Apparatus for detection and localization of electrostatic discharge (ESD) susceptible areas of electronic systems

摘要

An apparatus and method are disclosed for use in detecting and localizing electrostatically susceptible areas of electronic systems. An exemplary apparatus includes: (1) an ESD gun for providing a source of electric current; (2) a wire coil for generating a magnetic field; and (3) a shielded transmission line, such as a coaxial transmission line ("coax"), for receiving current from the gun. The center conductor of the coax is coupled at one end to the gun and at the other end to one end of the wire coil. The other end of the wire coil is coupled to ground. The current flowing through the wire coil creates a magnetic field, which is bi-directional and orthogonal to the plane of the coil. The magnetic field causes errors in the operation of the system under test when the coil is placed in close proximity with ESD susceptible system components. As such, components that are ESD susceptible can be easily detected and localized. Another feature of the foregoing exemplary apparatus includes a magnetic field absorptive shield (e.g. ferrite-based) coupled to the coax and situated substantially parallel to the plane of the coil. The shield is used to effectively inhibit the magnetic field from emanating from one side of said coil, thereby providing further directionality to the apparatus.