Improve Electronic Product Quality and Performance with Keysight Precision LCR Meters

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Measurements are Required Throughout the Product Process
• Incoming Inspection
• Solutions offered by the E4980A, 4284A and 4285A Precision LCR Meters for lncoming lnspection Applications
• Incoming lnspection Measurement Example
  
• Problems and Solutions in the R/D Process
  
• Conclusion
  

Introduction

Today’s intense competition in electronics dictates that products meet increased performance, quality, and cost objectives. This puts high demands on the components used, and requires increased attention to component performance and specifications.

This note describes the general application of passive component measurements in incoming inspection and R&D and shows the benefits of the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Precision LCR Meter family; the Keysight E4980A, the Keysight 4284A, and the Keysight 4285A 30 MHz LCR meter with digital Q capability.

Measurements are Required Throughout the Product Process

The following passive component problems often occur in the development and manufacturing stages of electronic products:

• Although the components meet the manufacturer’s specifications, they exhibit different characteristics when they are integrated into a circuit.
• Apart from one manufacturer substituted for that of another manufacturer shows different characteristics when it is mounted in a circuit, despite the fact that both parts are supposed to have identical specifications.
• A part that met the design values in the development department shows different characteristics on the production line.
• Increased rework costs occur when complex products fail the final test due to poor component performance that could have been detected earlier in the process.

These problems are sometimes due to the fact that the test conditions of the standard specifications offered by the manufacturer do not correspond to the actual operating conditions under which the part is used. In addition, characteristics that are not covered in the specifications often influence the performance of the circuit and maybe unknowingly relied upon for proper operation.

The application of component measurement at two important steps of the process can eliminate many of the problems discussed. These steps, incoming inspection, and R&D are discussed below.