Integrated Tester Chip Using Die Packaging Technologies
First Claim
1. A tester chip containing a test circuit operable for testing any one of a number of different operational circuits, wherein said different operational circuits are mounted in a same IC package with said test circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
By constructing a universal test circuit on a tester chip, and stacking the tester chip in an IC package together with operational circuit chips to be tested, the problems inherent with external IC testing are reduced. The tester chip can be standardized across a number of different chip combinations and, if desired, pre-programmed during manufacturing for a particular package. The tester chip interfaces to other chips in the stack advantageously are standardized.
19 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A tester chip containing a test circuit operable for testing any one of a number of different operational circuits, wherein said different operational circuits are mounted in a same IC package with said test circuit.
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8. A method for testing a stacked IC device within an IC package, said method comprising:
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positioning a plurality of chips on a plurality of tiers of said stacked IC package, said positioning comprising electrically coupling said plurality of chips such that said coupled chips function as a device; and testing a function of said device under control of at least one of said interconnected chips. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An IC package comprising:
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at least one operational circuit constructed on a first chip; and a test circuit constructed on a second chip that is coupled to the first chip, said test circuit capable of testing said operational circuit, as well as a plurality of different types of operational circuits. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for constructing a stacked IC device, said method comprising:
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selecting a plurality of different chips; selecting at least one tester chip capable of testing a plurality of different combinations of coupled chips; and stacking said chips, including said tester chip, such that portions of said chips become electrically coupled, wherein said stacked chips form said stacked IC device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification