Bi-Directional Buffer For Interfacing Test System Channel
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Abstract
An emitter follower or source follower transistor is provided in the channel of a wafer test system between a DUT and a test system controller to enable a low power DUT to drive a test system channel. A bypass resistor is included between the base and emitter of the emitter follower transistor to enable bi-directional signals to be provided between the DUT channel and test system controller, as well as to enable parametric tests to be performed. The emitter follower transistor and bypass resistor can be provided on the probe card, with a pull down termination circuit included in the test system controller. The test system controller can provide compensation for the base to emitter voltage drop of the emitter follower transistor.
30 Citations
35 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. :
- A probe card apparatus comprising;
a plurality of electrical connections to communications channels to a tester for testing an electronic device;
a plurality of probes disposed to contact the electronic device; and
in a first communication channel, a first amplifier for amplifying a signal output by the electronic device and received at a first of the probes, the first amplifier providing the amplified signal to a first of the communications channels, and a first by-pass electrical path for providing an electrical path to the first of the probes by-passing the first amplifier for test signals output by the tester and received at the first connection to the first of the communications channels. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- A probe card apparatus comprising;
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28. :
- The probe card apparatus of claim 28 a, wherein the first communication channel is passively bi-directional.
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29. :
- A method of testing an electronic device, the method comprising;
providing a plurality of test signals from a tester for controlling testing of the electronic device through ones of communications channels between the tester and the electronic device, the providing comprising providing one of the test signals through a first by-pass path of a first of the communications channels to a first probe in contact with the electronic device; and
amplifying an output signal output by the electronic device and received at the first probe; and
providing the amplified output signal to the tester through the first communications channel, wherein the first by-pass path by-passes the first amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
- A method of testing an electronic device, the method comprising;
Specification