Abstract:
A configurable electronic test system that is adapted for varying test processes and thermal conditions, consisting of a device handler working with multiple testers and a thermal environment module for controlling the thermal condition during test. The test system can be easily expanded by stacking more testers vertically for more test capacity without requiring an increase in floor space.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to test systems for testing electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electronic devices are typically tested prior to installation or delivery to ensure proper functioning thereof. Replacement of electronic devices following installation or delivery is both time-consuming and expensive. Accordingly, defective electronic devices must be discovered and discarded if at all possible, prior to installation and delivery. Testing is thus seen to be a mandatory preliminary step, particularly as the increasing complexity of electronic devices results in greater dependency on their proper functioning. Existing electronic device test systems have a major disadvantage. At one end of a typical test set up spectrum, only one test environment is provided and changing of environmental parameter such as temperature and test circuit from one to another requires a totally new setup and a significant set up time. The down-time during set up reduces the system utilization rate and consequently the production throughput. At the other end of the test set up spectrum, multiple test environments of different environmental parameters and test circuits to cater to test environments beyond what is typically required are provided which significantly increases the cost of the set up. There is hence a need for an improved system for addressing the current issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a configurable electronic device tester system comprising an adaptor structure and a handler unit. The adaptor structure is configurable to establish a test environment based on at least one environmental parameter and at least one of a plurality of test circuits couplable with the adaptor structure. The adaptor structure further data couples the at least one of a plurality of test circuits to a manifold when coupled with the adaptor structure. The handler unit is for receiving an arrangement of a plurality of electronic devices and for positioning the plurality of electronic devices in the test environment for testing by the at least one of a plurality of test circuits based one the at least one environmental parameter. The manifold is couplable to a control system for enabling controlling the at least one of a plurality of test circuits during testing of the plurality of electronic devices in the test environment, the at least one environmental parameter and the at least one of a plurality of test circuits being selectively variable for selective configuring of the test environment prior to positioning the plurality of electronic devices in the test environment. 
         [0004]    In a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a configurable electronic device tester system comprising an adaptor structure and a handler unit. The adaptor structure is for receiving a plurality of test cells and a plurality of test modules with the plurality of test modules having different test circuits. Each of the plurality of test cells is associated with at least one of the plurality of test modules. The adaptor structure is adapted for environmentally conditioning the plurality of test cells when received thereby. The handler unit is for receiving an arrangement of a plurality of electronic devices with the handler for positioning the plurality of electronic devices at least one of to and between the plurality of test cells to enable selective application of the different test circuits of the plurality of test modules to the plurality of electronic devices for testing thereof. The adaptor structure further data couples the plurality of test cells and the plurality of test modules to a manifold when received by the adaptor structure, the manifold being coupleable to a control system for controlling the plurality of test cells and the plurality of test modules during testing of the plurality of electronic devices. 
         [0005]    In a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an electronic device tester comprising a test cell and a test module. The test cell is for receiving a plurality of electronic devices and the test module has a test circuit applicable to for testing of the plurality of electronic devices via the test cell. The electronic device tester is adapted for coupling with a configurable test system comprising an adaptor structure, a handler unit and a control system. Then adaptor structure is for receiving the test cell and the test module and for environmentally conditioning the test cell when received thereby. The handler unit is for positioning the plurality of electronic devices to the test cell, and the control system is being data coupled to the test cell and the test module for controlling the test cell and the test module during testing of the plurality of electronic devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of an electronic device tester system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a rear perspective view of the electronic device tester system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded front perspective view of the electronic device tester system of  FIG. 1  exposing a tester chassis for forming an adaptor structure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a front sectional perspective view of the electronic device tester system of  FIG. 1  according to view A-A; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of the electronic device tester system of  FIG. 1  according to view A-A; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a partial front sectional view of the tester chassis of  FIG. 3  according to view A-A of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a partial side sectional view of the tester chassis of  FIG. 3  according to view B-B of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a configurable electronic device tester system  20 , is described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . The configurable electronic device tester system  20  comprises an adaptor structure  22  and a handler unit  24 . The adaptor structure  22 , is for establishing a test environment based on at least one environmental parameter and at least one of a plurality of test circuits. The environmental parameter can be a parameter based on temperature, humidity and pressure. The test circuits can consist of electronic circuits, programmable controllers and computer systems, running test programs and test patterns, adapted for performing plurality of tests. 
         [0014]    The adaptor structure  22  is further adapted for receiving a plurality of test cells  26  and a plurality of test modules  28  having different test circuits. The adaptor structure  22  comprises a tester chassis  32  constructed for defining one or more docking conduits  34 . Each docking conduit  34  is adapted for receiving one of the test cells  26  and one of the test modules  28  based on test configuration requirements. Each of the docking conduits  34  has a first end  36  proximal the handler unit  24  and a second end  38  distal the handler unit  24 . The test modules  28  and the test cells  26  are disposable into and away from the docking conduit  34  through the second end  38 . When disposed in the docking conduit  34 , the test modules  28  and the test cell  26  in each thereof is aligned for substantially presenting the test cell  26  towards the handler unit  24  at the first end  36  of the docking conduit  34 . The tester chassis  32  can comprise a front rack  33  and a rear rack  35  for segregating each of the docking conduit  34  into a font conduit segment  40  and a rear conduit segment  41 . The front rack  33  is constructed for defining the front conduit segment  40  of each of the one or more of the docking conduits  34  while the rear rack  35  is constructed for defining the rear conduit segment  41  of each of the one or more of the docking conduits  34 . Each of the front conduit segment  40  has a first end  43  proximal the handler unit  24  and a second end  44  distal the handler unit  24 . The test cells  26  are disposable into and away from the front conduit segment  40  through the second end  44 . Each of the rear conduit segment  41  has a first end  45  proximal the front conduit segment  40  and a second end  46  distal the front conduit segment  40 . The test modules  28  are disposable into and away from the rear conduit segment  41  through the second end  46 . 
         [0015]    The test cell  26  functions as a test enabler box and is adapted for receiving an electronic device for testing. The electronic device is disposed to the test cell  26  by the handler unit  24  when the test cell  26  is presented towards the handler unit  24  at the first end  36  of the docking conduit. The electronic device can be a component such as a packaged integrated circuits or a fully functional product such as a mobile phone. The electronic device under testing is commonly referred to in the industry as a Device Under Test (DUT). The tester chassis  32  uses a pneumatic system that delivers suction and air to the test enabler boxes for holding the DUT during test and displacing the DUT after test respectively. The suction and air is also communicable to the plurality of test cells for conditioning at least one of temperature, pressure and humidity within the test enabler boxes. The test module  28  functions as a tester and is adapted for performing various tests, such as structural and functional tests, based on the test circuits, test programs and test patterns contained in and defined by the test module  28 . One test cell  26  is associated with at least one test module  28 . The tester system  20  requires a minimum of one test cell  26  and one test module  28  for a test operation. Additional test cells  26  and test modules  28  can be added to the tester system  20 . The maximum number of test cells  26  and test modules  28  that the tester system  20  can accommodate depends on the number of docking conduits in the tester chassis  32 . Additional tester chassis  32  can be added to the tester system  20  to increase the number of docking conduits, and thus the number of test cells  26  and test modules  28 . 
         [0016]    The handler unit  24  is adapted for receiving an arrangement of a plurality of the electronic devices with the handler unit  24  for positioning the plurality of electronic devices at least one of to and between the plurality of test cells  26  to enable selective application of the different test circuits of the plurality of test modules  28  to the plurality of electronic devices for testing thereof. The handler unit  24  comprises an input tray module  48 , an output tray module  50  and a DUT handler  52 . The input tray module  48  holds the new electronic devices to be tested while the output tray module  50  holds the electronic devices which have been tested. The DUT handler  52  is preferably a robotic system having a SCARA configuration or the like multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOF) configuration. Alternatively, a motorised linear translational stage system can be used in replacement of the robotic system. The DUT handler  52  is for picking up the electronic devices from the input tray module  48 , disposing the electronic devices to the test cells  26  for testing, displacing them away from the test cells  26  after testing and unloading them to the output tray module  50 . 
         [0017]    The configurable electronic device tester system  20  further comprises a control system  56  and a environment conditioning module  58 . The control system  56  is adapted for controlling and coordinating the activities of the tester system. The control system  56  comprises computers  60  and software. The computers can be off-the-shelf PCs with specifications suitable for performing the required functions. The software consists of custom-built applications suitable for running on the computers and providing the functions required by the tester system. Alternatively, the control system  56  can comprise programmable controllers with pre-programmed logics or controller boards with hardwired logic for operating the tester system  20 . Data connection is made between the DUT handler  52  and the control system  56  to enable the control system  56  to selectively position the electronic devices to be tested in the test cells  26  for testing by the associated test modules  28 . The DUT handler positions the electronic device in test cells  26  according to the sequence of tests programmed for each particular type of the electronic device to be tested. 
         [0018]    The adaptor structure  22  further data couples the plurality of test cells  26  and the plurality of test modules  28  to a manifold when received by the adaptor structure  22 , the manifold being coupleable to the control system  56  for controlling the plurality of test cells and the plurality of test modules during testing of the plurality of electronic devices. When the test cells  26  and test modules  28  are displaced into the tester chassis  32 , data connection is made between them and the control system  56 . The control system  56  controls the tests carried out on the DUTs in test cells  26  by the test modules  28 . The control components in each of the test cells  26  communicate with the control system  56  through an interface in the tester chassis  32  when the test cells  26  are displaced into the tester chassis  32 . The control components in the test cell  26  include sensors, actuators, motors and electronic components. After the testing, the control system  56  communicates with the DUT handler  52  to sort the devices according to the test results, commonly known in the industry as BIN. The DUT handler  52  transfers the electronic devices to respective output tray modules  50  based on the BIN of the electronic devices. 
         [0019]    The manifold comprises connectors  57  which are shaped and positioned for engagement with corresponding connectors formed with the test cells  26  and test modules  28  to enable communication of the fluids, for example refrigerants and air, electrical power and electrical signals, for example data signals, therewith. Communication between the test cells  26  and the test modules  28  with the manifold is established upon docking thereof with the tester chassis  32 . Data, fluid and power supply communication between the control system  56  and each of the test cells  26  and the test modules  28  are established via the manifold. Further, data, fluid and power supply communication between the test modules  28  and the control system  56  can be further routed, in totally or in part, via one or more of the test cells  26  coupled with the manifold. Each of the test cells  26  can comprise connectors at opposite ends, sides or extremities thereof with the connectors at one end of the test cell  26  for connecting with the corresponding connectors  57  on the manifold, and connectors at the other end of the test cell  26  for connecting with corresponding connectors formed on the test modules  28 . 
         [0020]    The environment conditioning module  58  provides the thermal conditioning of the test cells  26  for establishing the test environment according to the requirements of the tests. The environment conditioning module  58  provides the test cells  26  with the required thermal condition by being proximal to the test cells  26  through physically wrapping around the test cells  26 . Alternatively, the thermal conditioning can be delivered to the test cells  26  through insulated tubes. The environment conditioning module  58  works with the chiller and heat exchanger  64  to change the test environment in the test cells  26 . The chiller and heat exchanger  64  varies the temperature using water, coolant, refrigerant or other heat transfer fluids. After the test cells  26  are environmentally set up, the electronic device is put through a plurality of tests in plurality of test cells  26  such as room temperature test, cold test and standard life-cycle test (e.g. burn-in test). 
         [0021]    Each test cell  26  and test module  28  has a unique identifier. The unique identifier can be a code contained in a semiconductor chip, for example a memory chip, on the test cell  26  or test module  28  for associating the test cell  26  and the test module  28  with one of a variety of tests that can be performed on the electronic devices, for identifying the test circuit contained in the test module  28  and for indicating acceptable configurations of the electronic devices that are receivable by the test cell  26 . In this form, the identifier information is retrieved by the control system  56  with the control system  56  reading the information on the chip through the data coupling between the control system  56  and the test cell  26  or test module  28 . Alternatively, the unique identifier can be a machine readable code such as a one dimensional barcode, a two dimensional barcode or an RFID tag that is attached to the test cell  26  or test module  28 . In this alternative form, the identifier information is retrieved by the control system  56  with the control system  56  activating a scanning or reading function through the data connection between the control system  56  and barcode scanner or RFID reader. The unique identifiers enable the control system  56  to identify the positions of the test cells  26  and the test capabilities of the test modules  28  while they are disposed in the docking conduits  34  of the tester chassis  32 . The control system  56  uses the position and test capability information to coordinate the test activities. 
         [0022]    Each tray in the input tray module  48  and output tray module  50  has a unique identifier. Due to the mechanical nature of the tray, the unique identifier is preferably a machine readable code such as a barcode (one, two or multi-dimensional) or a RFID tag that is attached to the tray. The identifier information is retrieved by the control system  56  with the control system  56  activating a scanning or reading function through the data connection between the control system  56  and the barcode scanner or RFID reader. The unique identifiers enable the control system to identify the positions of the trays and the electronic devices contained therein while they are disposed in the input and output tray module. The control system  56  uses the position and electronic device information to activate the DUT handler  52  to pick the correct electronic device or tray of electronic devices from the input tray module  48  and displace it to the test cells  26  for testing. After the testing, the control system  56  uses the test results (BIN) and tray identifier information to sort the electronic devices and unload them to the output tray module  50 . 
         [0023]    Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, limitation, and/or disadvantage associated with existing electronic device tester systems. While features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed structures, components, or alternatives thereof, can be desirably combined into alternative structures, components, and/or applications. In addition, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements may be made to various embodiments that are disclosed by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.