Patent ID: 6294923
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for detecting a position of a short in a semiconductor device including a semiconductor die and a substrate, the semiconductor die having at least one power terminal through which an active area in the semiconductor die can be powered, the method comprising the steps of:(a) supplying alternating power to the semiconductor device via the at least one power terminal;(b) sensing a plurality of synchronous temperature variations in proximity to a surface of the semiconductor die while alternating power is supplied to the semiconductor die, wherein a portion of the plurality of synchronous temperature variations is due to the short and wherein sensing further includes selectively sensing the portion of the plurality of variations;(c) detecting the position of the short from the portion of the plurality of synchronous temperature variations sensed, the position of the short being in proximity to the portion of the plurality of synchronous temperature variations; and(d) generating a thermal contour map of the plurality of synchronous temperature variations sensed in step (b).