A key component in mixed-signal design is a reliable test-station, which can be used for evaluating and benchmarking the performance of fabricated chips. Cost and time is a critical factor, especially for researchers who are in the process of establishing programs in mixed-signal testing. Also, obtaining measurements in field the test-station has to be portable and has to be scalable to support most existing interfaces. We have designed a low-cost (estimated cost less than $1000) and portable test environment which is easy to use and can interface with popular data analysis and testing software like MATLAB and LabView. The design and software files for the test-station are available upon request, with the hope that you will expand the functionality of the station, so that other researchers could benefit from it.

The next generation open-source test-station interfaces with an OpalKelly FPGA interface (shown in the Figure on the right). The USB interface provided by OpalKelly is used to drive the DAC chains on the motherboard for real-time signal generation and data acquisition. Software, PCB Gerber files and Part-list of this Teststation is available on request. Please send email to shantanu (at) msu (dot) edu.