Test module for radio frequency identification chips and method of the same

A test module and method for radio frequency identification (RFID) chips are provided. The test module includes a test head having a chip carrier for carrying a RFID chip to be tested, the chip carrier having a first antenna electronically connecting the RFID chip. The module further includes a second antenna for communicating with the first antenna; and a base supporting the chip carrier and the second antenna. The test module further includes a test computer electronically connecting the second antenna, wherein the test computer evaluates functions of the RFID chip by way of the communications between the first antenna and the second antenna.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the right of priority based on Taiwan Patent Application No. 97138960 entitled “TEST MODULE FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION CHIPS AND METHOD OF THE SAME,” filed on Oct. 9, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference and assigned to the assignee herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a test module for integrated circuits and a method of the same, and more particularly relates to an integrated circuit test system employing a radio frequency identification system (RFID system).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the recent years, the RFID system has played an important role in shipping and logistic applications. In general, the RFID system typically includes an integrated circuit and an RFID component connected to antennas of the integrated circuit. The RFID system also includes a read/write machine, which provides RF carrier wave to power the RFID component. Through the RF carrier wave, the read/write machine and the RFID component can exchanges data without physical contact.

During manufacturing of the RFID elements, various function tests must be performed thereon. However, currently available test systems are only suitable for integrated circuits on an uncut wafer, not being suitable for individual integrated circuit chips divided from the wafer. This is a practical disadvantage, as the current test system cannot avoid the risk of integrated circuit damage during the cutting process. In addition, the test systems are very expensive. Accordingly, a test module suitable for cut RFID chips and a method of the same are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, a test module having antennas that simulate the RFID working system is disclosed. Individual RFID chips are transferred to such a test module and tested thereby. In doing so, there is no need to perform function test of integrated circuits on the wafer before the cutting process.

In one embodiment of the invention, a test module for radio frequency identification (RFID) chips is provided, comprising:a chip carrier for carrying a RFID chip to be tested, the chip carrier having a first antenna for electronically connecting to the RFID chip;a second antenna for communicating with the first antenna;a base supporting the chip carrier and the second antenna; anda test computer electronically connected to the second antenna, wherein the test computer evaluates functions of the RFID chip by way of the communications between the first antenna and the second antenna.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method for testing radio frequency identification (RFID) chips is provided, comprising:providing a plurality of RFID chips to be tested;transferring the RFID chips one by one to a test head through a chip transport device, wherein the test head comprises:a chip carrier for carrying the RFID chip, the chip carrier having a first antenna for electronically connecting to the RFID chip; anda second antenna for communicating with the first antenna;providing a test computer electronically connected to the second antenna; andevaluating functions of the RFID chip using the test computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numbers represent similar elements. Any devices, components, materials, and steps described in the embodiments are only for illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1Ais a cross-sectional view illustrating a test module for radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1A, the test module includes a test head10and a test computer15. The test head10includes a chip carrier110for carrying a RFID chip17to be tested. The chip carrier110has a first antenna111capable of electronically connecting to the RFID chip17. The test head10further includes a second antenna120for communicating with the first antenna111; an isolation member130isolating the first antenna111from the second antenna120; and a base140supporting the chip carrier110, the second antenna120and the isolation member130. The test computer15electrically connects to the second antenna120via a first electrically conductive terminal121. The test computer15can be a computer containing various test programs. The test computer15may transmit a test signal to a second antenna120. The second antenna120then communicates with the first antenna111, transmitting the test signal to the RFID chip17. Thereafter, the RFID chip17may transmit a response signal back to the first antenna111, and similarly, the response signal is transmitted to the RFID chip17by way of the communications between the first antenna111and the second antenna120. In doing so, the test computer15may write data into/read or erase data from the RFID chip17, so as to evaluate functions thereof.

Referring toFIG. 1Aagain, the RFID chip17is a single chip divided from a wafer, e.g., more preferably, a packed chip with an external connection electrode171. The chip carrier110further includes an elastic connector112for electrically connecting the first antenna111to the RFID chip17. As shown, one side of the elastic connector112electrically connects the external connection electrode171of the RFID chip17, and the other side thereof electrically connects the first antenna111through the second electrically conductive terminal113. The elastic connector112not only makes the electrical connection but also protects the RFID chip17from being damaged. The chip carrier110also includes a shell114enclosing the elastic connector112. The shell114has an opening115exposing a portion of the elastic connector112. The RFID chip17is received in the opening115. In this embodiment, the first antenna111and the second antenna120are plate-shaped antennas (however, the invention is not limited thereto). Both of them are composed of conductive textures (not shown) capable of emitting/receiving radio signals and blanketed with insulating layers. An RFID tag is formed when the first antenna111electrically connects to the RFID chip17. The simulation of the RFID working system is conducted by matching such an RFID tag with the second antenna120connecting a reader (i.e. the test computer15). It is noted that an isolation member130keeps the first antenna111apart from the second antenna120at a specific distance. Such a specific distance may vary within the effective communication distance between the first antenna111and the second antenna120. The isolation member130may be composed of any suitable material.

FIG. 1Bis a perspective view illustrating the test head10described above. As shown inFIG. 1B, the base140, supporting the chip carrier110, the second antenna120and the isolation member130, has a removable long arm141capable of adjusting the position of the chip carrier110. As such, the chip carrier110can approach where the RFID chip17has been transferred.

FIG. 2is a sketched diagram illustrating a structure of an elastic connector112in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the elastic connector112includes an elastic carrier210and a plurality of metal wires220respectively passing through the elastic carrier210. Each metal wire220has two exposed ends220aand220belectrically connecting the first antenna111and the external connection electrode171of the RFID chip17, respectively. The elastic carrier210may be silicone or polyurethane. The metal wires220may be uniformly arranged in the elastic carrier210with a distance between each other, for example, ranging from 30 μm to 50 μm. Each metal wire220has a diameter, for example, ranging between 10 μm and 30 μm.

In addition to the test head10and the test computer15, the test module for RFID chips further includes a chip transport device for transferring the RFID chip17to the chip carrier110. The chip transport device may include a vibration plate and a conveyor belt connecting the vibration plate. The vibration plate transfers the RFID chips17one by one to the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the test module for RFID chips may include an image viewer, a redirector, a recharger, a disposal tank, an output tank, etc., that will be described in detail later.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating an operation method for the test module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, the operation method may include the following steps, e.g., step301for inputting the chip, step302for viewing the chip, step303for redirecting the chip, step304for recharging the chip, step305for reading test of the chip, step306for writing test of the chip, step307for erasing test of the chip, step308for disposal of the chip, and step309for outputting the chip. In detail, the step301includes: providing a plurality of RFID chips17; providing a chip transport device including a vibration plate and a conveyor belt connecting the vibration plate; and transferring the RFID chips17one by one to the conveyor belt utilizing the vibration plate. The step302includes: providing an image viewer and a redirector; viewing the RFID chip17using the image viewer; and redirecting the RFID chip17to a predetermined orientation using the redirector. Sometimes, the RFID chip17enters the conveyor belt in the wrong orientation, resulting in the external connection electrode171failing to electronically connect the elastic connector112of the chip carrier110in subsequent steps. In view of this, the image viewer is used to observe whether the external connection electrode171is in an appropriate orientation or not. If not, the redirector is employed for redirecting the RFID chip17to the appropriate orientation.

Referring toFIG. 3again, the step304that is optional includes: providing the appropriate power to the RFID chip17. In general, the RFID chip17may be an active type chip or a passive type chip. The active type chip has a self-contained power supply. The passive type chip, having no internal power supply, needs an external excitation so as to be read or processed within the effective detection distance of the reader (i.e., the test computer15). Accordingly, the step304will be performed on a passive RFID chip17. The step305includes: transferring the RFID chips17one by one to a first test head; and reading data from the RFID chip17using the test computer15. The step306includes: transferring the RFID chip17a second test head; and writing data into the RFID chip17using the test computer15. The step307includes: transferring the RFID chip17to a third test head; and erasing data from the RFID chip7using the test computer15. All of the first test head, the second test head and the third test head are similar to the aforementioned test head in structure, employing a vacuum suction head for transferring the RFID chip17. After completing the step305to the step307, the test computer15will show the result as to whether the RFID chip17is qualified or not. If disqualified, the RFID chip17will be delivered to the disposal tank (such as step308). If qualified, the RFID chip17will be delivered to the output tank (such as step309). Thereafter, a tape-packing device connected to the output tank will pack the qualified RFID chips17.