Multi-channel fast and efficient cable detection device based on ATE equipment

Abstract

A kind of multi-channel quick and efficient cable detection method based on ATE equipment, for detecting the connection state and impedance precision test of cable connected between several PIN pins of ATE equipment and corresponding pins of wafer test card;It includes for detecting the pressure detection circuit for detecting the cable continuity, for detecting whether the cable meets the impedance requirement flow detection circuit and CBIT control circuit, CBIT control circuit includes master control chip and optocoupler switch, the master control chip output CBIT control signal controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch.Therefore, the special design cable detection device with a large number of CBIT signals to control a large number of detection circuits can quickly and efficiently detect a large number of cables, and not only can detect the continuity of cable, but also can detect whether there is short circuit between the two cores of double-core cable and the impedance precision of each cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) for integrated circuits (ICs), and relates to a multi-channel fast and efficient cable testing method based on ATE equipment. Background Technology

[0002] ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) devices typically have tens of thousands of pins, requiring a large number of cables to connect to the wafer test cards. A single ATE device requires a significant amount of cable, and mass production necessitates an even greater quantity. Furthermore, the cables used in ATE equipment are precision components that are highly susceptible to damage during transport. Damaged cables are often difficult to detect visually, necessitating the inspection and screening of both good and bad cables.

[0003] On the other hand, the installation of cables with tens of thousands of pins on each ATE device is also very prone to problems, and wafer manufacturers have to find third parties to check the status of the cables after installation, which increases costs and is also time-consuming.

[0004] Therefore, in actual use, there are two issues: whether the delivered cable is damaged and whether the installed cable is reliable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a multi-channel fast and efficient cable testing device based on ATE equipment. This device is used to quickly and efficiently detect whether a large number of precision cables are damaged after transportation, and to verify the reliability of the connection between the massive number of pins in the ATE equipment and the cable pins.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment is used to test the connection status and impedance accuracy of cables connected to several pins of the ATE equipment and corresponding pins of a wafer test card; it includes:

[0008] M cables, with M pins at one end of the M cables connected to M corresponding PIN pins of the ATE device, and M pins at the other end of the M cables respectively connected to the measurement chip and M pins of the cable detection device;

[0009] A pressure detection circuit is used to detect the continuity of the cable;

[0010] A short-circuit detection circuit is used to detect whether the cable is short-circuited to ground;

[0011] A current-measuring detection circuit is used to detect whether the cable meets the impedance requirements.

[0012] The CBIT control circuit includes a main control chip and an optocoupler switch. The main control chip outputs a CBIT control signal to control the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch.

[0013] The voltage detection circuit divides the M cables into two groups. One end of one cable in one group is connected to one end of a corresponding cable in the other group via an optocoupler switch, forming M / 2 paths. One end of each path serves as the transmitting end, and the other end serves as the receiving end. The ATE device outputs voltage VA to the transmitting end of each path. The main control chip controls the CBIT control signal output by the optocoupler switch to detect the voltage VB at the receiving end of the path. The difference between voltage VA and voltage VB is compared to determine whether there is an open circuit in the two cables of the path.

[0014] Furthermore, the short-circuit detection circuit includes a power supply VCC, a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a first group selection module, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, N1 optocoupler switches, and a ground terminal. The first group selection module divides the M cables into N1 DGS groups. The first group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switches in each DGS group. Multiple cables in each DGS group are connected in parallel. The first resistor R1, the optocoupler switches, and the second resistor R2 are connected in series between the power supply VCC and the ground terminal. The third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are connected in series between the ground terminal. The connection point of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 is the short-circuit detection point M1.

[0015] When the optocoupler switch is turned on, the voltage Vm at point M1 is measured, and at this time Vm=0;

[0016] When the optocoupler switch is closed, the voltage Vm at point M1 is measured:

[0017] Under normal circumstances: Vm = VCC * (R2 / R1 + R2) * (R4 / R3 + R4);

[0018] If there is a short circuit to ground: Vm=0, it means that more than one cable in the DGS group is short-circuited to ground.

[0019] Furthermore, the current measurement detection circuit includes a second group selection module, which divides the M cables into N2 cable groups. The second group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch in each cable group. One end of multiple cables in each cable group is connected together. Each cable group includes a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, and an optocoupler switch. The fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 are connected together. One end of the fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 is connected to a first voltage-applied terminal, and the other end is connected to the first end of the cable group. The second end of the cable group is connected to one end of the optocoupler switch, and the other end of the optocoupler switch is connected to a second voltage-applied terminal.

[0020] During measurement, voltage VI is applied to the first voltage-applying terminal, and voltage Vh is applied to the second voltage-applying terminal. The optocoupler switch is closed, and the current is measured simultaneously at both the first and second voltage-applying terminals. If the currents are equal and their values ​​are approximately equal to the set value, the cable is considered normal. If the measured current is less than the set current value I, it indicates that the cable impedance is too high and there is an abnormality. The set current value I is:

[0021] Current I = (Vh - Vl) / Rk, Rk = R5 / / 6 + the impedance of the cable itself.

[0022] Furthermore, the multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment further includes a cable group connector and a cable group adapter. The cable group connector is fixed on the multi-channel cable testing device. The cable group adapter includes a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is plugged into the cable group connector, and the second interface is customized according to the cable. The second interface side is provided with a plug-in structure for plugging and unplugging the cable.

[0023] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment of the present invention uses an auxiliary device in conjunction with the voltage and current input and output detection capabilities of the ATE equipment itself to achieve a multi-channel fast and efficient cable testing solution, so as to quickly test the cable before installation, screen out faulty cables, avoid rework after installation, and conduct regular cable testing after installation.

[0024] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of a testing device for the connection status and accuracy of cable connectors in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the cable adapter in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic of the pressure detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4The diagram shown is a schematic of a short-circuit detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the current measurement and detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] It should be noted that the present invention provides a multi-channel fast and efficient testing device for ATE equipment cables. The device includes a CBIT control circuit, a large number of voltage testing circuits, a large number of current testing circuits, and a large number of short-circuit testing circuits. Each testing circuit tests a group of lines. The purpose is to control each testing circuit through a large number of CBIT signals, thereby achieving fast and efficient cable testing.

[0030] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below.

[0031] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of a testing device for the connection status and accuracy of cable connectors in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, this device is used to test the cable connection status and impedance accuracy between several pins connected to the ATE equipment and the corresponding pins of the wafer test card. Typically, ATE equipment has tens of thousands of pins, which usually require tens of thousands of cables to connect to the wafer test card. The M cables mentioned are in the tens of thousands.

[0032] One end of the M cables has M pins connected to the corresponding M pins of the ATE device, and the other end of the M cables has M pins connected to the measurement chip and the M pins of the cable detection device, respectively.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the cable adapter in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, in the ATE equipment cable multi-channel fast and efficient testing device (shown as an auxiliary device in the figure), a cable group terminal block and a cable group adapter can be added. The cable group terminal block is fixed on the multi-channel cable testing device. The cable group adapter includes a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is plugged into the cable group terminal block, and the second interface is customized according to the cable. The second interface side is provided with a plug-in structure for plugging and unplugging the cable.

[0034] This allows different cable groups to be connected to the auxiliary device for testing; a fixing device is provided on one side that is connected to the terminal block, while the other side is designed with a flexible plug-in structure to facilitate quick plugging and unplugging of cables for rapid testing.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the multi-channel cable detection device based on ATE equipment includes a voltage detection circuit for detecting the continuity of the cable, a short-circuit detection circuit for detecting whether the cable is short-circuited to ground, a current detection circuit for detecting whether the cable meets the impedance requirements, and a CBIT control circuit. The CBIT control circuit includes a main control chip and an optocoupler switch. The main control chip outputs a CBIT control signal to control the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch.

[0036] Please combine Figure 1 Check Figure 3 , Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic of the pressure detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the pressure testing circuit is used to detect the continuity of the cable.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the CBIT control circuit includes a main control chip and an optocoupler switch, wherein the main control chip outputs a CBIT control signal to control the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch;

[0038] The voltage detection circuit divides the M cables into two groups. One end of one cable in one group is connected to one end of a corresponding cable in the other group via an optocoupler switch, forming M / 2 paths. One end of each path serves as the transmitting end, and the other end serves as the receiving end. The ATE device outputs voltage VA to the transmitting end of each path. The main control chip controls the CBIT control signal output by the optocoupler switch to detect the voltage VB at the receiving end of the path. The difference between voltage VA and voltage VB is compared to determine whether there is an open circuit in the two cables of the path.

[0039] In other words, the cable detection device of this invention includes a CBIT control circuit, similar to a control center. This CBIT control circuit has numerous CBIT control signals, each controlling an optocoupler switch. The optocoupler switch determines whether the detection circuit is activated. The voltage detection circuit first connects two cables to the circuit, one as a transmitter and the other as a receiver. Then, utilizing the built-in output voltage and current and detection voltage and current functions of the ATE equipment itself, one cable transmits voltage while the other detects voltage, thus quickly detecting the continuity of the cable.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the working process of the pressure measurement and detection circuit is as follows:

[0041] When one end of one cable in a set of cables is connected to one end of another corresponding cable in another set via the optocoupler switch, the set of cables includes two cables connected by the optocoupler switch. One cable is a Force line, one end of which can be connected to the Force line (transmitter), and the other cable is a SENSE line, one end of which can be connected to the SENSE line (receiver).

[0042] It should be noted that the two lines can be used interchangeably. Their working principle is as follows:

[0043] ① During measurement, apply voltage VA to the Force line at end A and measure the SENSE line at end B. Close the CBIT control switch. If the measured voltage is VA, the cable is normal.

[0044] ② Apply voltage VB to the Force line at end B, measure the voltage on the SENSE line at end A, and close the CBIT control switch. If the measured voltage is VB, the cable is normal.

[0045] Effect: It can quickly detect the continuity of cables.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic of a short-circuit detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the short-circuit detection circuit includes a power supply VCC, a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a first group selection module, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, N1 optocoupler switches, and a ground terminal. The first group selection module divides the M cables into N1 DGS groups. The first group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switches in each DGS group. Multiple cables in each DGS group are connected in parallel. The first resistor R1, the optocoupler switches, and the second resistor R2 are connected in series between the power supply VCC and the ground terminal. The third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are connected in series between the ground terminal. The third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are connected in series between the second terminal of the DGS group and the ground terminal. The connection point of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 is the short-circuit detection point M1.

[0047] When the optocoupler switch (CBIT switch) is turned on, the voltage Vm at point M1 is measured, and at this time Vm=0;

[0048] When the optocoupler switch is closed (CBIT switch), measure the voltage Vm at point M1:

[0049] Under normal circumstances, Vm = VCC*(R2 / R1+R2)*(R4 / R3+R4) is approximately.

[0050] If there is a short circuit to ground: Vm=0, it means that more than one cable in the DGS group is short-circuited to ground.

[0051] Effect: It can quickly detect whether a cable is short-circuited to ground. When using cables, they are used in conjunction with a ground wire, and there is a probability that a short circuit to ground will occur. The short circuit detection circuit detects this by connecting a group of cables to the circuit, as long as any one of the cables is short-circuited.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic of the current measurement and detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the current measurement detection circuit includes a second group selection module, which divides the M cables into N2 cable groups. The second group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch in each cable group. Each cable group includes a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, and an optocoupler switch. The fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 are connected in parallel. One end of the fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 is connected to a first voltage-applied terminal, and the other end is connected to the first end of the cable group. The second end of the cable group is connected to one end of the optocoupler switch, and the other end of the optocoupler switch is connected to a second voltage-applied terminal.

[0053] During measurement, voltage VI is applied to the first voltage-applying terminal, and voltage Vh is applied to the second voltage-applying terminal. The optocoupler switch is closed, and the current is measured simultaneously at both the first and second voltage-applying terminals. If the currents are equal and their values ​​are approximately equal to the set value, the cable is considered normal. If the measured current is less than the set current value I, it indicates that the cable impedance is too high and there is an abnormality. The set current value I is:

[0054] Current I = (Vh - Vl) / Rk, where Rk = R5 / / 6 + the cable's impedance (approximately 0.5 ohms). Measure the current at both ends simultaneously. If the currents are equal and their values ​​are approximately equal to the set value, the cable is considered normal. If the measured current is less than the set value, it indicates that the cable impedance is too high, suggesting an abnormality.

[0055] Effect: It can quickly detect whether the cable impedance is too high. In some high-precision applications, the cable impedance needs to meet the requirements. That is, the current measurement detection circuit detects the impedance accuracy of the cable by inserting a very small resistor in series with the cable.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of patent protection of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention should also be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment, used for testing the cable connection status and impedance accuracy between several pins connected to the ATE equipment and the corresponding pins of the wafer test card; characterized in that, include: M cables, with M pins at one end of the M cables connected to M corresponding PIN pins of the ATE device, and M pins at the other end of the M cables respectively connected to the measurement chip and M pins of the cable detection device; A pressure detection circuit is used to detect the continuity of the cable; A short-circuit detection circuit is used to detect whether the cable is short-circuited to ground; A current-measuring detection circuit is used to detect whether the cable meets the impedance requirements. The CBIT control circuit includes a main control chip and an optocoupler switch. The main control chip outputs a CBIT control signal to control the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch. The voltage detection circuit divides the M cables into two groups. One end of one cable in one group is connected to one end of a corresponding cable in the other group via an optocoupler switch, forming M / 2 paths. One end of each path serves as the transmitting end, and the other end serves as the receiving end. The ATE device outputs voltage VA to the transmitting end of each path. The main control chip controls the CBIT control signal output by the optocoupler switch to detect the voltage VB at the receiving end of the path. The difference between voltage VA and voltage VB is compared to determine whether there is an open circuit in the two cables of the path.

2. The multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The short-circuit detection circuit includes a power supply VCC, a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a first group selection module, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, N1 optocoupler switches, and a ground terminal. The first group selection module divides the M cables into N1 DGS groups. The first group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switches in each DGS group. Multiple cables in each DGS group are connected in parallel. The first resistor R1, the optocoupler switches, and the second resistor R2 are connected in series between the power supply VCC and the ground terminal. The third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are connected in series between the ground terminal. The connection point of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 is the short-circuit detection point M1. When the optocoupler switch is turned on, the voltage Vm at point M1 is measured, and at this time Vm=0; When the optocoupler switch is closed, the voltage Vm at point M1 is measured: Under normal circumstances: Vm = VCC * (R2 / R1 + R2) * (R4 / R3 + R4); If there is a short circuit to ground: Vm=0, it means that more than one cable in the DGS group is short-circuited to ground.

3. The multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The current measurement detection circuit includes a second group selection module, which divides the M cables into N2 cable groups. The second group selection module controls the opening and closing of the optocoupler switch in each cable group. One end of multiple cables in each cable group is connected together. Each cable group includes a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, and an optocoupler switch. The fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 are connected together. One end of the fifth resistor R5 and the sixth resistor R6 is connected to a first voltage terminal, and the other end is connected to the first end of the cable group. The second end of the cable group is connected to one end of the optocoupler switch, and the other end of the optocoupler switch is connected to a second voltage terminal. During measurement, voltage VI is applied to the first voltage terminal and voltage Vh is applied to the second voltage terminal. The optocoupler switch is closed, and the current is measured simultaneously at the first and second voltage terminals. If the currents are equal and their values ​​are approximately equal to the set value, the cable is considered normal. If the measured current is less than the set current value I, it indicates that the cable impedance is too high and there is an abnormality. Wherein, the set current value I is: Current I = (Vh - Vl) / Rk, Rk = R5 / / 6 + the impedance of the cable itself.

4. The multi-channel cable testing device based on ATE equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a cable assembly terminal block and a cable assembly adapter. The cable assembly terminal block is fixed on the multi-channel cable detection device. The cable assembly adapter includes a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is plugged into the cable assembly terminal block. The second interface is customized according to the cable and is provided with a plug-in structure for plugging and unplugging the cable.

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