Semiconductor ATE Vendor Prepares for 5G

Semiconductor ATE Vendor Prepares for 5G

5G New Radio (NR) introduces new challenges to the design and test of Radiofrequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) and other wireless components. These challenges include flexible numerology, more complex waveforms and channel coding techniques, frequencies that extend into millimeter-wave (mmWave), and evolving standards. Testing 5G chipsets during manufacturing requires verifying that devices meet new requirements at these higher frequencies with greater bandwidths. Addressing these challenges requires new test methodologies and techniques for 5G NR chipsets high-volume production testing.

The vendor makes Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for discrete, power, linear, RF, and mixed-signal semiconductors needed to design a next-generation RF ATE system for Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) services. During its research, the ATE vendor realized it needed a vector transceiver solution that could cater to the test requirements of various end-users. The solution also had to be backward-compatible with 4G, 3G, and 2G connections.

Key Issues: Consistency, Reliability, and Flexibility

Vector transceivers are instruments that combine an RF signal generator and signal analyzer. In semiconductor testing, engineers use vector transceivers to measure and analyze a semiconductor’s ability to transmit and receive signals. For previous product generations, the ATE vendor used a vector transceiver solution that was not capable of the consistency or reliability needed for its next-generation product.

OSAT facilities typically run ATE systems in mass production environments, with many systems operating at once. The systems must tightly correlate with one another to provide measurement reliability that falls within a precise margin to guarantee consistent output. The ATE vendor needed a solution that would consistently deliver results that fell within that tight margin to ensure quality. 

In addition to consistency and reliability, the ATE vendor required robust support from the test equipment supplier for the selected vector transceiver solution. Because the ATE vendor deals with multiple customers testing many types of semiconductors at any given time, it must also continuously adapt and fine-tune its ATE systems. Choosing a supplier that could provide ongoing support and a highly flexible solution was critical.

With 5G evolving continuously, the ATE vendor also needed to provide future-proof systems capable of supporting future 5G developments. In addition to backward compatibility with legacy communications technologies, the ATE vendor needed a vector transceiver solution that could support the mmWave frequencies, MIMO configurations, and OTA testing requirements of 5G in the future.

The Solution: The M9421A VXT PXIe Vector Transceiver

Flexibility is particularly important in the context of OSAT facilities. Demand for specific chipsets peaks for one or two months a year. OSAT companies need ATE systems capable of switching to different modes and test capabilities quickly, depending on their needs.

The ATE vendor selected Keysight’s M9421A VXT PXIe vector transceiver, which engineers can tune to different testing requirements. The M9421A is a four-slot PXIe vector signal generator and analyzer that offers high throughput for manufacturing test of RFICs, power amplifiers, and other wireless components. It supports frequency ranges from 60 MHz to 6 GHz and up to 160 MHz modulation and analysis bandwidth. Its wide bandwidth support delivers error vector magnitude and adjacent channel leakage ratio measurement performance.