How to employ multi-GHz analog and RF modules in open architecture ATE

Open architecture ATE is a multi-site, reconfigurable, modularized test system that supports third party modules in a plug-and-play manner. When high-speed analog/mixed-signal modules are used with digital module from different vendors, synchronization of these modules present unique engineering challenges. In this paper we describe a synchronization method when RF and mixed-signal modules are used in open architecture ATE.