01 KNOX-PA// RF power device dedicated tester

The KNOX-PA series of RF power device testers are designed for mass production testing (CP testing/FT testing) of RF power devices, including various power amplifiers such as LDMOS, GaAs, InP, GaN/SiC, various LNAs, various high-power RF devices, etc. The KNOX-PA series of machines have comprehensive testing capabilities and support all test items such as OS testing, DC testing, RF index testing, and dynamic parameter testing. The KNOX-PA series of machines use high-precision source measurement units in hardware configuration, providing multi-channel and large-range measurement capabilities. They use a combination of vector signal transceiver units, vector network analysis units, and multi-channel RF switching matrices to comprehensively measure the RF and DC performance of the DUT under normal working and saturated working conditions.

The KNOX-PA series of machines continue to use MET's high-speed/high-precision measurement algorithm in the measurement core, and interact with the convenient operation interface to provide users with one-click calibration and fully automatic operation capabilities.

For mass production testing, the dual-site mode can be used to improve test efficiency. All indicator parameters can be completed on the machine with one click, reducing a lot of calibration and testing time.

The KNOX-PA series machines have been tested in large-scale use scenarios in packaging and testing lines and are efficient, accurate, and cost-effective testing solutions provided by MET Technology to users.

02 KNOX-PA// Application Scenario

      Frequency Power Amplifier Test

• LNA Low Noise Amplifier
• RF PA Power Amplifier （LDMOS/GaAs/GaN...）

      RF high power discrete device testing

• RF Switch
• Filter

03 KNOX-PA// Testing Capabilities

      Test items

• DC Test: VDS、IDS、VGS......
• Dynamic parameter test: Crs、Ciss、Coss......
• S parameter test: S11、S21、S22......
• RF power test: Pin、Pout、Gain......
• Energy efficiency test: Eff......
• Linearity test: IMD, PndB, TOI, harmonics......
• Vector signal analysis: ACLR, EVM, flatness......
• Noise Figure, Load Pull......
• Vector signal source: pulse, vector broadband modulation, continuous wave......

      Frequency band coverage 

• 4.5GHz
• 8.5GHz
• 20 GHz

04 KNOX-PA// Advantages and features

      1.PRECISION

• Gamma power calibration provides higher power measurement accuracy than scalar power measurement
• Use input power servo to complete closed-loop monitoring of input power, adjust the output power of the test system in real time, and improve measurement accuracy

      2.Accuracy

• Integrated digital pre-distortion RF vector generation unit
• System deviation calculation and compensation to improve measurement accuracy
• Power meter calibration/spectrum analyzer calibration/S parameter calibration

      3.SPEED

• SMU uses Source Adapt technology to speed up DC testing
• The scanning speed of vector network analysis has the ability to quickly measure multi-point S parameters
• Vector signal analysis using fast FFT calculation

      4.UNCERTAINTY

• Provides a wide range of software and hardware options to improve measurement and test stability
• The system is factory self-calibrated to complete the power end migration of the internal components of the system
• Power-on and periodic automatic calibration for closed-loop adjustment of power offsets during initial power-on and after long periods of power-on

      5.SAFE

• The test system has strict input and output power as well as current and voltage monitoring
• The test logic sets up a strict system self-check function
• Dedicated high-power RF link design, test bench protection design
• Provides additional temperature sensing monitoring to provide abnormal temperature monitoring for the DUT test environment

      6.SERVICE

• All-weather technical support and response, from on-site support to after-sales support, always provide timely and comprehensive technical support
• The test system software can be quickly updated and optimized according to customer needs.

05 KNOX-PA// Configuration and options

   KNOX-PA Basic platform 

        Basic platform:

• Provides a basic framework to interconnect all units of the whole machine

        Management Software:

• Device management, test item configuration, DUT configuration, automatic test execution

        RF switching matrix:

• Multi-port RF switching matrix to complete automatic RF link allocation, calibration and measurement

        PXI Chassis/Controller:

• Compatible with a variety of measurement and test instruments, providing power for the instruments
• Provide host computer control of the measurement and test system, monitor system operation and complete measurement and testing

        Vector signal generation unit

• It can realize the generation of various RF signals, including continuous wave, pulse signal, vector broadband modulation signal, and specified PAPR signal.

        Vector Signal Analysis Unit

• Spectrum and vector signal analysis, combined with self-developed power measurement algorithms, can achieve power-on self-calibration and realize power measurement and vector analysis of the above-mentioned various signals

        Four-quadrant source measure unit

• Provides high-speed, low-ripple power supply to achieve high-speed, accurate measurement, and has voltage/current limit control to ensure power supply system

   KNOX-PA Expansion options 

        Hardware options:

• RF port expansion option (8 Ports / 16 Ports)
• Vector Network Analysis Unit
• Programmable power supply
• Digital Multimeter
• Cold source method noise figure measurement unit (need to configure vector network analysis unit)
• Power extension unit (30 dBm / 40dBm / 50dBm)
• MIPI protocol interface unit

        Software options:

• Linearity Failure Analysis Option (3D Display)
• High-precision power measurement option

        Appendix:

• GPIB protocol interface unit: used for remote control via GPIB
• Noise head (Y-factor noise figure measurement)