What is a Transient?

Transients – whether current or voltage -- occur momentarily and fleetingly in response to a stimulus or change in the equilibrium of a circuit. Transients frequently occur when power is applied to or removed from a circuit, because of expanding or collapsing magnetic fields in inductors or the charging or discharging of capacitors.

• Overshoot
• Settling Window
• Settling time
• Signal DC Level

What is Ripple and Noise?

The amplitude of the AC component on the DC output of a power supply usually expressed in millivolts peak-to-peak or RMS. For a linear power supply it is usually the frequency of the AC mains. For a switching power supply, it is usually the switching frequency of the converter stage

The output “Ripple” frequency is primarily determined by the switching frequency of the power supply. The higher frequency “Noise” spikes are generated by the fast rise and fall times of the pulses associated with the switching and rectification components of the power supply. Typical ripple and noise specs are defined as peak-to-peak measurements in mV units.

What is Automatic Test Equipment (ATE)?

Automatic/automated test equipment (ATE) is any automated device that is used to quickly test printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, or any other related electronic components or modules.

Nowadays, ATE Systems are essentially always controlled by computers although in the past, custom-designed controllers or even relay controls were used.

An ATE system can be as simple as a digital multi-meter (DMM) whose operating mode and measurements are controlled and analyzed by a computer, or as complex as a system containing dozens of complex test instruments capable of automatically testing and diagnosing faults in complex electronic systems, such as very sophisticated flying-probe testers.

ATE systems that are used to test Semiconductor devices are called Semiconductor ATE. Such systems can test a wide range of electronic devices and systems, from simple components (resistors, capacitors, and inductors) to integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), and complex, completely-assembled electronic systems.

What is Regulation?

The ability of a power supply to maintain an output voltage within a specified tolerance as referenced to changing conditions of input voltage and/or load.

LINE REGULATION. The change in output voltage when the AC input voltage is changed from minimum to maximum specified. It is usually a small value, and may be near zero with current mode control.
LOAD REGULATION. The change in output voltage when the load on the output is changed.