Modified/retrofitted 2 automated test stations to test the LRU chassis
5. Developed automated test software for a high frequency radar receiver/transmitter board, including a waveguide interface
6. Modified/retrofitted 1 automated test station to test the high frequency radar receiver/transmitter board
7. Developed automated test software for an IF frequency radar receiver/transmitter board
8. Modified/retrofitted 1 automated test station to test the IF frequency radar receiver/transmitter board

On September 15 2006, R. A. Wood Associates delivered the first two of 15 complete Integrated RF Test Racks. The Integrated RF Test Rack provided a complete solution for complete automated testing of 7 RF/Digital modules. All equipment was controlled through GPIB interfaces. All automated test software was written in National Instruments LabVIEW by R. A. Wood Associates. RFSpecTest was used in "script" mode to perform most of the RF measurements. The rack consisted of:

• 2 Signal Generators (one for RF signals, one for LO signals)
• 1 Spectrum Analyzer (for measuring RF signal amplitudes and frequencies)
• 1 Multimeter (for monitoring resistances and voltages at various points on the modules)
• 3 Power Supplies (for providing DC power to the modules under test)
• A rack mount PC with GPIB and Digital I/O cards, loaded with software for controlling test equipment and reporting test results
• A rack mount interruptible power supply (UPS)
• R. A. Wood Associates Automated RF Test Fixture
• Laser Bar Code Reader (for reading and automatic entry of module serial numbers)
• A 19" Flat Panel Display (mounted on movable monitor arm)
• Keyboard and Mouse in a slide-out ergonomic tray

The full rack was designed to be a comfortable testing environment, as well as easy to maintain. Equipment is easy to remove if needed with minimal interference to other equipment.

More information about the Integrated RF Test Rack is available from this link.