US 12,480,974 B2
Multiplexer-enabled cables and test fixtures
Sam J. Strickling, Portland, OR (US); Daniel S. Froelich, Portland, OR (US); Michelle L. Baldwin, Mount Juliet, TN (US); Jonathan San, Palo Alto, CA (US); Lin-Yung Chen, New Taipei (TW); and Shane A. Hazzard, North Plains, OR (US)
Assigned to Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Jul. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/375,451.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/060,010, filed on Aug. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0034967 A1, Feb. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G01R 31/00 (2006.01); G01R 1/04 (2006.01); G01R 1/073 (2006.01); H01R 13/66 (2006.01); G01R 31/3185 (2006.01); G01R 31/319 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 1/07385 (2013.01) [G01R 1/0408 (2013.01); G01R 1/0416 (2013.01); H01R 13/66 (2013.01); G01R 31/318572 (2013.01); G01R 31/3191 (2013.01); G01R 31/31926 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cable for connecting one or more devices under test to a test and measurement instrument, comprising:
a first port structured to electrically connect to a first signal lane of the one or more devices under test;
a second port structured to electrically connect to a second signal lane of the one or more devices under test;
a third port structured to electrically connect to a test and measurement instrument;
a multiplexer configured to switch between electrically connecting the first port to the third port to provide a first signal path between the one or more devices under test and the test and measurement instrument, and electrically connecting the second port to the third port to provide a second signal path between the one or more devices under test and the test and measurement instrument;
a processor, within the cable, configured to control the multiplexer; and
a memory structured to store one or more calibration parameters of the cable, wherein the one or more calibration parameters include at least one de-embed parameter, and wherein the one or more calibration parameters characterize the entire first signal path and the entire second signal path.