General Purpose Analog (GPA)

The GPA is a module for multiple analog processes in Flying Probe Testers for PCBs.

The GPA is perfectly driven and controlled by the FourStars-ES ProbeStar Software.

The main functions of the GPA are:

• Continuity measurement
• Capacitance measurement
• Four-Wire low resistance measurement
• Four-Wire component measurement

                                      GPA     (modified picture sharpness to save IP)

The  module contains:

• Power connector for single 24V DC supply
• Local voltage regulators
• References
• Analog components (converters, amplifiers, etc. )
• High performance (Altera) FPGA for real time data processing of analog information
• FPGA integrated soft cores for smart data handling and process control
• Interface to the measuring probes (Hirose PO6 coax connectors)
  max. cable length to contacting probes: 8 m each
• USB-Interface to the controlling PC

Mechanical Solution:

• Sandwich solution for easy integration into different tester types
• Assembled and tested at FourStarsES

Specification:

• Four-Wire low Resistance:
  • Resolution: 1 µΏ   (micro Ohm)
  • Repeatability: 5 µΏ   (laboratory environment, 5 m cables)
  • Max. R: 35.4 Ώ
  • Auto ranging   (10 discrete ranges)
• 2 wire regular resistance and 4WK component measurement
  • Resolution: 1 mΏ   (milli Ohm)
  • Max. R: 1 MΏ   (MegOhm)
  • Auto ranging (12 discrete ranges)
• Capacitance measurements:
  • Resolution: 1 fF   (femto Farad)
  • Max. C: 100nF   (nano Farad)
  • Auto ranging   (5 discrete ranges)
• Field upgradable firmware for CPU and FPGA