Patent Abstract:
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for testing an electronic device. The method includes supplying a first voltage output from a voltage regulator to a first power connection terminal of the electronic device to provide power to the electronic device, providing to the voltage regulator a second voltage on a second power connection terminal of the electronic device that is in connection with the first power connection terminal by a first circuit of the electronic device, regulating, using the voltage regulator, the first voltage based on a comparison of the second voltage and a target voltage, and determining whether the electronic device meets a performance requirement while the first voltage is regulated.

Full Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/378,358, “Enhanced Method for Voltage Compensation in a Tester” filed on Aug. 30, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
         [0003]    Generally, integrated circuits (IC) testing uses automated test equipment (ATE) and an adapter board specific to an integrated circuits product to test each device under test (DUT) of the product. In an example, each packaged IC device of a product can be inserted into a socket on the adapter board, and the adapter board is suitably connected to the ATE. Then, the ATE tests the packaged IC device via the adapter board. For example, the ATE sends test signals to the packaged IC device and receives response signals from the packaged IC device via the adapter board. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for testing an electronic device. The method includes supplying a first voltage output from a voltage regulator to a first power connection terminal of the electronic device to provide power to the electronic device, providing to the voltage regulator a second voltage on a second power connection terminal of the electronic device that is in connection with the first power connection terminal by a first circuit of the electronic device, regulating, using the voltage regulator, the first voltage based on a comparison of the second voltage and a target voltage, and determining whether the electronic device meets a performance requirement while the first voltage is regulated. 
         [0005]    To determine whether the electronic device meets the performance requirement while the first voltage is regulated, the method includes sending test signals to first signal terminals of the electronic device, and receiving response signals from second signal terminals of the electronic device. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, the method includes supplying a third voltage output from the voltage regulator to a third power connection terminal of the electronic device, providing to the voltage regulator a fourth voltage on a fourth power connection terminal of the electronic device that is in connection with the third power connection terminal by a second circuit of the electronic device, and regulating, using the voltage regulator, at least one of the first voltage and the third voltage based on a voltage differential between the second voltage and the fourth voltage. In an example, the method includes regulating, using the voltage regulator, at least one of the first voltage and the third voltage so as to cause the voltage differential between the second voltage and the fourth voltage to be equal to the target voltage. 
         [0007]    Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) that is tested according to the method. 
         [0008]    Aspects of the disclosure also provide a test system for testing a device under test (DUT). The test system includes a tester, a voltage regulator controller and an adapter board configured for testing the DUT. The adapter board includes a first conductive path configured to supply a first voltage output from a voltage regulator to a first power connection terminal of the DUT to provide power to the DUT, and a second conductive path configured to provide to the voltage regulator the second voltage on a second power connection terminal of the DUT that is in connection with the first power connection terminal by a first circuit within the DUT. The voltage regulator controller is configured to cause the voltage regulator to regulate the first voltage based on the second voltage received by the voltage regulator and a target voltage. The tester is configured to perform a functional test of a circuit on the DUT while the first voltage is regulated. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the adapter board further includes multiple testing paths configured to send the test signals generated by the tester to first signal connection terminals of the DUT and to receive response signals from second signal connection terminals of the DUT. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the adapter board includes a third conductive path configured to supply a third voltage output from the voltage regulator to a third power connection terminal of the DUT, and a fourth conductive path configured to provide to the voltage regulator a fourth voltage on a fourth power connection terminal of the DUT that is in connection with the third power connection terminal by a second circuit within the DUT. 
         [0011]    Aspects of the disclosure also provide the adapter board that is configured to test the DUT. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various embodiments of this disclosure that are proposed as examples will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein like numerals reference like elements, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a test system example  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of another test system example  200  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart outlining a process example  300  for the test system  100  to test the device under test (DUT)  130  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart outlining a process example  400  for the test system  200  to test the DUT  230  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a test system example  100  that tests a device under test (DUT)  130  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The test system  100  includes a tester  120 , a voltage regulator  140 , and an interface module  110 . These elements are coupled together as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0018]    The DUT  130  can be any suitable device, such as an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a packaged IC device, and the like. The DUT  130  includes connection terminals, such as signal connection terminals  137 , and power connection terminals  135 A and  13513 , and the like. In an example, the connection terminals  137 ,  135 A and  135 B are pads on an IC chip. In another example, the connection terminals  137 ,  135 A and  135 B are pins of a pin grid array (PGA) package. In another example, the connection terminals  137 ,  135 A and  13513  are solder balls of a ball grid array (BGA) package. 
         [0019]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, the power connection terminals  135 A and  135 B are configured to have substantially the same voltage potential during operation. In an embodiment, the power connection terminals  135 A and  13513  are configured to provide a power supply, such as VDD, VSS, and the like, to circuits within the DUT  130  during operation. In an example, the power connection terminals  135 A and  135 B are coupled together internally by an internal circuit  131  of the DUT  130 , such as an internal power bus, a power distribution grid, a pad bonded to the two terminals, and the like. Thus, a voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  135 B is a function of a voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A. In an embodiment, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is substantially the same as the voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  13513 . It is noted that the DUT  130  can include other power connection terminals that are configured to provide other power supply of same or different voltage, such as ground and the like. 
         [0020]    The interface module  110  provides suitable interfaces for coupling the voltage regulator  140  and the tester  120  with the DUT  130  during testing to test the DUT  130 . In an embodiment, the interface module  110  is an adapter board having printed circuits coupled with probe contactors. The interface module  110  is suitably configured to connect selected terminals on the DUT  130  to the tester  120  and the voltage regulator  140 . The interface module  110  is installed on a prober (not shown). The prober is suitably connected to the tester  120  and the voltage regulator  140  via suitable connectors, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI Extensions for Instrumentation (PXI), Local Area Network (LAN), General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), and the like. Further, the prober is suitably configured to force the probe contactors to make electrical contacts with the signal connection terminals  137 , and the power connection terminal  135 A and  135 B. 
         [0021]    In another example, the interface module  110  is an adapter board having printed circuits coupled with a socket. The socket has suitable contactors, such as pin contactors configured to make electrical contacts with pins, solder ball contactors configured to make electrical contacts with solder balls, and the like. The interface module  110  is installed on a handler (not shown) and the handler is suitably connected with the tester  120  and the voltage regulator  140  via suitable connectors, such as USB, PCI, PXI, LAN, GPIB, and the like. During testing, the DUT  130  is plugged into the socket, and the contactors of the socket are forced to make electrical contacts with the signal connection terminals  137  and the power connection terminals  135 A and  135 B. 
         [0022]    The interface module  110  includes various leads, such as solder traces, wires, cables, ribbon cable, jumpers, and the like, and suitable electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, and the like, that form paths, such as conductive paths, signal traces and the like, between the DUT  130  and the tester  120  or the DUT  130  and the voltage regulator  140 . 
         [0023]    According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the interface module  110  includes separate paths PATH 1  and PATH 2  that are suitably configured to respectively interface the power connection terminals  135 A and  1358  with the voltage regulator  140 . For example, in an embodiment, the path PATH 1  is configured to have relatively high conductivity for providing power supply to the power connection terminal  135 A and the path PATH 2  is configured to prevent direct current flowing through, such that a voltage drop on the path PATH 2  is substantially equal to zero. In an example, the path PATH 1  includes printed wires of relatively large width and/or thickness. The path PATH 2  is connected to a sense pin of the voltage regulator  140  that has relatively high input impedance, such that no current flows on the path PATH 2  and the voltage drop on the path PATH 2  is substantially equal to zero. In another embodiment, the path PATH 2  includes a buffer (not shown) configured to have relatively high input impedance to prevent current flowing through. In another embodiment, the path PATH 2  includes a low pass filter (not shown) to remove noises. 
         [0024]    The voltage regulator  140  is configured to provide one or more power supplies to the DUT  130 . In addition, in an embodiment, the voltage regulator  140  includes one or more sense pins configured to have relatively high input impedance. The voltage regulator  140  is configured to sense voltages provided on the sense pins. In an example, the path PATH 2  is coupled to a sense pin of the voltage regulator  140 . According to an aspect of the disclosure, the voltage regulator  140  is configured to adjust a voltage V of a power supply output to the path PATH 1  based on a voltage V″′ received from the path PATH 2 . In addition, in an embodiment, the voltage regulator  140  receives a target voltage that is a reference voltage. Then, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V output to the path PATH 1  based on a comparison of the voltage V″′ received from the path PATH 2  and the target voltage. In an example, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V output to the path PATH 1  to cause the voltage V″′ received from the path PATH 2  to be equal to the target voltage. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the tester  120  is configured to provide test signals to the DUT  130  via the interface module  110  and to receive response signals of the DUT  130  via the interface module  110 . Based on the response signals, the tester  120  then determines whether the DUT  130  passes or fails tests. It is noted that the paths on the interface module  110  for delivering the test signals and the response signals are suitably configured according to suitable signal delivering requirements. 
         [0026]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, contact resistance of the contactors on the interface module  110  with the connection terminals  137 ,  135 A and  135 B on the DUT  130  may vary. In an example, contact resistance is different for different DUTs  130  of same design. In another example, when the contactors are released from a first contact with a DUT  130 , and are forced to make a second contact with the same DUT  130 , such as during a retest, the contact resistance of the first contact is different from the contact resistance of the second contact. 
         [0027]    According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the power connection terminals  135 A and  135 B, the internal circuit  131 , the paths PATH 1  and PATH 2  and the voltage regulator  140  form a feedback loop during testing. The feedback loop is configured to compensate for variation, such as the contact resistance variation, temperature variation, and the like, and thus to keep the voltage V′ of the power supply within the DUT  130  to be substantially the same, for different DUTs  130  or for retests. 
         [0028]    During testing, in an example, the voltage regulator  140  outputs the power supply having the voltage V to the path PATH 1 . The path PATH 1  is configured to deliver the power supply to the power connection terminal  135 A. The path PATH 1  has a voltage drop that varies for a different DUT  130  or retest due to the variation of the contact resistance, for example. Thus, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is different from the voltage V output to the path PATH 1 . Further, the voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  135 B is substantially the same as the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A. The voltage V″ is sensed and feedback by the path PATH 2  to the voltage regulator  140 . In an example, the path PATH 2  is configured to have substantially zero voltage drop, thus the voltage V″′ received by the voltage regulator  140  from the path PATH 2  is substantially the same as the voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  135 B. Then, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V provided to the path PATH 1  based on the voltage V″′ received from the path PATH 2 . It is noted that, in an example, when the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V provided to the path PATH 1  to keep the voltage V″′ to be a specific value, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is also equal to the specific value. 
         [0029]    In an example, the voltage regulator  140  receives a target voltage, and regulates the voltage V provided to the path PATH 1  to cause the voltage received from the path PATH 2  to be equal to the target voltage, or some other predefined relationship to the target voltage. Thus, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is equal to the target voltage. 
         [0030]    Further, in an embodiment, while simultaneously to monitoring and adjusting the voltage V, the tester  120  provides test signals to the DUT  130  and receives response signals from the DUT  130 . Based on the response signals, the tester  120  determines whether the DUT  130  passes or fails the tests. Thus, for a different DUT  130  or a retest, tests are taken under substantially the same power supply condition that the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is substantially the same, for example, being equal to the target voltage or some other predefined relationship to the target voltage. 
         [0031]    It is noted that, in an example, different DUTs  130  consume different current due to process variation, temperature variation, and the like. In another example, different tests, such as different test vectors, and the like, cause the same DUT  130  to consume different current. The different current causes the voltage drops on the path PATH 1  to be different. In the example, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V provided to the path PATH 1  to cause the voltage V″′ received from the path PATH 2  to be equal to the target voltage or some other predefined relationship to the target voltage. Thus, in an embodiment, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A can be maintained at substantially the same level for different DUTs  130 , and for different tests so as to provide a controlled testing environment. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of another test system example  200  for testing a DUT  230  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The test system  200  includes a tester  220 , and a handler (not shown). An adapter board  210  with a socket  211  is suitably installed on the handler to interface the tester  220  with the DUT  230 . The tester  220  includes a voltage regulator  240  for providing power supplies during testing. These elements are coupled together as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    In the  FIG. 2  example, the DUT  230  is in a ball grid array (BGA) package with solder balls  235 A,  235 B,  236 A and  236 B. The DUT  230  includes a first power bus  231  and a second power bus  232 . In the  FIG. 2  example, the first power bus  231  is a VDD bus that couples the solder balls  235 A and  235 B, such that a voltage VDD′ on the solder balls  235 A is substantially the same as a voltage VDD″ on the solder ball  235 B. Similarly, the second power bus  232  is a VSS bus that couples the solder balls  236 A and  236 B, such that a voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A is substantially the same as a voltage VSS″ on the solder ball  236 B. 
         [0034]    The adapter board  210  with the socket  211  includes various leads and suitable circuit components that form conductive paths, signal traces, and the like between the DUT  230  and the tester  220 . 
         [0035]    Specifically, in an example, the socket  211  includes ball contactors  212  configured to make electrical contacts with the solder balls  235 A,  235 B,  236 A and  236 B of the DUT  230 . According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the contact resistance of the ball contactors  212  to the solder balls  235 A,  235 B,  236 A and  236 E of the DUT  230  varies for different DUT  230 . In addition, when the solder ball contactors  212  are released from a first contact and then are forced to make a second contact with the solder balls  235 A,  235 B,  236 A and  236 B of the same DUT  230 , the contact resistance of the first contact can be different from the contact resistance of the second contact. 
         [0036]    Further, in the  FIG. 2  example, the adapter board  210  includes a first path PATH 1  for interfacing the solder balls  235 A with the voltage regulator  240  and a second path PATH 2  for interfacing the solder ball  235 B with the voltage regulator  240 . The first path PATH 1  delivers a power supply provided by the voltage regulator  240  to the solder balls  235 A, and the second path PATH 2  delivers a sensed voltage on the solder balls  235 B back to the voltage regulator  240 . Further, the adapter board  210  includes a third path PATH 3  for interfacing the solder balls  236 A with the voltage regulator  240  and a fourth path PATH 4  for interfacing the solder ball  236 B with the voltage regulator  240 . The third path PATH 3  delivers a power supply, such as Ground, provided by the voltage regulator  240  to the solder balls  236 A, and the fourth path PATH 4  delivers a sensed voltage on the solder balls  23613  back to the voltage regulator  240 . 
         [0037]    According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the paths PATH 1 , PATH 2 , PATH 3  and PATH 4  are suitably configured according to signal or power delivering requirements. For example, in an embodiment, the first path PATH 1  includes first printed wires in a first layer of the adapter board  210 . The first layer has relatively large thickness, and the first printed wires have relatively large width. Thus, the first path PATH 1  is configured to have relatively good conductivity. Similarly, the third path PATH 3  includes second printed wires in a second layer. The second layer has relatively large thickness, and the second printed wires have relatively large width. Thus, the third path PATH 3  has relatively good conductivity. However, the first path PATH 1  and the third path PATH 3  have voltage drops or rises. In addition, due to the variation of the contact resistance, the voltage drops also vary. Specifically, in an example, the voltage regulator  240  provides a voltage VDD, for example, a positive voltage, to the first path PATH 1  for delivering, and the voltage VDD drops to the voltage VDD′ on the solder balls  235 A. Similarly, the voltage regulator  240  provides a voltage VSS, such as Ground, a negative voltage, and the like, to the third path PATH 3  for delivering, and the voltage VSS rises to the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, a voltage differential changes due to the voltage drop and/or rise on the first path PATH 1  and the third path PATH 3 , and the variation of the contact resistance. Specifically, in an example, the voltage regulator  240  provides a voltage VDD, for example, a positive voltage, to the first path PATH 1  for delivering, and the voltage VDD drops to the voltage VDU on the solder balls  235 A. Similarly, the voltage regulator  240  provides a voltage VSS, such as Ground, a negative voltage, and the like, to the third path PATH 3  for delivering, and the voltage VSS rises to the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A. A voltage differential of the voltage VDU on the solder balls  235 A to the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A varies as a function of the voltage drop on the first path PATH 1 , the voltage rise on the third path PATH 3 , and the variation of the contact resistance. 
         [0039]    Further, the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  are configured to deliver the sensed voltages to the voltage regulator  240 . In an embodiment, the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  are connected to the sense pins of the voltage regulator  240 . The sense pins are configured to have relatively high input impedance, such that there is no current on the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4 , and voltage drops on the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  are substantially equal to zero. Thus, a voltage VDD″′ received by the voltage regulator  240  from the second path PATH 2  is substantially the same as the voltage VDD″ on the solder ball  235 B, and a voltage VSS″′ received by the voltage regulator  240  from the fourth path PATH 4  is substantially the same as the voltage VSS″ on the solder ball  236 B. It is noted that, in an example, the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  may include suitable circuits, such as buffers, to prevent direct current flowing there through. 
         [0040]    In addition, in an embodiment, the second path PATH 2  includes a low pass filter network  217 , and the fourth path PATH 4  includes a low pass filter network  218 . The low pass filter networks  217  and  218  are configured to reduce noises in the delivered voltage signals. It is noted that, in another embodiment, the low pass filter networks  217  and  218  are omitted. 
         [0041]    The voltage regulator  240  is configured to provide power supplies to the DUT  230 . In addition, in an embodiment, the voltage regulator  240  includes sense pins configured to have relatively high input impedance. The voltage regulator  240  is configured to sense voltages provided on the sense pins. In an example, the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  are respectively coupled to sense pins of the voltage regulator  240 . According to an aspect of the disclosure, the voltage regulator  240  is configured to adjust the voltage VDD of a first power supply output to the first path PATH 1  based on the voltage VDD″′ received from the second path PATH 2 , and adjust the voltage VSS of a second power supply output to the third path PATH 3  based on the voltage VSS″′ received from the fourth path PATH 4 . 
         [0042]    In addition, in an embodiment, the voltage regulator  240  receives one or more target voltages that are reference voltages, and regulates the voltage VDD and the voltage VSS based on comparisons of the voltages VDD″′ and VSS″′ to the one or more target voltages. In an example, the voltage regulator receives a first target voltage and a second target voltage that are reference voltages. The voltage regulator  240  regulates the voltage VDD to cause the voltage VDD″′ to be equal to the first target voltage, and regulates the voltage VSS to cause the voltage VSS″′ to be equal to the second target voltage. In another example, the voltage regulator  240  regulates at least one of the voltages VDD and VSS based on a comparison of the sensed voltage differential (VDD″′ VSS″′) and the target voltage. In an example, the voltage regulator  240  regulates the voltage VDD output to the first path PATH 1  and the voltage VSS output to the third path PATH 3  to cause the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) received from the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  to be equal to the target voltage. 
         [0043]    It is noted that the adapter board  210  can include other paths (not shown) for providing test signals from the tester  220  to the DUT  230 , and/or providing response signals from the DUT  230  to the tester  220 . In an embodiment, while maintaining the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) at a controlled level, various functional tests, such as logic tests, memory tests, and the like are performed on circuitry in the DUT  230 . Based on the response signals, the tester  220  then determines whether the DUT  230  passes or fails tests. 
         [0044]    According to an aspect of the disclosure, contact resistance of the ball contactors  212  with the solder balls on the DUT  230  varies. In an example, contact resistance is different for different DUT  230 . In another example, contact resistance is different when contactors are released from a first contact with a DUT  230 , and are forced to make a second contact with the same DUT  230 , for example, during a retest. 
         [0045]    According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the solder balls  235 A and  235 B, the first power bus  231 , the first path PATH 1 , the second path PATH 2  and the voltage regulator  240  form a first feedback loop during testing. The first feedback loop is configured to compensate for the variation of the contact resistance, and thus to keep the voltage VDD′ on the solder balls  235 A to be substantially the same for different DUT  230  or for a retest. Further, the solder balls  236 A and  236 B, the second power bus  232 , the third path PATH 3 , the fourth path PATH 4  and the voltage regulator  240  form a second feedback loop during testing. The second feedback loop is configured to compensate for the variation of the contact resistance, and thus to keep the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A to be substantially the same for different DUT  230  or for a retest. 
         [0046]    Specifically, during testing, the voltage regulator  240  provides the voltage VDD onto the first path PATH 1  of the adapter board  210 . The first path PATH 1  delivers the voltage VDD′ onto the solder balls  235 A of the DUT  230  that provides a positive power supply to internal circuits of the DUT  230 . It is noted that, in an example, due to the voltage drop on the first path PATH 1 , the voltage VDD′ on the solder balls  235 A is different from the voltage VDD provided by the voltage regulator  240  onto the first path PATH 1 . In addition, due to the variation of the contact resistance, the voltage drop from the voltage VDD to the voltage VDD′ may vary from DUT to DUT or from test to test. 
         [0047]    Further, the voltage VDD″ on the solder ball  235 B is substantially the same as the voltage VDD′ on the solder balls  235 A, and the second path PATH 2  is configured, in an embodiment, to have substantially zero voltage drop, thus the voltage VDD″′ received by the voltage regulator  240  is substantially equal to the voltage VDD″ on the solder ball  235 B and is substantially equal to the voltage VDD′ on the solder ball  235 A. Then, the voltage regulator  240  regulates the voltage VDD supplied to the first path PATH 1  based on the voltage VDD″′ to keep the voltage VDD′ on the solder ball  235 A to be substantially the same for different DUT  230  or retests, for example. 
         [0048]    Similarly, the voltage regulator  240  provides the voltage VSS onto the third path PATH 3  of the adapter board  210 . The third path PATH 3  delivers the voltage VSS′ onto the solder balls  236 A of the DUT  230  that provides, for example, Ground to internal circuits of the DUT  230 . It is noted that, in an example, due to the voltage rise on the third path PATH 3 , the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A is different from the voltage VSS provided by the voltage regulator  240  onto the third path PATH 3 . In addition, due to the variation of the contact resistance, the voltage rise from the voltage VSS to the voltage VSS′ may vary. 
         [0049]    Further, the voltage VSS″ on the solder ball  236 B is substantially the same as the voltage VSS′ on the solder balls  236 A, and the fourth path PATH 4  is configured to have substantially zero voltage rise, thus the voltage VSS″′ received by the voltage regulator  240  is substantially equal to the voltage VSS″ on the solder ball  236 B and is substantially equal to the voltage VSS′ on the solder ball  236 A. Then, the voltage regulator  240  regulates the voltage VSS supplied to the third path PATH 3  based on the voltage VSS″′ to keep the voltage VSS′ on the solder ball  236 A to be substantially the same for different DUT  230  or retests, for example. 
         [0050]    In an example, the voltage regulator  240  receives a target voltage that is a reference voltage, and regulates at least one of the voltage VDD supplied to the first path PATH 1  and the voltage VSS supplied to the third path PATH 3  to cause the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) received from the second path PATH 2  and the fourth path PATH 4  to be equal to the target voltage. Thus, the voltage differential (VDD′-VSS′) to the internal circuits of the DUT is substantially equal to the target voltage. 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, the tester  220  waits for a time period for the voltage regulator  240  to stably maintain the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) equal to the target voltage. Then, the tester  220  provides test signals to the DUT  230  and receives response signals from the DUT  230  through signal leads, which are not seen in  FIG. 2 . Based on the response signals, the tester  220  determines whether the DUT  230  passes or fails the tests. 
         [0052]    In an embodiment, the test system  200  includes a voltage regulator controller  245 . The voltage regulator controller  245  provides control parameters, such as the target voltage, and the like, to the voltage regulator  240  to cause the voltage regulator  240  to regulate its output voltages in a desired manner, for example, as a function of input voltages. It is noted that the voltage regulator controller  245  can be implemented in various portions of the test system  200 , such as in the tester  220 , on the adapter board  210 , within the voltage regulator  240 , and the like. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart outlining a process example  300  for the test system  100  to test the DUT  130  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process starts at S 301  and proceeds to S 310 . 
         [0054]    At S 310 , the first path PATH 1  delivers a power supply from the voltage regulator  140  to a first power connection terminal, such as a power connection terminal  135 A of a DUT  130 . Specifically, the voltage regulator  140  generates the power supply having the voltage V, and supplies the voltage V onto the first path PATH 1  of the interface module  110 . In an embodiment, the first path PATH 1  is configured to have relatively large conductivity for delivering the power supply. However, due to the current flowing through the first path PATH 1 , the first path PATH 1  has a voltage drop, and the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A in  FIG. 1  is different from the voltage V supplied to the first path PATH 1 . In addition, due to the variation of the contact resistance of a contactor on the interface module  110  with the power connection terminal  135 A, the voltage drop of voltage actually supplied to the DUT  130  may be different for different DUTs  130  or retests. Within the DUT  130 , the internal circuit  131  couples the power connection terminal  135 A with the power connection terminal  136 B, thus the voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  135 B is substantially the same as the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A. 
         [0055]    At S 320 , the second path PATH 2  delivers a sensed voltage from a second power connection terminal, such as the power connection terminal  135 B, of the DUT  130  in  FIG. 1  to the voltage regulator  140 . Specifically, the second path PATH 2  is configured to connect to the tester sense input which is a high impedance pin, thus the voltage drop on the second path PATH 2  is substantially equal to zero. Thus, the voltage V″′ received by the voltage regulator  140  from the second path PATH 2  is substantially equal to the voltage V″ on the power connection terminal  135 B, and is substantially equal to the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A. 
         [0056]    At S 330 , in an embodiment, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V supplied to the first path PATH 1  based on the voltage V″′ received from the second path PATH 2 . In an embodiment, the voltage regulator  140  regulates the voltage V supplied to the first path PATH 1  to keep the voltage V″′ received from the second path PATH 2  to be substantially the same for different DUT  130  or retests. Thus, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is kept substantially the same for different DUTs  130  or retests. In an example, the voltage regulator  140  receives a target voltage, and regulates the voltage V supplied to the first path PATH 1  to keep the voltage V″′ equal to the target voltage. Thus, the voltage V′ on the power connection terminal  135 A is substantially equal to the target voltage for different DUT  130  or retests. 
         [0057]    At S 340 , in an embodiment, the tester  120  provides test signals to signal connection terminals  137  of the DUT  130  and receives response signals from the signal connection terminals  137 . In an embodiment, when the voltage regulator  140  stably regulates the voltage V supplied to the first path PATH 1  to keep the voltage V″′ received from the second path PATH 2  equal to the target voltage, the tester  120  provides test signals to signal connection terminals  137  of the DUT  130  and receives response signals from the signal connection terminals  137 . Based on the response signals, the tester  120  determines whether the DUT  130  passes or fails the tests. Then the process proceeds to S 399  and terminates. 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart outlining a process example  400  for the test system  200  to test the DUT  230  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process starts at S 401  and proceeds to S 410 . 
         [0059]    At S 410 , the first path PATH 1  delivers the power supply VDD from the voltage regulator  240  to the power connection terminal  235 A of the DUT  230 , and the third path PATH 3  delivers the power supply VSS from the voltage regulator  240  to the power connection terminal  236 A of a DUT  230 . 
         [0060]    At S 420 , the second path PATH 2  delivers a sensed voltage VDD″′ from the power connection terminal  23513 , of the DUT  230  to the voltage regulator  240  and the fourth path PATH 4  delivers a sensed voltage VSS″′ from the power connection terminal  236 B, of the DUT  230  to the voltage regulator  240 . 
         [0061]    At S 430 , the voltage regulator  240  regulates at least one of VDD and VSS based on a voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′). In an embodiment, the voltage regulator  240  regulates at least one of VDD and VSS to maintain the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) to be substantially the same for different DUT  230  or retests. In an example, the voltage regulator  240  receives the reference target voltage, and regulates at least one of VDD and VSS to keep the voltage differential (VDD″′-VSS″′) to be substantially equal to the reference target voltage. 
         [0062]    At S 440 , the tester  220  provides test signals to the DUT  230  and receives response signals from the DUT  230  while maintaining the voltage differential at a controlled level. Based on the response signals, the tester  220  determines whether the DUT  230  passes or fails the tests. Then the process proceeds to S 399  and terminates. 
         [0063]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments thereof that are proposed as examples, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. There are changes that may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6