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How Does PCB Test Fixture Work ?

Printed circuit board (PCB) test fixtures are vital tools used during the PCB

manufacturing process to confirm that fabricated boards meet design

specifications. They provide an interface between test equipment and a

unit under test (UUT) to enable efficient and accurate testing.

This article will provide an overview of PCB test fixtures, their key

components, different types of fixtures, how they interface with test

systems, and their role in PCB testing workflows.

Table of Contents

What are PCB Test Fixtures?

A PCB test fixture is a specially designed platform that:

 Physically holds and connects to a PCB under test

 Provides an electrical interface between the UUT and external test

instrumentation

 Enables stimulus signals to be applied to the UUT and

measurements to be taken

 Accommodates handling of the UUT in and out of the fixture

 Allows safe, repeatable, and reproducible testing

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Test fixtures are tailored for particular PCB designs and test plans. They

aim to maximize test coverage while minimizing cost.

Well-designed fixtures are crucial for enabling efficient production testing

and quality control screening of fabricated PCBs at volume.

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Key Components of a Test Fixture

A PCB test fixture consists of various components that support interfacing

to the UUT.

Test Head

The test head, sometimes called a bed-of-nails, provides the electrical

connections to the UUT. It consists of an array of spring-loaded test

probes or “pogo pins” that make contact with test points on the PCB.

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Test heads are custom built according to the UUT design’s netlist and test

point locations. They ensure access to all nodes required for testing.

Interface Board

The interface board links the test head probes to an

interface connector that mates with test instrumentation. It routes signals

between the tight spacing of test probes to the wider pitch of the

instrument connector.

Interface boards often contain circuitry for signal conditioning, fixturing

control, and test debugging functions.

Mounting Hardware

Hardware like brackets, guides, toggles, and clamps hold the UUT securely

against the test probes during testing. They provide precise alignment and

apply the contact force needed for reliable electrical connections.

Fixture Frame and Enclosure

The frame or enclosure houses and protects the test electronics and

moving parts of the fixture. It provides mounting points for the test head,

interface board, and UUT handling hardware.

Types of Test Fixtures

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There are several types of test fixtures used for PCB testing:

Bed of Nails Fixture

The most common type, containing an array of spring-loaded pins to

contact test points on the bottom side of the UUT. Best for accessing PCBs

with high density surface mount components on top.

Edge Connector Fixture

Holds the UUT like a plug-in card to mate with a slot connector. Gives

access to test points on the edge of the PCB.

Clamshell Fixture

Has hinged top and bottom halves, each with a bed of nails test head.

Allows interfacing to test pads on both sides of the UUT.

Vacuum Fixture

Uses vacuum pressure to pull the UUT securely against the test probes

instead of mechanical clamping hardware.

Custom Fixtures

Fixtures designed for specialized applications like RF testing, vibration

testing, or flexing testing of PCBs beyond basic electrical tests.

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The right fixture depends on the PCB design, test coverage needs, and

type of testing to be performed.

Interfacing Fixtures to Test Instruments

Test fixtures serve as the link between test equipment and the PCB under

test:

Key interfaces include:

Test System Interface – Between fixture and mainframe tester or probe

test instrument. Often uses a multi-pin connector. Can be paralleled for

higher throughput.

UUT Interface – Contacts between the test probes and PCB test nodes.

This needs to provide a good electrical connection and avoid damaging

the PCB.

Control and Monitoring – For peripheral systems like UUT handlers and

other automation. Uses discrete wires or digital buses like Ethernet.

Power Supply – Provides necessary power for fixture electronics and

probe actuation.

Safety Interlocks – Hardwired signals to ensure safe conditions before

testing execution.

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The interfaces need to reliably support signal frequencies, voltages, and

currents required for testing the specific UUT design.

Role of Test Fixtures in PCB Testing Workflow

Test fixtures enable key steps in taking a PCB from prototype to volume

production:

Prototype Validation

Initial electrical validation of PCB prototypes is done with simple test

fixtures to confirm the design functions correctly.

Test Coverage Evaluation

Test coverage analysis is performed to determine what nodes need access

for production testing. This drives test point and fixture design.

Fixture Design and Build

The fixture is designed based on the PCB layout and test coverage analysis.

The build includes the custom test head and interface board.

Process Optimization

The manufacturing process is refined while using the fixture for testing,

including setting test limits.

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Production Testing

The fixture is deployed for testing in the production environment at speed

and quality thresholds required.

Troubleshooting

The fixture providesdiagnostic access when debugging issues with PCBs in

the field.

Key Benefits of Using Test Fixtures

Some major benefits provided by PCB test fixtures:

 Repeatable testing – Consistent results test after test through

precise UUT positioning.

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 High throughput – Fast loading/unloading of UUTs and parallel test

instrumentation interfaces.

 Comprehensive access – Test probes access nodes deeply

embedded inside multi-layer PCBs.

 Hands-free operation – Automated UUT handling and

instrumentation allow unattended testing.

 Rapid diagnostics – Finds faults quickly through debug features like

probe monitoring.

 Protection from damage – Delicate electronics avoided versus

manual probing.

 Long term stability – Durability to withstand hundreds of thousand

insertion cycles.

 Scalability – Additional test interfaces can be added as needed.

With proper fixture and test development, high test coverage and

throughput can be achieved cost effectively.

Challenges in Test Fixture Design

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Some common challenges faced when designing PCB test fixtures include:

 Achieving access to nodes while avoiding interference with

components.

 Maintaining signal integrity at high frequencies.

 Providing adequate probe density and spacing.

 Minimizing inductance for accurate power measurements.

 Controlling contact force repeatably within small tolerances.

 Managing heat dissipation from UUTs and test electronics.

 Preventing mechanical wear and ensuring longevity.

 Streamlining breeding or fixturing of incremental design changes.

Careful fixture design and fabrication is required to overcome these

challenges.

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Trends in Test Fixture Technology

Some newer developments in test fixture technology include:

 Additive manufacturing – Allows more flexible and lower cost test

head fabrication.

 Automation – Using robotic arms for UUT handling and automated

test programming.

 Augmented reality – Guides operators in UUT loading and visualizes

debug data.

 Wireless interfaces – Reduces cabling and enables remote control.

 IR thermography – Thermal imaging to map hot spots during

testing.

 Built-in diagnostics – In-fixture monitoring of test signals.

 Smart fixtures – Adding intelligence and computation abilities within

the fixture.

These innovations aim to continue advancing PCB test productivity and

coverage.

Conclusion

In summary, PCB test fixtures are indispensable accessories that enable

efficient and high quality testing of electronic boards in development as

well as volume production. They provide an optimized electromechanical

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interface and handling mechanism tailored for a particular UUT design

and test plan. Careful fixture design considering aspects like test access,

signal integrity, thermal management, and automation helps maximize

the benefits. Test fixtures are critical capital investments that pay

dividends when deployed for PCB testing and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about PCB test fixtures:

Q: What are the main components of a PCB test fixture?

A: The major components are the test head or bed-of-nails, interface

board, mounting hardware, frame/enclosure, UUT handling system, and

connectors.

Q: How does a bed of nails test fixture access test points on a PCB?

A: Spring-loaded pogo pins in the bed of nails are arranged to make

electrical contact with designated test pads on the PCB when the board is

pressed down onto the pins.

Q: What are some key considerations when designing a test fixture?

A: Important considerations include test access, signal integrity, probe

density, contact force, thermal management, longevity, and breeding

provisions for design changes.

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Q: How does a test fixture interface with external test instrumentation?

A: The fixture provides connectors to link the test head probes to

instruments like a tester or oscilloscope for stimulus and response signals.

Various bus interfaces are used for control.

Q: What role does a test fixture play in prototyping versus production

testing?

A: Simple fixtures help initial prototype validation. More sophisticated

fixtures needed for thorough, high-volume production testing.

Related Posts:

1. What are PCB Pins and How Do They Work?

2. How Does a Relay Work

3. How Does a Temperature Sensor Work?

4. What is a Chip Antenna and How Does it Work?

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