Patent EP0165865A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0165865A2
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EP
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Method and apparatus for testing integrated circuits
Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A processor controlled IC component test apparatus adapted to be employed in-line with automatic IC DIP component handling equipment is capable of conducting a preselected verification check of each IC device regardless of the orientation of the DIP in the device contact receptacle of the IC handling apparatus. As each device under test (DUT) is inserted into the apparatus test head, a pin-check residual voltage measurement test is conducted to ensure that all the pins of the DUT are in contact with the contact terminals of the test head. If the pin-check test establishes that all the pins of the DUT are in contact with the contact terminals of the test head, a prescribed non-destructive impedance measurement test is carried out in order to determine the orientation of the DIP in the test head. Ifthe device passes the orientation test or is determined by the orientation test to be simply misoriented (inserted upside-down), it is then subjected to a prescribed functionality check (with the direction of orientation taken into account). The processor architecture of the test apparatus is configured to maximize the system's ability to rapidly sequence through the test vectors for the various DUTs, while also offering the capability to perform traditional CPU functions during the execution of a test. For this purpose, the processor employs a mode-controlled pipelined architecture through which program instructions stored in memory are controllably accessed and processed through either an address-controlled flow path or a data-controlled flow path.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott D. Grimes
- 👤 Lary J. Beaulieu
- 👤 Douglas A. Reed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/319; G01R31/31903; G01R31/31908; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2834; G01R31/31917; G01R31/31924; G01R35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for operating an apparatus for coupling an electrical output level to an output terminal in response to the application of an electrical input level to a circuit from which said electrical output level is derived, said method establishing said electrical output level at a prescribed value and being characterizea by the steps of: (a) coupling to said circuit an electrical input and varying the level of said electrical input over a range of values; and (b) monitoring the level of the electrical output of said circuit in response to step (a) and, upon the level of said electrical output corresponding to said prescribed value, terminating the variation of the level of saia electrical input and thereby establishing the level of said electrical input at the level which has caused the level of said electrical output to correspond to said prescribed value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for operating an apparatus for coupling an electrical output level to an output terminal in response to the application of an electrical input level to a circuit from which said electrical output level is derived, said method establishing said electrical output level at a prescribed value and being characterizea by the steps of: (a) coupling to said circuit an electrical input and varying the level of said electrical input over a range of values; and (b) monitoring the level of the electrical output of said circuit in response to step (a) and, upon the level of said electrical output corresponding to said prescribed value, terminating the variation of the level of saia electrical input and thereby establishing the level of said electrical input at the level which has caused the level of said electrical output to correspond to said prescribed value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 characterized in that step (a) comprises the step of ramping the level of said electrical input over a range of values encompassing saia prescribed value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said prescribed electrical output level corresponds to a prescribed voltage level to be coupled to an electrical circuit device for testing said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for selectively coupling at least one electrical output level to an output terminal in response to the application of at least one electrical input level to a circuit from which said at least one electrical output level is derived, said apparatus establishing said at least one electrical output level at at least one respective prescribed value and being characterized by: first means for coupling to said circuit an electrical input which varies over a range of values; second means, coupled to the output of said circuit and to said first means, for monitoring the level of the electrical output of said circuit and upon the level of said electrical output corresponding to a respective prescribed value, causing said first means to maintain the level of said electrical input-at a value for which the level of said electrical output corresponds to a respective prescribed value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for selectively coupling at least one electrical output level to an output terminal in response to the application of at least one electrical input level to a circuit from which said at least one electrical output level is derived, said apparatus establishing said at least one electrical output level at at least one respective prescribed value and being characterized by: first means for coupling to said circuit an electrical input which varies over a range of values; second means, coupled to the output of said circuit and to said first means, for monitoring the level of the electrical output of said circuit and upon the level of said electrical output corresponding to a respective prescribed value, causing said first means to maintain the level of said electrical input-at a value for which the level of said electrical output corresponds to a respective prescribed value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus of claim 4 characterized in that said at least one electrical output level comprises a plurality of respective output levels, said at least one electrical input level comprises a plurality of respective electrical input levels, and wherein said at least one respective prescribed value comprises a plurality of respective prescribed values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus of claim 5 characterized in that said apparatus is an apparatus for testing a prescribed circuit device and wherein said circuit includes a driver circuit for producing a plurality of respective voltage levels to be applied to said prescribed circuit device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus of claim 5 or 6 characterizea in that said prescribed circuit device comprises an integrated circuit device having a plurality of electrical terminals to selected ones of which said respective voltage levels are controllably coupled by said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus of claim 6 or 7 characterized in that said electrical input which varies is a ramp input voltage extending over a range of voltages encompassing a respective prescribed value of an output level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus of claim 6 characterized in that said apparatus comprises an apparatus for testing a prescribea circuit device by the selective application of preestablished voltage levels to electrical contact terminals of said device, said apparatus including a plurality of said first and second means adapted to be coupled with the respective contact terminals of said prescribed circuit device for supplying thereto a plurality of respective voltage levels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus of any one of claims 4-9 characterized in that said first means comprises a sample ana hold device to which said varying electrical input is adapted to be coupled, the output of said sample and hold device being coupled to an input of said circuit, and wherein said second means comprises a comparator aevice one input of which is coupled to the output of said circuit and another input of which is coupled to receive a reference electrical level corresponding to a respective prescribed value, the output of said comparator device controlling the operation of said sample and hold device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus of claim 6 characterized by third means, coupled between said driver circuit and said second means, for controllably providing a connection path between the output of said driver and said second means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus of claim 11 characterized in that said third means comprises a controllable switching device coupled in a circuit path between the output of saia driver circuit and an electrical coupling terminal for applying the output of said driver circuit to saia prescribed circuit device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus of claim 12 characterized in that saia controlled circuit device comprises an MOS switching transistor, the source-arain path of which is coupled in said circuit path between the output of said driver circuit and said electrical coupling terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus of claim 13 characterizea in that said controlled circuit device includes means for selectively coupling the output of said driver circuit to the gate of said MOS switching transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus of claim 14 characterized by means for limiting the voltage applied to the gate of said MOS switching transistor relative to the voltage provided at the output of said driver circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for use with a driver circuit for supplying an electrical output to an output terminal in response to an electrical input applied to the input of said driver circuit, a controlled switching circuit provided in a circuit path between the output of saia driver circuit and said output terminal characterized by: controllable switching element having an input electrode to which the output of said driver circuit is coupled, an output electrode coupled to said output terminal, and a control electrode which, in response to the application of a prescribed control input thereto, enables a conductive path through said element between said input and output electrodes; and means, coupled between said input electrode and said control electrode, for limiting the voltage applied to said control electrode relative to the voltage at the output of said driver circuit and couplea to saia input electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for use with a driver circuit for supplying an electrical output to an output terminal in response to an electrical input applied to the input of said driver circuit, a controlled switching circuit provided in a circuit path between the output of saia driver circuit and said output terminal characterized by: controllable switching element having an input electrode to which the output of said driver circuit is coupled, an output electrode coupled to said output terminal, and a control electrode which, in response to the application of a prescribed control input thereto, enables a conductive path through said element between said input and output electrodes; and means, coupled between said input electrode and said control electrode, for limiting the voltage applied to said control electrode relative to the voltage at the output of said driver circuit and couplea to saia input electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus of claim 16 characterized in that said controllable switching element comprises an MOS transistor having a source electrode corresponding to saia input electrode, a drain electroae corresponding to saia output electrode, and a gate electrode corresponding to saia control electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus of claim 16 or 17 characterized in that said limiting means comprises a Zener diode coupled between the output of said driver circuit and the gate electrode of said MOS transistor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus of claim 17 characterized in that said driver circuit comprises a voltage follower driver circuit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of operating an apparatus for testing a circuit device, said circuit device having a plurality of terminals through which saia device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, said method measuring a preselected characteristic of said device and being characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a first electrical input to a first of said plurality of terminals and a second electrical input to a second of said plurality of terminals; (b) measuring a prescribed electrical characteristic of said device as exhibited thereby between a pair of said terminals; (c) applying said second electrical input to said first terminal, and said first electrical input to saia second terminal; (d) measuring said prescribed electrical characteristic of said device as exhibited thereby between a pair of saia terminals; and (e) establishing said preselected'characteristic of said device on the basis of a prescribed relationship between the prescribed electrical characteristic measured in step (b) and that measured in step (d).
Claim 24
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of operating an apparatus for testing a circuit device, said circuit device having a plurality of terminals through which saia device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, said method measuring a preselected characteristic of said device and being characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a first electrical input to a first of said plurality of terminals and a second electrical input to a second of said plurality of terminals; (b) measuring a prescribed electrical characteristic of said device as exhibited thereby between a pair of said terminals; (c) applying said second electrical input to said first terminal, and said first electrical input to saia second terminal; (d) measuring said prescribed electrical characteristic of said device as exhibited thereby between a pair of saia terminals; and (e) establishing said preselected'characteristic of said device on the basis of a prescribed relationship between the prescribed electrical characteristic measured in step (b) and that measured in step (d).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20 characterized in that the pair of terminals between which the prescribed electrical characteristic is measured in step (b) corresponds to the pair of terminals between which the prescribed electrical characteristic is measurea in step ( d ).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 characterized in that said pair of terminals corresponas to said first and second terminals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 or 22 characterized in that said prescribed electrical characteristic corresponds to the impedance exhibited by said device between said first and second terminals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23 characterized in that said first electrical input corresponds to a first voltage reference level and said second electrical input corresponds to a second voltage reference level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20 characterized in that said preselected characteristic corresponds to the physical orientation of said device relative to said apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 characterized in that said device comprises an integrated circuit device contained in a multi terminal pin package.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25 or 26 characterized in that said device comprises an integrated circuit-containing dual, in-line package the terminal pins of which are coupled to corresponding terminal contacts on said apparatus.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 characterized in that step (e) comprises comparing the ratio of the electrical characteristic measured in step (b) to the electrical characteristic measured in step (d) with a reference ratio value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 characterizea in that said preselected characteristic corresponds to the physical orientation of said aevice relative to saia apparatus.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 29 characterized in that step (e) comprises establishing the direction of the physical orientation of said device in accordance with a prescribed relationship between the measurea ratio and saia reference ratio value.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of operating an apparatus for testing a circuit device, said circuit device having a plurality of terminals through which said device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, and said apparatus having a device coupling mechanism through which prescribed electrical tests are conducted on said device via terminals of saia device, said method testing a device that has been suppliea to saia aevice coupling mechanism characterized by the steps of: (a) determining whether or not all of the terminals of said device are in electrical contact with said device coupling mechanism; (b) in response to step (a) establishing that all of the terminals of said aevice are in electrical contact with said device coupling mechanism, determining the orientation of said device relation to said aevice coupling mechanism; and (c) functionally testing said device in accordance with its direction of orientation as determined in step (b).
Claim 36
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of operating an apparatus for testing a circuit device, said circuit device having a plurality of terminals through which said device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, and said apparatus having a device coupling mechanism through which prescribed electrical tests are conducted on said device via terminals of saia device, said method testing a device that has been suppliea to saia aevice coupling mechanism characterized by the steps of: (a) determining whether or not all of the terminals of said device are in electrical contact with said device coupling mechanism; (b) in response to step (a) establishing that all of the terminals of said aevice are in electrical contact with said device coupling mechanism, determining the orientation of said device relation to said aevice coupling mechanism; and (c) functionally testing said device in accordance with its direction of orientation as determined in step (b).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 31 characterizea in that step (a) comprises (a-I) applying a first prescribed electrical input to at least one of the terminals of said device; (a-2) monitoring a prescribed electrical characteristic at each of the other terminals of said device; and (a-3) determining that all of the terminals of said device are in electrical contact with saia device coupling mechanism in response to step (a-2) detecting the presence of said prescribed electrical characteristics at each of the other terminals of said device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 32 characterized in that said first prescribed electrical input corresponds to a first prescribed voltage level and said prescribed electrical characteristic corresponds to a residual voltage level at .each of the terminals of said device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 32 or 33 characterized in that step (a-I) comprises applying said first prescribed voltage level to a plurality of the terminals of said device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
139 words
The method of claim 31, 32 or 33 characterized in that step (b) comprises the steps of: (b-1) applying a first electrical input to a first of said plurality of terminals and a second electrical input to a second of said plurality of terminals; (b-2) measuring a predetermined electrical characteristic exhibited by said device between a pair of said terminals; (b-3) applying said second electrical input to said first of said plurality of terminals and said first electrical input to said second of said plurality of terminals; (b-4) measuring said predetermined electrical characteristic exhibited by said device between a pair of said terminals; and (b-5) determing the orientation of said device relative to said device coupling mechanism on the basis of a predetermined relationship between the predetermined electrical characteristic measured in step (b-2) and that measured in step (b-4).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 35 characterized in that each pair of terminals corresponds to said first ana second terminals.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 36 characterized in that said first electrical input corresponds to a first voltage reference level, said second electrical input corresponds to a second voltage reference level and said predetermined electrical characteristic corresponds to the impedance exhibited by said device between said first ana second terminals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 37 characterized in that said device comprises an integrated circuit-containing dual in-line package the pin terminals of which are coupled to corresponding terminal contacts of said device coupling mechanism.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 35, 36 or 37 characterized in that step (b-5) comprises comparing the ratio of the impedance measured in step (b-2) to the impedance measured in step (b-4) with a reference ratio value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for testing a circuit device, saia circuit device having a plurality of terminal pins through which said device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, characterized by: first means for generating a sequence of test control signals in accordance with which a circuit device is testea; and a plurality of second means, each of which second means is associated with a respective one of saia terminal pins ana is adapted to store a plurality of electrical stimulus-representative signals for causing the selective application of electrical stimulus signals to said associated respective one of said terminal pins in response to a test control signal generated by said first means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for testing a circuit device, saia circuit device having a plurality of terminal pins through which said device is adapted to be operated in accordance with its intended circuit function, characterized by: first means for generating a sequence of test control signals in accordance with which a circuit device is testea; and a plurality of second means, each of which second means is associated with a respective one of saia terminal pins ana is adapted to store a plurality of electrical stimulus-representative signals for causing the selective application of electrical stimulus signals to said associated respective one of said terminal pins in response to a test control signal generated by said first means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus of claim 40 characterized in that said first means includes memory means in which a series of test control instructions are stored, and address generator means, responsive to a test control instruction in said memory means, for generating a'test control signal as an address signal for accessing a test control instruction from said memory means and for accessing a respective electrical stimulus-respective signal for each of said plurality of second means for application to the terminal pins of saia circuit device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus of claim 41 characterized in that each of said second means includes sensor means, adapted to be coupled to said associated respective one of said terminal pins, for monitoring a prescribed electrical parameter thereat.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus of claim 41 or 42 characterized in that said address generator means is adapted to be responsive to prescribed outputs of said sensor means in the course of the generation of a test control signal as said address signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus of claim 42 characterized in that said series of test control instructions stored by said memory means includes first prescribed test control instructions in response to successive ones of which said address generator means is adapted to generate successive test control signals for both addressing that portion of said memory means containing said first prescribea test control instructions and accessing from said second means said electrical stimulus-representative signals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus of claim 41, 42, 43 or 44 characterized in that each of said second means includes a terminal pin test control memory adapted to store a plurality of said electrical stimulus-representative signals in respective memory locations thereof, said memory locations being addressable by the address representative test control signals generated by said address generator means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus of any one of claims 40-45 characterized in that said first means is adapted to be couplea with data processing means, and said series of test control instructions stored by said memory means includes second prescribed test control instructions associated with prescribed data processing operations to be conductea by said data processing means, in response to which data processing operations the addresses of further test control instructions to be accessed from said memory means are defined.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus of claim 46 characterized in that said first means further includes means, responsive to the generation of an address signal for accessing one of saia second prescribed test control instructions from said memory means, for storing the most recent address representative test control signal generated by saia address generator means that defined a memory location is said memory means in which one of said first prescribed test control instructions is stored.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus of any one of claims 40-47 characterized in that each of said second means includes driver circuit means, responsive to said electrical stimulus-representative signals, for controllably generating electrical stimulus signals for. application to its associated terminal pin.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus of claim 48 characterized in that each of said second means further includes means for estaolishing the levels of like electrical stimulus signals generated by the driver circuit means of every one of said second means irrespective of differences in inherent electrical characteristics among the driver circuit means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus of claim 49 characterized in that each of said second means includes sensor means, adopted to be coupled to said associated respective one of said terminal pins, for monitoring a prescribed electrical parameter thereat.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus of claim 49 or 50 characterized in that said establishing means includes means for coupling a varying electrical input to each of said driver circuit means and, in response to the output of said sensor means reaching a prescribed level of one of saia like electrical stimulus signals, for storing a signal corresponding to the value of said varying electrical signal for which the output of said sensor means reached said prescribed level.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus of claim 48, 49, 50 or 51 characterized in that said second means further includes output switch means, coupled to the output of said driver circuit means, for selectively coupling the output of said driver circuit means to its associated terminal pin of said circuit device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus of claim 52 characterized in that saia output switch means comprises an MOS transistor the source-arain path of which is coupled between the output of said driver circuit means and saia associated terminal pin, and the gate of which is coupled to the output of said driver circuit means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus of claim 53 characterized in that saia output switch means further include means, couplea between the gate of said MOS transistor and the output of said driver circuit means, for limiting the voltage coupled said gate relative to the voltage at the output of said driver circuit means.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for generating electrical stimulus signals to be coupled to an output circuit device, including a processor-controlled apparatus for controlling the accessing of instructions from memory, through prescribed operations on which instructions saia electrical stimulus signals are generated, characterized by: first means, adapted to be coupled to said output circuit, for storing a plurality of said electrical stimulus-representative signals for causing the selective application of electrical stimulus signals to said output circuit device in response to storage access signals.applied thereto; and second means, coupled to saia memory and responsive to the contents of instructions stored therein, for generating said storage access signals ana causing saia storage access signals to be coupled to both said memory for accessing instructions therefrom and to said first means for accessing electrical stimulus-representative signals therefrom for a first mode of operation of said processor, and for generating address signals for accessing instructions from said memory that are associated with prescribed data processing operations of said processor, in response to which processing operations the addresses of further instructions to be accessed from saia memory are defined, for a second mode of operation of said processor.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for generating electrical stimulus signals to be coupled to an output circuit device, including a processor-controlled apparatus for controlling the accessing of instructions from memory, through prescribed operations on which instructions saia electrical stimulus signals are generated, characterized by: first means, adapted to be coupled to said output circuit, for storing a plurality of said electrical stimulus-representative signals for causing the selective application of electrical stimulus signals to said output circuit device in response to storage access signals.applied thereto; and second means, coupled to saia memory and responsive to the contents of instructions stored therein, for generating said storage access signals ana causing saia storage access signals to be coupled to both said memory for accessing instructions therefrom and to said first means for accessing electrical stimulus-representative signals therefrom for a first mode of operation of said processor, and for generating address signals for accessing instructions from said memory that are associated with prescribed data processing operations of said processor, in response to which processing operations the addresses of further instructions to be accessed from saia memory are defined, for a second mode of operation of said processor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus of claim 55 characterized in that saia second means includes means, responsive to said second mode of operation of said processor, for storing the most recent storage access signal generated during saia first mode of operation of said processor.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus of claim 55 characterized in that saia first means comprises a plurality of memory means each of which is adapted to store a respective plurality of electrical stimulus-representative signals for causing the selective application of electrical stimulus signals to said output circuit device, and wherein each storage access signal generated by said second means is applied in common to each of said memory means.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus of claim 57 characterized in that said output circuit device comprises a multiterminal circuit device to tne respective terminals of which said electrical stimulus signals are applied for testing said output circuit device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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