Picosecond imaging circuit analysis probe and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for testing an integrated circuit, comprising:
- a test controller;
a probe card having a combination of electrically conductive probes coupled to the test controller and one or more optical fibers aligned with one or more test structures in the integrated circuit, the probe card including a substrate having a plurality of electrical conductors, the electrically conductive probes being coupled to the electrical conductors and extending from the substrate, the one or more optical fibers being supported by the substrate;
one or more photo-diodes optically coupled to the respective one or more optical fibers; and
one or more counters coupled to the respective photo-diodes configured and arranged to time-resolve photoemissions from the respective one or more test structures.
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method are provided for testing an integrated circuit with a probe card having optical fibers. The optical fibers of the probe card are fixed in alignment with test structures in the integrated circuit, and each optical fiber is coupled to an avalanche photo-diode for measuring photoemissions from the test structures. The photoemissions can be analyzed to verify correct circuit behavior. The optical fibers can be alternatives or complements to electrically conductive probes of the probe card.
40 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for testing an integrated circuit, comprising:
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a test controller;
a probe card having a combination of electrically conductive probes coupled to the test controller and one or more optical fibers aligned with one or more test structures in the integrated circuit, the probe card including a substrate having a plurality of electrical conductors, the electrically conductive probes being coupled to the electrical conductors and extending from the substrate, the one or more optical fibers being supported by the substrate;
one or more photo-diodes optically coupled to the respective one or more optical fibers; and
one or more counters coupled to the respective photo-diodes configured and arranged to time-resolve photoemissions from the respective one or more test structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A process for testing an integrated circuit with a test controller, comprising:
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aligning a probe card with the integrated circuit, the probe card having one or more optical fibers aligned with one or more test structures in the integrated circuit and a plurality of electrically conductive probes aligned with respective contact pads of the integrated circuit, the probe card including a substrate having a plurality of electrical conductors, the electrically conductive probes being coupled to the electrical conductors and extending from the substrate, the one or more optical fibers being supported by the substrate;
coupling the one or more optical fibers to one or more respective photo-diodes;
applying electrical signals to the integrated circuit via the probes;
detecting photo-emissions from the one or more test structures with the photo-diode; and
measuring a duration of time between occurrence of a selected output signal from a test controller and an output signal from the photo-diode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification