Semiconductor wafer test system

A wafer test system includes a cabinet housing multiple instruments, a test head having multiple pin modules, and cable connecting at least some of the instruments to the pin modules. The cabinet has at least one front door, left and right side panels, a rear door, a ceiling unit, and a bottom unit. Each of the instruments has a front surface, left and right side surfaces, and a rear surface. At least some of the instruments each include at least one first connection terminal. The cabinet further includes a first space defined between the at least one front door and the front surface of each of the instruments, and a second space defined between the rear door and the front surface of each of the instruments. The first space and the second space are separated in the cabinet to separate intake air and exhaust air of the instruments.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention relate to a semiconductor test system configured to measure characteristics of a semiconductor, and more particularly, to a wafer test system to be connected to a wafer prober to test a device on a wafer.

In the semiconductor manufacturing industry, increases in wafer diameter and process miniaturization are progressing at a pace slower than in the past. It is becoming more difficult to maintain the economic efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing with existing logic/memory circuit manufacturing technologies. Moreover, integrated circuits (ICs) in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the automotive field, for example, in addition to ICs in the mobile/Personal Computer (PC)/server field, which have so far been the market driver, are now leading the market. The semiconductor manufacturing industry needs improved economic efficiency and diverse functions to keep up with market demands.

Examples of the improvement in economic efficiency include improvement in speed and power consumption with the use of light, improvement in density by three-dimensional packaging, and improvement in speed and density with the use of a magnetic substance or other new materials. Examples of the diverse functions include reduction in size and price by the integration of a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a power management circuit into a signal processing block, and reduction in size and power consumption of a power circuit with the use of a low-loss material/process.

Similar demands are also increasing in the field of semiconductor parametric test systems, configured to measure parametric characteristics of a semiconductor formed on an IC. Also, such demands apply to various wafer test systems configured to test a device on a wafer.

Thus, there is a need for wafer test systems to flexibly accommodate wafer tests that use measurement instruments that are not implemented in the test system at the initial development.

FIG. 17is a block diagram of a conventional wafer parametric test system. An example of such a wafer parametric test system is Keysight 4080 Series of Parametric Testers, available from Keysight Technologies, Inc.FIG. 18is a schematic diagram of a conventional test head circuit, such as Keysight 4082A Parametric Test System, also available from Keysight Technologies, Inc.

As shown inFIG. 17, a system cabinet is installed beside a wafer prober, and a test head is installed on the wafer prober. Among measurement resources, measurement instruments are mounted in the system cabinet. Also, measurement modules and switch modules (e.g., DC matrix, 8×10 RF matrix, HF matrix & pulse switch) are placed in dedicated slots in the test head. Measurement instrument inputs are connected to the test head by cables, and then wired inside the test head to be connected to the switch modules. Outputs from the measurement modules are wired inside the test head to be connected to the switch modules. Outputs of the switch modules are coupled to contact probes arranged to protrude from a lower surface of the test head for the external connection.

Further, a probe card is mounted to a bottom portion of the test head, and is connected to the wafer prober, to thereby construct an interface for transmission of signals from the contact probes to pads on a wafer via wafer needles on the probe card. In this manner, there is provided a device which enables transmission of various control signals and measurement signals from various measurement resources of a wafer parametric test system to a wafer prober and a wafer in the wafer prober.

As shown inFIG. 18, being a circuit diagram of circuits in a test head for the 4080 Series, measurement instruments other than the measurement modules are connected to external ports indicated by “8 AUX Ports.” Thus, when a measurement instrument that is not implemented in the test system at initial development of the test system is to be connected to the test head for the 4080 Series, only a limited number of measurement instruments, that is eight at most, may be connected. The addition or expansion of a measurement function that is not supported by the conventional test systems accordingly requires alterations in terms of signal paths, control, and test head structure, and is therefore difficult, which makes it hard to flexibly meet requests for measurement of new characteristics.

Examples of the structure of the test head for the conventional parametric test systems described above are provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,873,167 to Goto et al. (Mar. 29, 2005), and corresponding U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0082936 to Goto et al. (May 1, 2003), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, illustrative embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments according to the present teachings. However, it will be apparent to one having had the benefit of the present disclosure that other embodiments according to the present teachings that depart from the specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, descriptions of well-known devices and methods may be omitted so as not to obscure the description of the example embodiments. Such methods and devices are within the scope of the present teachings. Generally, it is understood that the drawings and the various elements depicted therein are not drawn to scale.

Generally, it is understood that as used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, “a device” includes one device and plural devices.

As used in the specification and appended claims, and in addition to their ordinary meanings, the terms “substantial” or “substantially” mean to within acceptable limits or degree. For example, “substantially cancelled” means that one skilled in the art would consider the cancellation to be acceptable. As a further example, “substantially removed” means that one skilled in the art would consider the removal to be acceptable. As used in the specification and the appended claims and in addition to its ordinary meaning, the term “approximately” means to within an acceptable limit or amount to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, “approximately the same” means that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider the items being compared to be the same.

Various embodiments provide a wafer test system capable of flexibly adding a measurement instrument which is not implemented in the test system at the initial development.

FIG. 1is a simplified schematic view illustrating a structure of a wafer test system, according to a first representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1, wafer test system100includes a cabinet102and a test head124. A probe card126can be mounted to a lower surface132of the test head124, and is further connected to a wafer prober128to perform measurement. Typically, at least one probe needle126ais mounted to the probe card126, and measurement is performed by bringing the tip of the probe needle126ainto contact (by a touchdown) with a signal terminal (a pad) of a device on a wafer, which is held in a movable manner inside the wafer prober128.

As schematically illustrated in a partially transparent portion ofFIG. 1, multiple instruments104,106,108,110, and112(collectively referred to as “instruments”) are mounted in the cabinet102. The instruments104to112may include a controller such as a computer, at least one single measurement instrument, and/or at least one measurement instrument with one or more measurement modules mounted therein. Typically, pairs of rails each having an L-shape in cross section and extending in the horizontal direction (not shown inFIG. 1) are provided in the cabinet102to form multiple layers arrayed in the top-bottom direction, and the instruments104to112are mounted on the rails. Only five layers of instruments are illustrated inFIG. 1, for purposes of illustration. However, the number of instruments to be mounted is not limited to five. More than five instruments or fewer than five instruments may be mounted, without departing from the scope of the present teachings. In some cases, excess space may be left as empty space.

In the depicted example, the instrument108may be a controller, so no signal connection terminal is provided on a front surface of the instrument108. The other instruments104,106,110, and112may be measurement instruments or measurement modules (which may be referred to as “measurement instruments”). Two connection terminals (104aand104b,106aand106b,110aand110b, and112aand112b) are provided on respective front surfaces of the measurement instruments104,106110and112, respectively, as schematically illustrated as an example. However, the number of connection terminals provided on each measurement instrument is not limited to two in various embodiments. Each connection terminal may be, but is not limited to, a coaxial connector or a triaxial connector, for example. Cables (114aand114b, and116aand116bin the depicted example) compatible with the shape of the connection terminals provided in the instruments are connected to the connection terminals, so that the connection terminals can be connected to corresponding terminals of the test head124.

The test head124is schematically illustrated as a partially transparent view, as viewed from the side. Multiple pin modules120and122are illustrated as representatives) are mounted to the test head124. The pin module120, which is representative of pin modules in a state before being mounted, is illustrated above an upper surface130side of the test head124. As illustrated, connection terminals120aand120bconfigured to receive signals from a measurement instrument in the cabinet102are provided on an upper surface134side of the pin module120, and in particular are connected to the measurement instrument104by the cables114band114a, respectively. Three contact probes120care provided on a second lower surface136side of the pin module120, and serve as terminals to which signals that correspond to signals input to the connection terminal120aor120bare output. Signals connectable to the connection terminals120aand120bare, for example, signals from a source measure unit's (SMU's) force terminal and sense terminal, which are connected to a triaxial cable with an active guard signal. Signals output to the three contact probes120ccan be the same force signal, sense signal, and guard potential signal that are input to the connection terminals120aand120b. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and the pin module120may employ a mode in which various signals from various measurement instruments are received and signals corresponding to the input signals are output in a contact probe format.

The guard potential mentioned above may be replaced by a common potential. Thus, the number of input connection terminals is not limited to two. The number of output contact probes is not limited to three as well. Further, the contact probe(s) are not limited to output pins, and may be implemented using different types of contacts, without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

Although illustration is partially omitted inFIG. 1, a cable from an associated measurement instrument104,106,110and112in the cabinet102is connected to each pin module mounted to the test head124. The connection terminals of the pin modules and the connection terminals of the connected measurement instruments in the cabinet are associated with each other typically on a one-to-one basis, so that a pin module is provided for each channel of a measurement instrument. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the cabinet102may house a measurement instrument that is not connected to a pin module.

The pin module120is inserted into the test head124in the direction of the arrow P. As indicated by the pin module122, which is representative of pin modules in a state after being mounted, when the pin module120is mounted to the test head124, the pin module120is housed such that a first lower surface138of the pin module120reaches the lower surface132of the test head124and an upper surface134of the pin module120is substantially flush with the upper surface130of the test head124. When the pin module120is mounted to the test head124, the second lower surface136of the pin module120is arranged so as to protrude by a given length from a cylindrical opening140on the lower surface132of the test head124. Such arrangement takes into consideration the shape of the wafer prober128in which the probe card126is loaded at a position lower than a top plate of the wafer prober128.

Each of the pin modules120and122is configured to receive an input through a cable from one of the measurement instruments104,106,110or112, respectively, mounted in the cabinet102, and a signal corresponding to the input is output to the probe card126. The input and the output are directly coupled inside on a channel-by-channel basis.

With the pin modules120and122having such structure, the wafer test system100according to the present embodiment may accommodate a measurement instrument unintended for the wafer test system100at the time of its design by mounting the measurement instrument in the cabinet102and by providing, for each channel, a pin module120,122, in which a connection terminal120a,120breceives a signal from the measurement instrument as a connection terminal compatible with a connector shape of the measurement instrument, even when the connector shape is unique to that measurement instrument. The received signal is converted into a contact probe format of the contact probes120cto be output to the probe card126.

The embodiment also addresses poor cooling efficiency for the instruments104,106,108,110and112in the cabinet102, and provides the cabinet102with a structure capable of improving an inlet and an outlet, which are associated with each instrument104,106,108,110and112, and the cooling efficiency for the interior of the cabinet102, discussed below. An instrument that generates a large amount of heat, which cannot be placed in a conventional cabinet in view of the poor cooling efficiency, may be mounted in the cabinet102and deliver its designed performance.

With reference toFIG. 2toFIG. 8, the structure of the cabinet is described according to a representative embodiment, having improved cooling efficiency over conventional cabinets. The cabinet102inFIG. 1includes, as its frame, a cabinet base200illustrated inFIG. 2.

In the following description, it is understood that the same components as in different drawings are denoted by the same reference symbols, unless specifically stated otherwise. InFIG. 2toFIG. 16andFIG. 19, for easy understanding, illustrations of cables connected between the measurement instruments and the pin modules of the test head are omitted.

FIG. 2is a view for illustrating a cabinet base200, which is the skeletal structure of the cabinet102inFIG. 1, according to a representative embodiment. The cabinet base200is the main skeletal structure of the cabinet102in which L-shaped pillars202,204,206, and208provided upright at the four corners of a quadrangular bottom unit212are joined to a ceiling unit210. The ceiling unit210is longer than the bottom unit212in one direction (overhang) Levelers/stoppers214a,214b,214c, and214dare provided at the four corners of a back surface of the bottom unit212(the leveler/stopper214dis not illustrated inFIG. 2). The levelers/stoppers214a,214b,214c, and214dat the four corners of the back surface of the bottom unit212can be neighbored by wheel casters504a,504b,504c, and504das illustrated in detail inFIG. 5to enable movement of the cabinet102. However, for simplicity of description, the wheel casters are not illustrated inFIG. 2toFIG. 4. The bottom unit212includes an upper surface212a.

FIG. 3is a schematic view further illustrating the structure of the cabinet102inFIG. 1, according to a representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 3, the cabinet102is constructed as follows. Panels are fixed to the cabinet base200to surround the left side, the right side, and the top. Front doors and a rear door, which are openable and closable, are provided in the front and the rear of the cabinet base200. Although only a left side panel310bis illustrated inFIG. 3, right and left side panels310aand310bon the right and left sides, respectively, have vertically elongated openings316aand316b(the opening316bis illustrated inFIG. 3), respectively. Air inlet panels and shutout blank panels are arranged in the openings of the right and left side panels310aand310bdepending on the instruments to be mounted, as described below.

A rear door312is mounted to a rear portion of the cabinet102so as to be openable and closable about the longitudinal side of the left rear portion of the cabinet102. However, the rear door is not limited thereto. An air exhaust unit320, which includes an air exhaust fan and other components (not shown), is mounted to an inner lower portion of the rear door312and protrudes toward the interior of the cabinet102. The air exhaust unit320is configured to exhaust the air in the cabinet102, e.g., installed in a cleanroom, to a space behind and below the cabinet.

Three front doors304,306, and308are mounted to a front portion of the cabinet102so as to be openable and closable. The front door304and the front door308are mounted so as to openable and closable about the longitudinal side of the left front portion of the cabinet102, although configurations of the front doors304and308are not limited thereto. A keyboard may be provided behind the front door306, which may be configured to open downward by pulling an upper side of the front door306to allow the front door306to turn about a lower side of the front door306. A top panel302is mounted to an upper portion of the cabinet102. The top panel302includes a mesh-like area314, or may have multiple minute holes (air holes) to function as a vent.

The front doors304,306, and308are openable and closable so as to allow measurement instruments and other instruments to be placed into the cabinet102from the front. The rear door312is openable and closable so as to allow mounting of a cable of a power source or the like, as well as maintenance from the rear. The cabinet size may be, for example, 600 mm (width)×1,040 mm (depth)×2,026 mm (height), although the dimensions may vary to provide unique benefits for any particular situation or to meet application specific design requirements of various implementations, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

FIG. 4is a schematic view for illustrating the structure of the cabinet102inFIG. 3, according to a representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 4, it is understood that some of the cabinet doors are opened and front portion partition boards are installed for enhancing the cooling effect for the interior of the cabinet. The rear door312can be opened as illustrated inFIG. 4. The front doors304and308may also be opened as illustrated inFIG. 4. The front door306is not shown inFIG. 4for ease of illustration.

InFIG. 4, the right front pillar202of the cabinet base200, the back side of the right side panel310a, and the opening316aof the right side panel310aare illustrated. The right side panel310ais mounted to the right front pillar202by metal fittings404a,404b,404cand404d, with a gap406adefined between the right front pillar202and the right side panel310a. Although not illustrated inFIG. 4, a similar gap406bis defined between the left front pillar204of the cabinet base200and the left side panel310b. Vertically elongated and L-shaped front portion partition boards402aand402bare mounted as illustrated inFIG. 4so as to close the gaps406aand406b.

The L-shaped front portion partition boards402aand402bare installed for the purpose of preventing the exhaust air in the rear-half portion of the interior of the cabinet102from returning to the front-half portion of the interior of the cabinet102(a space in front of the front surfaces of the instruments). The L-shaped front portion partition boards402aand402bare merely an example, and the front portion partition boards402aand402bmay have shapes other than the L shape. Alternatively, the pillars202,204,206, and208inFIG. 2may be shaped so as to also serve as partition boards.

FIG. 5is a left side view of the cabinet102inFIG. 1and an example of mounted instruments in which a left side panel310bis removed for illustration of the structure of the cabinet102, according to a representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 5, an example is given of a state in which various instruments are mounted in the cabinet102.

InFIG. 5, a liquid crystal display502of the controller is mounted between the front door304and the front door306so that a height and an angle thereof are adjustable. The liquid crystal display502is not shown in other drawings for ease of illustration.

InFIG. 5, there are illustrated a first-layer rail510, a second-layer rail512, a third-layer rail514, a fourth-layer rail516, a fifth-layer rail518, a sixth-layer rail520, a seventh-layer rail524, an eighth-layer rail526, a ninth-layer rail528, and a tenth-layer rail530between the left front pillar204and left rear pillar206of the cabinet base200. In the depicted view, the illustrated first-layer to tenth-layer rails510to530are left rails of pairs of right and left rails, each having an L-shape in cross section, on which instruments are mounted in multiple layers in the top-bottom direction.

Next, description is given of the instruments of the respective layers placed on the rails of the respective layers. An instrument550of the first layer is mounted on the first-layer rails (e.g., first-layer rail510), and is a power source unit (power distribution unit: PDU), for example, for the entire test system, according to the present embodiment.

An instrument548of the second layer and an instrument546of the third layer are mounted on the second-layer rails (e.g., second-layer rail512) and the third-layer rails (e.g., third-layer rail514), respectively, and are chassis-type measurement instruments, for example, in which measurement modules are housed. Each of the instruments548and546may be an AXie chassis, for example, such as a M9505A provided by Keysight Technologies, Inc., for example.

An instrument544of the fourth layer is mounted on the fourth-layer rails (e.g., fourth-layer rail516), and is a switching unit, for example, for switching between measurement instruments. An instrument542of the fifth layer is mounted on the fifth-layer rails (e.g., fifth-layer rail518), and is the controller, for example, configured to perform overall control of the test system according to the present embodiment. Generally, the controller may be implemented by one or more computer processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or combinations thereof, using software, firmware, hard-wired logic circuits, or combinations thereof. A computer processor, in particular, may be constructed of any combination of hardware, firmware or software architectures, and may include its own memory (e.g., nonvolatile memory) for storing executable software/firmware executable code that allows it to perform the various functions. General-purpose computers, dedicated controllers, and various other instruments in which a computer is installed may be used as the controller. Examples of the dedicated controllers include various personal computers (PCs) on which Linux (trademark) is installed as the operating system (OS). Other dedicated controllers that may be used are various personal computers (PCs) in which a Windows (trademark) series OS, a product of Microsoft (trademark) Corporation, is installed, and/or FPGA elements on which an OS is installed.

An instrument540of the sixth layer and an instrument538of the seventh layer are mounted on the sixth-layer rails (e.g., sixth-layer rail520) and the seventh-layer rails (e.g., seventh-layer rail524), respectively, and are each a source measure unit (SMU), for example, configured to perform high-quality supply and measurement of a current and a voltage. An example of the SMU is B2912A manufactured by Keysight Technologies, Inc.

An instrument536of the eighth layer is mounted on the eighth-layer rails (e.g., eighth-layer rail526), and is an LCR meter, for example, configured to measure various types of impedance. An example of the LCR meter is E4980A manufactured by Keysight Technologies, Inc. LCR meters may also be referred to as impedance meters.

An instrument534of the ninth layer is mounted on the ninth-layer rails (e.g., ninth-layer rail528), and is a digital volt meter (DVM), for example, configured to measure a voltage and a current. An example of the DVM is 34470A manufactured by Keysight Technologies, Inc.

An instrument532of the tenth layer is mounted on the tenth-layer rails (e.g., tenth-layer rail530), and may be an additional measurement instrument, for example, such as a N7745A Optical Multiport Power Meter manufactured by Keysight Technologies, Inc., for example. When the instrument532is N7745A Optical Multiport Power Meter, an optical cable (optical fiber) is connected to a connection terminal of the N7745A Optical Multiport Power Meter to connect directly to a device under test (DUT) on a wafer through a hole in a cylinder908, which has a hollow portion and is at the center of a test head124described below with reference toFIG. 9A.

The wheel casters504band504care illustrated inFIG. 5on the back surface of the bottom unit212of the cabinet base200in addition to the levelers/stoppers214band214c. While the wheel casters are provided at the four corners of the back surface of the bottom unit212, only the wheel casters504band504cin the left front and left rear portions of the cabinet are illustrated inFIG. 5. The wheel casters are not illustrated in other drawings for ease of illustration.

InFIG. 5, the back side of the right side panel310aof the cabinet102is illustrated. Although not illustrated inFIG. 5, air intake panels are mounted in the opening316aof the right side panel and the opening316bof the left side panel at positions corresponding to air inlet positions of the mounted instruments, as described below. Blank panels are mounted at other positions to block ventilation to and from the outside.

InFIG. 5, there is also illustrated the front portion partition board402b, which is mounted to the left front portion on the inside of the cabinet102. InFIG. 5, the space above the instrument532in the cabinet is empty. However, additional rails may be installed in this space to mount an additional measurement instrument or a different type of instrument, in various configurations.

In spaces inside the cabinet in which no instrument is mounted, such as the space above the instrument532, for example, at least one separation panel1902as illustrated inFIG. 19is installed between the right front pillar202and left front pillar204of the cabinet102.FIG. 19is a perspective view of a part of the cabinet102with a front door304opened for illustration of the separation panels1902, which are installed in the space above the instrument532inFIG. 5, according to a representative embodiment. Each separation panel1902is a component required for separation of a front portion space and rear portion space relevant to air intake and air exhaust in the cabinet102in such cases. In other words, when the interior of the cabinet102has a layer on which no instrument is mounted, the separation of an air intake space and an air exhaust space in the cabinet102may not function effectively without the separation panel1902, as described below.

The separation panel1902is applicable not only to an upper space in the cabinet102in which no instrument is mounted, and is applicable as a separation panel of a size suitable for the separation of a front portion space and rear portion space relevant to air intake and air exhaust in the cabinet102in a central or lower space in the cabinet102in which no instrument is mounted. Air intake panel606and blank panel608are further described below with reference toFIG. 19.

FIG. 6Ais a sectional view for illustrating an air cooling structure of the cabinet102with respect to one instrument, andFIG. 6Bis a sectional view for illustrating another air cooling structure of the cabinet102with respect to an instrument, according to representative embodiments. Thus, description of an air cooling structure of the cabinet102in the test system is provided referring toFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B.

As a rule of thumb derived from observation of rack-mountable measurement instruments or rack-mountable controllers and other instruments in circulation, all instruments similar to the instruments532to550mounted inFIG. 5have an air inlet or an air outlet for cooling at one of the following positions. That is, the air inlet for cooling is on the front surface of the instrument, or on the left side surface and/or right side surface of the instrument. The air outlet for cooling, on the other hand, is on the rear surface of the instrument, or on one of the left side surface and the right side surface of the instrument having no air inlet.

Accordingly, the following eight cases are examined to consider cooling in the cabinet. (1) The air inlet is on the right side surface, and the air outlet is on the left side surface. (2) The air inlet is on the right side surface, and the air outlet is on the rear surface. (3) The air inlet is on the left side surface, and the air outlet is on the right side surface. (4) The air inlet is on the left side surface, and the air outlet is on the rear surface. (5) The air inlet is on each of the left side surface and the right side surface, and the air outlet is on the rear surface. (6) The air inlet is on the front surface, and the air outlet is on the left side surface. (7) The air inlet is on the front surface, and the air outlet is on the right side surface. (8) The air inlet is on the front surface, and the air outlet is on the rear surface.

FIG. 6Ais a sectional view of the cabinet cut horizontally at the midpoint of the height of a mounted instrument as viewed from above in Case 1 or Case 2. A panel620inFIG. 6Acorresponds to one of the front doors304,306, and308of the cabinet. A portion including the panel620is the front portion of the cabinet, and a portion including the rear door312is the rear portion of the cabinet. The front portion partition board402ahaving an L shape is installed in front of the right front pillar202of the cabinet base, and the front portion partition board402bis similarly installed in front of the left front pillar204. An instrument602is installed on a pair of rails604aand604b. A rear end line626of the upper surface212aof the bottom unit212of the cabinet base200is shown.

In Case 1, air is taken into the instrument602as indicated by the arrow A, and is exhausted from the instrument602as indicated by the arrow B. To accomplish this with a high cooling effect, an air intake panel606is installed in a portion of the opening316ain the right side panel310aof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602. The air intake panel606includes an air intake guide622, which is tubular as described below, and this tubular portion is illustrated in cross section inFIG. 6Ain two places. A surface of the air intake panel606is shaped like a mesh or has multiple minute holes (air holes) to take the outside air into the cabinet as described below. A blank panel608configured to block ventilation to and from the outside is installed in a portion of the opening316bin the left side panel310bof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602, near the air outlet on the left side surface of the instrument602. As described below, the blank panel608may simply be a flat board without an opening, and covers a position of the opening316bat a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602. The blank panel608is installed so that, when an instrument other than the instrument602is mounted on one of the layers of the cabinet in the mode of Case 3 or Case 4, degradation in cooling efficiency due to the mixing of the exhaust air of the instrument602with the outside air taken into that instrument is prevented.

Another purpose of the blank panel608is to prevent the exhaust air of the instrument602from leaking from the side of the cabinet and being taken into another instrument through an air intake panel of the instrument. This is because a cleanroom in which the test system is installed to conduct a wafer test is generally structured so that air is taken in from the floor surface and exhausted to the outside of the clean room. This demands that the exhaust air of the test system be a downflow all the time and demands the prevention of the mixing of the exhaust air with the intake air as well.

The blank panel608may also be used to guide the exhaust air of the instrument602toward the rear of the interior of the cabinet by making the exhaust air bump against the blank panel608. With the L-shaped front portion partition board402binstalled in the front portion of the interior of the cabinet as described above, the exhaust air of the instrument602flows only toward the rear of the interior of the cabinet. The exhaust air can accordingly be guided to the rear.

In other words, in Case 1, the air in a space X in a portion of the interior of the cabinet in front of the front surface of the instrument602inFIG. 6Ais separated from the instrument602and does not participate in the cooling of the instrument602.

A space Y next to the right side surface of the instrument602on which the air inlet is located functions as a path along the arrow A for the air taken in from the outside of the cabinet by a tubular air intake guide622of the air intake panel606, and is separated from the air in spaces in front of, to the left, and behind the instrument602.

A space next to the left side surface of the instrument602on which the air outlet is located communicates to a space in the cabinet behind and outside the instrument602to form a space Z, and further, the air in this space is exhausted to the outside behind and below the cabinet by the air exhaust unit320, which is located in an inner lower portion of the rear door312in the rear portion of the cabinet as illustrated inFIG. 3. Consequently, the air in this space is sufficiently separated from the air near the air inlet of the instrument602and an air inlet of another instrument mounted in the cabinet, and does not affect the cooling of the instruments mounted in the cabinet. When the cabinet of the present invention is installed in a cleanroom in which an air outlet is often provided on the floor surface, the air exhausted to the outside of the cabinet may therefore be quickly exhausted to the outside of the cleanroom without being diffused.

In Case 2, air is exhausted from the rear of the instrument602inFIG. 6Aas indicated by the arrow C. However, the air intake panel606installed in a portion of the opening316ain the right side panel310aof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602and the blank panel608installed in a portion of the opening316bin the left side panel310bof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602are the same as those in Case 1. In other words, in Case 2, exhaust air C from the instrument602inFIG. 6Ais exhausted to the same space Z as in Case 1, and the same description that is given on Case 1 accordingly applies to the spaces X, Y, and Z.

Case 3 and Case 4 are understood by switching the left and right in the descriptions given above regarding Case 1 and Case 2 with reference toFIG. 6A. Detailed descriptions of Case 3 and Case 4 are therefore omitted.

In Case 5, the cabinet may be cooled efficiently by combining Case 2 and Case 4, and mounting the air intake panel606from the left, and another air intake panel symmetrical with the air intake panel606from the right, to each of a portion of the right side panel310aof the cabinet and a portion of the left side panel310bof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument602.

Next, description is provided for Case 6 to Case 8 with reference toFIG. 6B.FIG. 6Bis a sectional view similar toFIG. 6A, but an instrument610illustrated inFIG. 6Bis an instrument in Case 6, 7, or 8, and takes in air from the space X in front of the instrument610in the direction of the arrow E. In Case 6, the air is exhausted from the left side surface of the instrument610as indicated by the arrow B. In Case 8, the air is exhausted from the rear surface of the instrument610as indicated by the arrow C. The blank panel608is mounted in each of a portion of the opening316ain the right side panel310aof the cabinet and a portion of the opening316bin the left side panel310bof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument610. Each blank panel608prevents the exhaust air of the instrument610from mixing with the air outside the left or right side of the cabinet. When an instrument other than the instrument610is mounted in one of the layers of the cabinet in the mode of one of Case 1 to Case 5, degradation in cooling efficiency due to the mixing of the exhaust air of the instrument610with the outside air taken into that instrument may accordingly be avoided.

In Case 6, the instrument610takes in air from the space X in the cabinet in front of the front surface of the instrument610in the direction of the arrow E. The air in the space X may be outside air introduced through the mesh-like area314, which is illustrated inFIG. 3as an area in the top panel302of the cabinet. Note that the mesh-like area314is provided only in a place corresponding to the space X. In addition to the mesh-like area314, an air inlet leading only to the space X to take in the air from below may be provided between a lower portion of the front door306and the front end of the bottom unit212.

The intake air of the instrument610passes through the instrument610, and is exhausted from the left side surface as indicated by the arrow B. The exhaust air is then exhausted to a space V, in which a space in the cabinet outside each of the left and right side surfaces of the instrument610communicates with a space in the cabinet behind and outside the instrument610, and is further exhausted to the outside behind and below the cabinet by the air exhaust unit320, which is located in an inner lower portion of the rear door312in the rear portion of the cabinet as illustrated inFIG. 3. Consequently, the exhaust air is sufficiently separated from the air near the air inlet of the instrument610and an air inlet of another instrument mounted in the cabinet.

Case 7 is understood by switching the left and the right in the description above regarding Case 6 with reference toFIG. 6B. A detailed description of Case 7 is therefore omitted.

In Case 8, air is exhausted from the rear of the instrument610inFIG. 6Bas indicated by the arrow C. The blank panel608mounted in each of a portion of the opening316ain the right side panel310aof the cabinet and a portion of the opening316bin the left side panel310bof the cabinet at a height corresponding to the position of the instrument610, is the same as the one in Case 6. Consequently, the exhaust air from the instrument610is sufficiently separated from the air near the air inlet of the instrument610and an air inlet of another instrument mounted in the cabinet in Case 8 as in Case 6.

Considering the space V inFIG. 6Band the space Z inFIG. 6A, it may be thought that the space Z inFIG. 6Aextends also to a portion that is not surrounded by the air intake guide622of the air intake panel606in the space Y, though not illustrated in detail, in a shape similar to that of the space V inFIG. 6B.

Next, description is provided of the air intake panel606and blank panel608illustrated inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6Bwith reference toFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B.FIG. 7Ais a perspective view of an air intake panel, which is mounted to a side surface of the cabinet102, andFIG. 7Bis a perspective view of a blank panel, which is mounted to a side surface of the cabinet102, according to a representative embodiments.

FIG. 7Ais a view for illustrating the air intake panel606, which is mounted to a side of the cabinet. An air inlet704through which air is taken in from the outside of an air exhaust panel is shaped like a mesh or has multiple minute holes (air holes). The tubular air intake guide extends from the air inlet704to an air inlet of the instrument. The air inlet704inFIG. 7Ais a rectangle having a width W and a height H. The air intake guide622, which is a tube having a length D, is also a rectangle having the width W and the height H in cross section. An end portion of the air intake guide622that is opposite from the air intake panel606is desirably in contact with a side surface of the instrument on which an air inlet is located, or is close enough to the side surface of the instrument to make an inflow of the air from a space inside the cabinet ignorable. The height H is desirably substantially equal to the height of the instrument relevant to air intake, but it is not limited thereto.

When the width of an instrument mounted in the cabinet is smaller than a width between the pillars of the cabinet, and the gap between the end portion of the air intake guide622of the air intake panel606and an air inlet of the mounted instrument consequently presents a problem in separating the front portion space and rear portion space relevant to air intake and air exhaust in the cabinet as described with reference toFIG. 19, a mechanism may be provided to extend the air intake guide622at the tip of the air intake guide622of the air intake panel606. The mechanism is shaped so that the front portion space and rear portion space relevant to air exhaust and air intake in the cabinet are separated.

Alternatively, the air intake panel606in the case described above may include a separation panel capable of extending farther the length D of the air intake guide622. The separation panel is further capable of separating the front portion space and rear portion space relevant to air exhaustion and air intake in the cabinet.

The shape of the air inlet704and the air intake guide622in cross section may match the shape of the air inlet of the instrument, or may be larger than the air inlet shape of the instrument. This shape in cross section may also be smaller than the air inlet shape of the instrument and, in this case, modifications are required to prevent the mixing of the air taken into the instrument from the outside of the air intake guide with the air exhausted from the instrument. However, such modifications are within the scope of the present teachings.

FIG. 7Bis an illustration of the blank panel608. The blank panel608desirably has a height H substantially equal to the height of an instrument relevant to the installation of the blank panel608, although the height H of the blank panel608is not limited thereto. The blank panel608may have various shapes as long as the blank panel608is capable of preventing the mixing of the air inside the cabinet and the air outside the cabinet.

Therefore, in a space above the instrument532inside the cabinet, a separation panel (not shown) is provided between the right and left front pillars202and204in a space in front of and above the front surface position of the instrument532in which no instrument is mounted as described above with reference toFIG. 5andFIG. 19, in order to separate the space X from other spaces inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B.

FIG. 8is a perspective view for schematically illustrating the exterior of a cabinet with air intake panels and blank panels mounted to a side surface of the cabinet, according to a representative embodiment. That is,FIG. 8illustrates how the exterior of cabinet300(substantially similar to cabinet102) appears after instruments are mounted therein. In the opening316bin the left side panel of the cabinet300, air intake panels804,806, and808are mounted at positions corresponding to the instruments532,534, and536in the cabinet102as shown inFIG. 5, each of which has an air inlet on the left side. The opening316balso has a number of blank panels802other than the air intake panels804,806, and808. The front doors304,306, and308and liquid crystal display502as shown inFIG. 5are not shown in the cabinet300illustrated inFIG. 8to facilitate understanding.

In other words, the cabinet (102,300) of the first representative embodiment may be configured so that the cabinet includes at least one front door (304,306,308), a left side panel (310b), a right side panel (310a), a rear door (312), a ceiling unit (210), and a bottom unit (212), and is configured to house multiple instruments (104,106,108,110,112). Each of the instruments in the cabinet has a front surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and a rear surface, and some of the measurement instruments each include at least one first connection terminal (104a,104b,106a,106b,110a,110b,112a,112b).

The cabinet (102,300) may further include a first space (X) defined in the cabinet between the at least one front door and the front surface of each of the instruments, and a second space (Z) defined in the cabinet between the rear door and the front surface of each of the instruments. The cabinet has a configuration in which the first space and the second space are separated in the cabinet to separate intake air and exhaust air of the instruments in the cabinet.

When some of the instruments have air inlets on left side surfaces and/or right side surfaces thereof, the cabinet includes air intake panels (606) on the left side surface and/or the right side surface of the cabinet corresponding to the air inlets. The air intake panels each include a tubular air intake guide (622), which extends from the relevant air inlet and pierces through the left side surface and/or the right side surface of the cabinet corresponding to the relevant air inlet. The cabinet includes a blank panel (608) as a first separation panel, which separates air inside the cabinet and air outside the cabinet, for left side surfaces and/or right side surfaces of some of the instruments for which no air inlets are provided.

The configuration of separating the first space and the second space in the cabinet may include multiple second separation panels (402a,402b), which cover gaps between left and right edges of the front surfaces of the instruments and left and right side surfaces of the cabinet. The configuration of separating the first space and the second space in the cabinet may include a third separation panel, which covers from an upper edge of the front surface of at least one of the instruments to the ceiling unit of the cabinet, and/or a fourth separation panel, which covers from a lower edge of the front surface of at least another of the instruments to the bottom unit of the cabinet. The configuration of separating the first space and the second space in the cabinet may include a fifth separation panel, which covers from a lower edge of the front surface of one of the instruments to an upper edge of the front surface of another of the plurality of instruments.

With the configuration of the cabinet described above, the cooling system of the cabinet according to the representative embodiment of the invention may perform separately, for each of multiple different instruments housed in the cabinet (e.g., measurement instruments), air intake suited to a corresponding air intake system of the instrument. In addition, the intake air and exhaust air of each instrument are separated to avoid mixture, which enables the instrument to take in air having a temperature close to room temperature despite being inside the cabinet. With each instrument having the independent air intake structure, limitations on the maximum allowable heat capacity for the cabinet, which has been a problem with respect to conventional cabinets, are lifted, and every instrument housed in the cabinet can be cooled in a suitable state envisioned for the instrument at the time of designing of each instrument. This enables the instrument to deliver its designed performance.

In other words, the structure described above allows the cabinet to stack multiple measurement instruments and other instruments having different cooling structures in a manner limiting in the cabinet height direction, without needing to conform to power consumption limitations. An appropriate cooling effect is also obtained for each of the instruments regardless of the position in the cabinet height direction in which the instrument is placed. Accordingly, a new measurement instrument required to be installed in the cabinet, e.g., by a request for the new measurement, may be flexibly added to the interior of the cabinet even though the cabinet was not designed specifically to the specifications of new instrument, which is advantageous.

Next, with reference toFIG. 9AandFIG. 9BtoFIG. 15AandFIG. 15B, description is given of a test head structure and a pin module structure in a representative embodiment.

FIG. 9Ais a perspective view of a test head124in a blank state as viewed in the direction of an upper surface130of the test head124in order to illustrate the structure of the test head124, andFIG. 9Bis a perspective view of the test head124as viewed in the direction of the upper surface130in which all pin modules are mounted in order to illustrate the structure of the test head124, according to representative embodiments.

FIG. 9Ais a view for illustrating the test head124in a blank state for easier understanding of the test head structure. The pin module120prior to the insertion into the test head124is illustrated above and to the right of the test head124. The test head124has the upper surface130and the lower surface132, and the pin module120is mounted by inserting the pin module120from the same side as the upper surface130. The cylinder908having a hollow portion is included at the center of the inside of the test head124, and inner guide rails904are provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder908. Outer guide rails902are provided in a concentric cylindrical pattern so as to further surround the cylinder908.

The pin module120is inserted into a slot formed by a pair of one inner guide rail904and one outer guide rail902to be mounted in a radial pattern around the cylinder908. As described below, a substantially donut-shaped opening910is formed around a portion of the lower surface132of the test head in which the cylinder908is in contact with the lower surface132. A pogo block1010(illustrated inFIG. 11) to which the contact probes120c(illustrated inFIG. 1) of the pin module120are mounted is mounted so that tip of the pogo block1010protrudes from the lower surface132. As many slot interlock switches906as the number of inner guide rails904are arranged in a ring pattern on the inner side of the cylinder908on the upper surface130side as described below. When a pin module120is set in each slot as described below, a corresponding switch out of slot interlock switches906is depressed.

FIG. 9Bis a view for illustrating the test head124with a maximum number of pin modules120mounted thereto. InFIG. 9B, the connection terminals120aand120bof the pin modules120are arranged in a concentric pattern on the upper surface130of the test head124. The maximum number of pin modules120that can be mounted to the test head124shown inFIG. 9Bis 48, for example, although different maximum numbers of pin modules120may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The test head124may have a cover to protect and/or hide the connection terminals.

The layout illustrated inFIG. 9AandFIG. 9B, which arranges the pin modules120in a radial pattern in the test head124, is merely an example, and the pin modules120may be arranged in various patterns in the test head124, without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For instance, the pin modules120may be grouped and arranged on a group-by-group basis so that each group is parallel to one of the four side surfaces of the test head124. Also, the surface of the pin module120may be located at the side surface of the test head124. Such modifications of various structures in the test head124, too, are to be interpreted as being within the scope of the present teachings.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of a pin module, according to a representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 10, description is provided of the structure of each pin module120. As illustrated in the perspective view ofFIG. 10, the pin module120includes a decorative board1016, a main body substrate1014, and the pogo block1010.

The decorative board1016forms a surface flush with the upper surface130of the test head124when the pin module120is fixed to the test head124. The decorative board1016improves the external appearance of the mounted pin module120by painting or other measures, and also improves strength so that the pin module120is able to withstand a load applied when a connector is mounted or removed.

The decorative board1016may have a wedge shape, for example, as viewed from above. At the tip of the wedge shape of the decorative board1016, an interlock pin1002protruding downward is provided. The interlock pin1002is a mechanism for enabling the test head side to detect that the pin module120is mounted by depressing the tip of a projection of one of the slot interlock switches906, as described below, when the pin module120is mounted to the test head124, and thus closing the corresponding slot interlock switch906.

The pogo block1010includes a contact probe mounting holder1020, which provides the pin module120with contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008c(illustrated as the contact probes120a,120b, and120cinFIG. 1), and to which the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008care mounted. The pogo block1010also has screw holes1012aand1012bfor positioning on the lower surface132(FIG. 9A) of the test head124when the pin module120is mounted. The contact probe mounting holder1020is also configured to convert the connection of signals transmitted from the connection terminals120aand120bby cables as described below, and then connect the signals to the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008c.

The main body substrate1014is structured to come into contact with a relevant inner guide rail (904) and a relevant outer guide rail (902) when the pin module120is inserted in the test head124, and to support the decorative board1016and the pogo block1010. The main body substrate1014is further structured to bear a connection terminal mounting module1018, which supports the connection terminals120aand120b, and to bear a mechanism with which signals transmitted to the connection terminals120aand120bare transmitted to the pogo block1010. The connection terminals120aand120bextend from the connection terminal mounting module1018, pierce the decorative board1016, and protrude above the decorative board1016.

The connection terminals120aand120bin the pin module120inFIG. 10may both be coaxial connectors, for example, which are connected to coaxial cables1004and1006, respectively, by the connection terminal mounting module1018. Signals from the coaxial cables1004and1006are reconnected to the three contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008cby the contact probe mounting holder1020. For example, a signal transmitted from the connection terminal120ato a core portion of the coaxial cable1004is connected to the contact probe1008a, a signal transmitted from the connection terminal120bto a core portion of the coaxial cable1006is connected to the contact probe1008b, and a signal transmitted from the connection terminal120ato an outer conductor of the coaxial cable1004and a signal transmitted from the connection terminal120bto an outer conductor of the coaxial cable1006are both connected to the contact probe1008c.

The pin module120structured as above is capable of connection conversion from the connection terminals120aand120binto the contact probes1008ato1008c. The connection terminals may be composed of the connectors with cables. The pogo block1010may be separated from the body substrate and the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008cmay be connected to signals from the connection terminals120aand120bby cables. Various embodiments further are capable of connection conversion from various connection terminals (i.e., connectors) that receive signals from various types of instruments into contact probes by changing pin modules.

Next, with reference toFIG. 11toFIG. 14, description is provided of a mechanism for fixing the pogo block1010of the pin module120to the lower surface132of the test head124.FIG. 11is a perspective view illustrating mounting of the pin module120inFIG. 10to the test head124, according to a representative embodiment. InFIG. 11, a panel, referred to as pogo panel1102for purposes of explanation, is mounted to the lower surface132of the test head124, and the pogo block1010is mounted to the pogo panel1102. The pogo block1010has two screw holes1012aand1012b, as illustrated inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of the test head124as viewed from a lower surface132of the test head124in which pin modules120are not yet mounted, andFIG. 13is a perspective view for illustrating the pogo panel1102inFIG. 12, according to a representative embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the pogo panel1102is a ring-like member in which four arc-shaped openings1106a,1106b,1106cand1106dtogether form a ring pattern. The pogo panel1102is provided with captive screws for fastening by forming pairs of captive screws from captive screws1104barranged along the inner arcs of the openings1106ato1106dand captive screws1104aarranged along the outer arcs of the openings1106ato1106d.FIG. 12is a perspective view as viewed from the lower surface132of the test head124, with no pin modules mounted to the test head124. The pogo panel1102inFIG. 13is placed at the center of the lower surface132, and the four openings1106ato1106dform openings leading to the inside of the test head124.

When the tip of the pogo block1010of the pin module120inFIG. 10is inserted from the same side as the upper surface130of the test head124inFIG. 12and pierces one of the openings1106ato1106d, the screw holes1012aand1012bof the pogo block1010engage with a pair of captive screws1104aand1104blocated at a corresponding position, out of the captive screws1104aand1104bprovided on both sides of each opening.

The captive screws1104aand1104b, which do not fall out of the pogo panel1102when loosened, enable a worker to efficiently fix the pogo block1010of each pin module120to a given place in the pogo panel1102, and to install the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008cof each pin module120at accurate positions with ease. In other words, with the mechanism of mounting the pogo block1010and the pogo panel1102described above, the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008cmounted to the pogo panel1102may be positioned accurately on the lower surface132of the test head124, based on the accumulated difference of a distance from the inner guide rail904and outer guide rail902of the test head124to the pogo panel1102.

FIG. 14is a perspective view of the test head124as viewed from the lower surface132of the test head124in which all pin modules120are installed in the test head124, according to a representative embodiment, as described above. The contact probe1008ais installed at an innermost position in the ring-pattern arrangement, and the contact probe1008cis installed at an outermost position in the ring-pattern arrangement. The arrangement of a pair of captive screws1104aand1104bwith which each pogo block1010is fixed is illustrated as well.

The shape of the pogo panel and/or how the pin modules are arranged to be mounted may vary, without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

FIG. 15Ais a perspective view for illustrating slot interlock switches906inFIG. 9A, andFIG. 15Bis a circuit diagram of the slot interlock switches906, according to a representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 15AandFIG. 15B, description is also provided for the interlock pin1002of the pin module120inFIG. 10. The slot interlock switches906are provided inside the cylinder908of the test head124as illustrated inFIG. 9A. Each of the slot interlock switches906is a switch having a jutting tip1502. The number of slot interlock switches906is the same as the number of slots for pin modules120arranged into a ring pattern. When a pin module120is mounted to the test head124, the interlock pin1002depresses the tip1502of one of the slot interlock switches906at the corresponding position inside the cylinder908, thereby closing the slot interlock switch906at the corresponding position.

The slot interlock switches906may be arranged in a circuit as illustrated inFIG. 15B, for example. The slot interlock switch906associated with Slot1to the slot interlock switch906associated with Slot48are connected so that the positive side of one slot interlock switch906and the negative side of its adjacent slot interlock switch906are short-circuited as illustrated. Thus, when all of the slot interlock switches906are closed, whether all pin modules120are mounted can be detected from the state of a signal flowing between a terminal T1and a terminal T2. Accordingly, the test system can be built so that, for security, a signal cannot be output from a measurement instrument unless all pin modules are mounted when the test system is put into operation. This protects workers, for example, from hazardous electric potentials of the test head interior and a probe card.

A blank pin module may be installed to/from which no signal is input/output electrically in each slot in which no function is needed for pin modules120inside the test head124. The blank pin module may not include one or more of components shown inFIG. 10, for example, such as the connection terminals120aand120b, the connection terminal mounting module1018, the coaxial cables1004and1006, the contact probe mounting holder1020, and the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008c, while still including at least the interlock pin1002and the screw holes1012aand1012bfor fixing the pogo block1010. This may reduce the cost of the test system.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of a pin module, according to another representative embodiment. Referring toFIG. 16, description is provided of a pin module1600of a test system. The same parts described above, e.g., with reference to the pin module120, are denoted by the same reference symbols.

The pin module1600differs from the pin module120shown inFIG. 10in that signal paths from the connection terminals to the pogo block1010are conductive patterns formed on a main body substrate1604instead of cables (e.g., coaxial cables1004and1006). The main body substrate1604is provided with a connection terminal mounting module1606for the connection terminals120aand120b. Multiple conductive patterns are formed on the main body substrate1604from the connection terminal mounting module1606to the pogo block1010, although hidden from sight by shield members1602and1610. The shield members1602and1610, which are made of metal, for example, are provided above the conductive patterns as covers, improving insulation performance over lines built from a conductive pattern on a normal substrate.

A holder1608for the pin module1600is substantially the same as the contact probe mounting holder1020inFIG. 10. The holder1608thus provides the pin module1600with the contact probes1008a,1008b, and1008c.

The pin module1600has an advantage over the pin module120in that an alteration for acquiring an added value in addition to the simple function of outputting a signal to a contact probe is easily made by mounting a relay and/or other electronic parts on the pin module1600.

A pin module of a test system according to yet another representative embodiment is configured so that a control line from the controller is connected, and the number of connection terminals for cables from the cabinet is increased. Thus, multiple measurement functions may be provided by mounting a relay and/or an analog or digital active element on the main body substrate to switch signal lines.

A signal line and connectors conforming to the USB standards or the like may be used as the control line from the controller, for example.

The representative embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be examples. One skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications, substitutions, and alterations without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

The cabinet of the wafer test system according to the embodiments is configured so that a space in the cabinet in front of the front surfaces of multiple instruments mounted in the cabinet is separated from a space in the cabinet behind the front surfaces of the mounted instruments. The cabinet accommodates mounted instruments that are structured to take in air through an air inlet on one of its side surfaces, since the cabinet includes an air intake panel with an air intake guide through which air outside the cabinet is directly taken in, where the air intake panel is positioned proximate to the air inlet on one of the side surfaces of the mounted instrument. The cabinet includes a blank panel by which ventilation to and from the outside is blocked on the cabinet's side surface, which may correspond to another side surface of the mounted instrument, such that the mounted instrument is able to exhaust air from the side surface and/or from its rear.

Various instruments mounted in the cabinet irrespective of whether air is taken in from the right side surface, the left side surface, or the front surface of the instrument can accordingly operate without lowering the cooling efficiency of each instrument. The cabinet is therefore easy and flexible in design, so that an additional instruments can be mounted in the cabinet, including new or different instruments for which the cabinet was not specifically designed.

In contrast, the cabinet in a conventional wafer test system lets the intake air and exhaust air of instruments mounted in the cabinet mix. This lowers the cooling efficiency of each instrument and hinders the instrument from delivering its designed performance. A conventional wafer test system also has difficulty adding a new signal path in the test head because some measurement resources are mounted in the cabinet, while others are mounted in the test head. The signal paths and control paths are therefore complicated.

In the embodiments of the cabinet, on the other hand, measurement resources are mounted only in the cabinet, which means that control paths to the measurement resources are mostly inside the cabinet, and signal paths from the cabinet to the test head are simplified as well. It is also easy to control and add an instrument because the test head of the various embodiments receives a signal from the cabinet basically with a pin module. Simple and single-function pin modules, which output to the control probes without an intervening relay or active element, are mounted to the test head. In addition, with pin modules, a change in connector shape can easily be accommodated for each measurement resource separately, which enables the wafer test system to handle an addition of a measurement resource flexibly in any manner.

Overall, the test system according to various embodiments of the present invention enable the latest technological demands in the field of wafer testing to be met. The test system may be built flexibly, by giving the cabinet of the test system the structure described above in which measurement resources to be mounted can be concentrated in the cabinet and, at the same time, degradation in cooling efficiency is prevented. Also, by housing in the test head multiple single-function pin modules that receive a signal from the cabinet on a measurement resource-by-measurement resource basis, and output the received signal in a contact probe format.

While the disclosure references exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.