Advantest announces new power multiplexer

The multiplexer, the PMUX02 Power MUX, offers capabilities for multi-site testing of power and analog devices, which includes battery management systems, automotive, and power management ICs. With 22 switches – nearly double the switch density of its predecessor – and an extended voltage range of 160V, PMUX02 will help streamline and reduce the cost-of-test for these high-pin-count, mixed-signal devices.

A power mux switches between multiple power sources and instruments to provide uninterrupted power and measurement to devices under test (DUTs). Electric vehicles (EVs) are a key driver behind the need for advanced power muxes. Increasing the number of cells stacked in an EV’s battery module consequently improves its efficiency, and stacks of 24+ cells require the BMS to operate at 150V or higher.

Additionally, as automotive ICs become increasingly complex with higher pin counts, more parallel sites are required to increase throughput, requiring more multiplexers. PMUX02 provides a denser array of relays in the test head and uses the system bus for communication, eliminating I2C driver circuitry and freeing up valuable loadboard space.

“With additional space to squeeze in more switches, the customer can increase loadboard density, which allows a tester’s instrument channels to be shared across more locations,” said Ralf Stoffels, General Manager, and Executive Vice President of Advantest's V93000 Product Unit. “This enables testing of more parallel sites and even allows a customer to test a given device without having to purchase additional, more expensive, instrument cards.”

Up to 16 PMUX02 cards can be installed in an EXA Scale system; the exact number depends heavily on the specific customer application and site count. An optional air cooling kit is also available. PMUX02 is fully compatible with its predecessor, PMUX01, enabling customers to utilise the same loadboards for their applications. In addition, PMUX02 is integrated into Advantest’s SmarTest 8 control software environment and takes advantage of the same powerful routing tools as PMUX01—which is crucial for agile application development.