Using Embedded Resistor Emulation and Trimming to Demonstrate Measurement Methods and Associated Engineering Model Development.

Embedded resistors are planar resistors that are fabricated inside printed circuit boards and used as an alternative to discrete resistor components that are mounted on the surface of the boards. The successful use of embedded resistors in many applications requires that the resistors be trimmed to required design values prior to lamination into printed circuit boards. This paper describes a simple emulation approach utilizing conductive paper that can be used to characterize embedded resistor operation and experimentally optimize resistor trimming patterns. We also describe a hierarchy of simple modeling approaches appropriate to both college engineering students and pre-college students that can be verified with the experimental results, and used to extend the experimental trimming analysis. The methodology described in this paper is a simple and effective approach for demonstrating a combination of measurement methods, uncertainty analysis, and associated engineering model development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]