A Measurement Procedure

Author: ZS6RSH Dick Hayter

Acknowledgement: ZS6BMN Jan Hattingh

Date: 11/19/2013

Revision: Draft B

Revision History: Draft B has various formatting changes and clarification additions.

1.    Document description

This document describes the measurement procedure used by ZS6RSH.

2.    Objective

     2.1. Obtain credible measurement results

     2.2.Obtain repeatable measurement results

3. Procedure

3.1. heading

Insert a heading that clearly describes the measurements covered.

3.2. label

Used for search purposes on the blog write-up.

3.3. date

Insert the date when the documentation of the procedure commenced (US format). If the procedure took > a day then insert the date in each sub section when that section is processed.

3.4. acknowledgements

Document those who contributed to this procedure including acknowledgements and references to input sources.

3.5. revision

Draft A, B… Revision 1, 2…

3.6. revision history

Summarize the latest changes made to the document.

3.7. scope

Carefully define the scope of the measurements to be carried out, including the parameters, quantities and ranges and the method of analysis and presentation of the data to be recorded.

3.8. history

Describe any related measurements that have been carried out to date.

3.9. configuration

Develop drawings, schematics, tables and supporting descriptions of the planned procedure clearly showing all test equipment, cables, and the device under test (DUT). Draw each of these schematics by hand or CAD and label each one using the nomenclature Fig 1, 2,….n. Include a heading, date and author. Refer to these figures in the text of this document. Include these figures in the blog write up.

3.10.               test equipment specifications

Describe each piece of test equipment including any model numbers and the relevant test equipment specifications that may relate to the accuracy of the test equipment during the procedure.

3.11.               device under test specifications

Describe the device under test (DUT) including any model numbers and the relevant DUT specifications that may relate to the behavior of the DUT during the procedure.

3.12.               workbench process

Document the step-by-step process that is intended to be followed during the measurement procedure. Include as much detail as possible since this will aid greatly in understanding exactly what structured actions need to be carried out on the workbench and in what sequence. Ensure that all ‘surrounding fixed parameters’ such as Vcc, Ic and Temperature measurements are recorded.

3.13.               expected results

State the expected results of the measurement in as much detail as practical. If the expected result is unknown then think again about the scope and objective of the measurement since it may need to be broken down into smaller measurement steps.

3.14.               uncertainties

Carefully identify any uncertainties and sources of inaccuracies and work hard to quantify what these uncertainties are. This can be done by studying the accuracy related specifications of the test instruments and DUT.

3.15.               preparation

Clear the work bench.

Carefully set up the measurement configuration and check that all leads, power, instruments and DUT are correctly set up. Ensure safety at all times.

Draw up the tables and documents needed to record the measurements in the lab notebook.

3.16.               carry-out the validation measurements

Make a first measurement and ensure that there are no safety issues. Check for smoke!

After ensuring that there are no safety or equipment issues, check the first measurement result to confirm that the result is as expected. Proceed with a first set of measurements (Vcc, Ic, Temp, max, mid, min…) These should ideally be tests that have a predictable result that will confirm as far as possible that the measurement configuration is indeed working correctly.

3.17.               carry-out the full measurement plan

Perform the full set of measurements, recording the results carefully in clear tabulated form according to the plan already set forth.

3.18.               observations

Carefully record any observations of possible interest as the measurements proceed.

3.19.               change control

As often happens once the measurements proceed, changes to the original configuration or tests are desired. These changes must be documented in detail against the original or amended schematics and measurement plan. Notes in this section should refer to any changes made from the original plan and the documents where those changes are recorded.

3.20.               computation

After a break (important).

Sit at the desk with the measurement results in hand.

Carefully complete any mathematical derivations on the results obtained and tabulate these results as makes sense in the form of additional columns and rows on the already-defined spreadsheet.

3.21.               analysis

Analyze the results objectively and taking into account any notes and observations made during the measurement process. Make detailed notes of this analysis.

3.22.               conclusions

Document objective conclusions that are based on established facts only!

Avoid deriving conclusions that are not credible!

3.23.               clean up

Important! Dismantle the measurement configuration and stow all equipment and cables. Switch off all powered equipment and ensure a safe environment. Clean the work bench.

3.24.               next steps

Define the next steps such as the next stage to be built in the radio project or further measurements that must be carried out.

     3.25     documentation

Edit and/or document this set of Measurements on the blog ZS6RSH.blogspot.com