Method and Apparatus for Contact-less Testing of RFID Straps
First Claim
1. A method of batch testing RFID straps arranged on a carrier web in a closely spaced relationship, each RFID strap including at least two terminal pads exposed on the carrier web and an RFID chip with contact bumps each connected to one of the terminal pads, comprising the steps of moving the carrier web so as to align all RFID straps in a batch with corresponding test probes of a test equipment, moving each test probe transversely to the moving direction of the carrier web into close proximity with a corresponding RFID strap, establishing a capacitive coupling between test electrodes on each test probe and the terminal pads of a corresponding RFID strap, transmitting test signals from each test probe to a corresponding RFID strap, and receiving response signals at each test probe from a corresponding RFID strap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for batch testing of RFID straps are provided. The RFID straps are arranged on a carrier web in a closely spaced relationship, where each strap includes two terminal pads exposed on the carrier web and an RFID chip. The carrier web is moved so as to align all straps in a batch with corresponding test probes of a test equipment. Each test probe is moved transversely to the moving direction of the carrier web into close proximity with a corresponding strap. A capacitive coupling is established between test electrodes on each test probe and the terminal pads of a corresponding strap. Test signals are then transmitted from each test probe to a corresponding strap, and response signals are received at each test probe from a corresponding strap for evaluation by the test equipment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of batch testing RFID straps arranged on a carrier web in a closely spaced relationship, each RFID strap including at least two terminal pads exposed on the carrier web and an RFID chip with contact bumps each connected to one of the terminal pads, comprising the steps of
moving the carrier web so as to align all RFID straps in a batch with corresponding test probes of a test equipment, moving each test probe transversely to the moving direction of the carrier web into close proximity with a corresponding RFID strap, establishing a capacitive coupling between test electrodes on each test probe and the terminal pads of a corresponding RFID strap, transmitting test signals from each test probe to a corresponding RFID strap, and receiving response signals at each test probe from a corresponding RFID strap.
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11. Apparatus for batch testing RFID straps arranged on a carrier web in a closely spaced relationship, each RFID strap including a pair of terminal pads exposed on the carrier web and an RFID chip with contact bumps each connected to one of said terminal pads, comprising:
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a test head that has a plurality of test probes arranged in an array corresponding to an array of RFID straps in a batch on the carrier web, each test probe having a pair of test electrodes adapted to be aligned with the terminal pads of a corresponding RFID strap;
means for indexing the carrier web so as to successively expose batches of RFID straps to the test head; and
means for moving the test head transversely to the moving direction of the carrier web into close proximity with the RFID straps on the carrier web so as to establish a capacitive coupling between each pair of test electrodes in a test probe and a pair of terminal pads of a corresponding RFID strap. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification