Optical Test Interface Device for High-Speed Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test interface devices are limited in transferring high-speed signals due to narrow bandwidth, particularly at frequencies above 500 MHz, which restricts their effectiveness in testing memory devices.
Innovation Solution
Employing a serialization and/or deserialization technique combined with optical signal transfer, utilizing a test interface device with serializers, optical transmitters, receivers, and splitters to convert and transmit parallel test signals as serial optical signals, reducing the need for multiple optical modules and enhancing data transfer speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional probe card with PCB trace is used to transfer test signals, then device structure is simple and ease of manufacture is good, but signal transfer speed is limited due to narrow bandwidth at frequencies above 500 MHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical signal transmission system (PCB traces) with an optical signal transmission system (optical cables and optical modules). This substitution enables high-speed signal transfer at frequencies above 500 MHz by using optical carriers instead of electrical traces, thereby resolving the bandwidth limitation while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular optical interface design.
2Productivity
If multiple optical modules are used to test multiple devices simultaneously, then testing capability is improved, but optical resource usage and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple test channels into a single optical cable using time-division multiplexing technology. Multiple devices are tested sequentially over one optical connection rather than requiring separate optical modules for each device, thereby reducing optical resource usage while maintaining high test speed through efficient time-division multiplexing of the optical channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical interface device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple test devices through a single optical connection. The system can dynamically allocate the optical channel to different devices and test different signal types, making the optical resource universally applicable across multiple testing scenarios and reducing the total number of optical modules needed.
3Speed
If parallel test signals are transmitted directly, then signal transfer is simple, but optical resource requirements increase for high-speed transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments parallel test signals into sequential time slots for transmission over a single optical channel. By dividing the transmission time into discrete intervals and assigning different parallel signals to different time slots, the system achieves high-speed data transfer while using only one optical module, thereby reducing the quantity of optical resources required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action through time-division multiplexing, where multiple parallel test signals are transmitted in periodic time slots over a single optical channel. This periodic transmission pattern allows efficient utilization of the optical resource, enabling high-speed data transfer for multiple devices using only one optical module by cycling through different signals in each period.
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 enables the efficient transfer of high-speed signals, reduces optical resource usage, and increases test speed while allowing for simultaneous testing of multiple devices with reduced resource requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The first optical transmitter converts the serial test signal into an optical test signal, and transmits the optical test signal through a first optical cable
Implementation Method 2
The first optical receiver receives the optical test signal through the first optical cable, and converts the optical test signal into the serial test signal
Data Source
AI summary
A test interface device includes a serializer, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a deserializer. The serializer receives parallel test signals from automatic test equipment, and serializes the parallel test signals into a serial test signal. The optical transmitter converts the serial test signal into an optical test signal. The optical receiver receives the optical test signal from the optical transmitter, and converts the optical test signal into the serial test signal. The deserializer deserializes the serial test signal into the parallel test signals, and transmits the parallel test signals to a device under test. As a result, signal transfer speed may be improved and optical resource usage may be reduced.