Voltage Regulator Feedback for IC Testing Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit (IC) testing methods face challenges in maintaining consistent voltage supply across power connection terminals during testing, due to variations in contact resistance and temperature, which can affect the accuracy and reliability of performance evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a voltage regulator to regulate voltages across multiple power connection terminals by creating feedback loops through conductive paths, ensuring that the voltage differential between terminals is maintained at a target level, thereby compensating for variations in contact resistance and temperature, and allowing for precise power supply conditions during testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple power supply connection is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the voltage consistency across power connection terminals deteriorates due to contact resistance and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage regulator continuously monitors the voltage at the power connection terminal and adjusts its output accordingly. The regulator receives feedback signals from the terminal and dynamically adjusts the voltage to compensate for contact resistance and temperature variations, ensuring consistent voltage delivery without requiring complex connection structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator dynamically changes its operating parameters (output voltage) based on real-time conditions at the power connection terminal. By monitoring voltage drops due to contact resistance and temperature effects, the regulator adjusts its output parameters to maintain consistent voltage delivery, resolving the contradiction between simple connections and voltage consistency.
2Measurement precision
If voltage regulation is implemented to maintain consistent voltage, then the voltage consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional regulation components
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator uses feedback from the power connection terminal to automatically adjust and maintain consistent voltage. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for contact resistance and temperature variations without requiring multiple separate regulation components, as the single regulator handles all variations through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulator is designed to perform multiple functions: it regulates voltage, compensates for contact resistance, and adjusts for temperature variations all through a single integrated component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving voltage consistency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple power connection terminals are regulated independently, then the voltage precision at each terminal is improved, but the testing time increases due to multiple regulation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage regulation for multiple power connection terminals into a single integrated voltage regulator system. Instead of regulating each terminal independently through separate steps, the unified regulator simultaneously manages all terminals, adjusting voltages in parallel based on real-time feedback from each terminal. This merging approach maintains voltage precision while significantly reducing testing time.
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
This approach ensures that the voltage supply to ICs is consistently maintained at target levels, regardless of variations in contact resistance or temperature, providing a controlled testing environment that accurately determines the performance of ICs.
Implementation Method 1
regulating, using the voltage regulator, the first voltage based on a comparison of the second voltage and a target voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing an electronic device includes supplying a first voltage output from a voltage regulator to a first power connection terminal of the electronic device to provide power to the electronic device, providing to the voltage regulator a second voltage on a second power connection terminal of the electronic device that is in connection with the first power connection terminal by a first circuit of the electronic device, regulating, using the voltage regulator, the first voltage based on a comparison of the second voltage and a target voltage, and determining whether the electronic device meets a performance requirement while the first voltage is regulated.