Pin Electronic Driver Circuit for IC Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic test equipment for integrated circuits faces challenges in achieving high measurement accuracy for input leakage current and voltage stability due to high power consumption and temperature fluctuations, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A pin electronic with a feedback circuit and driver circuit that forces a substantially constant voltage or current at the input pin of the device under test, eliminating the need for a separate power supply and reducing power consumption, thereby enhancing temperature stability and measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate power supply is used for the PMU to ensure constant voltage or current, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PMU power supply function with the driver circuit power supply by using a single power supply unit that provides power to both the driver circuit and the PMU through shared circuitry. The driver circuit includes a power supply unit that can supply power to both itself and the PMU, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through proper power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit's power supply unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it supplies power to the driver circuit itself and also supplies power to the PMU when needed for measurements. This multi-functional power supply approach reduces the total number of power supply components required in the system while ensuring that both the driver circuit and PMU receive appropriate power for their respective operations.
2Measurement precision
If a separate power supply is used for the PMU, then constant voltage or current can be maintained, but power consumption increases leading to temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply functions into a single unified power supply unit that serves both the driver circuit and the PMU. This merging of power supply functions eliminates redundant power consumption and reduces the total power required from external sources, thereby minimizing temperature fluctuations while maintaining the ability to provide constant voltage or current for accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit's power supply unit is designed to self-manage power distribution, automatically allocating power to both the driver circuit and the PMU as needed. This self-service approach allows the system to optimize power consumption dynamically, ensuring that power is supplied only when and where needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption and associated temperature effects.
3Measurement precision
If a separate power supply is used for the PMU, then measurement accuracy is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply functions into a single unit that serves both the driver circuit and the PMU, thereby reducing the total power consumption and minimizing heat generation. This consolidation of power supply functions leads to improved temperature stability in the measurement environment, which is critical for maintaining measurement accuracy, while still providing the necessary constant voltage or current through the integrated power management circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
A pin electronic adapted for use in an automatic test equipment for testing integrated circuits ICs includes a driver circuit having an input for receiving an input signal from a data source and an output connected with an input pin of a device under test, and a feedback circuit having at least one input, which receives an input voltage or current at the input pin of the DUT, and an output. The feedback circuit is adapted to provide a voltage in order to force a substantially constant voltage or current at the input pin of the DUT, and a switching device for alternatively connecting the input of the driver circuit with the data source or the output of the feedback circuit.