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Huntron Diagnostic Applications and Systems

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Adding Component Level Diagnostics to Function Test Systems

Adding power-off diagnostics can detect and isolate faulty components on boards beyond power-on functional testing. The detailed diagnostic portion of the power-on test can be either supplemented or replaced with Power-off Diagnostics to achieve better fault isolation and reduce costs. This allows the power-on test to provide the Go/No-Go and Ready For Issue (RFI) testing capabilities for which it was designed. Huntron Trackers combined with Huntron Robotic Probers and the Workstation software are easily integrated into functional test system.

Repairing Undocumented Boards

Repair of old or unknown circuit assemblies is a challenge when documentation is not available. Much of the test equipment on the market is ineffective in this situation as they require information that assumes a documentation package is available for the circuit card to be tested. Huntron Trackers can be very effective in these situations.

Testing Without Power Applied

In repair situations it is often necessary to test the board without power applied due to uncertainty as to the nature of the failure. When this condition occurs it is necessary to use nondestructive test equipment to safely examine component signatures and validate good from bad. Huntron Trackers test boards without applying power.

Huntron Trackers®

Huntron Instruments introduced the first Huntron Tracker in 1976. Utilizing a method referred to as Analog Signature Analysis, the Huntron Tracker applies a current-limited AC sinewave across two points of an electronic component or circuit. The resulting current/voltage waveform is shown on a signature display using vertical deflection for current and horizontal deflection for voltage. This unique Tracker signature represents the overall health of the part being analyzed. By comparing the signatures of known good circuit boards to those of suspect boards, faulty nets and components can be quickly identified.

Good and bad signatures

These images show good versus bad signatures (good is green and bad is red). The signatures on the left show a damaged transistor (leakage) compared to a working device. The signatures on the right show a good inductor and one with shorted windings.

Good and bad signatures

These images show good versus bad signatures (good is green and bad is red). The signatures on the left show a damaged junction from a 74S04 IC. The signatures on the right show a good capacitor and one with internal leakage.

Huntron's goal has been to improve and build upon this unique test method by developing a line of Trackers suited to different working situations. Choose from basic benchtop units that are used for manual troubleshooting to fully automated systems that interface to the test points using robotics. These automated systems can provide cost effective component level diagnostics for functional test systems.

What type of problems will Power-off Diagnostics detect?

Analog Signature Analysis relies on a change in electrical characteristics to detect problems on a circuit board. The types of changes can make for a long discussion so here is a real example.

bad cap signature The image to the left shows signature differences detected on an actual customer PCB. The issue here is that the capacitance shown in the green good signature (the eliptical signature) is no longer shown in the red bad signature which now shows just a diode shape. This means that the capacitance that is normally in parallel with the semiconductor is no longer there. This indicates a possible open connection to the capacitor.
close of cap problem - click for larger image Upon closer inspection of the suspect area, the true problem is apparent. Note that the solder connection to the capacitor is bad (click to enlarge the image). This is causing the open problem indicated by the signature analysis.

To view another example of Signature Analysis in action, view “Images and Analysis of a PCB Failure”.

Huntron Power-off Testing Product Line

Huntron's troubleshooting tools are well suited for use in PCB manufacturing and PCB repair environments. Utilize a Huntron Tracker system to analyze fallout from the production line functional test or screen sample PCBs for problems caused by wrong components, missing components or solder shorts. Troubleshoot field service returns without the requirements of board schematics or documentation.

Huntron Diagnostic Products

Access Prober        Tracker Model 30 and TrackerPXI         Scanner II      Scanner 31S

The Huntron product line can be divided into two groups: Benchtop Trackers that are typically used in a manual mode with no software control and software controlled Trackers whose primary functions are under the control of the Huntron Workstation software.
Benchtop Trackers include the Tracker 2700 and 2700S and interface to the PCB under test with test probes or DIP clips and cables. PCB troubleshooting is typically accomplished by comparing signatures of a good board to those of the bad board. These units are lower cost and work well as a complement to software controlled systems.
Software controlled systems include the Tracker Model 30 and TrackerPXI where the flexibility of test database creation and signature storage are necessary. This eliminates the need for a reference “Golden Board” to be kept on-hand for signature comparison.

Huntron also manufactures accessories for the Tracker Model 30 and TrackerPXI that can save significant test time compared to testing manually. The accessories are the Scanner II and Scanner 31S and Huntron Access USB Automated Probers.
The Scanners are a useful switching matrix that allows for cable style interfaces to be connected to the Tracker Model 30. These cable interfaces could be DIP Clip cables, custom cables that connect to PCB connectors, or interfaces to a bed of nails.
The Huntron Access USB Prober literally automates the probing process allowing for fast and accurate interfacing to points on a circuit card. This is especially useful when dealing with fine pitch surface mounted ICs where probing by hand is very difficult to accomplish.
Huntron offers custom test routine (CTR) programming services to develop baseline programs for your printed circuit card assemblies.

Complete List of Huntron Demonstration Videos

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