Contactor With Integrated Temperature Sensor For IC Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuit testing systems face errors due to incorrect seating of IC strips during calibration, leading to incorrect temperature calibration and trimming of ICs, as they lack direct measurement of the IC chip's temperature and proper thermal path verification.

Innovation Solution

A contactor with an integrated temperature sensor and heat transfer element, such as a conductive plate or pogo pin with a thermistor, directly measures the device under test's temperature, ensuring correct seating and reducing trimming errors by establishing a predictable thermal path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is integrated into the contactor to directly measure the device under test's temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidcontactor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is merged with the contactor body, specifically integrated into the heat transfer element. This combination allows the contactor to simultaneously perform electrical contact and temperature measurement functions, improving measurement precision while the integration minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A heat transfer element (such as a conductive plate or pogo pin) is introduced as an intermediary between the contactor and the device under test. This intermediary facilitates both thermal contact for heating and temperature sensing, enabling accurate temperature measurement without requiring direct integration of the sensor into the DUT, thus managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the IC strip is not correctly seated in the test chuck, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to incorrect temperature calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrip loading easeVSAvoidtemperature calibration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on the actual temperature of the device under test. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect incorrect seating conditions (where the temperature would be abnormal) and adjust or reject the calibration, ensuring manufacturing precision without complicating the loading operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the temperature measurement capability to self-verify correct seating of the IC strip. By monitoring the temperature profile during calibration, the system can automatically detect and correct for improper seating conditions, maintaining manufacturing precision while keeping the operation simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device under test is heated to various temperatures for trimming, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates if the device is not correctly positioned in the test chuck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature variation adaptabilityVSAvoidtesting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical positioning verification system is replaced with a thermal sensing system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical fixtures to ensure correct positioning, the integrated temperature sensor monitors the thermal characteristics of the device under test, providing a more reliable verification method that works across various temperature conditions and maintains testing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables accurate temperature measurement and correct seating verification, reducing errors in IC testing and trimming, and simplifies the testing process by directly measuring the device under test's temperature, ensuring precise thermal contact and calibration.

Implementation Method 1

a heat transfer element and a temperature sensor in the body in contact with the heat transfer element for measuring the temperature of the device under test

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)