A modular/configurable space transformer system may comprise socketed probes, an upper guide plate, a lower guide plate, and a spacer. A socketed probe may comprise an upper support arm with positioning tabs for insertion into slots in the upper guide plate, as well as a PCB contact point for making a conductive connection with a PCB pad. The socketed probe may additionally comprise a lower support arm with a positioning tab for insertion into a slot in an upper guide plate, as well as a DUT (device under testing) contact point for making a conductive connection with a DUT pad. The spacer may separate the upper guide plate and lower guide plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A space transformer is used in integrated circuit testing as an adapter or transition between the spatially dense test pads on a device under testing (DUT) and the less dense probe pads on the testing printed circuit board (PCB). In informal terms, a space transformer “fans” out the spatially dense test outputs from the DUT into a manageable and less spatially dense set of test pads for input into a testing PCB. Or, in other words, a space transformer translates wafer-level pad pitch and feature dimensions to a larger pad pitch and/or feature dimensions—usually that of a testing PCB.

One of the problems with space transformers is that they can be expensive to design and manufacture, often requiring a customized solution for each DUT and/or PCB.

What is needed is a space translator solution that is less expensive, more modular, and more adaptable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular/configurable space transformer system may comprise socketed probes, an upper guide plate, a lower guide plate, and a spacer. A socketed probe may comprise an upper support arm with positioning tabs for insertion into slots in the upper guide plate, as well as a PCB contact point for making a conductive connection with a PCB pad. The socketed probe may additionally comprise a lower support arm with a positioning tab for insertion into a slot in an upper guide plate, as well as a DUT (device under testing) contact point for making a conductive connection with a DUT pad. The spacer may separate the upper guide plate and lower guide plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system and method are disclosed for a socketed probe and for a modular and adaptable space transformer system.

TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FROM DRAWINGS

The following table is for convenience only and should not be construed to supersede any potentially inconsistent disclosure herein.

As shown inFIGS.3and5-15, a space transformer system100may comprise an upper guide plate110, lower guide plate120, and at least one socketed probe200.FIGS.1-3and16-19reference and illustrate a single socketed probe200.FIGS.5-15and20reference and illustrate a set of socketed probes300a-nwithin a testing system. A testing printed circuit board (“PCB”)600and device under testing (“DUT”)700are also shown in some ofFIGS.3,5-15,19, and20.

As shown in detailFIGS.1-3, a socketed probe200may have several features.FIG.1shows a side view of an exemplary socketed probe200.FIG.2shows an elevated-angle perspective of an exemplary socketed probe200.FIG.3shows a side view of an exemplary socketed probe200, along with PCB600, upper guide plate110, spacer130, lower guide plate120, and DUT700.

Upper Assembly

As shown at least inFIGS.1-3,16, and18A-C upper horizontal support arm225may be an arm extending horizontally from connector arm250to support PCB contact support arm212(which supports PCB cantilever spring arm210and PCB contact point arm207), fine positioning tab240, rough positioning tab230, and handling tab220.

In one embodiment, horizontal arm225may have the geometry as shown inFIG.1. The dimensions of horizontal arm225may be adjusted based on the dimensions of space transformer system100, other components of space transformer system100, problem domain parameters (e.g., size of DUT, size of PCB, etc.), or other factors. In one embodiment, horizontal arm225may have sufficient height to maintain sufficient y-dimension rigidity; and sufficient extension from connector arm250to provide a connection point for PCB contact support arm212, fine positioning tab240, rough positioning tab230, and handling tab220.

The purpose/function of spring arm assembly203(components205,207,210, and212) is to provide a contact point for testing PCB pad610that is able to move in the y-dimension (i.e., up and down as shown inFIGS.1and3), exert upward pressure toward testing PCB pad610to maintain contact with testing PCB pad610, and minimize movement in the x-dimension (i.e., left and right as shown inFIGS.1and3) so that PCB contact point205maintains contact with testing PCB pad610. The length of PCB contact support arm212may be modified based on the characteristics of a particular application. In general, support arm212may be sufficiently long/high so that PCB cantilever spring arm210, when flexed downward toward upper horizontal support arm225, does not come in contact with upper horizontal support arm225. Although such contact would likely not compromise the conductivity characteristics of socketed probe200, such contact may result in undesirable x-dimension dislocation of PCB contact205, and may additionally prevent contact points on other socketed probes from properly contacting their respective testing PCB pads.

PCB cantilever spring arm210may have a curvature, angle (relative to PCB contact support arm212), and length/dimensions designed to minimize x-dimension displacement of contact205when contact205is subject to downward (y-dimension) pressure, e.g., from interaction with testing PCB pad610. Such downward pressure may frequently result in y-dimension displacement of contact205. In general, the concept of a cantilever spring is known in the art. The dimensions, shape, and geometries of cantilever spring art210may be adjusted and/or modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In one embodiment, spring arm210may have the geometry shown inFIG.1. In general, increasing the length of spring arm210may decrease the potential for x-dimension displacement from downward pressure on contact point205. As shown inFIGS.1and3, for practical reasons the curve on spring arm210may extend (to the left as shown inFIGS.1and3) to approximately the same x location as the left edge of handling tab220. The dimensions, shape, and geometries of cantilever spring arm assembly (comprising PCB contact support arm212, PCB cantilever spring arm210, PCB contact point arm207, and PCB contact205) may be adjusted, modified, and/or tuned to change x-dimension displacement and sensitivity characteristics, y-dimension displacement and sensitivity characteristics, and other characteristics of cantilever spring arm assembly—without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

PCB spring arm210may be designed so that, when compressed, i.e., when applied to testing PCB pad610, PCB contact210maintains its x-position (right-left inFIGS.1and3) even while its y-position (up-down inFIGS.1and3) changes as a result of the compression resulting from pressure from testing PCB pad610.

PCB contact point arm207may transition out of spring arm210in a vertical, or a substantially vertical, orientation. As described above, cantilever spring arm assembly203may have various dimensions, shapes, and geometries. In some embodiments, PCB contact point arm207may be shorter, longer, or relatively non-existent as compared to the exemplary drawings. In general, the design—including but not limited to shapes, geometries, and dimensions—of cantilever spring arm assembly203may have several benefits: ensuring (or decreasing the likelihood) that testing PCB600does not come in contact with the highest point (or any point) of PCB contact support arm212; preventing (or decreasing the likelihood of) PCB cantilever spring arm210becoming horizontal (or going past horizontal) and contacting testing PCB600at a location other than testing PCB pad610; providing particle tolerance robustness, i.e., increasing the minimum size of a foreign particle/debris that could be problematic if the foreign particle debris was between testing PCB600and PCB cantilever spring arm210such that it contacted both testing PCB600and PCB cantilever spring arm210and created/forced a gap that prevented PCB contact205from touching PCB testing pad610. In general, height/length of PCB contact point arm207may depend on multiple characteristics, e.g., potential flex of spring arm210and resulting downward displacement of contact point205, and anticipated distance to relative placement of testing PCB600.

Rough positioning tab230may have several purposes. As shown inFIG.2, rough positioning tab230may protrude downward (in the y-direction) further than fine positioning tab240, and, when socketed probe200is being inserted downward into upper guide plate110(as described herein below), will therefore engage upper guide plate110before fine positioning tab240engages upper guide plate110. Pointed/tapered tip231will facilitate easy insertion tab230into upper guide plate110(as described herein below). Even if tab230is slightly misaligned relative to the matching slot/hole in upper guide plate110in the x-dimension, pointed/tapered tip231will facilitate alignment as tab230is inserted into a slot/hole in upper guide plate110.

As shown inFIGS.1-15, and having exemplary dimensions as shown inFIGS.16and17, the heights/lengths (i.e., y-dimension length), of tabs230,240, and270may be different relative to the respective insertion points into upper guide plate110(for tabs230and240, which are inserted in slots112and114, respectively) and lower guide plate120(for tab270, which is inserted in slot122), such that the tabs are inserted into their respective slots in a distinct sequence/order. It may be beneficial to use varying slot lengths to compel/require an insertion order/sequence so that the operator or other entity, machine, or actor doing the insertion has only one target to hit at a time, and subtle movements to insert subsequent tabs will not fully or partially unseat the previously inserted tabs. Although varied tab lengths and insertion order may have the benefits described above, and/or other benefits, this feature is not strictly required or necessary.

In general, the dimensions of rough positioning tab230may be the same as or slightly less than the associated dimensions of complementary slots112a-n, which are shown at least inFIGS.4B,6-7,9-10,13-15, and18A-C. For example, width1609(FIG.16) rough positioning tab230may be between 100 and 500 μm, and the thickness may be 50 μm. The corresponding dimension of slot112may be 3-10 μm greater than the thickness of rough positioning tab230. So, if rough positioning tab230has a thickness of 50 μm, the corresponding dimension of slot112may be 53-60 μm. In one embodiment, the width1609of tab230may be 200 μm. In this embodiment, the corresponding dimension of slot112may be 10-30 μm greater than the width1609of tab230, i.e., may be 210-230 μm. Similar principles apply to the thickness (but not the width, as explained below) of tabs240and270.

For fine-positioning tabs240and270, the corresponding width dimensions for slots114and122, respectively, may be slightly smaller than the uncompressed width dimensions1608and1707for tabs240and270, respectively. By making the widths of slots114and122slightly smaller that the uncompressed widths1608and1707of tabs240and270, respectively, tabs240and270will compress upon insertion into slots114and122, respectively.

An exemplary insertion of the upper tabs is illustrated inFIGS.18A-C. As shown inFIG.18A, the width of slot114may be slightly less than width1608of upper fine positioning tab240. As shown inFIG.18B, as socketed probe200is inserted into upper guide plate110, rough positioning tab230will be inserted into upper guide plate110before fine positioning tab240is inserted into upper guide plate110. As shown inFIGS.18B and18C, fine positioning tab240will compress during the insertion process, thereby ensuring that the left edge of fine positioning tab240is aligned with the left edge of slot114.FIGS.18A-Care not meant to show precise locations and/or dimensions, but merely to provide a conceptual view of an exemplary system. Lower fine positioning tab270is configured to behave similarly to upper fine positioning tab240.

To reiterate as already explained herein: The dimensions of tabs230,240, and270may vary widely depending on constraints of a particular application or problem domain. Although the respective slots112,114, and122could have the same dimensions as tabs230,240(in fully compressed state), and270(in fully compressed state), for practical reasons it may be beneficial to make the dimensions of slots112,114, and122slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of tabs230,240(in fully compressed state), and270(in fully compressed state), respectively.

The main purpose of fine positioning tab240is to secure socketed probe200at a known, certain, and stable x-dimension location. As shown inFIGS.1-2, the uncompressed width of tab240—from left edge241to the right (far) edge of spring arm242—may be slightly greater than the width of associated guide slot114in upper guide plate110. The fully compressed width of tab240may be equal to or slightly less than slightly less than the width of associated guide slot114in upper guide plate110. The spring arm design of tab240(including spring arm242), will result in pressing edge241of tab240against wall115of guide slot114in upper guide plate110, thereby ensuring a predictable and stable x-dimension position of socketed probe200relative to upper guide plate110. In general, inflection point243may be sufficiently skinny to allow spring arm242to bend toward edge241when pressure is applied, e.g., from wall115of slot114in upper guide plate110. This design ensures that edge241is flush with and in contact with wall115of guide slot114in upper guide plate110.

Corner cutouts232,234, and236, which are shown and marked inFIGS.1-2, are not strictly necessary, but are a practical feature to mitigate the likelihood of the undesirable results of imperfect 90-degree corners in the manufacturing process, which imperfect corners could result in improper positioning of socketed probe200.

Handling tab220is for convenience in manufacturing, handling, manipulating, placing, orienting, and moving socketed probe200. For example, handling tab220may be used for grasping by fingers, pliers, or another tool.

Spring-bend cutout222allows for downward displacement of spring arm210without coming into contact with horizontal support arm225.

The length of connector arm250may vary depending on the dimensions of spacer130and other dimensions of a particular embodiment or application.

Lower Assembly

Although the disclosure herein shows rough positioning tab230as being a part of and/or connected to upper horizontal support arm225, and being designed to engage upper guide plate110, in an alternative embodiment a rough positioning tab may be designed to engage lower guide plate120. Although this approach is feasible, it may have several drawbacks. First, it may be more difficult to insert a rough positioning tab230into the lower guide plate120because the corresponding slot in the lower guide plate120may be visually obscured in whole or in part. Additionally, depending on the length of the rough positioning tab230, a rough positioning tab230that engages the lower guide plate120may protrude, e.g., a few hundred microns, toward the DUT surface700, thereby reducing the effective extension of DUT contact point arm257. Increasing the length of DUT contact point arm257to offset this reduced effective extension may compromise the characteristics of DUT contact point arm257, e.g., reducing its stiffness and ability to scrub laterally, i.e., to scrape across the surface of DUT pad710and “dig in,” as shown inFIG.19a-b.

As shown inFIGS.1-3, lower fine-positioning tab270(including edge271and spring arm272) positions DUT contact255in the x-dimension relative to lower guide plate120. In one embodiment, x-dimension1707from left edge271of lower fine-positioning tab270to right edge of uncompressed spring arm272may be slightly greater than the width of slot122in lower guide plate120, so that spring arm272is compressed toward edge271when tab270is inserted into slot122in lower guide plate120, and edge271and right edge of spring arm272thereby engage walls of slot122, respectively. In this manner, edge271is pressed into position against the interior walls of slot122so that it is flush against wall the opposing interior wall of slot122, thereby ensuring a predictable and stable x-dimension position for contact point255relative to lower guide plate120.

Support arm275a-bsupports contact arm257and associated contact point255. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1-3, support arm275a-bmay comprise a two-arm design comprising a top arm275athat is substantially straight and a bottom arm275bthat is slightly curved.

As shown inFIGS.19A-B, the mismatched lengths of275aand275b, along with the curvature on bottom arm275bresult in a tendency for contact point255to “scrub” DUT pad710, i.e., to scrape across the surface of DUT pad710and “dig in.” This phenomenon may be beneficial because it allows contact point255to come in contact with fresh and clean conductive material in DUT pad710, instead of being in contact with potentially deteriorated or dirty surface material on DUT pad710. The two-arm design allows contact point255to maintain the same z-dimension, i.e., in and out of the direct profile drawing inFIG.17, and to remain aligned in the z-dimension with DUT pad710, while changing the angle of arm257relative to lower guide plate120and, correspondingly, changing the x-dimension of contact point255. This x-dimension movement contact point255along DUT testing pad710may be referred to as “scrub.”

Handling tab290is for convenience in manufacturing, handling, manipulating, placing, orienting, and moving socketed probe200. For example, handling tab290may be used for grasping by fingers, pliers, or another tool. Alternatively, handling tab290may be used as a push point for pushing socketed probe200into lower guide plate120.

The dimensions and geometry of the two-bar design may be adjusted to account for different applications and domain-specific needs/requirements.

Socketed probe200may be made out of various materials or combinations of materials. In a preferred embodiment, socketed probe200is monolithic. In general, the material(s) from which socketed probe200is made will have several characteristics: electrically conductive and substantially rigid (but bendable where the material is thin enough, as described herein). Feasible materials for socketed probe200may include, but are not limited to, C17200 BeCu, C17500 BeCu, Deringer Ney materials (H3C, P7, P25, etc), AgCu alloy, and other materials or combinations of materials as may be known in the art.

Spacer

As shown inFIG.3, upper guide plate110may be connected/secured to lower guide plate120by a structure/component that may be referred to as a “spacer”130. The spacer may be any apparatus, device, hardware, or system that maintains upper guide plate110and lower guide plate120in orientations and positions relative to each other so that upper guide plate110is substantially parallel with lower guide plate120and the position of upper guide plate110is fixed relative to the position of lower guide plate120.

The position of DUT700relative to lower guide plate120may be maintained in several ways. In one embodiment, DUT700may be on or secured to a movable chuck that may align DUT700and, consequently, DUT contact pad710, with lower guide plate120. The chuck may move upward to probe tip255and establish contact between probe tip255and contact pad710. In other embodiments, other hardware, machinery, or otherwise may be used to set or maintain the spatial relationship between DUT700and lower guide plate120.

Upper Guide Plate

As shown inFIG.4B, which is a top-down view of a portion of exemplary upper guide plate110, upper guide plate110may be a device having guide slots for insertion of tabs230and240from socketed probe200. In one embodiment, the portions of upper guide plate110that come in contact with socketed probe200may be substantially flat so that the portions of socketed probe200that come in contact with upper guide plate110are flush with surface(s) of upper guide plate110, or at least rest against upper guide plate110in a stable and secure manner. It may be possible to use an upper guide plate that is not flat for contact with a socketed probe, but this approach may give rise to unnecessary difficulties and design complexities.

In one embodiment, upper guide plate110may be a flat device, e.g., as shown inFIG.4B, with slots dimensioned for insertion of tabs230and240of socketed probe200. For example, in one embodiment socketed probe200may be made of beryllium copper that is 50 μm (micrometers) thick. In this embodiment, slots112a-nand114a-nin upper guide plate110may be 48 μm wide so that tabs230and240fit comfortably and snugly in slots112and114respectively.

In one embodiment, upper guide plate110and lower guide plate120may be made from silicon nitride. Many non-conductive materials are known in the art and may be used for upper guide plate110and lower guide plate120.

Lower Guide Plate

Lower guide plate120is similar to upper guide plate110, except that slot122in lower guide plate120is dimensioned to accommodate tab270of socketed probe200. In one embodiment in tab270may be 1,290 μm wide uncompressed, and may be 1,270 μm wide in a fully compressed state. For these dimensions, slot122for tab270may be 1,275 μm long. In one embodiment, thickness of lower guide plate120may be 400 μm.

FIGS.4A-Cshow top-down views of an exemplary PCB600, upper guide plate110, lower guide plate120, and DUT700, respectively.FIGS.4A-Care not meant to show precise locations and/or dimensions, but merely to provide a conceptual view of an exemplary system comprising PCB600, upper guide plate110, lower guide plate120, and DUT700, respectively.

FIG.4Ashows a top-down view of a PCB600. The six dashed circles represent testing PCB pads610a-n. They are dashed because they are on the bottom of PCB600are therefore not visible in a top-down view.

FIG.4Bshows a top-down view of an upper guide plate110. Rough-positioning slots114a-nand fine positioning slots112a-ncorrespond to testing PCB pads610a-n, respectively.

FIG.4Cshows a top-down view of a lower guide plate120. Fine positioning slots122a-ncorrespond to slots114a-nand112-a-n, respectively, in upper guide plate110.

FIG.4Dshows a top-down view of exemplary DUT700. DUT pads710a-ncorrespond to testing PCB pads610a-n, slots114a-nand112-a-non upper guide plate110, and slots122a-non lower guide plate120.

Fabrication

Many technologies, machines, and/or processes may be used to fabricate socketed probes as described herein. For example, a socketed probe may be fabricated by laser cutting from metal foil; etching from metal foil; stamping/forming; MEMS/electroplating/electroforming; combinations of one or more of these approaches; and/or other technologies and/or methods that may be known in the art.

Laser cutting from metal foil may comprise subtractive processing beginning with a thin metal foil and using a laser to cut one or more probes out of that foil. This technology is well-known. Achieving the required tolerances and dimensions may require a high-end laser system.

Etching from metal foil may comprise subtractive processing beginning with a thin metal foil and using masking and chemical etching to release/cut one or more probes out of the foil.

Stamping/forming may be used to manufacture a probe by beginning with a wire, strip, or foil and smashing, stretching, and/or cutting a probe into its final geometry.

MEMS/electroplating/electroforming is an additive manufacturing technology in which metal is grown on a substrate in specific/desired areas using masking.

Combinations of the above methods may include, but are not limited to: plating metals to form a foil and then etching or laser-cutting to form a probe; stamping, etching, or laser-cutting to form probes and then plating metal on the formed geometry.

In one embodiment the probed socket200is one with uniform thickness. An advantage of a probed socket200with uniform thickness is the efficiency and ease of manufacture. However, a socketed probe200could have a non-uniform thickness, e.g., the upper handling tab220, upper rough positioning tab230, and upper fine positioning tab240are of one consistent thickness and the connector arm250tapers to a thinner thickness for the lower handling tab290, lower horizontal support arm275a-b, DTU contact point arm257to better accommodate the dimensions of DTU700.

In another embodiment of non-uniform thickness the connecting arm250may be thinner than the upper end and lower end of the socketed probe200. The thinner connecting arm250may then be bent to a desired shape after manufacturing but prior to the installation in the testing system. The thinner connecting arm250allows for ease of efficient manufacturing while allowing for later modifications of the design for proper fit within a testing system.

In one embodiment of a system as disclosed herein, socketed probes300a-nhave varying dimensions. The dimensions of socketed probe200may be modified for varying DUT pads710a-n. For example, socket probes300a-dmay have a longer DUT contact arm257than the DUT contact arm of socket probes300e-n. These varying lengths of DUT contact arm257allow for simultaneous testing of DUT pads710a-nof varying heights.

Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the dimensions shown inFIGS.16and17, a preferred embodiment may use the following dimensions.FIG.16illustrates the key dimensions for the upper portion of an exemplary socketed probe.FIG.17illustrates the key dimensions for the lower portion of an exemplary socketed probe.

Dimension1601may be 1,112 μm, measured from the straight edge of cantilever arm210to the inflection point on the arm. Dimension1602measures from the straight edge of the cantilever arm210to the center of the PCB contact point205and is 707 μm. Dimension1604, the width of PCB contact arm207, is 125 μm. Cantilever arm210has three dimensions for thickness,1603,1605, and1611respectively. Dimension1603is 100 μm, dimension1605is 950 μm, and dimension1611is 109 μm.

Dimension1606, which is the height of horizontal support arm225, is 200 μm.

Dimension1610, which is the height of rough positioning tab230, is 942 μm. Dimension1609, which is the width of rough positioning tab230, is 200 μm. Fine positioning tab240has an overall width1608of 530 μm and a height1607of 467 μm.

As shown inFIG.17, or the lower portion of a socketed probe200, the lower handling tab290has a width1701of 350 μm and a height1702of 400 μm. Dimension1703, which is the height of lower horizontal support art275a, is 63 μm. Dimension1704, which is the height of lower horizontal support art275b, is 50 μm. Angle1711, which is the angle between lower horizontal support arm275aand DUT contact arm257, may be 271°. This angle facilitates and tunes the behavior of DUT contact255to “scrub” DUT700as needed. Dimension1705, which is the width of DUT contact arm257, is 96 μm.

The distance1706from the left edge of lower positioning tab270to the right edge of DUT contact arm2572,373 μm.

The overall height for a socket probe200is to be tall enough to accommodate both an upper and lower guide plates,110and120respectively, which are held in position by spacer130. Because spacers may vary by testing needs, no exemplary dimension is provided for the preferred embodiment described above in conjunction withFIGS.16and17.

Guide Plates

FIG.15shows an exemplary testing PCB600and an an exemplary upper guide plate110that is designed/configured for testing PCB600.

FIG.20shows an exemplary DUT700and an exemplary lower guide plate120that is designed/configured for DUT700.

In general, many configurations and specifications exist or may be used for a DUT700and/or testing PCB600. Guide plates and socketed probes may be adjusted, modified, configured, and/or designed for the various configurations of DUTs700and/or testing PCBs600.

Guide plates may be made out of various materials or combinations of materials as are known in the art. In general, materials for guide plates may have several characteristics: non-electrically-conductive; substantially rigid; and/or amenable to material removeable, e.g., for forming slots as described herein. Exemplary materials for guide plates may include, but are not limited to, Photoveel, Photoveel II, Photoveel II-s, macerite, macor, PEEK, Silicon nitride, vespel, or glass. In one embodiment, silicon nitride may be used.

Guide plates, including the slots described herein, may be fabricated using various technologies and processes known in the art, e.g., etching, laser cutting, or mechanically machining with solid round cutting tools. Multiple guide plates may be combined if required.

Dimensions and Sizes

In one embodiment, a socketed probe may have the dimensions as previously described shown inFIGS.16and17. In some embodiments, a socketed probe may be available in varying horizontal offsets to facilitate space transformation patterns as shown, e.g., inFIG.20.

Other Views

FIGS.6-15show various views and angles of space transformer system100as described herein.

FIG.6shows an upper elevated sectional view of space transformer system100having a one-quarter cutaway.

FIG.7shows an upper elevated exploded view of space transformer system100without testing PCB600.

FIG.8shows a lower sectional view of space transformer system100having a one-quarter cutaway.

FIG.9shows an exploded lower angle view of space transformer system100having a one-quarter cutaway of spacer130.

FIG.10shows an exploded lower angle view of space transformer system100having a one-quarter cutaway of spacer130and with two sides of socketed probes omitted)

FIG.11shows a lower angle view of space transformer system100without some parts of the lower guide plate and without the DUT.

FIG.12shows a lower angle view of space transformer system100without some parts of the lower guide plate and without the DUT.

FIG.13shows an exploded lower angle view of space transformer system100with a one-quarter cutaway of the assembly comprising the lower guide plate, spacer, upper guide plate, and associated socketed probes.

FIG.14shows an exploded lower angle view of space transformer system100with a one-quarter cutaway of the assembly comprising the lower guide plate, spacer, upper guide plate, and associated socketed probes—except for the upper guide plate, and having only two socketed probes.

FIG.15shows an exploded lower angle view of space transformer system100without the lower guide plate and DUT, and having only two socketed probes.