ESML
Forward-LookingTIER 03 / 03

AI Compute Board Test Fixtures & Systems

Custom test fixture and electrical test system design & fabrication for AI servers and GPU modules

“You define the spec — we deliver the hardware system”

We focus on the hardware layer of AI server and HPC board testing — from mechanical design to fixture fabrication to instrument verification. We do not develop test software or algorithms, complementing your core test competencies. Fixtures can also be configured for 100% end-of-line functional verification on automated production lines, with structure and contact methods matched to takt and the number of test items.

03 / FIXTURE
AI 板卡测试工装示意AI BOARD TEST FIXTURE SCHEMATICDUT · DEVICE UNDER TESTRF 探针 · 屏蔽路径RF PROBE / SHIELDING · GHz精密对位机构MECHANICAL ALIGNMENT机械结构 · RF 信号路径 · 电气测试硬件集成
RF · GHzSIGNAL PATH

What is a compute-board test fixture?

An AI compute board test fixture is a hardware system for electrical, RF and functional testing of AI compute boards, covering 4 application scenarios, 5 design-flow stages and 5 capability directions.

We focus on the hardware layer of AI server and HPC board testing — from mechanical design to fixture fabrication to instrument verification. We do not develop test software or algorithms, complementing your core test competencies. Fixtures can also be configured for 100% end-of-line functional verification on automated production lines, with structure and contact methods matched to takt and the number of test items.

01SCOPE

Scope of Service

Mechanical Structure Design

Fixture structure, precision alignment, press mechanisms, shielding and thermal design

RF Signal Path Planning

HF probe selection, RF interface adaptation, signal path optimization, grounding and shielding

Electrical Test Hardware Integration

Test system hardware integration on Keysight and other mainstream instrument platforms

Verified Delivery

S-parameter verification with network analyzers; fixture + test report delivered

02FLOW

Design Flow

  1. 01

    Requirements

  2. 02

    Solution Design

  3. 03

    Drawings & Fabrication

  4. 04

    Instrument Verification

  5. 05

    Delivery

03CAPABILITIES

Capability Keywords

Mechanical designRF signal path planningProbe selectionShielding designInstrument validation

You define the test spec — we handle the hardware, from mechanical design to fixture fabrication to instrument verification.

SPEC · 04

Hardware Test Fixture Specs

Reference parameters for AI board hardware fixtures — mechanical, RF signal path, contact and shielding. Actual specs are defined per test-plan.

Hardware Test Fixture Specs
MetricValue
Board TypesGPU / TPU / NPU Modules
Alignment Accuracy±0.05 mm
Contact MethodPOGO / Spring Probe
Signal BandwidthDC – 40 GHz
Shielding Level≥ 60 dB @ 6 GHz
Press-Force Control10 – 500 N programmable
Thermal SolutionAir / Liquid / Cold plate
Interface ProtocolPXI / GPIB / LAN
DELIVERY · 05

Delivery Process

From discovery to delivery to support — a five-stage closed loop for custom automation.

  1. 01

    Discovery

    • Site survey
    • Process analysis
    • Requirements sign-off
  2. 02

    Design

    • CAD modeling
    • Component selection
    • Design review
  3. 03

    Prototype

    • Pilot build
    • Performance test
    • Joint review
  4. 04

    Delivery

    • Assembly & tuning
    • Line commissioning
    • UAT sign-off
  5. 05

    Support

    • Spare parts
    • Remote support
    • Iterative upgrade
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about board-test capabilities and process

What exactly does ESML do in board testing?
Only the hardware layer: mechanical structure design, precision alignment and press mechanisms, RF signal path planning, probe selection, shielding design, and hardware integration and verification on mainstream instrument platforms. We do not develop test software or algorithms — complementing your core test competencies.
What steps run from requirements to delivery?
Five: requirements (test-spec review, DUT analysis), solution design, drawings and fabrication (incl. probe selection), instrument verification (S-parameters and more), delivery and deployment.
What signal bands and contact methods are supported?
Signal paths are customized per the test spec, with reference bandwidth DC–40 GHz. Contact methods use POGO or spring probes per frequency band; alignment accuracy is ±0.05 mm and shielding can reach ≥ 60 dB @ 6 GHz.
What inputs are needed from the requesting team?
You define the test spec — board specifications, signal definitions, contact points and test items. ESML then completes the hardware design, fabrication and instrument verification.
How to start an AI board test fixture project?
The requesting team first provides the board specifications, signal definitions, contact points and test items. ESML then runs requirements analysis, solution design, drawings and fabrication, instrument verification and on-site deployment — delivering only the hardware system, with no test software or algorithms developed.
What test types can the fixture cover?
Hardware fixtures for electrical, RF and functional testing of AI accelerator boards: mechanical structure design, precision alignment and press-fit mechanisms, RF signal-path planning, probe selection and shielding design, plus hardware integration and instrument verification (e.g., S-parameters) on mainstream instrument platforms. Test software and algorithms are provided by the requesting team; we do not develop them.
What are the alignment and shielding figures?
Reference alignment accuracy is ±0.05 mm (mechanical plus vision); the signal path is customized to the test specification with a reference bandwidth of DC–40 GHz; shielding reaches ≥ 60 dB @ 6 GHz, including an EMI enclosure design; press force is programmable from 10–500 N with force-position closed-loop control to protect the board. These are reference values, finally fixed to the requesting team's test specification.
Which board types and thermal solutions are supported?
GPU / TPU / NPU modules, including accelerator and compute cards. Thermal solutions include air cooling, liquid cooling or cold plates, matched to the requesting team's test power. Interface protocols include PXI / GPIB / LAN to connect the requesting team's instruments.
How is the fixture verified before delivery?
Verification is completed on instruments before handover — for example, S-parameters and other key metrics are checked on a network analyzer, and the fixture is handed over together with a test report. The design process is five steps: requirements, solution design, drawings and fabrication, instrument verification, and delivery. The requesting team defines the test specification; ESML delivers the hardware.
What are the design inputs and outputs?
The requesting team provides the inputs: board specifications, signal definitions, contact points and test items (the test specification). The outputs are the deployable hardware fixture and an instrument verification test report. We do not write test programs; the hardware/software boundary is fixed during requirements analysis.
Can the fixture match a production end-of-line takt?
Yes. The fixture is designed for 100% end-of-line functional verification, with mechanical structure, press mechanism and contact method configured to the takt and number of test items, so loading, testing and unloading can run on an automated line. The exact takt is assessed from the requesting team's test specification and the board's complexity.

Updated · reviewed monthly

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