ZA0095A PCB Test Solution

For Delta-L 4.0 loss and Dk/Df material extraction

PCB Market Trend

As data rate for digital systems continue to increase, ensuring good signal integrity performance of PCB is becoming more important. Channel loss is one of the important parameters to measure to meet the requirements of signal integrity of high speed I/O.

Selecting the right PCB material is important to avoid costly over design, or risk of facing performance issue. Accurate and efficient PCB channel loss measurement methodology is important for system designers or PCB manufacturers.

What is Delta-L? Why Need Delta-L Measurements?

Due to the increase in I/O speed, existing IPC test method (example: TM 2.5.5.12) is no longer adequate to address quality of PCB loss measurements for high-speed applications.

Intel DCG (Data Center Group) SI team introduced Delta-L+ approach to close the gap. It has been widely adopted across the industry.

The Intel Delta-L 4.0 method

  • Provides accurate fixture de-embedding with full S-parameter extraction

  • Enables material extraction (Dk/Df)

  • Allows for flexible and efficient way of high-volume monitoring using small coupon

Most of the works have been adopted in IPC test method 2.5.5.14.  Intel PCB supply chain is required to run this test in mass production. The ZA0095A Delta-L 4.0 measurement methodology is compliant to the Eigenvalue-based de-embedding technique as stated in the first paragraph of this section.

Keysight ZA0095A PCB Test Solution

Recognizing this emerging PCB test needs, Keysight now added Intel Delta-L 4.0 measurement support into the VNA platform through the Delta-L and DkDf options. 

With this, we can support the complete PCB manufacturer testing needs in impedance monitoring, PCB loss measurements, and material Dk/Df extractions using the VNA platform.

API for Third Party Software Integration

Keysight provides API for Delta-L and Dk/Df measurements that our Solution Partners can use to integrate these measurements into their existing PCB manufacturing GUI SW. 

A free sample Delta-L and Dk/Df GUI SW is available for user to try and get familiar with the settings.

Ordering Information

Compatible hardware: 

  • Any Keysight VNA: ENA E5080B, PNA, PXI VNA, and USB VNA

  • Minimum 4-port configuration

  • Any compatible calibration kits

Specification:

  • Quote though ZA0095Axxx custom process

  • Must choose either XA5095DKA or XA5095DLA or BOTH

  • Must choose either ENA/PNA/VNA configuration