公开(公告)号：US20060022699A1

公开(公告)日：2006-02-02

申请号：US11237092

申请日：2005-09-27

Applicant: Benjamin Eldridge ,  Charles Miller

Inventor： Benjamin Eldridge ,  Charles Miller

IPC: G01R31/26

CPC classification number: G06F1/26 ,  G01R31/2851 ,  G01R31/31721 ,  G01R31/31905 ,  G01R31/31924

Abstract: A main power source supplies current through path impedance to a power terminal of an integrated circuit device under test (DUT). The DUT's demand for current at the power input terminal temporarily increases following edges of a clock signal applied to the DUT during a test as transistors within the IC switch in response to the clock signal edges. To limit variation (noise) in voltage at the power input terminal, an auxiliary power supply supplies an additional current pulse to the power input terminal to meet the increased demand during each cycle of the clock signal. The magnitude of the current pulse is a function of a predicted increase in current demand during that clock cycle, and of the magnitude of an adaption signal controlled by a feedback circuit provided to limit variation in voltage developed at the DUT's power input terminal.

公开(公告)号：US20060006384A1

公开(公告)日：2006-01-12

申请号：US11221231

申请日：2005-09-06

Applicant: Benjamin Eldridge ,  Igor Khandros ,  David Pedersen ,  Ralph Whitten

Inventor： Benjamin Eldridge ,  Igor Khandros ,  David Pedersen ,  Ralph Whitten

IPC: H01L23/58

CPC classification number: G01R1/07307 ,  G01R31/2884 ,  G01R31/31723 ,  H01L22/32 ,  H01L23/50 ,  H01L23/60 ,  H01L2224/0401 ,  H01L2224/05554 ,  H01L2224/16 ,  H01L2924/00013 ,  H01L2924/01079 ,  H01L2924/10253 ,  H01L2224/29099 ,  H01L2924/00

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention concerns an integrated circuit that includes bond pads and special contact pads or points. The bond pads are for interfacing the integrated circuit as a whole with an external circuit, and are to be bonded to a package or circuit board. The bond pads are disposed on the die in a predetermined alignment such as a peripheral, grid, or lead-on-center alignment. The special contact pads are used to provide external test patterns to internal circuits and/or to externally monitor results from testing the internal circuits. The special contact pads may be advantageously located on the integrated circuit with a high degree of positional freedom. For one embodiment, the special contact pads may be disposed on the die at a location that is not in the same alignment as the bond pads. The special contact pads may be smaller than the bond pads so as not to increase the die size due to the special contact pads. The special contact points may also be used to externally program internal circuits (e.g., nonvolatile circuits) at the die or package level. The special contact points may also be used to select redundant circuits for faulty circuits.

Abstract translation: 本发明的一个实施例涉及包括接合焊盘和特殊接触焊盘或点的集成电路。 接合焊盘用于将集成电路作为整体与外部电路接口，并且将被连接到封装或电路板。 接合焊盘以预定的对准方式设置在管芯上，例如外围，栅格或中心对准。 特殊接触焊盘用于向内部电路提供外部测试模式和/或外部监测测试内部电路的结果。 特别的接触垫可以有利地以高度的位置自由度位于集成电路上。 对于一个实施例，特殊接触焊盘可以在与焊盘不同于对准的位置处设置在管芯上。 特殊的接触焊盘可以小于接合焊盘，以便不会由于特殊的接触垫而增加管芯的尺寸。 特殊接触点也可以用于在芯片或封装级别外部编程内部电路（例如非易失性电路）。 特殊接触点也可用于选择故障电路的冗余电路。

公开(公告)号：US20060001440A1

公开(公告)日：2006-01-05

申请号：US11216579

申请日：2005-08-30

Applicant: Rod Martens ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gary Grube ,  Ken Matsubayashi ,  Richard Larder ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Gaetan Mathieu

Inventor： Rod Martens ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gary Grube ,  Ken Matsubayashi ,  Richard Larder ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Gaetan Mathieu

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R31/2891 ,  G01R1/07342 ,  G01R31/2886

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system compensating for thermally induced motion of probe cards used in testing die on a wafer. A probe card incorporating temperature control devices to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the thickness of the probe card is disclosed. A probe card incorporating bi-material stiffening elements which respond to changes in temperature in such a way as to counteract thermally induced motion of the probe card is disclosed including rolling elements, slots and lubrication. Various means for allowing radial expansion of a probe card to prevent thermally induced motion of the probe card are also disclosed. A method for detecting thermally induced movement of the probe card and moving the wafer to compensate is also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20050146339A1

公开(公告)日：2005-07-07

申请号：US11073187

申请日：2005-03-04

Applicant: Gary Grube ,  Igor Khandros ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Poya Lotfizadeh ,  Chih-Chiang Tseng

Inventor： Gary Grube ,  Igor Khandros ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Poya Lotfizadeh ,  Chih-Chiang Tseng

IPC: G01R31/26 ,  G01R1/073 ,  G01R31/28 ,  H01L21/66 ,  G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R31/2886 ,  G01R1/07314 ,  G01R1/07342 ,  G01R1/07357 ,  G01R1/07378 ,  G01R3/00 ,  Y10T29/49126

Abstract: 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 selected prefabricated elements is customized. The probe card assembly is then built using the selected and customized elements.

公开(公告)号：US20080116927A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-22

申请号：US12020380

申请日：2008-01-25

Applicant: Thomas Dozier ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Igor Khandros ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Sheldon Taylor

Inventor： Thomas Dozier ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Igor Khandros ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Sheldon Taylor

IPC: G01R1/067 ,  G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R1/06727 ,  G01R1/07342 ,  H01L2924/01074 ,  H01L2924/01078

Abstract: Contact tip structures are fabricated on sacrificial substrates for subsequent joining to interconnection elements including composite interconnection elements, monolithic interconnection elements, tungsten needles of probe cards, contact bumps of membrane probes, and the like. The spatial relationship between the tip structures can lithographically be defined to very close tolerances. The metallurgy of the tip structures is independent of that of the interconnection element to which they are attached, by brazing, plating or the like. The contact tip structures are readily provided with topological (small, precise, projecting, non-planar) contact features, such as in the form of truncated pyramids, to optimize electrical pressure connections subsequently being made to terminals of electronic components. Elongate contact tip structures, adapted in use to function as spring contact elements without the necessity of being joined to resilient contact elements are described. Generally, the invention is directed to making (pre-fabricating) relatively ‘perfect’ contact tip structures (“tips”) and joining them to relatively ‘imperfect’ interconnection elements to improve the overall capabilities of resulting “tipped” interconnection elements.

Abstract translation: 接触尖端结构被制造在牺牲衬底上，用于随后连接到包括复合互连元件，单片互连元件，探针卡的钨针，膜探针的接触凸块等的互连元件。 尖端结构之间的空间关系可以光刻地定义为非常接近的公差。 尖端结构的冶金独立于它们所连接的互连元件的冶金，通过钎焊，电镀等。 接触尖端结构容易地具有拓扑（小的，精确的，突出的，非平面的）接触特征，例如呈截锥形的形式，以优化随后对电子部件的端子进行的电压连接。 描述了适于用作弹簧接触元件而不需要接合到弹性接触元件的细长接触尖端结构。 通常，本发明旨在制造（预制）相对“完美”的接触尖端结构（“尖端”）并将它们连接到相对“不完美”的互连元件，以改善所产生的“尖端”互连元件的整体能力。

公开(公告)号：US20080020227A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-24

申请号：US11835136

申请日：2007-08-07

Applicant: Gary Grube ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Chadwick Sofield

Inventor： Gary Grube ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Chadwick Sofield

IPC: B32B15/092

CPC classification number: G01R3/00 ,  G01R1/06716 ,  G01R1/06744 ,  H01L24/80 ,  H01L2924/01005 ,  H01L2924/01006 ,  H01L2924/01013 ,  H01L2924/01023 ,  H01L2924/01029 ,  H01L2924/01033 ,  H01L2924/01046 ,  H01L2924/01047 ,  H01L2924/01074 ,  H01L2924/01078 ,  H01L2924/01079 ,  H01L2924/01082 ,  H01L2924/014 ,  H01L2924/14 ,  H01L2924/1461 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49147 ,  Y10T156/10 ,  Y10T428/12347 ,  Y10T428/12375 ,  Y10T428/12535 ,  Y10T428/12542 ,  Y10T428/12556 ,  Y10T428/12569 ,  Y10T428/31681 ,  H01L2924/00

Abstract: 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 foundation structure to the substrate surface by counteracting forces applied to an element, such as a spring probe, attached to the plated foundation.

Abstract translation: 提供坚固的机械结构以防止形成在基板上的小基础结构从基板表面分离。 强化结构通过在种子层上电镀基础金属层，然后将镀覆的基础结构嵌入诸如环氧树脂的粘合剂聚合物材料中而形成。 然后可以在镀覆的基础上构造诸如弹簧探针的组件。 粘合剂聚合物材料通过抵抗附着在镀覆基底上的诸如弹簧探针的元件的抵抗力，更好地保证金属基础结构与基底表面的粘附。

公开(公告)号：US20070229102A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-04

申请号：US11761912

申请日：2007-06-12

Applicant: Benjamin Eldridge ,  Barbara Vasquez ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  A. Sporck

Inventor： Benjamin Eldridge ,  Barbara Vasquez ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  A. Sporck

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R31/2889 ,  G01R1/0416 ,  G01R1/07307

Abstract: 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 connecting to a retaining element attached to the tiles to provide for applying a push-pull leveling force. A test head connector interface frame enables rearrangement of connectors between the test head and the probe card to provide for both full wafer contact or partial wafer contact. The test head connectors are rearranged by being slidable on rails, or pluggable and unpluggable enabling movement over a range of positions.

Abstract translation: 晶片测试组件包括多个探针头基底，其布置成瓦片，其中连接器连接到一侧，探针支撑在相对侧上。 在一个实施例中，柔性电缆连接器将探头头瓦片上的连接器直接连接到测试头，而在另一个实施例中，柔性电缆将探头头瓦片连接到PCB，从而向测试头连接器提供水平布线。 在一个实施例中，调平销提供连接到附接到瓦片的保持元件以提供施加推挽平整力的简化支撑结构。 测试头连接器接口框架能够重新布置测试头和探针卡之间的连接器，以提供完整的晶片接触或部分晶片接触。 测试头连接器通过在轨道上滑动来重新布置，或者可插拔和可拔出，使得能够在一定范围的位置上移动。

公开(公告)号：US20070228110A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-04

申请号：US11758479

申请日：2007-06-05

Applicant: Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gary Grube ,  Igor Khandros ,  Gaetan Mathieu

Inventor： Benjamin Eldridge ,  Gary Grube ,  Igor Khandros ,  Gaetan Mathieu

IPC: B23K20/00

CPC classification number: H01L24/72 ,  B23K20/004 ,  B23K2101/40 ,  C25D5/08 ,  C25D5/22 ,  C25D7/12 ,  C25D21/02 ,  G01R1/0483 ,  G01R1/06711 ,  G01R1/07314 ,  G01R1/07342 ,  G01R1/07357 ,  G01R1/07378 ,  G01R31/2884 ,  G01R31/2886 ,  H01L21/4853 ,  H01L21/4889 ,  H01L21/563 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/67248 ,  H01L21/67253 ,  H01L21/67288 ,  H01L22/20 ,  H01L23/49811 ,  H01L24/81 ,  H01L25/0652 ,  H01L25/16 ,  H01L2224/11 ,  H01L2224/1134 ,  H01L2224/12 ,  H01L2224/13099 ,  H01L2224/16 ,  H01L2224/16145 ,  H01L2224/32225 ,  H01L2224/45 ,  H01L2224/45015 ,  H01L2224/45124 ,  H01L2224/45144 ,  H01L2224/45147 ,  H01L2224/4554 ,  H01L2224/48 ,  H01L2224/48091 ,  H01L2224/48227 ,  H01L2224/48599 ,  H01L2224/49 ,  H01L2224/49109 ,  H01L2224/73203 ,  H01L2224/73251 ,  H01L2224/73265 ,  H01L2224/78 ,  H01L2224/78301 ,  H01L2224/81801 ,  H01L2224/81901 ,  H01L2224/85 ,  H01L2224/85043 ,  H01L2224/85045 ,  H01L2224/851 ,  H01L2224/85201 ,  H01L2224/85203 ,  H01L2224/85205 ,  H01L2224/8592 ,  H01L2225/0651 ,  H01L2225/06527 ,  H01L2225/06555 ,  H01L2225/06572 ,  H01L2924/01004 ,  H01L2924/01005 ,  H01L2924/01006 ,  H01L2924/01011 ,  H01L2924/01012 ,  H01L2924/01013 ,  H01L2924/01014 ,  H01L2924/01015 ,  H01L2924/01018 ,  H01L2924/01019 ,  H01L2924/01022 ,  H01L2924/01023 ,  H01L2924/01024 ,  H01L2924/01025 ,  H01L2924/01027 ,  H01L2924/01028 ,  H01L2924/01029 ,  H01L2924/0103 ,  H01L2924/01031 ,  H01L2924/01033 ,  H01L2924/01039 ,  H01L2924/01042 ,  H01L2924/01044 ,  H01L2924/01045 ,  H01L2924/01046 ,  H01L2924/01047 ,  H01L2924/01049 ,  H01L2924/0105 ,  H01L2924/01051 ,  H01L2924/01074 ,  H01L2924/01075 ,  H01L2924/01076 ,  H01L2924/01077 ,  H01L2924/01078 ,  H01L2924/01079 ,  H01L2924/01082 ,  H01L2924/01083 ,  H01L2924/01322 ,  H01L2924/014 ,  H01L2924/07802 ,  H01L2924/10253 ,  H01L2924/10329 ,  H01L2924/12041 ,  H01L2924/12044 ,  H01L2924/14 ,  H01L2924/15153 ,  H01L2924/15165 ,  H01L2924/15312 ,  H01L2924/1532 ,  H01L2924/16195 ,  H01L2924/181 ,  H01L2924/19041 ,  H01L2924/19043 ,  H01L2924/20751 ,  H01L2924/20753 ,  H01L2924/20754 ,  H01L2924/20755 ,  H01L2924/30105 ,  H01L2924/30107 ,  H01L2924/3011 ,  H01L2924/3025 ,  H01R12/52 ,  H05K1/141 ,  H05K3/20 ,  H05K3/308 ,  H05K3/326 ,  H05K3/3421 ,  H05K3/3426 ,  H05K3/368 ,  H05K3/4015 ,  H05K3/4092 ,  H05K7/1069 ,  H05K2201/0397 ,  H05K2201/068 ,  H05K2201/1031 ,  H05K2201/10318 ,  H05K2201/10378 ,  H05K2201/10719 ,  H05K2201/10734 ,  H05K2201/10757 ,  H05K2201/10878 ,  H05K2201/10909 ,  H05K2201/10946 ,  Y02P70/611 ,  Y02P70/613 ,  Y10T29/49149 ,  H01L2924/00014 ,  H01L2924/20752 ,  H01L2924/00 ,  H01L2924/00015 ,  H01L2924/2075 ,  H01L2924/01204 ,  H01L2924/013 ,  H01L2924/00013 ,  H01L2924/01048 ,  H01L2224/72 ,  H01L2924/00012

Abstract: Contact structures exhibiting resilience or compliance for a variety of electronic components are formed by bonding a free end of a wire to a substrate, configuring the wire into a wire stem having a springable shape, severing the wire stem, and overcoating the wire stem with at least one layer of a material chosen primarily for its structural (resiliency, compliance) characteristics. A variety of techniques for configuring, severing, and overcoating the wire stem are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a free end of a wire stem is bonded to a contact area on a substrate, the wire stem is configured to have a springable shape, the wire stem is severed to be free-standing by an electrical discharge, and the free-standing wire stem is overcoated by plating. A variety of materials for the wire stem (which serves as a falsework) and for the overcoat (which serves as a superstructure over the falsework) are disclosed. Various techniques are described for mounting the contact structures to a variety of electronic components (e.g., semiconductor wafers and dies, semiconductor packages, interposers, interconnect substrates, etc.), and various process sequences are described. The resilient contact structures described herein are ideal for making a “temporary” (probe) connections to an electronic component such as a semiconductor die, for burn-in and functional testing. The self-same resilient contact structures can be used for subsequent permanent mounting of the electronic component, such as by soldering to a printed circuit board (PCB). An irregular topography can be created on or imparted to the tip of the contact structure to enhance its ability to interconnect resiliently with another electronic component. Among the numerous advantages of the present invention is the great facility with which the tips of a plurality of contact structures can be made to be coplanar with one another. Other techniques and embodiments, such as wherein the falsework wirestem protrudes beyond an end of the superstructure, or is melted down, and wherein multiple free-standing resilient contact structures can be fabricated from loops, are described.

公开(公告)号：US20070126440A1

公开(公告)日：2007-06-07

申请号：US11551545

申请日：2006-10-20

Applicant: Eric Hobbs ,  Alexander Slocum ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Keith Breinlinger ,  Shawn Powell

Inventor： Eric Hobbs ,  Alexander Slocum ,  Benjamin Eldridge ,  Keith Breinlinger ,  Shawn Powell

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R31/2893

Abstract: A probe card assembly can comprise a probe head assembly and a wiring substrate. The probe head assembly can comprise a plurality of probes disposed to contact an electronic device disposed on a holder in a test housing. The wiring substrate can include an electrical interface to a test controller and a plurality of electrical wiring composing electrical paths between the electrical interface and ones of the probes, and the wiring substrate can comprise a first portion on which the electrical interface is disposed and a second portion composing the probe head assembly. The second portion of the wiring substrate can be moveable with respect to the first portion of the wiring substrate.

Abstract translation: 探针卡组件可以包括探针头组件和布线衬底。 探针头组件可以包括多个探针，其设置成接触设置在测试壳体中的保持器上的电子设备。 布线基板可以包括与测试控制器的电接口以及构成电接口和探针之间的电气路径的多个电线，并且布线基板可以包括其上设置有电接口的第一部分和第二部分 组成探头组件的部分。 布线基板的第二部分能够相对于布线基板的第一部分移动。

公开(公告)号：US20070126435A1

公开(公告)日：2007-06-07

申请号：US11164737

申请日：2005-12-02

Applicant: Benjamin Eldridge ,  Eric Hobbs ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Alexander Slocum

Inventor： Benjamin Eldridge ,  Eric Hobbs ,  Gaetan Mathieu ,  Makarand Shinde ,  Alexander Slocum

IPC: G01R31/02

CPC classification number: G01R31/2891 ,  G01R31/31905

Abstract: Probes of a probe card assembly can be adjusted with respect to an element of the probe card assembly, which can be an element of the probe card assembly that facilitates mounting of the probe card assembly to a test apparatus. The probe card assembly can then be mounted in a test apparatus, and an orientation of the probe card assembly can be adjusted with respect to the test apparatus, such as a structural part of the test apparatus or a structural element attached to the test apparatus.

Abstract translation: 可以相对于探针卡组件的元件调整探针卡组件的探针，探针卡组件可以是探针卡组件的元件，其有助于将探针卡组件安装到测试装置。 然后可以将探针卡组件安装在测试装置中，并且可以相对于测试装置（例如测试装置的结构部分或连接到测试装置的结构元件）来调整探针卡组件的取向。