Compliant Ground Block for IC Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process for microcircuits often results in defective devices due to subtle failures, and existing test equipment faces challenges in making accurate, low-resistance, non-destructive electrical contact, which can lead to wear and contamination issues, increasing costs and defects.
Innovation Solution
A compliant ground block composed of a stack of conductive blades with an elastomeric component, allowing for adjustable shape and size, easy cleaning, and robustness, which provides reliable electrical and thermal grounding by compressing to accommodate variations in microcircuit packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional test contacts are used to make electrical contact with microcircuit terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but wear and contamination occur leading to poor connections and false defect indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the test contact from conventional metal to elastomeric material. This parameter change provides compliance that accommodates variations in microcircuit package dimensions and terminal positions, ensuring reliable electrical contact while reducing wear and contamination compared to rigid metal contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with elastomeric material that may contain conductive particles or coatings. This composite approach combines the compliance and contamination resistance of elastomers with the electrical conductivity needed for testing, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and contact durability.
2Productivity
If automated testing at high speed is implemented, then productivity increases, but wear on tester contacts accelerates causing contamination and false defect indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to elastomeric, which fundamentally alters the wear characteristics. Elastomeric contacts resist galling and debris generation even under high-speed automated testing conditions, allowing sustained productivity without the contamination problems that plague metal contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric test contacts are designed as replaceable, cost-effective components that can withstand high-speed testing cycles. When worn, they can be quickly replaced without damaging expensive microcircuits or the test equipment, maintaining productivity while eliminating contamination issues.
3Measurement precision
If precise alignment structures are used to maintain contact alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of contact compliance from rigid to elastomeric. This allows the contact to self-align and accommodate dimensional variations in microcircuit packages without requiring complex alignment structures, fiducials, or precision positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
4Reliability
If ground contact force is increased to ensure reliable grounding, then electrical contact reliability is improved, but risk of damaging the microcircuit package or ground pad increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact material parameter to elastomeric, which provides inherent compliance and force distribution. The elastomeric ground contact can apply sufficient pressure for reliable electrical connection while conforming to the ground pad surface and distributing stress, preventing damage to the microcircuit package or pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric ground contact acts as a flexible element that can deform to match the ground pad geometry. This flexibility ensures reliable electrical contact while preventing concentrated stress that could damage the package or pad, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compliant ground block ensures reliable contact with microcircuit ground pads, reduces wear and contamination, and maintains testing efficiency, thereby minimizing defects and costs in the microcircuit testing process.
Implementation Method 1
A compliant ground block composed of a stack of conductive blades with an elastomeric component, allowing for adjustable shape and size
Data Source
AI summary
A compliant ground block for a testing system for testing integrated circuit devices is disclosed. The compliant ground block includes a plurality of electrically conductive blade pairs in a side by side generally parallel relationship. Blades in the plurality of blade pairs are configured to be longitudinally slidable with respect to each other. The block also includes at least one elastomer configured to retain the plurality of blade pairs. Each blade pair of the plurality of blade pairs includes a first blade (or a first blade assembly) and a second blade. The first blade (or the first blade assembly) and the second blade are configured to generate scrubbing motions when the device under test is being pressed down on the compliant ground block or is being released from the compliant ground block.