Mechanically reconfigurable vertical tester interface for IC probing
Granted: December 15, 2005
Application Number:
20050277323
A wafer test assembly includes multiple probe head substrates arranged like tiles with connectors attached to one side and probes supported on the opposing side. In one embodiment, flexible cable connectors directly connect the connectors on the probe head tile to a test head, while in another embodiment the flexible cables connect the probe head tile to a PCB providing horizontal routing to test head connectors. In one embodiment, leveling pins provide a simplified support structure…
Method to build robust mechanical structures on substrate surfaces
Granted: November 17, 2005
Application Number:
20050255408
A robust mechanical structure is provided to prevent small foundation structures formed on a substrate from detaching from the substrate surface. The strengthened structure is formed by plating a foundation metal layer on a seed layer and then embedding the plated foundation structure in an adhesive polymer material, such as epoxy. Components, such as spring probes, can then be constructed on the plated foundation. The adhesive polymer material better assures the adhesion of the metal…
Intelligent probe card architecture
Granted: October 27, 2005
Application Number:
20050237073
A probe card for a wafer test system is provided with a number of on board features enabling fan out of a test system controller channel to test multiple DUTs on a wafer, while limiting undesirable effects of fan out on test results. On board features of the probe card include one or more of the following: (a) DUT signal isolation provided by placing resistors in series with each DUT input to isolate failed DUTs; (b) DUT power isolation provided by switches, current limiters, or…
Apparatus for providing a high frequency loop back with a DC path for a parametric test
Granted: October 13, 2005
Application Number:
20050225382
A high fidelity “loop-back” or interconnection of terminal pads of an IC on a wafer being tested in production is provided, while simultaneously a DC or low frequency path is provided back to a test system. Two or more IC pads are connected by probes forming the “loop-back,” each probe forming an inductor, the probes being connected together through a trace in a substrate. A capacitor is then provided on a layer of the substrate connected to the trace to form a three-pole filter.…
Probe card configuration for low mechanical flexural strength electrical routing substrates
Granted: July 21, 2005
Application Number:
20050156611
A mechanical support configuration for a probe card of a wafer test system is provided to increase support for a very low flexural strength substrate that supports spring probes. Increased mechanical support is provided by: (1) a frame around the periphery of the substrate having an increased sized horizontal extension over the surface of the substrate; (2) leaf springs with a bend enabling the leaf springs to extend vertically and engage the inner frame closer to the spring probes; (3)…
Methods for planarizing a semiconductor contactor
Granted: December 30, 2004
Application Number:
20040266089
A planarizer for a probe card assembly. A planarizer includes a first control member extending from a substrate in a probe card assembly. The first control member extends through at least one substrate in the probe card assembly and is accessible from an exposed side of an exterior substrate in the probe card assembly. Actuating the first control member causes a deflection of the substrate connected to the first control member.
Insulative covering of probe tips
Granted: December 30, 2004
Application Number:
20040266234
An insulative material is applied to one or more selected probe tips to disable those probes, and the probes are brought into contact with a semiconductor die. One or more tests are run on the die to verify sufficient testing of the die without the disabled probes. The process may be repeated with other probes disabled to determine which probes need not be used in testing the die.
Rhodium Electroplated structures and methods of making same
Granted: December 9, 2004
Application Number:
20040247920
A halide based stress reducing agent is added to the bath of a rhodium plating solution. The stress reducing agent reduces stress in the plated rhodium, increasing the thickness of the rhodium that can be plated without cracking. In addition, the stress reducing agent does not appreciably decrease the wear resistance or hardness of the plated rhodium.
Alignment features in a probing device
Granted: October 14, 2004
Application Number:
20040201392
An image of an array of probes is searched for alignment features. The alignment features are then used to bring contact targets and the probes into contact with one another. The alignment features may be a feature of one or more of the tips of the probes. For example, such a feature may be a corner of one of the tips. An array of probes may be formed to have such alignment features.
HELICAL MICROELECTRONIC CONTACT AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING SAME
Granted: October 14, 2004
Application Number:
20040203262
A microelectronic spring contact for making electrical contact between a device and a mating substrate and method of making the same are disclosed. The spring contact has a compliant pad adhered to a substrate of the device and spaced apart from a terminal of the device. The compliant pad has a base adhered to the substrate, and side surfaces extending away from the substrate and tapering to a smaller end area distal from the substrate. A trace extends from the terminal of the device in…
Tester channel to multiple IC terminals
Granted: October 14, 2004
Application Number:
20040201391
A probe card provides signal paths between integrated circuit (IC) tester channels and probes accessing input and output pads of ICs to be tested. When a single tester channel is to access multiple (N) IC pads, the probe card provides a branching path linking the channel to each of the N IC input pads. Each branch of the test signal distribution path includes a resistor for isolating the IC input pad accessed via that branch from all other branches of the path so that a fault on that IC…
Layered microelectronic contact and method for fabricating same
Granted: October 14, 2004
Application Number:
20040201074
A microelectronic spring contact for making electrical contact between a device and a mating substrate and method of making the same are disclosed. The spring contact has a compliant pad adhered to a substrate of the device and spaced apart from a terminal of the device. The compliant pad has a base adhered to the substrate, and side surfaces extending away from the substrate and tapering to a smaller end area distal from the substrate. A trace extends from the terminal of the device…
Method of manufacturing a probe card
Granted: October 7, 2004
Application Number:
20040194299
A method of designing and manufacturing a probe card assembly includes prefabricating one or more elements of the probe card assembly to one or more predefined designs. Thereafter, design data regarding a newly designed semiconductor device is received along with data describing the tester and testing algorithms to be used to test the semiconductor device. Using the received data, one or more of the prefabricated elements is selected. Again using the received data, one or more of the…
Contact carriers (tiles) for populating larger substrates with spring contacts
Granted: August 26, 2004
Application Number:
20040163252
An interconnection apparatus and a method of forming an interconnection apparatus. Contact structures are attached to or formed on a first substrate. The first substrate is attached to a second substrate, which is larger than the first substrate. Multiple such first substrates may be attached to the second substrate in order to create an array of contact structures. Each contact structure may be elongate and resilient and may comprise a core that is over coated with a material that…
Socket for mating with electronic component, particularly semiconductor device with spring packaging, for fixturing, testing, burning-in or operating such a component
Granted: August 5, 2004
Application Number:
20040152348
Products and assemblies are provided for socketably receiving elongate interconnection elements, such as spring contact elements, extending from electronic components, such as semiconductor devices. Socket substrates are provided with capture pads for receiving ends of elongate interconnection elements extending from electronic components. Various capture pad configurations are disclosed. Connections to external devices are provided via conductive traces adjacent the surface of the…
Method for testing signal paths between an integrated circuit wafer and a wafer tester
Granted: July 29, 2004
Application Number:
20040148122
Signal paths within an interconnect structure linking input/output (I/O) ports of an integrated circuit (IC) tester and test points of an IC die on a wafer are tested for continuity, shorts and resistance by using the interconnect structure to access a similar arrangement of test points on a reference wafer. Conductors in the reference wafer interconnect groups of test points. The tester may then test the continuity of signal paths through the interconnect structure by sending test…
Integrated circuit tester with high bandwidth probe assembly
Granted: July 22, 2004
Application Number:
20040140822
Described herein is a probe card assembly providing signal paths for conveying high frequency signals between bond pads of an integrated circuit (IC) and an IC tester. The frequency response of the probe card assembly is optimized by appropriately distributing, adjusting and impedance matching resistive, capacitive and inductive impedance values along the signal paths so that the interconnect system behaves as an appropriately tuned Butterworth or Chebyshev filter.
Integrated circuit interconnect system
Granted: July 22, 2004
Application Number:
20040140860
In an interconnect system for providing access to a common I/O terminal for multiple circuit devices such as drivers, receivers and electrostatic protection devices implemented on an IC, each such device is provided with a separate contact pad within the IC. The contact pads are linked to one another and to the IC I/O terminal though inductive conductors such as bond wires, metalization layer traces in the IC, or legs of a forked, lithographically-defined spring contact formed on the IC.…
Spring interconnect structures
Granted: July 22, 2004
Application Number:
20040142583
An interconnection element of a spring (body) including a first resilient element with a first contact region and a second contact region and a first securing region and a second resilient element, with a third contact region and a second securing region. The second resilient element is coupled to the first resilient element through respective securing regions and positioned such that upon sufficient displacement of the first contact region toward the second resilient element, the second…
Composite motion probing
Granted: July 8, 2004
Application Number:
20040130312
An electronic device is moved into a first position with respect to probes for making electrical contact with the device. The electronic device is then moved into a second position in which the electronic device is pressed against the probes, compressing the probes. The movement into the second position includes two components. One component of the movement tends to press the electronic device against the probes, compressing the probes and inducing a stress in the probes. The second…
