Power-Supply Card Targets High-Voltage PMIC Test

The electronics industry is seeing a move toward higher voltages and currents to deliver sufficient supply and charging power in products ranging from handheld cellphones and tablets to workstations. This trend is evidenced in examples such as the many USB power-delivery (PD) profiles with ratings ranging from 10W (5V at 2A for USB PD 3.0 profile 1) up to 100W (5V at 2A, 12V at 5A, and 20V at 5A up to the 100W limit for profile 5). In addition to higher power levels, today’s consumer products are exhibiting an increasing number of voltage domains, and they require power-management integrated circuits (PMICs) to manage the various voltage levels required for battery charging and other functionalities. The PMICs, in turn, present test challenges that ATE systems tailored for mostly digital devices cannot address due to missing high-voltage sources.

To meet these challenges with a cost-efficient test system, Advantest has added a new card to its Extended Power Supply (XPS) Series for the V93000 EXA Scale SoC test platform. The new DC Scale XPS128+HV universal voltage-current (VI) instrument combines a high channel count (128 channels per card) with per-channel voltage and current ranges of up to 24V and up to 1A, creating a test solution that efficiently addresses the test requirements for high-voltage devices such as PMICs. The complete card consists of four 32-channel sub-modules with a test-processor-per-pin architecture (figure 1).

Fig. 1: XPS128+HV assembly (left) and 32-channel sub-module (right).

The XPS128+HV provides full channel compatibility with the low-voltage 256-channel XPS256 card successfully introduced to the market in 2020. The XPS128+HV can cover the same applications in the low-voltage domain as an XPS256, but the XPS128+HV seamlessly extends a system configuration to cover additional high-voltage needs, enabling efficient, highly parallel test of power-management devices with enhanced capability for high-voltage applications.

Figure 2 shows the operating IV characteristics of both cards. The region outlined in green represents the XPS256, which operates from -2.5V to +7V at currents up to 1A per channel. All three regions represent the XPS128+HV card. In addition to the green area of the XPS256, the XPS128+HV can operate from -10V to +15V at 250mA (dark blue outline) and from -1V to +24V at 150mA (light-blue outline).

Fig. 2: XPS128+HV operating regions.

As shown in figure 3, the XPS128+HV switches seamlessly between the -2.5V to +7V, -1V to +24V, and -10V to +15V ranges.

Fig. 3: XPS128+HV seamlessly switching between ranges.

To ensure signal quality and high accuracy, both water-cooled XPS cards include Advantest’s new Xtreme Regulation digital control loop, which can flexibly adapt to changing load conditions. Xtreme Regulation also supports programmable voltage and current slew rate and bandwidth settings (figure 4) to provide an optimum solution for capacitive, resistive, or inductive loads. The programmable slew-rate function avoids excessive currents and noise during voltage ramps, eliminating current spikes during the initial charge of a capacitor and eliminating voltage noise from stray inductance.

Fig. 4: Illustration of the XPS128+HV adjustable bandwidth capability on a 24-V channel.

The cards also include arbitrary-waveform-generation (AWG) and digitizer functions with a 2MS/s sample rate and 18-bit resolution for simultaneous voltage and current sampling. The AWG capability enables generation of current ramps on individual or ganged channels to perform threshold searches and other test methodologies.

The core of the XPS256 and XPS128+HV is a digitally regulated VI source that can seamlessly change operating modes from a force-voltage mode to a force- or sink-current mode—often a requirement for testing power-management components such as low-dropout (LDO) or DC/DC regulators. For example, the seamless mode changes enable the cards to execute the fast test sequences necessary to perform DC/DC and LDO regulation tests and IDDQ current measurements while minimizing test times.

In addition, the XPS128+HV provides seamless mode switching with no limitations related to transitioning between its high-voltage and low-voltage ranges. The card’s sequencer-controlled range-change capability allows extremely fast, deterministic test times without signal spikes that could harm a device under test (DUT).

The XPS card family delivers an extremely high force and measurement accuracy, often required for precise device trimming and for achieving high yields. Voltage accuracy is better than ±150 µV with a 10-µV resolution, while current accuracy is better than ±50 nA with a 100-pA resolution.

The XPS128+HV and XPS256 both offer several protection features. All channels are protected against external exposure of ±80V. The VI source features a patented fast current-clamp capability to protect load-board components, probe-card needles, and DUT sockets in case of a DUT short circuit, limiting inrush currents within less than 2 µs until the programmed clamp value is applied (shown in figure 5).

Fig. 5: XPS128+HV current-limit response to simulated DUT short circuit.

To further provide probe-needle protection, the XPS cards perform simultaneous current and voltage profiling across the entire test flow to identify critical conditions such as power hot spots that could lead to damage. This background profiling occurs at 2MS/s. In addition, inline Vdrop monitoring measures the contact resistance for each channel to facilitate adaptive needle cleaning and to help schedule preventative maintenance. The profiling and monitoring offer sophisticated oscilloscope-like triggering capabilities (pre-trigger, post-trigger, and center-trigger) and impose zero overhead, uploading only on demand or upon a programmable alarm condition. Profiling can be seamlessly enabled and disabled without test-program modifications.

The XPS series and other EXA Scale cards can be mixed and matched in a single test system. In a typical application, a V93000 test head might include PS5000 cards for digital I/O test and basic analog and mixed-signal test, a Wave Scale Mixed-Signal High-Speed (WSMX HS) card for noise evaluation and transient analysis, a utility card to supply and control load-board components, an XPS256 card to test low-voltage DC/DC converters and regulators, and an XPS128+HV card to test the high-voltage functionality of USB PD circuits and rapid chargers and to provide high-voltage screening. Both XPS cards allow flexible ganging of channels within each card and across cards without any impact on regulation performance. Ganging enables a combination of multiple channels to provide the current levels needed to test DC/DC converters that require multiple-ampere load currents.

Finally, in addition to PMIC testing, the new XPS128+HV can act as a standard power supply for high-performance-computing and automotive test applications. It can also be used for microcontroller (MCU) test, and it can generate high-voltage pulses for MCU flash programming.

Chipmakers increasingly need to perform multisite parallel test of PMICs that feature multiple voltage domains, and they require a power-supply card with a high channel count, combined with flexibility in voltage and current ranges. With its current rating of up to 1A and voltage rating of up to 24V, Advantest’s new DC Scale XPS128+HV instrument will enable chipmakers to configure a cost-efficient, large-pin-count ATE system with many power VI channels that can test high-current as well as high-voltage components while giving them the flexibility to gang multiple channels, meeting high-current needs at all voltage levels. Having already been implemented at several customer sites, the XPS128+HV VI is now available to the global market.

Microsoft Surface Go review: This shrunken-down Surface is fun and … – CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. How we test computersThe Surface Go from Microsoft is fun and practical, but not as inexpensive as you might think.The small-scale Surface Go from Microsoft recasts the larger Surface Pro two-in-one as a casual computer you can toss in a bag and take anywhere. But, the change in size, price and processing power presents a lot of questions for would-be buyers. To answer the most pressing ones:Yes, the new Surface Go can still run many everyday PC tasks, even with only an Intel Pentium processor. No, it’s not likely going to satisfy as your all-day, everyday workhorse computer, both because of the limited horsepower and the small size. Yes, it’s significantly less expensive than the bigger Surface Pro, and closer in price to an iPad . No, it’s not going to save you much at the end of the day, as the must-have keyboard cover and other accessories are still sold separately (and priced on the high side).Editor’s note: This review has been updated with new benchmark results and a final rating.     The Surface Go starts at a reasonable $399 (£379 or AU$599). But once you add a $99-to-$129 keyboard cover, a $99 stylus and maybe an extra $150 to double the RAM and storage space to mainstream laptop levels (from 4GB/64GB to 8GB/128GB), you’re looking at a much bigger investment.But despite not being the bargain Surface you might have been hoping for, it’s hard not to like this little two-in-one Windows hybrid. The smaller size works surprisingly well, both for the 10-inch, 1,800×1,200-pixel display and the clip-on keyboard, which manages to shrink down individual keys without overly compromising the overall typing experience.It helps that the touchpad built into the keyboard cover is huge for such a small device. And that familiar touchpad and cursor interface works seamlessly with — or instead of — the touchscreen, giving you exactly the sort of flexibility lacking in the iPad or other non-Windows tablets . For example, I was recently able to take the Surface Go to a press event and use it as my main on-site PC, with its small size and light weight as major plusses. I was slightly concerned about battery life, being as I’d be using the Surface Go for several hours of intensive writing, emailing, social media posting and live-chatting through Slack, but it held up just fine, and I didn’t feel like I was missing much by leaving my full-size laptop at home. The biggest question about the Surface Go was how it would perform as a Windows 10 machine. That’s because it swaps the usual Core i-series Intel CPUs for lower-end Pentium processors, which are typically only found in laptops at the budget end of the spectrum (it’s a favorite for Black Friday doorbusters, for example).It’s a definite step down in processing power, but the potential silver lining is that for most of what people do on their PCs today — websurfing, media playback, and using online tools and services — there’s not too much of an experiential difference. At least if you don’t run too many apps at once or keep 20 browser tabs open.That may be one of the reasons behind shipping the device with Windows 10 S, the Windows variant that restricts you to apps from the official Microsoft app store, supposedly all in the name of security. It’s always been a bit of a head-scratcher as an OS, but fortunately it’s easy and painless to switch to regular full-blown Windows 10 at no extra cost. It just takes a few button-clicks and then you can install the Chrome browser, the Windows Amazon Kindle app, or anything else, providing it can run on a Pentium CPU. I can’t imagine any Surface Go purchaser not doing that immediately. If the idea of a smaller, less expensive, low-power Surface sounds oddly familiar, that’s because it’s been tried before. The closest comparison is the single-name Surface 3 (as in the non-Pro version), which was a 10-inch variant released in 2015 with an Intel Atom processor. At the time, I referred to it as “trickle-down computing,” and said it wasn’t powerful enough to be your full-time computer. While the hardware specs may not wow you on the page, in real-world situations I found the Surface Go to be filled with pint-size charm. During my frequent NYC coffee-shop writing sojourns, it turned out to be the perfect size for on-the-go use, with the keyboard just big enough and the system powerful enough to run Google Docs and the other online tools I use regularly.Much about the Surface Go feels like it hits a sweet spot between design and functionality. The best parts of the Surface experience — the excellent kickstand, the best-in-class keyboard cover, the great stylus support — are all here, just in slightly miniaturized form. It also takes a step into the future (some would say present) by adding a USB-C port. Power can be connected via your own USB-C power source or with the included magnetic Surface-style power connector.But two of the biggest Surface issues remain unsolved. The bezel around the screen is shockingly thick, especially notable now that other PC makers are embracing the slim-bezel look. And more importantly, for a laptop alternative, the slate-plus-keyboard-plus- kickstand design still isn’t especially lap-friendly.The Surface Go next to the Surface Pro. If there’s one thing that rubs me the wrong way about the Surface Go, it’s this: While Microsoft has crafted a perfectly scaled version of its excellent keyboard cover, which I’ve always considered the most impressive part of the entire Surface ecosystem, it’s somehow still not included in the purchase price. Like the keyboard covers for the larger Surface Pro models, you have to buy it separately, starting at $99 (£100 or AU$200) for plain black or $129 for the color versions. The Surface Pen stylus is also $99 (£99 or AU$139), and it’s the same exact one as you’d use on the Surface Pro. If you have an existing Pen from an older Surface, just pair it with Bluetooth and it’s good to go. Like other Surface systems, there’s a built-in magnetic connection that can affix the stylus to the side of the system. The new smaller Surface takes the laptop-like Pro and shrinks it down to roughly an iPad’s size. Running full Windows 10 (after the free upgrade from Windows 10 S) and an Intel CPU, even if a low-end one, this at least makes more sense than the much-derided original Surface RT , which used an ARM CPU and the limited and now largely forgotten Windows RT operating system.If you’re the type of user who would get everything you need from a Chromebook or a low-end Windows laptop, such as the similar Lenovo Flex 11, this is a modest extra investment to get a great high-end design, the flexibility of a two-in-one hybrid and access to a useful ecosystem of accessories.In our benchmark testing, this system hits middle ground in budget PCs — a bit faster than comparable budget Pentium laptops, but not as fast as a basic Intel Core i3 laptop. Battery life in our streaming video test was about 6.5 hours, which is on the low side for an ultraportable device. Something like the Asus NovaGo, which pairs a mobile phone CPU with a 2-in-1 Windows design, ran for more than double that. As much as I liked the Surface Go, the fact that the must-have keyboard adds a 25-percent premium (or more) to the price still burns me. The battery life is also a potential deal-breaker for all-day use. But otherwise, for a low-power PC to toss in your bag for entertainment, social media or light work, if they threw in the keyboard cover with the system at the base price, I’d be all in. Which Microsoft Surface should I buy?: There’s a full line to meet any demand. Here’s how to pick the right one.Best of AmazonBasics PC accessories: From a cheap mouse to a budget gaming keyboard. Great games for your nongaming laptop: No GPU? No problem. 

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Singapore to test the waters for tidal power with Japanese partners

FUKUOKA, Japan -- Japanese energy group Kyushu Electric Power will take part in testing technology that could replace diesel with ocean currents as a power source on an island in Singapore.

Singaporean renewable energy company Bluenergy Solutions will conduct the test off Pulau Satumu, 14 kilometers south of the city-state's main island. Kyushu Power group companies Kyuden Mirai Energy and Kyuden International will participate in the pilot.