Common device tests in automotive electronics

A large number of electronic components are used in automotive electronic components, whether they are passive devices such as resistors, capacitors or inductors, or active devices (semiconductors) such as diodes, triodes, integrated circuits, etc., only qualified devices can ensure the normal operation of electronic components.

Generally speaking, the application of devices must first be qualified, and failures during the application process also require device characteristic analysis.

1. Verification of electronic devices
Device verification mainly tests whether the working state and design of electronic components in the circuit and the rated conditions of the device are consistent and reasonable, providing a reference for R&D engineers to improve and determine the design of the product. For the verification of power devices, these tests are particularly important.

Tektronix's device verification solution can meet these tests well. The typical device verification test principle is shown in the figure.

DC-DC converters are used in automotive electronics. In these devices, the power supply must be regulated by either stepping up or stepping down to power the internal circuits. Tektronix (Keithley) SourceMeter SMUs are ideal for testing these DC-DC converters:
■ Using two SMUs or a dual-channel SMU, a wide range of DC IV tests can be performed
■ The SMU can be used as a source and load and provides a wide range of current and voltage sources and loads

 

Common Tests in DC-DC Converter I/V Characterization

■ Load current (CL): The current flowing out of the DC-DC converter and into the source measurement unit (SMU) as a load is the load current (CL). The load current is given in the I/V curve in Figure 2.
■ Output voltage (VO): The voltage measured at the output of the DC-DC converter is the output voltage (VO). The output voltage is given in the I/V curve in Figure 2.

■ Other tests include:
■ Input voltage (VI)
■ Input current (CI)
■ DC-DC converter efficiency (EFFDC-DC)

The figure shows an I/V curve measured using a Keithley dual-channel SourceMeter source measure unit (SMU) DC-DC converter.

2. Testing of electronic devices (semiconductor parameter testing)
As a test to ensure the quality of electronic devices, semiconductor parameter testers are the best choice of tools. Tektronix once provided the industry's most reliable and high-performance semiconductor parameter testers 370 and 371. Now, engineers can choose Tektronix's latest semiconductor parameter tester series. These series of test tools provide high-performance parameter specifications, which can not only complete the quality inspection of electronic devices, but also serve as the best tool for reliability and failure analysis.