Abstract:
A semiconductor chip test method used in a semiconductor chip test apparatus including an electric energy measurement unit defining multiple conducting pin holes in a recess of an electric energy test table for holding contact pins of a semiconductor chip for testing electric properties, a functional tester disposed adjacent to the electric energy measurement unit for testing predetermined functions of the semiconductor chip in a functional test table thereof and transmitting tested data to an external display screen through a display card, and a conveyer unit controllable to deliver the test semiconductor chip to the electric energy test table for electric energy measurement and to the functional test table of the functional tester for functional test.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to semiconductor chip test technology and more particularly, to a semiconductor chip test apparatus and method, which facilitates quick examination of electric properties and functions of semiconductor chips, shortening the test sample delivery path, saving much test sample delivery time, and greatly improving test sample testing efficiency. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Following fast development of high technology, advanced electric and electronic products with expanded functions are continuously created for a wide range of applications to fit different requirements. In an electric or electronic product, one or a number of IC chips (MCU, monolithic chip, microprocessor, etc.) may be used to execute programs, to compute data and/or to control different operations. A semiconductor chip generally provides multiple contact pins for transmitting power and data signal. However, during the fabrication of a semiconductor chip, the bonding wire between the pad and the core may be displaced or broken, causing the respective contact pin unable to transmit power or data signal. Therefore, the electric properties of the contact pins of a semiconductor chip and its functioning must be examined carefully before application. An electric or electronic product using a defective semiconductor chip will be unable to function well. 
         [0005]    Generally, a primary semiconductor chip testing procedure is performed on wafer or dies before individual chip packaging. After package, each individual semiconductor chip must be examined again. This semiconductor chip testing method is complicated. Further, because a finished semiconductor chip has a large number of contact pins, it is complicated to finish the test. In actual practice, conventional semiconductor chip test methods have drawbacks as follows:
   (1) Any short circuit problem of the contact pins of a semiconductor chip may be not discovered prior to installation of the semiconductor chip in a circuit board. If a short circuit problem occurs after installation of a semiconductor chip in a circuit board, the semiconductor chip must be removed from the circuit board, wasting must time and labor.   (2) A mechanical arm is generally used to deliver a semiconductor chip during testing or installation. However, the contact pins of the semiconductor chip may be curved, damaged or broken accidentally due to inaccurate positioning or an impact against an external object during delivery, causing the semiconductor chip unable to transmit power or data signal normally.   
 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide an apparatus for testing semiconductor chips that eliminates the aforesaid problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor chip test apparatus and method, which is practical for testing electric properties and functions of semiconductor chips conveniently and rapidly, shortening the test sample delivery path, saving much test sample delivery time, and greatly improving test sample testing efficiency. 
         [0010]    To achieve this and other object of the present invention, a semiconductor chip test apparatus comprises an electric energy measurement unit for measuring the electric properties of the semiconductor chip to be tested, a functional tester for testing predetermined functions of the test semiconductor chip, and a conveyer unit for delivering the test semiconductor chip to the electric energy measurement unit and the functional tester for testing. The electric energy measurement unit comprises an electric energy test table, a recess defined in the electric energy test table for holding the test semiconductor chip, a plurality of conducting pin holes formed in the recess of the electric energy test table for electrically receiving contact pins of the test semiconductor chip, and a console electrically connected with the conducting pin holes for controlling the electric energy measurement unit to measure the electric properties of the test semiconductor chip. The functional tester is disposed adjacent to the electric energy measurement unit, comprising a circuit board, a functional test table disposed at the top side of the circuit board for holding the test semiconductor chip for test, and a display card arranged on the circuit board and providing at least one electrical connector for data output to an external display screen for displaying test results. The conveyer unit is disposed at one side relative to the electric energy measurement unit and the functional tester, and controllable to deliver the test semiconductor chip to the electric energy test table for electric energy measurement and to the functional test table for functional test. 
         [0011]    Further, the electric energy measurement unit, the conveyer unit and the functional tester are arranged on a platform, facilitating quick examination of electric properties and functions of each semiconductor chip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a semiconductor chip test apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of Part A of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of the present invention, illustrating the vacuum suction head of the conveyer unit lowered and a test semiconductor chip delivered to the electric energy test table of the electric energy measurement unit. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  corresponds to  FIG. 3 , illustrating the slide holder of the conveyer unit moved along the sliding track from a position adjacent to the electric energy test table of the electric energy measurement unit to a position adjacent to the functional test table of the functional tester. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention, illustrating movement of the slide holder of the conveyer unit moved along the sliding track between the electric energy measurement unit and the functional tester. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a semiconductor chip test method in accordance with the present invention (I). 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of a semiconductor chip test method in accordance with the present invention (II). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a semiconductor chip test apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising an electric energy measurement unit  1 , a conveyer unit  2 , and a functional tester  3 . 
         [0020]    The electric energy measurement unit  1  comprises an electric energy test table  11 , a recess  110  defined in the electric energy test table  11 , a plurality of conducting pin holes  111  formed in the recess  110 , and a console  12  electrically connected with the conducting pin holes  111 . The console  12  comprises a plurality of switches  121  and a button  122  for electric energy measurement control, and a plurality of indicator lights  123  for the indication of measurement results. 
         [0021]    The conveyer unit  2  comprises a slide holder  21  movable back and forth along a sliding track  211 , an operating handle  22  provided at the front side of the slide holder  21 , and a vacuum suction head  23  coupled to the sliding holder  21  and movable up and down relative to the slide holder  21  by the operating handle  22 . 
         [0022]    The functional tester  3  comprises a circuit board  31 , a functional test table  32  disposed at the top side of the circuit board  31 , a recess  320  defined in the functional test table  32 , a plurality of conducting pin holes  321  formed in the recess  320  and electrically coupled to the circuit board  31 , a display card  33  arranged on the circuit board  31  and providing at least one electrical connector  331  for data output, and a power supply unit  34  electrically connected to the circuit board  31  to provide the functional tester  3  with the necessary working voltage. Further, the electrical connector  331  can be a USB 2.0/3.0 connector, HDMI connector, or DVI connector. 
         [0023]    During installation, affix the sliding track  211  at one lateral side relative to the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 , and then couple the slide holder  21  of the conveyer unit  2  to the sliding track  211  to suspend the operating handle  22  and the vacuum suction head  23  above the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 , and then mount the circuit board  31  of the functional tester  3  at one lateral side relative to the electric energy measurement unit  1  and the conveyer unit  2  to hold the functional test table  32  in such a position that when the sliding track  21  is moved to one end of the sliding track  211  away from the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 , the operating handle  22  and the vacuum suction head  23  is suspending above the recess  320  of the functional test table  32 , and electrically connect the electrical connector  331  of the display card  33  to an external display screen (computer monitor, LCD screen, LED screen, electronic picture frame, tablet PC or notebook computer) for display test data provided by the electric energy measurement unit  1  and the functional tester  3 . 
         [0024]    Further, the electric energy measurement unit  1 , the conveyer unit  2  and the functional tester  3  can be mounted on a platform  5 , keeping the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  and the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3  at one lateral side relative to the sliding track  211  and slide holder  21  of the conveyer unit  2 . Thus, the slide holder  21  can be moved along the sliding track  211  to suspend the operating handle  22  and the vacuum suction head  23  above the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  or the recess  320  of the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3 , enabling the vacuum suction head  23  to carry a semiconductor chip  4  to the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  or the recess  320  of the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3  for examination. Further, the power supply unit  34  of the functional tester  3  can be a storage battery, dry battery, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, or power generator. Further, the conveyer unit  2  and the functional tester  3  are respectively electrically connected to the console  12  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 . Subject to the control of the console  12 , semiconductor chips  4  are tested in the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  and the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  and  FIGS. 1-5  again, the aforesaid semiconductor chip test apparatus is operated subject to the following steps:
   (100) Operate the vacuum suction head  23  of the conveyer unit  2  to deliver the semiconductor chip  4  to be tested to the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 .   (101) Operate the console  12  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  to measure the electric properties of voltage/current (V/I) of the test semiconductor chip  4  in the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 .   (102) Determine whether or not the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  are electrically conductive? And then, proceed to step (103) if negative, or step (104) if positive.   (103) If the contact pins  41  are all or partially short-circuited, the test semiconductor chip  4  is determined to be defective and shall be reclaimed.   (104) Operate the vacuum suction head  23  of the conveyer unit  2  to deliver the test semiconductor chip  4  to the recess  320  of the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3 .   (105) Operate the circuit board  31  and functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3  to test the test semiconductor chip  4 , enabling the test data to be transmitted through the display card  33  to the external display screen for display.   (106) Determine whether or not the tested semiconductor chip  4  is functional? And then return to step (103) if negative, or proceed to step (107) if positive.   (107) The tested semiconductor chip  4  is functional and can be installed in a circuit board or mainboard of a predetermined electronic or electric product, and then end the test procedure.   
 
         [0034]    As stated above, the conducting pin holes  111  in the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  are respectively electrically connected to the console  12 . When starting the test procedure, the vacuum suction head  23  at the front side of the slide holder  21  of the conveyer unit  2  is operated to pick up the semiconductor chip  4  to be tested and to place the test semiconductor chip  4  in the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 , inserting the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  into the conducting pin holes  111  in the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1 . Thereafter, the console  12  is operated to measure the electric properties of voltage/current (V/I) of the test semiconductor chip  4  by a 4-wire measuring loop. At this time, two of the 4-wire measuring loop are for measuring an applied constant voltage, and the other two of the 4-wire loop are for measuring an applied constant current. The applied constant voltage can be within the range of 0.1V˜3.3V. The applied constant current can be within the range of 0.1 m˜2 mA. The testing time can be, for example, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, or 60 seconds, subject to the type of the semiconductor chip  4  to be tested. By means of measuring the impedance (symbol Z) of the bonding wire between the core and pad of the test semiconductor chip  4 , “Open” or “Short” status of the respective bonding wire is determined, and therefore the conducted or disconducted status of the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  is determined. If the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  are conducted, the test semiconductor chip  4  is determined to be a good product, and a further test procedure can be continued. If the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  are disconducted, the test semiconductor chip  4  is determined to be a defective product and must be reclaimed. 
         [0035]    When running a test procedure through the electric energy measurement unit  1 , the switches  121  and button  122  of the console are operated to measure the electric energy of the test semiconductor chip, and the test result can be displayed by means of the indicator lights  123 . The indicator lights  123  can give off red, yellow, blue, green and/or other colors of light for visual indication of the conditions of “Normal”, “Failure”, “Under Test”, “Open”, “Short”, and etc. 
         [0036]    After tested through the electric energy measurement unit  1 , the test semiconductor chip  4  is picked up from the recess  110  of the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  and delivered to the recess  320  of the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3  by the vacuum suction head  23 , enabling the contact pins  41  of the test semiconductor chip  4  to be respectively inserted into the respective conducting pin holes  321  in the recess  320 . Thereafter, the circuit board  31  is electrically conducted by the power supply unit  34  to run the test semiconductor chip  4  subject to predetermined operating, computing, signal processing, signal transmitting and/or signal storing programs. The test data is then transmitted through the electrical connector  331  of the display card  33  to the external display screen (computer monitor, LCD screen, LED screen, electronic picture frame, tablet PC or notebook computer) for display. At this time, the test semiconductor chip  4  can be determined to be a good product or defective product. If the test semiconductor chip  4  is examined to be normal, it is a good product and can be used for further installation application. If the test semiconductor chip  4  is examined to be abnormal, it is a defective product and should be reclaimed. 
         [0037]    The conducting status of the contact pins  41  of each test semiconductor chip  4  is examined at first before functional test, avoiding wasting time and labor in examining a short-circuited defective semiconductor chip. Thus, only functional semiconductor chips can pass the test for further application, avoiding the use of defective semiconductor chips. 
         [0038]    As stated, the invention provides a semiconductor chip test apparatus consisting of an electric energy measurement unit  1 , a conveyer unit  2  and a functional tester  3 , and a test method using this semiconductor chip test apparatus. By means of the vacuum suction head  23  of the conveyer unit  2 , every test semiconductor chip  4  can be delivered to the electric energy test table  11  of the electric energy measurement unit  1  for electric energy measurement, and then delivered to the functional test table  32  of the functional tester  3  for functional test after passed the electric energy measurement. After test, each functional semiconductor chip can be collected for further application, and any defective semiconductor chip will be reclaimed. 
         [0039]    In conclusion, the invention provides a semiconductor chip test apparatus and method, having advantages and features as follows:
   (A) Before installation of a semiconductor chip  4  in a circuit board of an electronic or electric product, the electric properties of the contact pins  41  of the semiconductor chip  4  are measured by the electric energy measurement unit  1 , and then, the semiconductor chip  4 , after passed the electric energy measuring process, is functionally examined by the functional tester  3 .   (B) The electric energy measurement unit  1  and the functional tester  3  are closely arranged at one side relative to the conveyer unit  2  so that the vacuum suction head  23  of the conveyer unit  2  can deliver every test semiconductor chip  4  to the electric energy measurement unit  1  and the functional tester  3  conveniently and rapidly for test, shortening the test sample delivery path and saving much test sample delivery time.   
 
         [0042]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.