Preliminary Results of Passive Component Measurement Methods Using an IEEE 1149.4 Compliant Device

This paper demonstrates several methods of measurement of passive components using an IEEE 1149.4 compliant device and low cost laboratory measurement equipment. It will briefly describe the IEEE 1149.4 mixed signal test bus standard and its features, and it will describe the device that was used to prove its concepts of virtual probing, AC and DC measurements and data acquisition possibilities. In order to demonstrate these capabilities two quantities were measured: resistance, and capacitive impedance. The unknown resistor values are calculated by simple Ohm’s law equations, and the unknown capacitance was calculated using two methods: the roll-off point method and the I-V method. The real-time nature of analog measurements demands a search for fast and simple measurement techniques. Common passive components were chosen for these measurements, and low cost instrumentation (voltmeters and function generators) is used to emphasize the capabilities of the IEEE 1149.4 standard. The methods are described in full and the results are presented at the end.