Method of manufacturing and testing an electronic device, and an electronic device

• US 6,359,561 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuttle, Mark E., Lake, Rickie C., Medlen, Curtis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/767,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20010002106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/10.42, 340/825.54, 361/749, 361/750, 361/751, 174/254, 298/46
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/70 Testing of connections between components and printed circuit boards G01R31/68 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0268 for electrical inspection or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10037 Printed or non-printed battery
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/173 Adding connections between adjacent pads or conductors, e.g. for modifying or repairing programmable, customizable or modifiable circuits H05K1/0286
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/321 by conductive adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

A method of manufacturing and testing an electronic circuit, the method comprising forming a plurality of conductive traces on a substrate and providing a gap in one of the conductive traces; attaching a circuit component to the substrate and coupling the circuit component to at least one of the conductive traces; supporting a battery on the substrate, and coupling the battery to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces, circuit component, and battery, but for the gap; verifying electrical connections by performing an in circuit test, after the circuit component is attached and the battery is supported; and employing a jumper to electrically close the gap, and complete the circuit, after verifying electrical connections. An electronic circuit comprising a substrate; a plurality of conductive traces on the substrate, with a gap in one of the conductive traces; a circuit component attached to the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces; a battery supported on the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces, circuit component, and battery, but for the gap; and a jumper electrically closing the gap and completing the circuit, the jumper comprising conductive epoxy.

Claims

1. An electronic circuit comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of conductive traces on the substrate, with a gap in one of the conductive traces;

a circuit component supported by the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces;

a power source supported by the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces, circuit component, and power source, but for the gap; and

a jumper electrically closing the gap, and completing the circuit when the circuit is in operation, the jumper comprising conductive epoxy.

2. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the jumper comprises conductive epoxy having a resistance of less than 1000 ohms prior to curing.

3. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the jumper comprises a conductor across the gap and wherein the conductive epoxy couples the conductor to the conductive traces on either side of the gap.

4. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the jumper comprises a resistor across the gap and wherein the conductive epoxy couples the resistor to the conductive traces on either side of the gap.

5. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the size of the gap is approximately 30 thousandths of an inch.

6. An electronic circuit comprising:

a substrate;

first and second conductive traces on the substrate, the first trace having a first portion and the second trace having a second portion spaced apart from the first portion;

an integrated circuit, including a processor, supported by the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces;

a power source coupled to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces, circuit component, and power source, if the first portion was coupled to the second portion; and

a jumper electrically closing the gap, the jumper comprising conductive epoxy.

7. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein the battery is mechanically supported from the substrate by epoxy.

8. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein the battery is electrically coupled to one of the conductive traces by conductive epoxy.

9. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein the distance between the first and second portions is equal to or less than 30 mils.

10. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein the circuit component comprises an integrated circuit.

11. An electronic circuit comprising:

a substrate;

first and second conductive traces on the substrate, the first trace having a first portion and the second portion spaced apart from the first portion;

a circuit component attached to an integrated circuit, including a microprocessor, supported by the substrate and coupled to at least one of the conductive traces;

a power source coupled to at least one of the conductive traces, wherein a completed circuit would be defined, including the traces circuit component, and power source, if the first portion was coupled to the second portion;

conductive epoxy at least in part supporting the battery from the substrate; and

a jumper electrically closing the gap, and completing the circuit when the circuit is in operation, the jumper comprising conductive epoxy.

12. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion by a distance that is sufficiently small so as to be capable of being bridged by a drop of conductive epoxy.

13. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion by 30 mils or less.

14. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion by a distance that is sufficiently small so as to be capable of being bridged by a drop of conductive epoxy having a resistance of less than 1000 ohms within 500 milliseconds of being dispensed.

15. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the conductive epoxy is on the first and second portions and wherein the jumper further comprises a metal conductor between the conductive epoxy on the first and second portions.

16. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the conductive epoxy is on the first and second portions and wherein the jumper further comprises a resistor between the conductive epoxy on the first and second portions.

17. An electronic circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein the battery is electrically coupled to at least one of the traces by the conductive epoxy.