Patent ID: 7383140

Claim:
A method for determining a value of an electronic component, the method comprising: applying a source signal to the electronic component, wherein said applying the source signal comprises applying one of a current signal or a voltage signal, wherein the source signal comprises first and second tones, wherein the first and second tones differ in frequency, wherein the source signal further comprises magnitude and phase; measuring a response signal from the electronic component to generate a measured response signal, wherein said measuring the response signal comprises measuring one of a current signal or a voltage signal generated across the electronic component in response to said applying the source signal, wherein the measured response signal comprises another first and second tones, wherein the measured response signal further comprises magnitude and phase, wherein said measuring the response signal is not synchronized with said applying the source signal; performing signal processing on the measured response signal to generate a frequency domain signal, wherein the phase of the measured response signal is not used in said performing signal processing; calculating the value of the electronic component using the frequency domain signal by using a relationship between the first tone of the measured response signal and the second tone of the measured response signal, wherein the phase of the measured response signal is not used in said calculating; and storing the value of the electronic component.