Patent ID: 8581610
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A method of programming a probe card comprising channel connectors to an external tester configured to control testing of integrated circuits (ICs), the probe card further comprising probes for contacting the ICs, the method comprising: while the probe card is connected through the channel connectors to the external tester, which is external to the probe card, providing a connection code from a source external to the probe card to a memory on the probe card, the connection code specifying a particular pattern of connections of the channel connectors to the probes; while the probe card is connected through the channel connectors to the external tester, providing the connection code from the memory on the probe card to a programmable controller on the probe card, wherein inputs of the programmable controller are connected to the channel connectors and outputs of the programmable controller are connected to the probes, the programmable controller being programmable to connect selectively the inputs and the outputs in different patterns; and while the probe card is connected through the channel connectors to the external tester, in response to the connection code in the memory, the programmable controller selectively establishing within itself a pattern of connections between the inputs and the outputs of the programmable controller that corresponds to the particular pattern specified by the connection code in the memory, wherein the programmable controller selectively connects the channel connectors to the probes in the particular pattern specified by the connection code in the memory, wherein the programmable controller comprises a programmable switch matrix, the method further comprising partially reconfiguring the programmable switch matrix during testing of the ICs.