Patent Publication Number: US-2023133368-A1

Title: Semiconductor test device and method of driving the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean application number 10-2021-0149556, filed on Nov. 3, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     Various embodiments generally relate to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor test device and a method of driving the semiconductor test device. 
     2. Related Art 
     A semiconductor test may include applying an electrical condition to a semiconductor device at an extreme temperature, for example, about −30° C. or about 120° C. to check the characteristics of a defect in the semiconductor device. Particularly, a burn-in test may apply a thermal stress to the semiconductor device at a high temperature of about 80° C. to about 120° C. During the burn-in test, the semiconductor device is operated subjected to the high temperature and a high electric field so that an error mechanism may be accelerated. Thus, an abnormal semiconductor device having a short life span may not endure the severe condition of the burn-in test and may generate an error. A normal semiconductor device passing through the burn-in test may have a long life span so that a system employing the normal semiconductor device may exhibit improved reliability. 
     In the burn-in test, the semiconductor device may be received in a burn-in board. The burn-in board may be inserted into a rack with slots configured to receive the burn-in boards. The rack may be positioned in a burn-in chamber to perform the burn-in test. Because the burn-in boards may be inserted into the slots, one rack may be configured to receive the numerous semiconductor devices. Generally, four wide racks with the semiconductor devices may be loaded into one burn-in chamber to test the semiconductor devices. 
     However, the burn-in chamber may not have a uniform temperature. That is, a temperature of a semiconductor device adjacent to a heat source may be different from a temperature of a semiconductor device remote from the heat source. Thus, the burn-in test may have low accuracy and reliability. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to example embodiments, there may be provided a semiconductor test device including a chamber, a plurality of slots, a plurality of test boards and a plurality of temperature control modules. The slots may be arranged in the chamber. The test boards may be inserted into a part of the slots. The test boards may be configured to receive a plurality of semiconductor devices. The temperature control modules and the test boards may be alternately inserted into other parts of the slots. The temperature control modules may be configured to provide each of the test boards with air having a set temperature. 
     According to example embodiments, there may be provided a method of driving a semiconductor test device. In the method of driving the semiconductor test device, a first temperature of air introduced into a chamber may be measured. A second temperature of air provided to a plurality of semiconductor devices in the chamber may then be measured. When the second temperature may be beyond a set temperature, the second temperature may be controlled using a temperature control module to provide the semiconductor devices with the set temperature. The temperature control module may include an upper region, a middle region and a lower region. Inflow units configured to introducing the air into the chamber may be arranged in the upper region. The middle region may have a hollow shape to mix the air introduced by the inflow units. Outflow units configured to discharge a mixed air to the semiconductor devices in a test board may be arranged in the lower region. The temperature control module may control the inflow units and the outflow units to provide the semiconductor devices with the set temperature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and another aspects, features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments; 
         FIGS.  3  to  7    are views illustrating various structures of a temperature control module in accordance with example embodiments; and 
         FIG.  8    is a flow chart illustrating a method of driving a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic illustrations of various embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the configurations and shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the described embodiments should not be construed as being limited to the particular configurations and shapes illustrated herein but may include deviations in configurations and shapes which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     The present invention is described herein with reference to cross-section and/or plan illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present invention. However, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept. Although a few embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments and  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a semiconductor test device  1000  may include a chamber  100 , a plurality of slots  150  and a temperature control module TCM. 
     The chamber  100  may have a space configured to receive a plurality of test boards TB. The chamber  100  may include an inlet  120  configured to provide air in the chamber  100  and an outlet  130  configured to discharge the air from the chamber  100 . A temperature in the chamber  100  may be constantly maintained by the air introduced through the inlet  120 . 
     In the example of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , three inlets  120  may be formed through a sidewall of the chamber  100 , however the invention is not limited thereto. For example, an emit device having a plurality of holes may be installed at the inlet  120  to uniformly supply the air into the chamber  100 . 
     Each of the test boards TB may include a test region in which a plurality of semiconductor devices SD may be positioned and an electrical connection configured to transmit a test signal to the semiconductor devices SD which are positioned on the test region. For example, the semiconductor devices SD may be arranged in a matrix shape spaced apart from each other at a regular interval on a top surface of the test board TB. The electrical connection TB_C may be coupled to each of the plurality of the semiconductor devices SD positioned on the test region to allow individual control of each of the semiconductor devices SD. 
     The space in the chamber  100  may include a plurality of racks  110 . In the example of  FIG.  1   , two racks  110  may be arranged in one chamber  100 , not limited thereto. Each rack  110  may be divided into two sub-racks. 
     A plurality of slots  150  may be vertically arranged at each of the rack  110 . The test board TB may be inserted into each of the slots  150 . The electrical connection TB_C of each of the test boards TB may be inserted into the slot  150  to receive the test signal. 
     In example embodiments, the test boards TB and the temperature control modules TCM may be alternately inserted into the slots  150 . For example, the test boards TB may be inserted into odd numbers of the slots  150 . The temperature control modules TCM may be inserted into even numbers of the slots  150 . Thus, one temperature control module TCM may be arranged over one test board TB. That is, a test board TB and a temperature control module TCM positioned immediately over to the test board TB may form one set or a pair. In this case, the temperature control module TCM may supply the air to a top surface of its paired test board TB. 
     Alternatively, in a modified example the test board TB and the temperature control module TCM under the test board TB may form one set. In this case, the temperature control module TCM may supply the air to a lower surface of its paired test board TB. 
     Each of the temperature control modules TCM may maintain the temperature of the air introduced through the inlet  120  of the chamber  100  constant to provide the semiconductor devices SD of the test board TB with the air having the same temperature. Generally, the air introduced into the chamber  100  may have a temperature deviation depending upon the precise location inside the chamber  100 . Thus, different regions inside the chamber  100  may have different temperatures without the temperature control modules TCM controlling the flow and temperature of the air supplied to a region in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the chamber  100 . For example, the air introduced through the inlet  120  of the chamber  100  may be swirled by the test board TB and/or the rack  110  so that the air in the chamber  100  may have different temperatures. When a temperature deviation is generated in the chamber  100 , the semiconductor devices SD of the test board TB may not be normally tested and decrease accuracy and reliability of the test. The present invention solves this problem by employing the plurality of the temperature control modules TCM which are capable of maintaining a constant temperature of the air in the chamber  100  regardless of the region in the chamber  100 . 
     Hereinafter, the temperature control module TCM is illustrated in detail. 
       FIGS.  3  to  7    are views illustrating various structures of a temperature control module in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention.  FIGS.  3 ,  5 ,  6  and  7    are cross-sectional views illustrating the various structures of the temperature control module TCM.  FIG.  4    is a plan view illustrating the various structures of the temperature control module TCM. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  7   , the temperature control module TCM may include an upper region  222  which is the region where the inflow units  210  are arranged, and a lower region  218  which is the region where the outflow units  230  are arranged. The temperature control module TCM may further include a middle region  220  which is the region between the upper region  222  and the lower region  218 . The middle region  220  is the region where the air is mixed. In the example embodiments described herein, a lower surface of the temperature control module TCM may face the semiconductor devices SD of the test board TB. 
     The temperature control module TCM may suck the air introduced into the chamber  100  through the inflow units  210 . In example embodiments, the inflow units  210  may include a fan, as for example is shown in  FIG.  4   . The inflow units  210  may be configured to compress the air. 
     The inflow units  210  may be arranged in a matrix shape. In example embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , numbers of the inflow units  210  may be substantially the same as numbers of the outflow units  230 . Each of the inflow units  210  may be arranged to correspond to each of the outflow units  230 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  6  and  7   , an arrangement of the inflow units  210  may be different from an arrangement of the outflow units  230 . In this case, the air introduced by the inflow units  210  may be discharged through the outflow units  230 , which may have the arrangement different from the arrangement of the inflow units  210 , and the air may be mixed during the movement of the air from the inflow units  210  to the outflow units  230 . The mixed air may be applied to the semiconductor devices SD through the outflow units  230 . The mixed air may have substantially the same temperature. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the temperature control module TCM may further include an inflow plate  215  arranged between the upper region  222  and the middle region  220 . In example embodiments, the inflow plate  215  may include a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern. For example, the holes of the inflow plate  215  may be arranged in a grid shape. The inflow plate  215  may control a speed and/or an amount of the air introduced into the temperature control module TCM by the inflow units  210 . The air may pass through the holes of the inflow plate  215  to be mixed in accordance with the pattern of the holes. As mentioned above, the mixed air discharged through the outflow units  230  may have substantially the same temperature. 
     A first temperature controller TCM_ 1  may be arranged in the upper region  218  of the temperature control module TCM. The first temperature controller TCM_ 1  may be capable of heating and/or cooling the air as may be needed. Any suitable temperature controller may be employed and may include a heating element and/or a cooling element. For example, a plurality of first temperature controllers TCM_ 1  may be arranged over the temperature control module TCM, each one adjacent or close at a corresponding one of the inflow units  210 . The first temperature controllers TCM_ 1  may be individually driven. 
     Alternatively, the first temperature controller TCM_ 1  may be installed at the inflow plate  215 . Hence, when the air introduced by the inflow units  210  has a temperature different from a target temperature, the first temperature controller TCM_ 1  may control the temperature of the air to achieve the target temperature. 
     The air introduced by the inflow units  210  may be mixed with each other in the middle region  220  of the temperature control module TCM. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the middle region  220  of the temperature control module TCM may be an empty space between the inflow units  210  and the outflow units  230 . Alternatively, referring to  FIG.  5   , a mixing plate  225  may be arranged in the middle region  220  of the temperature control module TCM. The mixing plate  225  may have a plurality of openings forming a pattern configured to effectively mix the air. Further, a mixing fan  226  may be arranged in the middle region  220  of the temperature control module TCM. A flow and a speed of the air passing through the mixing plate  225  and or the mixing fan  226  may be changed so that the air may be effectively mixed with each other. 
     A second temperature controller TCM_ 2  may be arranged in the middle region  220  of the temperature control module TCM. The second temperature controller TCM_ 2  may include a heating element and/or a cooling element. For example, the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  may be arranged in the empty space of the middle region  220 . Alternatively, the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  may be installed at the mixing plate  225 . When the air introduced by the inflow units  210  may have a temperature different from a target temperature, the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  may heat or cool the air to control the temperature of the air at the target temperature. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  7   , each of the outflow units  230  may apply the air, which may be mixed with each other in the middle region  220  to have the same temperature, to the semiconductor devices SD of the test board TB. In example embodiments, the outflow units  230  may also include a fan. 
     The outflow units  230  may be arranged in a matrix shape. In example embodiments, the outflow units  230  may be arranged to correspond to the semiconductor devices SD. That is, an arrangement of the outflow units  230  may be substantially the same as an arrangement of the semiconductor devices SD. Further, the numbers of the outflow units  230  may be substantially the same as numbers of the semiconductor devices SD. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the temperature control module TCM may further include an outflow plate  235  arranged at lower ends of the outflow units  230 . In example embodiments, the outflow plate  235  may include a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern. For example, the holes of the outflow plate  215  may be arranged in a grid shape. The outflow plate  235  may control a speed and/or an amount of the air discharged from the temperature control module TCM through the outflow units  230  on to the semiconductor devices. 
     A third temperature controller TCM_ 3  may be arranged in the lower region  222  of the temperature control module TCM. The third temperature controller TCM_ 3  may include a heating element and/or a cooling element. For example, a plurality of third temperature controllers TCM_ 3  may be employed, each one arranged adjacent or close to each of the outflow units  230 . The third temperature controllers TCM_ 3  may be individually driven. Alternatively, the third temperature controllers TCM_ 3  may be installed at the outflow plate  235 . When the air discharged through the outflow units  230  has a temperature different from a target temperature, the third temperature controllers TCM_ 3  may control the temperature of the air by heating it or cooling it to bring it to the target temperature. In example embodiments, the temperature control module TCM may include at least one of the first temperature controller TCM_ 1 , the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  and the third temperature controller TCM_ 3 . Each of the first, second, and third temperature controllers TCM_ 3  may include any suitable temperature controller. For example, the temperature controller may be capable to receive the air temperature from a temperature sensor coupled to the temperature controller, to compare the measured temperature with the target temperature, and by heating or cooling the air for adjusting the temperature as may be needed to bring the air to the target temperature. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the temperature control module TCM may further include guide units  240  corresponding to the outflow units  230 . Each of the guide units  240  may be arranged between the outflow unit  230  and the semiconductor device SD to directly supply the air from the outflow unit  230  to the semiconductor device SD. For example, the guide unit  240  may have a trapezoidal shape having gradually decreased widths from an upper portion to a lower portion, but the invention is not limited to this design only which is provided as an example of a suitable design for the guide unit  240 . Each of the guide units  240  may be independently tilted to control an outflow direction of the air. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1   , the temperature control module TCM may include a temperature control region and a connector TCM_C. The inflow units  210  and the outflow units  230  may be arranged in the temperature control region. The connector TCM_C may transmit the test signal to the inflow units  210  and the outflow units  230 . 
     In example embodiments, the connector TCM_C of the temperature control module TCM may have a structure inserted into the slots  150  of the chamber  100 . The connector TCM_C may be compatible with the connection TB_C of the test board TB. Thus, the temperature control module TCM may be inserted into the slot  150  to receive the test signal through an interface substantially the same as that of the test board TB. 
     According to example embodiments, the temperature control module TCM may have the structure inserted into the slots  150  of the chamber  100  to provide the semiconductor devices SD with the air having the same temperature regardless of the regions in the chamber  100  without changes or adding of a part in the semiconductor test device  1000 . 
     The temperature control module TCM may further include a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be arranged in at least one of the upper region  222  with the inflow units  210 , the middle region  220 , and the lower region  218  with the outflow units  230  to continuously sense the temperature of the air introduced into the chamber  100 . 
     Further, the temperature control module TCM may be coupled to a controller through the connector TCM_C. The controller may control the operations of the inflow units  210 , the outflow units  230 , the first temperature controller TCM_ 1 , the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  and the third temperature controller TCM_ 3  based on the detected temperature of the air by the temperature sensors. 
     Hereinafter, a method of controlling a temperature of the air by the semiconductor test device may be illustrated in detail. 
       FIG.  8    is a flow chart illustrating a method of driving a semiconductor test device in accordance with example embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  8   , in operation S 110 , a first temperature of the air introduced into the chamber  100  may be measured. A second temperature of the air applied to the test board TB may also be measured. 
     In operation S 120 , when the second temperature is beyond the set temperature, the temperature control module TCM may control the temperature of the second air to provide the air applied to the test board TB with the set temperature in operation S 130 . 
     In example embodiments, the inflow units  210  and the outflow units  230  of the temperature control module TCM may be independently driven to control the amount and the speed of the introduced/discharged air, thereby providing the air with the set temperature. Further, at least one of the first temperature controller TCM_ 1 , the second temperature controller TCM_ 2  and the third temperature controller TCM_ 3  may be driven to provide the air with the set temperature. 
     When a difference between the second temperature and the set temperature is within an allowable range, the second temperature may be controlled by a set minimum control unit. In contrast, when a difference between the second temperature and the set temperature is beyond the allowable range, the second temperature may be repeatedly controlled by the set minimum control unit or a group of the set minimum control units to reduce a control time. 
     After completing the semiconductor test process, the first temperature of the air introduced into the chamber  100  and the second temperature of the air applied to the test board TB may be measured by a set period. The temperature control module TCM may provide the air with the set temperature regardless of the regions in the chamber  100 . 
     The above described embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention. Various alternatives and equivalents are possible. The invention is not limited by the embodiments described herein. Nor is the invention limited to any specific type of semiconductor device. Another additions, subtractions, or modifications are obvious in view of the present disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.