Integrated or intrapackage capability for testing electrical continuity between an integrated circuit and other circuitry
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit comprising:
- a bonding pad; and
a test probe integrated within the integrated circuit, the test probe positioned to enable magnetic but not ohmic coupling between the test probe and the bonding pad, the test probe adapted for electrical coupling to the integrated circuit, thereby enabling a signal, generated externally of the integrated circuit, to be coupled between the bonding pad and the test probe when no power is being applied to operate the integrated circuit for evaluating electrical continuity of the bonding pad.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electromagnetic probe is integrated within an integrated circuit or mounted within an IC package to provide a capability for testing continuity between the integrated circuit and a substrate to which the integrated circuit is mounted. In a first embodiment, capacitive test probes are integrated within the integrated circuit, underneath bonding pads. In a second embodiment, Hall-effect devices are integrated within the integrated circuit underneath bonding pads. In a third embodiment, an inductive loop is integrated within the integrated circuit underneath bonding pads. In a fourth embodiment, an IC package assembly includes an internal capacitive test probe for electrical continuity testing. An internal shield may also be used as a capacitive test probe. In a fifth embodiment, an IC package assembly includes an inductive loop within the package for electrical continuity testing. The integrated or intrapackage test probes provide electromagnetic coupling to bonding pads or to a lead frame and to bonding wires (if present), to detect whether there is electrical continuity between an integrated circuit bonding pad or lead frame and conductors on an external substrate. The integrated or intrapackage test probes enable continuity testing for direct-bonding with no package, or for a package assembly even if the package assembly includes grounded shielding or a grounded heat sink.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a bonding pad; and a test probe integrated within the integrated circuit, the test probe positioned to enable magnetic but not ohmic coupling between the test probe and the bonding pad, the test probe adapted for electrical coupling to the integrated circuit, thereby enabling a signal, generated externally of the integrated circuit, to be coupled between the bonding pad and the test probe when no power is being applied to operate the integrated circuit for evaluating electrical continuity of the bonding pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A package for an integrated circuit, the package comprising:
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a lead conductively attached to the integrated circuit; and a test probe located interior to the package and external to the integrated circuit, the test probe not making ohmic contact with the lead, the test probe positioned to enable electromagnetic coupling between the test probe and the lead, the test probe configured such that the electromagnetic coupling is minimized between the test probe and circuitry within the integrated circuit other than the lead, the test probe further configured to be electrically coupled externally of the package, thereby enabling a signal, generated externally of the package, to be coupled to the lead through the test probe. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for evaluating electrical continuity of a bonding pad of an integrated circuit comprising the steps of:
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providing an integrated circuit having a bonding pad; providing a test probe; positioning the test probe within the integrated circuit such that the test probe is positioned to enable magnetic but not ohmic coupling with the bonding pad, the test probe being adapted for electrical coupling to the integrated circuit; generating a signal externally of the integrated circuit; applying the signal to the test probe; coupling the bonding pad and the test probe when no power is being applied to operate the integrated circuit; and evaluating a response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for evaluating electrical continuity of a lead of an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being provided within a package, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a package having an integrated circuit therein, the integrated circuit having a lead conductively attached to the integrated circuit; providing a test probe; positioning the test probe interior to the package and external to the integrated circuit such that the test probe does not make ohmic contact with the lead, while being positioned to enable electromagnetic coupling between the test probe and the lead, the test probe being configured such that the electromagnetic coupling is minimized between the test probe and circuitry within the integrated circuit other than the lead; electrically coupling the test probe externally of the package; generating a signal externally of the package; coupling the signal to the lead through the test probe; and evaluating a response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification