Patent ID: 6411113
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A radio frequency test fixture for testing a ball grid array module comprising:a number of solder balls, at least one of the solder balls being connected to a radio frequency input/output terminal of the module, and at least one of the solder balls being connected to module ground; a number of standard spring loaded probes in sleeves, to be brought into contact with the respective solder ball of the module, wherein the sleeves with the probes are fixed between two printed circuit boards in such a manner that the ends of the sleeves are flush with the respective outward-facing surface of the printed circuit boards, wherein both ends of sleeves with probes for contacting said at least one solder ball connected to module ground, are connected to ground planes on the respective printed circuit board, and wherein at least one electrically conducting impedance matching element extends between the printed circuit boards adjacent to and in parallel with each sleeve with a probe for contacting a solder ball connected to a radio frequency input/output terminal on the module to match a characteristic impedance of a signal path through said probe for contacting a solder ball connected to a radio frequency input/output terminal to a characteristic impedance of a test system, said at least one impedance matching element being connected at its ends to the ground plane on the respective printed circuit board.