Keysight System Power Supplies Example Product

Verify Thousands of Devices Every Week With System Power Supplies


Key takeaways:

Modern electronic systems are so complex that thoroughly testing a single component manually can take several days. But manufacturers need to routinely test and verify thousands of components every week if their businesses are to remain viable.

The only practical solution is to automate the entire testing process, preferably end-to-end. Automated test equipment (ATEs) are the workhorses of these initiatives, allowing companies to assemble standardized interoperable test equipment and program them for their needs.

The power supplies in these ATEs are critical to ensuring reliable tests. They're called system power supplies, and in this article, we are going to dive into what they do.

What is a system power supply in automated test equipment?

Automated Test Equipment | System Power Supply Flowchart Switch and Dut Illustration

Fig 1. Automated test equipment

Automated test equipment are purpose-built assemblies of test and measurement instruments to automate the testing of specific electronic components or systems during their design and verification testing or production testing.

A block diagram of a typical ATE is shown above. Some characteristics of ATEs include:

A system power supply is a specialized direct current power supply designed to facilitate automated testing. Let's look at some of the key features of system power supplies that make them suitable for mounting in ATEs.

Key features of system power supplies

DC Power Supplies | Keysight Product Example System Power Supply

The following capabilities of these DC power supplies make them perfect for use in ATEs:

In the following sections, we explore some of these aspects and their importance in more detail.

How does a system power supply handle different voltage and current demands?

ATE power supplies can handle different voltage and current demands through various strategies:

Why is the efficiency of an ATE system power supply important?

ATEs are often used for long-term functional and stress testing to examine how well DUTs perform under different conditions. So minimal heat losses, good cooling, and good temperature control are essential, mainly for stability and safety reasons.

High efficiency also offers bonus benefits like:

What is power factor correction (PFC) and how does it impact efficiency?

System power supply Inductive Load | Capacitive Load Misalignment between voltage and current waveforms

Fig 2. Misalignment between voltage and current waveforms is solved by power factor correction.

Power factor correction improves the efficiency of the system power supply by aligning the voltage and current waveforms, especially under long-term inductive loads. PFC drastically reduces the wasteful reactive power demand, leading to higher effective efficiency, lower energy costs, and reduced stress on the electrical infrastructure.

How does system power supply contribute to system reliability?

In ATEs, power supply reliability directly influences the consistency and repeatability of test results. Features such as self-diagnostic routines, protections, and robust designs ensure that downtime is minimal, the integrity of test data is preserved, and DUT performance is not misinterpreted.

How does a system power supply handle transient events and fluctuations in input power?

ATE power supplies are designed to swiftly respond to transient events and input power fluctuations to prevent inaccuracies in testing outcomes.

One strategy is to use very high-frequency switched-mode designs. System power supplies typically use switched-mode designs for high power efficiency and compactness. By switching at very high frequencies, they're able to quickly detect fast transients. Their correction circuits, which use high-quality capacitors, are then able to compensate to keep the output stable.

Fast correction circuits and comprehensive protection mechanisms safeguard the DUT from potential damage due to power anomalies, which is crucial when testing sensitive or high-value components.

What are the protection features in a system power supply?

System power supplies include extensive safety features to protect the DUT, itself, and the other test equipment. These features include:

What are the key considerations when designing a system power supply?

The design considerations for an ATE system power supply include:

What are the factors to consider when selecting a system power supply for a specific application?

Pay attention to these functions when choosing a system power supply for an application:

Advances in ATE system power supply technology, such as improved digital interfaces and software control, offer enhanced programmability, precision, and efficiency. Digital power supplies facilitate complex and automated test sequences with improved accuracy and repeatability. The benefits of these advances include:

Applications of ATE system power supplies

Applications of ATE system power supplies | System power supplies

System power supplies are critical to any domain where ATEs are extensively used.

These include:

System power supplies ensure reliability

In this article, we explored the features of system power supplies used in automated test equipment.

Keysight offers ATE system power supplies with various power specifications to suit different use cases.

Contact us for recommendations on your automated test equipment.

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