Hi everyone,

Could someone explain me what are these gold plated circular pads and what is theis purpose?

Thanks in advance

Nick

 

They're probably test points for use by automatic test equipment (ATE) during board manufacture.

 

Thank you OBW0549

That sounds logic.

 

This http://www.smithsconnectors.com/us/products/board-test-fixture-probes is what the probes look like.

You can essentially have a "bed of nails" type of probe station. The actual spring contacts can be made replaceable, so you have a socket and probe assembly.

 

The ATE usually accesses the test points through a "bed-of-nails" fixture, such as one of these.

 

The ATE usually accesses the test points through a "bed-of-nails" fixture, such as one of these.

In order for the "bed-of-nails" fixture to access the Test Points a Gerber file with the Test Points only is required, isn't it?

 

In order for the "bed-of-nails" fixture to access the Test Points a Gerber file with the Test Points only is required, isn't it?

I'm sure they must use one of the Gerber files, but I'm not sure which one.