May 16, 2002
�This state-of-the-art test equipment is designed to provide an accurate measurement, in a close simulation of actual use, of the parameters that affect device reliability,� said Roland Shaw, Director of Maxwell�s Instrument Products line, which makes the AARTS testers. �We know our customers desire the highest level of confidence in the reliability of their RF technology and products, and that�s what these systems are all about. Indeed, they are knowledge-generators for RF performance-degradation reliability.�
�These comprehensive testing systems are now available and have, in fact, been installed for several of our customers, including Motorola, Filtronics, and Alpha Industries,� continued Shaw.
By conducting accelerated reliability life testing of components, dynamic information is collected concerning critical failure rates. This data collection is of value when designing products for high reliability applications such as satellites and wireless networks. Device failure can result in an aborted mission, costing the manufacturer or service provider millions of dollars. Component failure in a non-mission critical application, such as cellular phones, is equally painful resulting in increased technical-support cost and customer dissatisfaction that ultimately affect profit margins and company image.
The product family supports 4, 8, 16, and 32 channels of capacity with full RF, DC, and temperature stress capabilities. The test system consists of hardware and software used to automatically initiate, supervise, and record temperature, electrical, and RF performance parameters automatically throughout the test duration. The devices-under-test (DUTs) are mounted in individual test fixtures that allow independent bias, temperature, and RF control.
The AARTS is operated through proprietary system software called �Life Test�, installed on a personal computer (PC). A Windows 2000-based graphical user interface provides user-friendly control of the system configuration. Automated program functions include test setup, monitoring, event sequencing, data storage and presentation, supervision, and networking. The PC controls equipment and other subsystem circuitry through a General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), which supports future expansion and options. The test station can support the testing of various modulation signals (such as CDMA), inter-modulation characterization testing, and multi-tone RF input signals. It can be equipped with a Semiconductor Parametric Analyzer for full I-V device characterization.
Maxwell�s AARTS represents the fourth generation architecture in this family of RF and DC reliability �life� testers, according to Fred Puglisi, Director of Sales for the Instrument Products line. This fully automated tester evolved from a semi-automatic reliability tester called PAARTS (Power Amplifier Automated Reliability Tester), which was developed by Shason Microwave for NASA�s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Shason Microwave then evolved the PAARTS into the next generation reliability AARTS test system before being purchased by Maxwell Technologies in mid-year 2000. �We believe that the modularity residing in our enhanced present day family of RF/DC reliability life testers will allow us to accommodate the needs for the life testing and design characterization of today�s devices and for future devices using millimeter wave frequencies,� said Puglisi.
Maxwell Technologies manufactures and markets high-reliability power and computing components and automated test instruments. The company�s instrument products include automated accelerated reliability test systems (AARTS) for RF and photonic components.
The company�s microelectronic products include power modules, integrated circuits and single board computers that combine commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components and Maxwell�s proprietary radiation shielding technology to provide optimal performance and reliability in aerospace, military and other applications. Maxwell�s PowerCache ultracapacitors are high-density energy storage cells that deliver bursts of high power on demand in applications such as automotive electrical systems and powertrains, wireless communications and consumer and industrial electronic devices. To learn more about Maxwell Technologies, please visit our website: http://www.maxwell.com
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