Massively parallel interface for electronic circuit
First Claim
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
- providing an interface assembly comprising at least one test electronics module to make electrical connections with a test apparatus;
configuring a first side of a probe card assembly to make electrical connections with said test electronics modules;
configuring a plurality of probes on a second side of said probe card assembly to make electrical connections with at least one semiconductor device; and
configuring test electronics to receive as input signals received from any of said test apparatus and said semiconductor device, process said received signals there within, and output said processed received signals, at least a portion of said test electronics being disposed on said test electronics modules,wherein said test electronics comprise any of passive components, active components, and combinations thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Several embodiments of massively parallel interface structures are disclosed, which may be used in a wide variety of permanent or temporary applications, such as for interconnecting integrated circuits (ICs) to test and burn-in equipment, for interconnecting modules within electronic devices, for interconnecting computers and other peripheral devices within a network, or for interconnecting other electronic circuitry. Preferred embodiments of the massively parallel interface structures provide massively parallel integrated circuit test assemblies. The massively parallel interface structures preferably use one or more substrates to establish connections between one or more integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer, and one or more test modules. One or more layers on the intermediate substrates preferably include MEMS and/or thin-film fabricated spring probes. The parallel interface assemblies provide tight signal pad pitch and compliance, and preferably enable the parallel testing or burn-in of multiple ICs, using commercial wafer probing equipment. In some preferred embodiments, the parallel interface assembly structures include separable standard electrical connector components, which reduces assembly manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. These structures and assemblies enable high speed testing in wafer form.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing an interface assembly comprising at least one test electronics module to make electrical connections with a test apparatus; configuring a first side of a probe card assembly to make electrical connections with said test electronics modules; configuring a plurality of probes on a second side of said probe card assembly to make electrical connections with at least one semiconductor device; and configuring test electronics to receive as input signals received from any of said test apparatus and said semiconductor device, process said received signals there within, and output said processed received signals, at least a portion of said test electronics being disposed on said test electronics modules, wherein said test electronics comprise any of passive components, active components, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A probe card assembly, comprising;
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an interface assembly comprising at least one test electronics module for making electrical connections with a test apparatus; a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said substrate further comprising electrical contacts that are electrically connected to said test electronics modules and extend from said first side to probes located on and extending from said second side, said probes configured to electrically contact at least one semiconductor device; and test electronics configured to receive as input signals received from any of said test apparatus and said semiconductor device, process said received signals there within, and output said processed received signals, at least a portion of said test electronics being located on said test electronics modules wherein said test electronics comprise any of passive components, active components, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A probe card assembly, comprising;
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an interface assembly comprising at least one test electronics module for making electrical connections with a test apparatus; a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said substrate further comprising electrical contacts that are electrically connected to said test electronics modules and extend from said first side to probes located on and extending from said second side, said probes configured to electrically contact at least one semiconductor device; test electronics configured to receive as input signals received from any of said test apparatus and said semiconductor device, process said received signals there within, and output said processed received signals, at least a portion of said test electronics being located on said test electronics modules; and an interposer configured any of or both of between said system board and said substrate and between said test electronics module and said system board.
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Specification