Abstract:
A probe system for providing signal paths between an integrated circuit (IC) tester and input/output, power and ground pads on the surfaces of ICs to be tested includes a probe board assembly, a flex cable and a set of probes arranged to contact the IC's I/O pads. The probe board assembly includes one or more rigid substrate layers with traces and vias formed on or within the substrate layers providing relatively low bandwidth signal paths linking the tester to probes accessing some of the IC's pads. The flex cable provides relatively high bandwidth signal paths linking the tester to probes accessing others of the IC's pads. A flex strip may alternatively be disposed behind a substrate with probes.
Abstract:
A probe system for providing signal paths between an integrated circuit (IC) tester (52) and input/output, power and ground pads (54) on the surfaces of ICs (56) to be tested includes a probe board assembly (50), a flex cable (86) and a set of probes (80) arranged to contact the IC's I/O pads (54). The probe board assembly (50) includes one or more rigid substrate layers (60, 62, 64) with traces and vias formed on or within the substrate layers providing relatively low bandwidth signal paths linking the tester (52) to probes (80) accessing some of the IC's pads (54). The flex cable (86) provides relatively high bandwidth signal paths linking the tester (52) to probes (80) accessing others of the IC's pads (54). A flex strip may alternatively be disposed behind a substrate with probes.
Abstract:
A method of designing and manufacturing a probe card assembly includes prefabricating one or more elements of the probe card assembly to one or more predefined designs. Thereafter, design data regarding a newly designed semiconductor device is received along with data describing the tester and testing algorithms to be used to test the semiconductor device. Using the received data, one or more of the prefabricated elements is selected. Again using the received data, one or more of the selected prefabricated elements is customized. The probe card assembly is then built using the selected and customized elements.
Abstract:
A method of designing and manufacturing a probe card assembly includes prefabricating one or more elements of the probe card assembly to one or more predefined designs. Thereafter, design data regarding a newly designed semiconductor device is received along with data describing the tester and testing algorithms to be used to test the semiconductor device. Using the received data, one or more of the prefabricated elements is selected. Again using the received data, one or more of the selected prefabricated elements is customized. The probe card assembly is then built using the selected and customized elements.
Abstract:
A method of designing and manufacturing a probe card assembly includes prefabricating one or more elements of the probe card assembly to one or more predefined designs. Thereafter, design data regarding a newly designed semiconductor device is received along with data describing the tester and testing algorithms to be used to test the semiconductor device. Using the received data, one or more of the prefabricated elements is selected. Again using the received data, one or more of the selected prefabricated elements is customized. The probe card assembly is then built using the selected and customized elements.
Abstract:
A probe system for providing signal paths between an integrated circuit (IC) tester (52) and input/output, power and ground pads (54) on the surfaces of ICs (56) to be tested includes a probe board assembly (50), a flex cable (86) and a set of probes (80) arranged to contact the IC's I/O pads (54). The probe board assembly (50) includes one or more rigid substrate layers (60, 62, 64) with traces and vias formed on or within the substrate layers providing relatively low bandwidth signal paths linking the tester (52) to probes (80) accessing some of the IC's pads (54). The flex cable (86) provides relatively high bandwidth signal paths linking the tester (52) to probes (80) accessing others of the IC's pads (54). A flex strip may alternatively be disposed behind a substrate with probes.