Patent ID: 7164279

Claim:
A method for evaluating signal conditions in a probe measurement network of the type having a plurality of separate measurement channels, each of said measurement channels communicating through a corresponding device-probing end included on a probe tip array, said method comprising: (a) providing an interconnect assembly including a base having an upper face, a first conductive planar probing area on said upper face, and a reference junction, said reference junction being connected to said first conductive planar probing area by a high-frequency transmission structure including a transmission line; (b) placing the respective device-probing end of a first of said measurement channels into contact with said first planar probing area, transmitting a high-frequency signal through said first one of said measurement channels, said transmission line, and said reference junction and, thereafter, measuring said signal; (c) repeating step (b) for another of said plurality of measurement channels; and (d) evaluating the relative signal conditions in different ones of said measurement channels by comparing the measured signals.