Probing and Analysis Adapters
Probing Adapters - Simplifies system verification
No matter how well designed a circuit is, there is almost always a need to hook up test instruments to it to verify function, look for bugs, or baseline performance. As IC packages become smaller and pin counts grow this becomes harder and harder. probing adapters are required to alleviate this de-bug problem. Many different types of adapters fall into the test and debug category. The common feature is that they bring the signals of an IC out to a format that is easy to interface with test and analysis equipment.
Memory Probing Adapters
In the development environment, communication to and from memory devices present challenges due to high speed. To meet these challenges, Ironwood creates the most reliable, versatile probing systems for the design and development engineer. Ironwood’s “Memory Probing Adapters” are compatible with Keysight’s oscilloscope probes and provide vendor-specific interfaces and clean, controlled impedance signals for testing memory devices using high speed analyzers such as Keysight 80000 series.
Emulator Adapters
When an engineer is developing a circuit that uses a microprocessor or micro controller, they need to test the software that will be running on the device. To do this they will often use an In Circuit Emulator (ICE). This is a device that replaces the microprocessor in the circuit and allows the developer to step through their software and debug it in the environment it will be running in. An In Circuit Emulator usually consists of a box housing the emulation electronics, a cable to connect to a workstation, and another cable to an emulator pod which plugs into the developers circuit. It is the emulator pod that we are interested in. Most microprocessors and micro controllers come in two or more package types. Most emulator pods come in only one package type, usually through hole such as DIP or PGA. If an engineer has a PGA emulator pod, and a target board with a QFP land pattern on it, they need Ironwood emulator Adapter!
Logic Analyzer Adapters
In-circuit testing of surface mount packages such as BGA, PLCC, QFP, and SOIC presents the challenge of reliably gaining access to signals for probing. Testing may require use of a high speed logic analyzer. To meet these challenges, Ironwood creates the most reliable, versatile probing systems for the Design and Development engineer. Ironwood’s “Logic Analyzer Adaptors” are probing adaptor products that are designed for use with specific logic analyzer equipment. High speed analyzers such as one of the Tektronix TLA700 or Keysight 16000 series require vendor-specific interfaces and clean, controlled impedance signals.
Probing Adapters
Probing adapters primarily fulfill the test and debug function for various Surface Mount package types such as BGA, QFN QFP, SOIC including SOJ and PLCC. We use the term “Carrier Adapter” to designate a modular system that plugs into an SMT emulation base, or foot, that is soldered in place of the IC being tested. Various probe board modules and socket combinations can then be plugged into the base as needed. “Probe boards” refer to components that provide test points, which are usually pins suitable for use with test clips and flying leads.
Ironwood's line of probing and testing adapters consists of the following products:
BGA Probing Systems (Carrier Adapters)
Ironwood leads the industry in BGA probing systems. We have developed probing adapters for 0.75mm pitch BGA packages. Some of our BGA probing adaptors incorporate our own high performance GHz BGA sockets.
Most of our BGA probing systems are modular and are called “carrier adapters”. Typically, a carrier adaptor system uses a BGA emulator base adaptor, a probe board, and a choice of socket interfaces ranging from an SMT “land socket” to an industry standard ZIF socket.
QFN Probing Systems (Carrier Adapters)
Ironwood leads the industry in QFN probing systems using patented technology. We have developed probing adapters for 0.4mm and 0.5mm pitch QFN packages. Some of our QFN probing adapters incorporate our own high performance GHz QFN sockets.
Socket Probes for DIP and PLCC
Our socket probe adapters provide connections for test equipment to in-circuit DIP and socketed PLCC packages. The DIP socket probes are available with 3-level wire wrap pins.
PLCC Probing Adapters
PLCC systems may be probed by using a surface mounted carrier adaptor system or one of Ironwood’s two clip-on probe adaptor systems. We also offer PLCC socket probes that provide access to in-
QFP Probing Adapters
Our QFP carrier adaptors consist of an SMT emulation base and a probe board that plugs into the base. Options for specifying ZIF sockets, production sockets, or surface mount lands are generally available for probe boards. All of our QFP probe boards may be specified to provide test lands, rather than test pins.
SOIC Probing Adapters
Our SOIC probing adapters include an SMT emulation base and a probe board that plugs into the base. Open top ZIF sockets or surface mount land options provide connections to the device. Our SOIC probe boards may be specified to provide test lands, rather than test pins.