DSP-Based Analog and Mixed-Signal Test

10.9 Summary

Analog testing is increasing greatly in its importance, due not only to the nearly universal adoption of electronic switching for the telephone system, but also due to the tremendous proliferation of A/D and D/A converters, particularly in wireless cellular telephone devices. Other important applications are in consumer high-fidelity electronics, automotive electronics, and personal computer multi-media units for sound effects, internet telephony, digital compact disc playing, etc. Therefore, the system test engineer needs to give more emphasis to the DSP analog test methods, which are used for most of the analog tests. It is important to understand that analog circuit testing is non-deterministic, and therefore the testing process is statistical and must also deal with electrical noise. As a proportion of total testing costs, the percentage due to analog testing is generally increasing.