IC device inspection apparatus

• US 6,377,064 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation (Renesas Electronics Corporation), Y.A.C. Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation, Y.A.C. Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoshida, Keisuke, Tsujino, Kazuya, Kawaguchi, Kazuhiro, Kurosu, Osamu, Takata, Yasuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jimmy
• Application Number:
  US09/607,165
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 324/760, 324/754, 324/158.1, 209/537, 713/312
• US Class Current: 324/750.08
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/20 using galvano-magnetic devices, e.g. Hall-effect devices , i.e. measuring a magnetic field via the interaction between a current and a magnetic field, e.g. magneto resistive or Hall effect devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/01 Subjecting similar articles in turn to test, e.g. "go/no-go" tests in mass production; Testing objects at points as they pass through a testing station testing of cables continuously passing the testing apparatus G01R31/59; testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage G01R31/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2851 Testing of integrated circuits [IC] G01R31/317 takes precedence; testing individual devices G01R31/26; testing printed circuits G01R31/2801
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2875 related to heating

Abstract

An IC device to be inspected is received in a chamber, and an IC tester Judges performance of the IC device. An electrical connection device is arranged outside the chamber and has a conductive passage electrically connecting between the IC tester and the IC device. An IC socket is retained on the electrical connection device, for having the IC device inserted therein. A magnetometric sensor is arranged close to the conductive passage of the electrical connection device, for detecting a magnetic field generated when electric current is supplied to the IC device. A temperature control device controls a temperature of the IC device. A control unit controls the temperature control device based on a signal delivered from the magnetometric sensor, to maintain the temperature of the IC device within a predetermined temperature range.

Claims

1. An IC device inspection apparatus comprising:

a chamber for receiving therein an IC device to be inspected;

an IC tester for judging performance of said IC device;

electrical connection means arranged outside said chamber and having a conductive passage electrically connecting between said IC tester and said IC device;

an IC socket retained on said electrical connection means, for having said IC device inserted therein;

magnetometric detection means arranged close to said conductive passage of said electrical connection means, for detecting a magnetic field generated when electric current is supplied from said IC tester to said IC device;

temperature control means for controlling a temperature of said IC device; and

control means for controlling said temperature control means based on a signal delivered from said magnetometric detection means, to maintain said temperature of said IC device within a predetermined temperature range.

2. An IC device inspection apparatus according to claim 1, including conversion means for converting said signal delivered from said magnetometric detection means to information indicative of an amount of heat generated by said IC device, and

wherein said control means controls said temperature control means based on said information from said conversion means, to maintain said temperature of said IC device within said predetermined temperature range.

3. An IC device temperature control system according to claim 2, said temperature control means comprises cold air supply means for supplying a jet of cold air to said IC device, and

wherein said control means controls both of a time period over which said jet of cold air is supplied to said IC device and a flow rate of said Jet of said cold air, in a feed forward manner based on said information from said conversion means.

4. An IC device inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamber has a bottom plate formed with an opening extending therethrough, said IC socket being inserted in said opening, said magnetometric detection means being mounted on an underside of said bottom plate.

5. An IC device inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical connection means comprises a printed circuit board.