Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a universal cover to be adapted to burn-in sockets, where at least some of the burn-in sockets have different dimensions. In this way, the universal cover enables an actuator plate of an actuator system having a fixed configuration of actuation members to open and close burn-in socket covers of different form factors. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Many semiconductor devices such as processors, chipsets, and so forth often go through extensive testing after manufacture to verify performance levels and prevent devices likely to fail from being shipped. To perform high volume manufacturing (HVM) testing, so-called burn-in boards are used which include one or more burn-in sockets in which completed semiconductor devices can be inserted to perform the burn-in testing. 
   To insert semiconductor devices into the burn-in sockets, typically an actuator system is used, in connection with a so-called pick and place tool. First, the actuator system, which includes numerous pins that are adapted to be positioned to make contact with a top portion of a cover of the burn-in socket, may be placed over the burn-in socket. Then the actuator system opens a cover of the burn-in socket such as a clamshell-shaped cover to enable insertion of the semiconductor device by the pick and place tool. The cover is then replaced to enable adaptation of the semiconductor device in the burn-in socket for operation of the burn-in test. 
   Because different sizes of semiconductor devices require differently size burn-in sockets, extensive tooling of an actuator system is often required. For example, when replacing socket form factors, actuator pins may need to be switched from hole to hole. Certain systems can use over a thousand such actuator pins, requiring excessive labor intensive operations to move pin positions, both raising costs and reducing amount of up time for a burn-in system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a universal cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a backside of a universal cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a universal cover adapted to a burn-in socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a burn-in control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C are top plan views of a universal cover with differently sized burn-in sockets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In various embodiments, a universal cover may be provided to establish a standardized burn-in socket (BIS) cover touchdown area to enable a single actuator assembly to be used for automatic loading and unloading of semiconductor devices in a BIS. While the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard, in various embodiments the standardized or universal cover may be formed of a plastic such as an injection molded plastic, a metal or other such resilient material. Accordingly, embodiments may provide for a standardized universal BIS cover to enable a single load/unload actuator plate of an actuator assembly to be used for sockets having different body sizes. Note that while a single sized top portion of a burn-in cover may be provided, embodiments may enable different dimensions on a bottom portion of the universal cover to enable mating with multiple different burn-in socket sizes, as will be discussed further below. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a plan view of a universal cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , cover  10  may be a three dimensional frame having an open portion  20  and a peripheral frame portion  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each corner of frame portion  30  may include a tab member  15  to enable touch down of corresponding actuator pins of an actuator assembly. Note that in different embodiments, tabs  15  may be formed of insert molded metal or injection molded plastic to provide a contact area for touch down of actuator pins. More specifically, by the provision of a universal cover, an actuator assembly may have a fixed set of pins to provide for load/unload operations using a single actuator plate with fixed actuator pin locations. 
   While shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as including four such tabs, the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard, and different numbers (i.e., greater or fewer) may be present in different embodiments. Further, in different implementations different orientations and shapes of cutouts and so forth within frame portion  30  may be provided to enable mating with actuator pins or other actuator mechanisms of different actuator assemblies. 
   In many different implementations, multiple universal covers may be provided having the same exterior dimensions and the same top cover dimensions (i.e., the top portion shown in  FIG. 1 ). However, as seen in  FIGS. 5A. 5B .  5 C, to enable a commonly dimensioned universal cover  10  with differently sized burn-in sockets, a bottom portion of the different universal covers may take different dimensions to enable contact of the universal covers with differently sized burn-in sockets. For example, touch points  25  may extend to different extents into a central void of cover  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a plan view of a backside of a universal cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , cover  10  has a backside that includes four touch points  25  with which a burn-in socket may make contact. Because burn-in sockets may come in differently sized formats such as small form factor, medium form factor, large form factor and so forth, these touch points may be dimensioned differently and may extend further into the open space  20  of cover  10 , depending on a size of the BIS with which it is to be adapted. In different implementations, a universal cover may be mounted to a corresponding BIS or may be removably coupled thereto during testing operations. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a side view of a universal cover adapted to a burn-in socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a burn-in socket  50  may be adapted to a burn-in board  60 . For example, burn-in socket  50  may be soldered or otherwise affixed to burn-in board  60 . Burn-in board  60  may provide power connections from a power supply (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of a burn-in system to burn-in socket  50  to enable burn-in testing. Burn-in board  60  may further enable data connections for testing during the burn-in test. While not shown in  FIG. 3 , understand that various other components may be present in a burn-in system such as a heater assembly which may be closely coupled to the burn-in socket or burn-in board to enable testing at high temperatures. Furthermore, while shown with only a single burn-in socket on burn-in board  60 , the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard and embodiments may be used in systems where multiple burn-in sockets are adapted on a single burn-in board. Furthermore, in such implementations different burn-in sockets having different dimensions may be adapted on a single burn-in board and testing may be performed for differently sized semiconductor devices in these differently sized burn-in sockets while using universal covers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention to enable a fixed actuator assembly having fixed pins coupled to actuator plates of a single dimension. 
   Referring still to  FIG. 3 , adapted above BIS  50  is a universal cover  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , universal cover  10  may have an expanded cover size such that cover  10  extends laterally beyond a dimension of BIS  50 . Note that contact may be made on an underside of cover  10  at touch points. Burn-in socket  50  may include a cover which may be opened to enable coupling of a semiconductor device under test (DUT) therein. As described above, the DUT may be coupled into BIS  50  using a pick and place tool after the cover is actuated open using an actuator assembly. A plurality of latches  35  may be connected between BIS  50  and cover  10  by a given mechanism such as links. As cover  10  goes down, the mechanism opens up latches  35 . 
   Also shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of actuator pins  75  are coupled to an actuator plate  80 . Actuator pins  75  may contact universal cover  10  during actuation to enable opening of both universal cover  10  and the BIS cover  51  for insertion and then later removal of the DUT.  FIG. 3  shows cover  10  actuated by pins  75 . Consequently, cover  10  has actuated socket cover  51  thereby pivoting latches  35  open so a semiconductor package may be inserted/removed from socket  50 . Note that during burn-in testing, the actuator assembly may not be present, and other burn-in system components such as heater assemblies, control assemblies and so forth may be located in close contact with BIS  50 . While shown with this particular implementation in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , understand the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard and a universal cover may take different forms in other embodiments. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a block diagram of a burn-in control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , burn-in control system  100  may be used to individually monitor and control the burn-in testing of each of multiple burn-in sockets adapted to a burn-in board. While shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  with only a single such burn-in socket location for ease of illustration, understand the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard and in various embodiments many burn-in sockets may be present. Note that the same reference numerals used in  FIGS. 1-3  are used in  FIG. 4  to refer to the same components. As shown in  FIG. 4 , BIB  60  includes a BIS  50  that is coupled to, respectively, positive and negative voltage supply lines  110   a  and  110   b  as well as data and control lines (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). Accordingly, a semiconductor DUT receives power from a power supply  120  that in turn is controlled by a power supply controller  130 . 
   Other components may be present in a burn-in system such as a temperature sensor  105 , which may be provide feedback information to a temperature processor  111 . Based on this information, temperature processor  111  may process the data and send commands to a heater assembly (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
   While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.