Test apparatus and performance board for diagnosis

A test apparatus being capable of replacing a test module with the other kind of test module that tests device under tests by using the test module is provided. The test apparatus includes a plurality of test modules that transmit/receive signals to/from the device under tests to test the device under test; and a performance board for diagnosis that diagnose the plurality of test modules. The performance board for diagnosis including: a motherboard provided common to the plurality of test, modules; a circuit for diagnosis that transmits/receives a signal to/from each test module to diagnose the test module; a plurality of inter-board to module connectors that connect between the corresponding test module and the circuit for diagnosis; and

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a test apparatus and a performance board for diagnosis. Particularly, the present invention relates to a test apparatus being capable of replacing test modules and a performance board for diagnosis used for the test apparatus.

2. Related Art

Generally, a test apparatus which employs an open-architecture method has been known as a test apparatus that tests a device under test such as a semiconductor circuit as, for example, in International Publication WO2004/086071 brochure. The open-architecture method is, for example, a method being capable of arbitrarily combining various test modules as test modules that transmit/receive signals to/from device under tests to test the device under tests.

In addition, there is a case that the test apparatus previously diagnoses whether each test module is placed in the right place and each test module appropriately operates. In order to perform such diagnosis, a performance board for diagnosis has been used as, for example, in the International Publication WO2004/086071 brochure.

The performance board, for diagnosis is provided with circuits for diagnosis that diagnose each test module by transmitting/receiving a signal to/from each test module. In addition, each performance board for diagnosis is provided with connectors that connect the test modules to the circuits for diagnosis, respectively.

However, since the open architecture method uses various test modules as described above, each connecter that connects each test module to each circuit for diagnosis has to be adapted to the test module which is used.

Here, the general performance board has been designed based on the premise that the above-described connectors are fixed onto the board. Therefore, it was required that the performance board for diagnosis be selected such that each test module used has the corresponding connector for each combination and arrangement thereof.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a test apparatus and a performance board for diagnosis which are capable of solving the above-mentioned problem. This advantage may be achieved through the combination of features described in independent claims of the invention. Dependent claims thereof specify preferable embodiments of the invention.

Thus, a first aspect of the present invention provides a test apparatus being capable of replacing a test module with the other kind of test module that tests a device under test by using the test module. The test apparatus includes: a plurality of test modules that transmit/receive signals to/from device under tests to test the device under tests; and a performance board for diagnosis that diagnoses the plurality of test modules. The performance board for diagnosis includes: a motherboard provided common to the plurality of test modules; a circuit for diagnosis that transmits/receives a signal to/from each, test module to diagnose the test module; a plurality of inter-board to module connectors arranged corresponding to the plurality of test modules mat connect the corresponding test modules to the circuit for diagnosis; and a plurality of sub-boards each of which includes thereon at least one of the inter-board to module connectors and is fixed to the motherboard to fix the inter-board to module connector to the motherboard.

A second aspect of the present invention provides, a test apparatus being capable of replacing a test module with, the other kind of test module that tests a device under test by using the test module, a performance board for diagnosis that diagnoses a plurality of test modules. The performance board for diagnosis includes: a motherboard provided, common to the plurality of test modules; a circuit for diagnosis that transmits/receives a signal to/from each test module to diagnose the test module; a plurality of inter-board to module connectors arranged corresponding to the plurality of test modules that connect the corresponding test modules to the circuit, for diagnosis; and a plurality of sub-boards each of which includes thereon at least one of the inter-board to module connectors and is fixed to the motherboard to fix the inter-board to module connector to the motherboard.

It is noted that the summary of the invention described above does not necessarily describe all necessary features of the invention. The invention may also be a sub-combination of the features described above.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described based on preferred embodiments, which do not intend to limit the scope of the invention, but exemplify the invention. All of the features and the combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

FIG. 1shows the whole configuration of a test apparatus10according to an embodiment of the present invention at testing. Test apparatus10tests device under tests100(hereinafter referred to as DUTs100) such as semiconductor circuits. The test apparatus10includes a main body12, a test head14and a performance board20. The main body12controls the whole of test apparatus10, judges that the DUT passes or fails and analyzes the test result.

The test head includes therein a plurality of test modules21that transmit/receive signals to/from the DUTs100. Each test module21is mounted on a slot22to be inserted into the test head14. Thereby each test module can transmit/receive a signal to/from the DUT100.

Each test module21transmits a test signal to the DUT100and receives an output signal from the DUT100which is outputted in response to the test signal. Each slot22is commonized with respect to a method of electrically connecting between each slot22and each test module21and a method of mechanically holding the test modules21so as to be able to replacing various test modules with each other. Therefore, the test modules21can be freely combined and recombined in the test head14.

A test fixture16is provided on the test head14. The test fixture16electrically and mechanically connects each slot22built into the test head14to the performance board20. The test fixture16may switch connectors22of the performance board20to which each slot22is connected.

The performance board20is substantially flat, and placed on the test head14via the test fixture16while the back surface thereof is opposite to the test head14. Back surface side connectors23, each of which is provided at the end of the wiring extending from each test module21, are connected to the back surface of the performance board20.

DUT sockets25on which the DUTs100are placed are provided on the surface of the performance board20. Each DUT socket25transfers a signal between each back surface side connector23and each DUT100. Thereby the DUTs100and the test apparatus10are electrically connected.

The back surface connectors23and the DUT sockets25have the characteristics and the shapes adapted to the characteristic of the transmitted signal and the number of transmitted signals. For example, each back surface side connector23that transmits a high-frequency signal may be a connector having a good frequency characteristic. Moreover, each back surface side connector23that transmits an electric power may be a connector having a good pressure resistance.

By the above described feature, the test signal transmitted from each test module21can be provided to the appropriate terminal of the DUT100, so that the output signal outputted from the terminal of the DUT100can be provided to the appropriate test module21. Therefore, the test apparatus10can test in parallel a plurality of DUTs100placed on the performance board20.

FIG. 2shows an example of the whole configuration of the test apparatus10at diagnosis. The test apparatus10at diagnosis previously diagnoses whether each test module21is inserted into the appropriate slot22, whether the test module21is correctly connected to the back surface side connector23and whether each test module21normally operates before testing the DUTs100described with reference toFIG. 1, for example.

The test apparatus10according to the present embodiment includes a performance board for diagnosis50instead of the performance board20of the test apparatus10described with reference toFIG. 1. That is, the performance board20and the performance board for diagnosis50are replaceably installed on the test apparatus10. Here, any DUT100is not placed on the performance board for diagnosis50. The performance board50may not have any DUT socket25.

A plurality of connector units32arranged corresponding to the plurality of back surface connectors23are provided on the surface of the performance board for diagnosis50. Each connector unit32is connected to the corresponding back surface side connector23.

FIG. 3shows an example of surface view of a performance board for diagnosis50. The performance board50includes a motherboard30, a plurality of connector units32and a circuit for diagnosis34. The motherboard30is provided common to a plurality of test modules21, and the circuit for diagnosis34is formed on the surface of the motherboard30. In addition, wirings that electrically connect the connector units32and the circuit for diagnosis34are formed on the surface of the motherboard30. The motherboard30may be such as a printed circuit board.

The circuit for diagnosis34transmits/receives a signal to/from each test module21to diagnoses each test module21. For example, the circuit for diagnosis34is electrically connected to each test module21via the connector unit32. Then, the circuit for diagnosis34may diagnose each test module21based on whether a predetermined response signal is returned from the test module21if the circuit for diagnosis34transmits a predetermined diagnostic signal to the test module21.

The plurality of connector units32are arranged corresponding to the plurality of test modules21. For example, the connector units32are arranged corresponding to the test modules one to one. Each connector unit32includes a connector to be connected to the corresponding back surface side connector23. Then, the connector unit32is fixed to the motherboard30, so that the connector is fixed to the motherboard30.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow an example of configuration of a connector unit32:FIG. 4Ashows an example of surface view of the connector unit32; andFIG. 4Bshows an example of cross-sectional view of the connector unit32. As shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, each connector unit32includes a sub-board36, an inter-board to module connector38(hereinafter referred to as an inter-BM connector38and a sub-board side connector42.

As shown inFIG. 4B, the motherboard30has a through-hole on a region on which the connector unit32should be formed. The through-hole is formed from the first surface to the second surface of the motherboard30. The aperture area of the through-hole is enough to pass through the back surface side connector23. The back surface side connector23and the connector unit32are connected to each other through the through-hole.

Each of the connector units32is fixed to the motherboard30in the same structure. That is, the structure for fixing the connector units32to the motherboard30is standardized in order to any kind of connectors32can be installed on any installation region on which each connector unit32should be provided. Each connector unit32may include a fixing part72having the same structure for being fixed to the motherboard30.

For example, each installation region on which each connector unit32should be provided has the same outer shape on the surface of tire motherboard30. In addition, the sub-board36for each connector unit32may have the same outer shape each other. Then, each sub-board may fixed to the motherboard30in the same method each other.

Specifically, a first member for thermocompression bonding may be provided at the same portion corresponding to the fixing part72on each installation region on the motherboard30. Then, a second member for thermocompression bonding may be provided on a fixing part72which is provided at the same position on each sub-board36. The connector unit32is fixed to each installation region by thermocompression-bonding the first member and the second member. By such structure, any kind of connector unit32can be disposed on each installation region.

In addition, a first fitting part having the same shape may be formed on the same position corresponding to the fixing part72on each installation region of the motherboard30. Moreover, a second fitting part having the same shape may be formed on the fixing part72disposed at the same position on each sub-board36. Then, each connector unit32may be fixed to the motherboard30by fitting the first fitting part and the second fitting part to each other. By such structure, any kind of connector unit32can be installed on each installation region. In addition, the connector units32may be replaceably fixed to the motherboard30.

The inter-board to module (inter-BM) connectors38are arranged corresponding to the plurality of test modules21, respectively, and each of them electrically connects the corresponding test module21to the circuit for diagnosis34. Each inter-BM connector38may have a shape, the number of pins and characteristic and so forth adapted to the corresponding test module21. That is, each connector unit32may have any kind of inter-BM connector38different from each other. Here, the characteristic of the inter-BM connector38may be such as frequency characteristic and pressure resistance. Each connector unit32has the inter-BM connector38adapted to the corresponding to the test module21, so that each connector unit32and each test module21can be electrically connected.

Each sub-board side connector42electrically connects the inter-BM connector38and the motherboard side connector44. Each sub-board side connector42is provided on the surface of the sub-board36and connected to a pin to be connected to the circuit for diagnosis34among pins of the inter-BM connector38. Each motherboard side connector44is provided on the surface of the motherboard30and connected to the circuit for diagnosis34. In addition, the sub-board side connector42and the motherboard side connector44are connected through such as a cable46.

Thereby each sub-board side connector42and each motherboard side connector44function as a connection part70that connects the sub-board36and the circuit for diagnosis34. Here, each connection part70provided for each sub-board36has the same structure. For example, each sub-board side connector42has the same structure. Also each motherboard side connector44has the same structure. Here, “having the same structure” may mean that the structure of each connector has the same structure enough to allow any sub-board side connector42and any motherboard side connector44to be connected by the common cable46.

Here, the feature of the connection part70is not limited to the above described feature by using the connectors. For example, both ends of the cable46may be soldered to the motherboard30and the sub-board36. However, even if the connection part70has any other structure, it is preferred that each connection part70has the same structure so as to be able to connect any connector unit32to any pin of the circuit for diagnosis34. In addition, the connection part70and the fixing part72may be provided as one section. For example, when the motherboard30and the sub-board36are soldered to each other, the soldered portion may function as the connection part70and the fixing part72.

As described above, each connection part70has the same structure, any kind of connector unit32can be connected to the circuit for diagnosis34. Therefore, any kind of test module21can be diagnosed by connecting the same to the circuit for diagnosis34.

Each signal transmitted between each test module21and the DUT100has various frequencies, voltage values and current values, however, each signal transmitted between each test module21and the circuit for diagnosis34at diagnosis may not have various frequencies and so forth. For example, each diagnostic signal and response signal transmitted between each test module21and the circuit for diagnosis34can be standardized as a certain signal. Therefore, even if the structure of each connection part70is standardized and the electric characteristic of the connection part70is standardized, a signal for diagnosing each test module21can be accurately transmitted.

Moreover, the frequency and the voltage of a signal transmitted at the time of diagnosis are not higher than those at the time of testing. Therefore, the frequency band and the pressure resistance of the connector used in the connection part70may be lower than those of the connector provided between the test module21and the DUT100at the time of testing. Thus, the cost can be reduced by using such connector.

In addition, each inter-BM connector38may have a plurality of pins corresponding to a plurality of pins of the test module21. Any pin of the inter-BM connector38may be connected to the other pin. In this case, the circuit for diagnosis34can loop the signal outputted from the test module21back to the test module21to diagnose the test module21. In addition, any pin of the inter-BM connector38is connected to the circuit for diagnosis34through the connection part70as described above.

The circuit for diagnosis34may input a predetermined diagnostic signal to each, test module21through each connector unit32. Receiving the diagnostic signal, the test module21may output a predetermined response signal. The circuit for diagnosis34may receive the response signal through the connector unit32and diagnose the test module21based on the response signal.

For example, the circuit for diagnosis34may sequentially input diagnostic signals to each connector unit32. Then, the test module21may output the response signal containing the self-identification information in response to the diagnostic signal. The circuit for diagnosis34may diagnose whether the appropriate test module21is inserted into each slot22based on the identification information sequentially received. In addition, the circuit for diagnosis34may further diagnose whether the appropriate inter-BM connector38is inserted into each position of the motherboard30. In this case, each connector unit32may previously store identification information for identifying the own inter-BM connector and output the identification information to the circuit for diagnosis34in response to the diagnostic signal.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing an example of functional configuration of the performance board for diagnosis50. The performance board50, as described above, includes the motherboard30and a plurality of connector units32and diagnoses a plurality of test modules21.

The motherboard30is shared by the plurality of test modules21. In addition, the motherboard30includes a plurality of motherboard side connectors44corresponding to the plurality of test modules21and the common circuit for diagnosis34.

The circuit for diagnosis34transmits/receives a signal to/from each test module21to diagnose the test module21. The plurality of motherboard side connector44are arranged corresponding to the plurality of connector units32one to one on the motherboard30, and each of the motherboard side connector44connects the corresponding sub-board side connector42and the circuit for diagnosis34.

Each of the connector unit32includes the sub-board36(cf.FIG. 4), the sub-board side connector42, the inter-BM connector38and an identification information storage section48. The sub-board side connector42connects between toe motherboard side connector44and the inter-BM connector38.

The inter-BM connector38connects between the corresponding test module21and the sub-board side connector42. By such feature, the circuit for diagnosis34and each test module21are connected to each other. The identification information storage section48may store identification information for identifying the corresponding inter-BM connector38. The identification information may indicate the kind of inter-BM connector38, and also may indicate the kind of test module21to which the inter BM connector38should be connected.

The identification information storage section48may split a diagnostic signal from the circuit for diagnosis34to the test module21, receive the same and return a response signal containing the identification information to the circuit for diagnosis34in response to the diagnostic signal. Thereby the circuit for diagnosis34can diagnose whether the appropriate connector unit32is connected to each motherboard connector44.

In addition, the circuit for diagnosis34, as described above, may further receive the identification information of the test module21. Thereby the circuit for diagnosis34can diagnose whether the appropriate test module21is inserted into each slot22. Moreover the circuit for diagnosis34can diagnose cases that both of the connector unit32and the test module21are not appropriately provided, and that either the connector unit32or the test module21is not appropriately provided.

FIG. 6show another example of configuration of the connector unit32. The connector unit32according to the present embodiment is different from the connector unit32described with reference toFIG. 2-FIG.5regarding having a plurality of inter-BM connectors38. The other features may be the same as those of the connector unit32described with reference toFIG. 2-FIG.5.

The plurality of inter-BM connectors may be the same connectors but may be connector's different from each other. The word “the different connectors” means connectors having the number of pins, the frequency characteristic and the pressure resistance which are different from each other. The connector unit32may be connected to one test module21by the plurality of inter-BM connectors38, and also may be connected to a plurality of test, module21. The performance board for diagnosis50may include both of the connector unit32having one inter-BM connector38and the connector unit32having the plurality of inter-BM connectors38at the same time.

FIG. 7shows another example of configuration of the connector unit32. The connector unit32according to the present embodiment further includes a circuit for diagnosis60in addition to the components of the connector unit32described with reference toFIG. 2-FIG.6.

The circuit for diagnosis60and a predetermined, pin of the inter-BM connector38are electrically connected within each connector unit32. Therefore, the connector unit32may not need the sub-board side connector42. In addition, the motherboard30may not need the motherboard side connector44.

Each circuit for diagnosis60diagnoses the test module21connected to each, sub-board36. The circuit for diagnosis60may have the function the same as that of the circuit for diagnosis34described with reference toFIG. 2-FIG.6. Each circuit for diagnosis60independently operates for each sub-board36to diagnoses the corresponding test module21.

Here, the fixing part72(cf.FIG. 4) in each sub-board36also has the same structure each other in the present embodiment, By such feature, the performance board for diagnosis50corresponding to the test modules used can be easily prepared.

Moreover, as described with reference toFIG. 3, when the common circuit34for diagnosis is provided on the motherboard30, a trigger signal for causing the circuit for diagnosis34to start a diagnosis may be provided from any test module21. The circuit for diagnosis34may diagnose each test module21in response to the trigger signal. In addition, any test module21may provide an electric power for the circuit for diagnosis34.

Meanwhile, as described with reference toFIG. 7, when an individual circuit for diagnosis34is provided for each connector unit32, the trigger signal may be provided from each test module21to each circuit for diagnosis34. Each circuit for diagnosis34may diagnose the corresponding test module21in response to the trigger signal. In addition, the electric power of the circuit for diagnosis60may be provided from the corresponding test module21. That is, each connector unit32is not electrically connected to the other connector unit32or the motherboard30, therefore, any connector unit32can be disposed at any position of the motherboard30provided that the mechanical connection method between each connector unit32and the motherboard30is unified.

While the invention has been described by way of the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled in the art might make many changes and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is obvious from the definition of the appended claims that the embodiments with such modifications also belong to the scope of the invention.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a performance board for diagnosis that diagnoses test modules can be easily prepared in a test apparatus being capable of replacing the test modules with each other.