Standard RF Fixture

Description

The standard RF fixture supports both pulsed and non-pulsed operation. It employs SMA input/output connections. For RF output powers over 10W, an N-type connector may be used to replaces the SMA connector because of its power-handling capability. The golded-plated brass block, located in the center area houses the heater core. The outer part of the fixture is designed to stay relatively cool. With the hot area at 250°C, the outer area will be less than ~80°C. An air gap separates the hot from cool area, with a coplanar waveguide transition across the air-gap discontinuity.

The pulse circuitry supports pulse widths down to 10us, with periods from 30us to 1ms. Synchronized pulsing of the Bias1, Bias2, and RF signals is fully programmable via the LifeTest software. An additional capability, that is sometimes desirable in the MEMS market, is the ability to define and create de-bounce “kick” pulses at the beginning and end of the pulse cycle. These may be as short as 1us at full 100-V pulsed operation.