Semiconductor programming and testing method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A system for testing and/or programming at least one integrated circuit, comprising:
- a controller;
a memory coupled to said controller by a first bus characterized by a first bandwidth, wherein said memory stores testing and/or programming information received from said controller via said first bus; and
a plurality of circuit modules that are capable of coupling via a third bus to test and/or program at least one integrated circuit based on the testing and/or programming information stored in said memory, wherein said third bus is capable of operating at a third bandwidth greater than said first bandwidth of said first bus.
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Abstract
Systems and methods relating to semiconductor testing and programming, including semiconductor-chip testing apparatuses, semiconductor-chip programming apparatuses, semiconductor testing integrated-circuit chips (“TIC'"'"'s”), employable in testing and/or programming semiconductor integrated circuits. Such TICS may be full testers, capable of performing tests such as AC, DC, functional, and mixed signal (analog) tests, and/or may be capable of performing design verification and/or characterization.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A system for testing and/or programming at least one integrated circuit, comprising:
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a controller;
a memory coupled to said controller by a first bus characterized by a first bandwidth, wherein said memory stores testing and/or programming information received from said controller via said first bus; and
a plurality of circuit modules that are capable of coupling via a third bus to test and/or program at least one integrated circuit based on the testing and/or programming information stored in said memory, wherein said third bus is capable of operating at a third bandwidth greater than said first bandwidth of said first bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 54)
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22. A method for programming and/or testing at least one integrated circuit, the method comprising:
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storing in a memory testing and/or programming information received from a controller via a first bus characterized by a first bandwidth;
accessing the stored testing and/or programming information; and
communicating testing and/or programming signals with said at least one integrated circuit to test and/or program said at least one integrated circuit, the testing and/or programming signals being transmitted to said at least one integrated circuit at a third bandwidth greater than said first bandwidth, said testing and/or programming signals being based on the testing and/or programming information accessed from said memory. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 55, 56, 57)
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26. A system for programming and/or testing at least one integrated circuit, the system comprising:
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means for storing testing and/or programming information received from a controller via a first communication link characterized by a first bandwidth; and
means for communicating testing and/or programming signals with said at least one integrated circuit to test and/or program said at least one integrated circuit, the testing and/or programming signals being transmitted to said at least one integrated circuit at a third bandwidth greater than said first bandwidth, said testing and/or programming signals being based on the testing and/or programming information accessed from said means for storing.
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29. A testing and/or programming circuit module for testing and/or programming at least one integrated circuit, comprising:
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a plurality of configurable pin channels each capable of being coupled to a respective node of said at least one integrated circuit;
a control circuit that is operative in coordinating the communication by each of the configurable pin channels with the respective nodes of testing and/or programming signals based on testing and/or programming information stored in a memory.
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45. A system for testing and/or programming at least one integrated circuit, comprising:
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a controller that (i) generates test patterns and/or control signals for testing the at least one integrated circuit and/or (ii) stores program code and/or control signals for programming the at least one integrated circuit; and
a plurality of circuit modules that are coupled to said controller and each include a plurality of pin channels that are capable of being coupled to a respective node of said at least one integrated circuit, each circuit module including circuitry to provide at least DC, AC, and functional testing operations and/or programming based on the test patterns, control signals, and/or program code generated and/or stored by said controller.
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48. A method for testing a plurality of integrated circuits, comprising:
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conducting a burn-in operation on said plurality of integrated circuits located in a burn-in oven; and
performing AC, DC, and functional testing on said plurality of integrated circuits while conducting the burn-in operation.
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50. A method for programming a plurality of integrated circuits, comprising:
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conducting a burn-in operation on said plurality of integrated circuits located in a burn-in oven; and
programming said plurality of integrated circuits while located in the burn-in oven. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. A system for testing and/or programming at least one integrated circuit, comprising:
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a controller that (i) generates test patterns and/or control signals for testing the at least one integrated circuit and/or (ii) stores program code and/or control signals for programming the at least one integrated circuit; and
a plurality of circuit modules that are coupled to said controller and each include a plurality of pin channels that are capable of being coupled to a respective node of said at least one integrated circuit, each circuit module testing and/or programming said at least one integrated circuit at the speed specified by said at least one integrated circuit, the testing and/or programming based on the test patterns, control signals, and/or program code generated and/or stored by said controller.
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Specification