System for testing semiconductor modules

A system for testing semiconductor modules may include a first testing unit, a second testing unit, a classifying unit and a transferring unit. The first testing unit may test functions of the semiconductor modules mounted on a main board. The second testing unit may test the semiconductor modules tested by the first testing unit using a terminal. The classifying unit may classify the semiconductor modules tested by the second testing unit into normal semiconductor modules and abnormal semiconductor modules, or pass/fail. The transferring unit may be connected in-line between the first testing unit and the second testing unit, and between the second testing unit and the classifying unit to transfer the semiconductor modules from the first testing unit to the second testing unit and the classifying unit. Thus, the semiconductor modules may be automatically transferred to the units, so that a test time may be reduced.

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 2012-145862, filed on Dec. 14, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The inventive concepts generally relate to systems and methods for testing semiconductor modules. In some example embodiments the inventive concepts relate to a system for testing semiconductor modules that may be mounted on a main board of a terminal such as a personal computer.

BACKGROUND

Generally, in order to test a semiconductor module mounted on a main circuit board, there is performed a computer process for testing functions of the semiconductor module. For example, a computer process for testing the semiconductor module can be performed using a computer terminal, such as a properly configured personal computer. According to such processes, the tested semiconductor modules are classified as either normal semiconductor modules or abnormal semiconductor modules.

The semiconductor modules may be manually transferred from one unit to another for performing the testing processes, where each unit can represent a different stage in the overall testing process. Thus, with the manual movement of a semiconductor module from one unit to another, the test processes may require a long time.

Further, the unit for testing the semiconductor module using the computer terminal may only accommodate the testing of one semiconductor module, so that the test processes may require a very long time. Particularly, there may exist difficulties in testing various kinds of the semiconductor modules.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, provided is a system for testing semiconductor modules that can significantly shorten a test time.

According to some aspects of the inventive concept, there may be provided a semiconductor modules testing system. The system may include a first testing unit, at least one second testing unit, a classifying unit, and a transferring unit. The first testing unit may be configured to test functions of the semiconductor modules mounted on a main board. The at least one second testing unit may be configured to test the semiconductor modules tested by the first testing unit using a terminal. The classifying unit may be configured to classify the semiconductor modules tested by the second testing unit into normal (or pass) semiconductor modules and abnormal (or fail) semiconductor modules. The transferring unit may be between the first testing unit and the at least one second testing unit, and between the at least one second testing unit and the classifying unit to transfer the semiconductor modules from the first testing unit to the at least one second testing unit and the classifying unit.

In various embodiments, the at least one second testing unit may be a plurality of second testing units.

In various embodiments, the second testing units may be connected the transferring unit in series.

In various embodiments, the second testing unit may be connected to the transferring in parallel.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may include a ball screw connected between the first testing unit and each of the at least one second testing unit, and between the at least one second testing unit and the classifying unit, and a tray threadedly combined with the ball screw and configured to receive the semiconductor modules.

In various embodiments, the ball screw may be arranged in at least two rows.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may further include a picker configured to load and unload the semiconductor modules into and from the tray.

In various embodiments, the system may further include a cutting unit and a rotating unit. The cutting unit may be configured to cut a printed circuit board (PCB) having the semiconductor modules to a plurality of divided semiconductor modules, e.g., into individual semiconductor modules. The rotating unit may be arranged between the cutting unit and the first testing unit and configured to vertically orient the semiconductor modules.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may also be connected between the cutting unit and the rotating unit, and between the rotating unit and the first testing unit.

According to aspects of the inventive concepts, there may be provided a semiconductor modules testing system. The system may include a first testing unit, a plurality of second testing units, and a classifying unit. The first testing unit may be configured to test functions of the semiconductor modules mounted on a main board. The second testing units may be configured to test the semiconductor modules tested by the first testing unit using a terminal. The classifying unit may be configured to classify the semiconductor modules tested by the second testing unit into normal (or pass) semiconductor modules and abnormal (or fail) semiconductor modules. A transferring unit may be configured to pass the semiconductor modules from the first testing unit to each of the plurality of second testing units and then to the classifying unit.

In various embodiments, the second testing units may be connected the transferring unit in series.

In various embodiments, the second testing unit may be connected to the transferring in parallel.

In various embodiments, the system may further include a cutting unit and a rotating unit. The cutting unit may be configured to cut a printed circuit board (PCB) having the semiconductor modules to a plurality of divided semiconductor modules, e.g., individual semiconductor modules. The rotating unit may be arranged between the cutting unit and the first testing unit and configured to vertically orient the semiconductor modules.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may be connected between the first testing unit and the second testing unit, and between the second testing unit and the classifying unit. Thus, the semiconductor modules may be automatically transferred to the units, so that a test time may be reduced. Further, the second testing units may be arranged using the transferring unit, so that the time for testing the numerous semiconductor modules may be remarkably reduced. Particularly, various kinds of the semiconductor modules may be tested in a short time.

In accordance with one aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a transferring unit, for use with a semiconductor module testing system having a first testing unit configured to test functions of the semiconductor modules that are mounted on a main board, at least one second testing unit configured to test the semiconductor modules tested by the first testing unit using a terminal and a classifying unit configured to classify the semiconductor modules tested by the at least one second testing unit into normal semiconductor modules and abnormal semiconductor modules. The transferring unit is connected between the first testing unit and the at least one second testing unit and between the at least one second testing unit and the classifying unit and configured to transfer the semiconductor modules from the first testing unit to the at least one second testing unit and then to the classifying unit.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may comprise a ball screw connected between the first testing unit and each of the at least one second testing unit and between the at least one second testing unit and the classifying unit and a tray threadedly combined with the ball screw and configured to receive the semiconductor modules.

In various embodiments, the ball screw may be arranged in at least two rows.

In various embodiments, the transferring unit may further comprise a picker configured to load and unload the semiconductor modules into and from the tray.

In various embodiments, the at least one second unit may be a plurality of second units arranged in series and the transferring unit is arranged between each of the second units.

In various embodiments, the at least one second unit may be a plurality of second units arranged in parallel and the transferring unit is arranged between each of the second units.

In accordance with aspects of the inventive concepts, provided is a system and method for testing semiconductor modules as shown in the drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments may be described herein with reference to idealized structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a feature illustrated as a rectangle may have rounded or curved features. Thus, the feature, parts, and components illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a system for testing semiconductor modules in accordance with aspects of the invention, andFIG. 2is an enlarged plan view illustrating an embodiment of a transferring unit of the system inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a system100for testing semiconductor modules may include a cutting unit110, a rotating unit120, a first testing unit130, a second testing unit140, a classifying unit150and a transferring unit160. In example embodiments, the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140, and the classifying unit150may be sequentially or serially arranged. InFIG. 1, as an example, these units are sequentially arranged from left to right.

In various embodiments, the cutting unit110may be configured to cut a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the semiconductor modules may be mounted to divide the semiconductor modules, e.g., into individual semiconductor modules. The cutting unit110may have a function for automatically replacing a bit, which may be used to cut the PCB, by new one. Such bits are known in the art. Further, the cutting unit110may also be configured to measure dimensions of the PCB; scan a bar code of the PCB, and/or detect a bad semiconductor module of the PCB.

In various embodiments, the rotating unit120may be configured to rotate the semiconductor modules into a proper orientation by at least the first testing unit120. Such orientation may be a vertical orientation, as an example. In the present embodiment, the vertically-oriented semiconductor modules may be tested in the first testing unit130and the second testing unit140, thus the rotating unit120may rotate the semiconductor modules in a vertical direction before loading the semiconductor modules into the first testing unit130. Further, the rotating unit120may be configured to classify semiconductor modules having abnormal appearances or having abnormal dimensions with respect to the other semiconductor modules. In some embodiment, the rotating unit120may also be configured to remove particles from the semiconductor modules.

Therefore, the first testing unit130may test functions of the vertically-oriented semiconductor modules mounted on a main board. The first testing unit130may also classify semiconductor modules having abnormal functions or characteristics (e.g., parameters).

In various embodiments, the second testing unit140may be configured to test the semiconductor modules using a terminal, such as a personal computer or workstation. Because the semiconductor modules may be vertically-oriented, the second testing unit140may be configured such that it is capable of testing a large number of the semiconductor modules.

In various embodiments, the classifying unit150may classify the semiconductor modules as normal semiconductor modules or abnormal semiconductor modules, based on test results by the first testing unit130and the second testing unit140. In order to retest the abnormal semiconductor modules, the classifying unit150may reload the classified abnormal semiconductor modules into the second testing unit140.

The transferring unit160may interconnect, e.g., serially connect in-line, the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140and the classifying unit150with each other. That is, the transferring unit160may be arranged between the cutting unit110and the rotating unit120, between the rotating unit120and the first testing unit130, between the first testing unit130and the second testing unit140, and between the second testing unit140and the classifying unit150. The transferring unit160may automatically transfer the semiconductor modules from the cutting unit110to the classifying unit150, through the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130and the second testing unit140.

In example embodiments, the transferring unit160may include a ball screw162, a tray164and a picker166, as shown in the example embodiment ofFIG. 2. The ball screw162may be connected between the units110,120,130,140, and150. Thus, the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140and the classifying unit150may be connected in-line with each other via the ball screw162. In order to rapidly transfer the semiconductor modules, the ball screw162may be arranged in at least two rows. The ball screw162may be rotated or reversely rotated by a driver, such as a motor. Alternatively, the transferring unit160may include other connecting members such as a conveyor in place of the ball screw162.

The tray164may be threadedly combined with the ball screw162. The tray164may be moved between the units110,120,130,140and150by the rotation of the ball screw162. The tray164may have an inner surface comprising a receiving groove165. The receiving groove165may be configured to receive the semiconductor modules. Thus, the semiconductor modules may be inserted into the receiving groove165. The semiconductor modules inserted into the receiving groove165may be transferred in the vertical (or erect) orientation.

The picker166may unload the semiconductor modules from the tray164to the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140and the classifying unit150. Similarly, the picker166may load the semiconductor modules into the tray164from the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140and the classifying unit150. In the example embodiment, the picker166includes at least one controllable arm having a gripper configured to hold the vertically-oriented semiconductor modules.

According to this example embodiment, the transferring unit may be arranged between the cutting unit110, the rotating unit120, the first testing unit130, the second testing unit140, and the classifying unit150. Thus, the semiconductor modules may be automatically transferred between the units, so that a time for testing the semiconductor modules may be remarkably reduced. That is, the automated transfer by the transferring unit of the semiconductor modules vastly reduces overall testing time from the cutting unit110to the classifying unit150.

FIG. 3is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a system for testing semiconductor modules, in accordance with aspects of the inventive concept.

A system100afor testing semiconductor modules in accordance with this example embodiment may include elements substantially the same as those of the system100inFIG. 1, except for additional second testing units. Thus, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements and any further illustrations with respect to the same element may be omitted herein for brevity.

Referring toFIG. 3, the system100amay include a plurality of second testing units140,142and144. In example embodiments, the number second testing units140,142and144may be, for example, three as shown inFIG. 2. In other embodiments, the number of second testing units may be two or at least four. In still other embodiments, the number of second testing units may be greater than 4.

In example embodiments, the second testing units140,142and144may be arranged between the first testing unit140and the classifying unit150in series. The transferring unit160may also be arranged between the second testing units140,142and144. Thus, the second testing units140,142and144may be connected in series via the transferring unit160. The transferring unit160may transfer the semiconductor modules to a vacant second testing unit among the second testing units140,142and144. Therefore, the system100aof this example embodiment may test semiconductor modules in number comparable to or greater than that of the system100inFIG. 1. And system100awill achieve corresponding time savings in the testing of semiconductor modules from the cutting unit110to the classifying unit150.

In example embodiments, a test condition for testing same type semiconductor modules may be set in the second testing units140,142and144. Alternatively, test conditions for testing different type semiconductor modules may be set in the second testing units140,142and144. In this case, the second testing units140,142and144may simultaneously test the different type semiconductor modules.

According to this example embodiment, the second testing units may be connected in series via the transferring unit160, as discussed above. Thus, a time for testing a large amount of the semiconductor modules may be more shortened. Particularly, the different type semiconductor modules may be tested in a shorter time than would be possible without transferring unit160.

FIG. 4is a plan view illustrating yet another embodiment of a system for testing semiconductor modules in accordance with aspects of the inventive concept.

A system100bfor testing semiconductor modules in accordance with this example embodiment may include elements substantially the same as those of the system100inFIG. 1except for a second testing unit. Thus, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements and any further illustrations with respect to the same element may be omitted herein for brevity.

Referring toFIG. 4, the system100bmay include a plurality of second testing units140,142and144. In example embodiments, the number of second testing units140,142and144may be three, as shown. Alternatively, the number of second testing units may be two or at least four. In other embodiments, the number of second testing units may be greater than 4.

In example embodiments, the second testing units140,142and144may be arranged between the first testing unit140and the classifying unit150in parallel, as opposed to being in series as inFIG. 3. The transferring unit160may connect each of the second testing units140,142and144with the first testing unit130and the classifying unit150. The transferring unit160may transfer the semiconductor modules to a vacant second testing unit among the second testing units140,142and144. First testing unit130, classifying unto150and transferring unit160may be configured to couple to and interact with the parallel-arranged second testing units140,142, and144. Therefore, the system100bof this example embodiment may test semiconductor modules in number comparable or greater than that of the system100inFIG. 1.

In example embodiments, a test condition for testing same type semiconductor modules may be set in the second testing units140,142and144. Alternatively, test conditions for testing different type semiconductor modules may be set in the second testing units140,142and144. In this case, the second testing units140,142and144may simultaneously test the different type semiconductor modules.

According to this example embodiment, the second testing units140,142and144may be connected in parallel via the transferring unit160. Thus, a time for testing a great amount of the semiconductor modules may be further shortened. Particularly, the different type semiconductor modules may be tested in a short time.

According to example embodiments, the transferring unit may be connected between the first testing unit and the second testing unit, and between the second testing unit and the classifying unit. Thus, the semiconductor modules may be automatically transferred to the units, so that a test time may be reduced. Further, the second testing units may be arranged using the transferring unit, so that the time for testing the numerous semiconductor modules may be remarkably reduced. Particularly, various kinds of the semiconductor modules may be tested in a short time.

The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting of the inventive concept. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.