Modular Load Board for Semiconductor Test Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) systems require highly customized and expensive load boards for device under test (DUT) interfacing, which are costly and time-consuming to produce due to complex trace routing and specialized pin connections, making errors costly to correct.
Innovation Solution
A modular load board design featuring moveable connectors and flexible ribbon or discrete cables that can be easily repositioned and connected to a daughter board, eliminating the need for hard-wired traces and allowing for rapid prototyping and modification without redesigning the printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional customized load boards with hard-wired PCB traces are used, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and production time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The load board is divided into modular components: a reusable frame with mounting locations, interchangeable daughter boards for different DUTs, and separate connector assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates rapid reconfiguration without redesigning the entire load board.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: providing mechanical support, defining mounting locations for various daughter boards, and enabling interchangeability of connectors and cables. This universal design allows the same frame to accommodate different DUT types and test configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional customized load boards with complex trace routing are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to costly corrections
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying expensive customized PCBs when errors are found, the invention allows discarding the erroneous connector cable assembly and recovering the reusable frame and daughter board components. The faulty cable is replaced with a corrected one, avoiding the need to discard or rework the entire load board.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector cables and some connector assemblies are designed as disposable or easily replaceable components. When errors are discovered, these inexpensive components can be replaced rather than modifying the expensive frame and daughter boards, significantly reducing correction costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed load board designs are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to quickly modify for different DUTs
Solution Approach 1:
The load board transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic reconfigurable system. Connectors and cables can be moved between different mounting locations on the frame, and daughter boards can be swapped to accommodate different DUT types, allowing the system to adapt to changing test requirements while maintaining precise connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the load board have specialized functions optimized for their specific purposes: the frame provides structural support and mounting locations, daughter boards provide DUT-specific interfaces, and cables provide flexible connections. This local optimization allows each component to be precisely engineered for its function while maintaining overall system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a modular load board or “frame” that contains a number of moveable connectors. The moveable connectors can be selectively displaced within the frame, as needed, to mate with test head pogo-pins and can be fixed in place on the frame using screws. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiple moveable sockets that can be positioned as needed within the frame so that a quick prototype modular load board can be designed and readily modified, if need be, without requiring hard wired traces within the PCB to connect the DUT socket to the test head interface regions. Using ribbon cables, embodiments of the present disclosure eliminate the need to have any hard wired traces within a PCB load board between the DUT socket and pogo pin interface blocks.