Patent Description:
As a test device for a high-frequency or high-speed semiconductor, a high-frequency probe has been used. Such a high-frequency probe is too expensive to be used in a low- and mid-priced test device.

The test device for the high-frequency or high-speed semiconductor includes a conductive block which is contactless-mounted with a signal probe to be shielded against noise from adjacent signal probes. In this case, the signal probe penetrates the conductive block without contacting an inner wall of a probe hole, and both ends of the single probe are supported on insulating plates disposed at the opposite sides of the conductive block. However, such a conventional test device has disadvantages that its material cost is high because one conductive block is applied for the shielding, and processing is difficult when the signal probes are arranged at fine pitches. Further, the processed hole of the conductive block has low precision and a rough inner surface, and therefore there is a problem that signal probe passing therethrough is deteriorated in an impedance characteristic.

<CIT> discloses a contact holder, capable of compensating a change of signal transmission characteristic at the outer edge area of the substrate. A substrate has grounding conductive layers arranged on or above surfaces of the substrate, near a plunger of a signal transmitting contact. Each grounding conductive layer is electrically connected to a conductive portion electrically connected to each grounding contact, on a surface of the substrate. Further, each grounding conductive layer is not electrically connected to the signal transmitting contact.

<CIT> discloses that in a through hole of an insulating block, a ground socket, to which a conductive outer sheath tube constituting a coaxial external conductor and a ground probe can be inserted, is inserted into an outer sheath tube assembly secured by a conductive member. An RF signal probe is fixed to the central part of the outer sheath tube. The ground probe is inserted into the ground socket. Other probes are inserted into through holes of the insulating block and are fixed by a fixing.

An aspect of the disclosure is conceived to solve the conventional problems, and provides a test device for a high-frequency and high-speed semiconductor, in which noise between adjacent signal probes is effectively blocked by a simple structure.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a test device for a high-frequency and high-speed semiconductor, which is improved in processing and assembling and reduces costs with a low-priced material.

According to an aspect, there is provided a test device as set out in claim <NUM>. Optional features are set out in claim <NUM>.

A test device for a high-frequency and high-speed semiconductor according to the present invention can effectively shield the noise between adjacent signal probes with a simple structure, improve processing and assembling, and reduce costs with a low-priced material.

The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Below, a test device <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view and a partial cross-section view of the test device according to the disclosure, and a cross-section view of a probe supporting block of <FIG>. As shown therein, the test device <NUM> includes a probe supporting block <NUM>, a shield tube <NUM>, a probe <NUM>, and an insert <NUM> configured to accommodate a semiconductor or the like subject to be tested. The probe <NUM> includes a signal probe <NUM> for transmitting a test signal, a ground probe <NUM> for transmitting a ground signal, and a power probe <NUM> for supplying electric power.

As shown in <FIG>, the probe supporting block <NUM> includes a tube accommodating portion <NUM>, and a conductive contact portion <NUM> disposed in the tube accommodating portion <NUM>. The probe supporting block <NUM> includes a conductive block <NUM> having the conductive contact portion <NUM>, an insulating block <NUM> coupled to the top of the conductive block <NUM>, and an insulating cover block <NUM> coupled to the bottom of the conductive block <NUM>.

The conductive block <NUM> is made of conductive metal such as brass. The conductive block <NUM> may be made of an insulator, the surface of which is plated with metal. The conductive block <NUM> is in contact with the ground probe <NUM> and is kept grounded.

The insulating block <NUM> is made of an insulator, for example, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyacrylic, ceramic, etc. The insulating block <NUM> is coupled to the top of the conductive block <NUM>. The insulating block <NUM>, together with the conductive block <NUM> and the insulating cover block <NUM>, accommodates and supports the shield tube <NUM>, the signal probe <NUM>, the ground probe <NUM>, and the power probe <NUM>.

The insulating cover block <NUM> is made of an insulator, for example, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyacrylic, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. The insulating cover block <NUM>, together with the conductive block <NUM> and the insulating block <NUM>, accommodates and supports the shield tube <NUM>, the signal probe <NUM>, the ground probe <NUM>, and the power probe <NUM>.

The probe supporting block <NUM> includes a plurality of signal probe holes <NUM>, a plurality of ground probe hole <NUM>, and a plurality of power probe holes <NUM>.

The signal probe hole <NUM> includes the tube accommodating portion <NUM>, and first and second signal probe support holes <NUM> and <NUM>, which are formed throughout the coupled conductive and insulating blocks <NUM> and <NUM> and accommodate the shield tube <NUM>. Here, the first and second signal probe support holes <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to support the signal probe <NUM> passing through the internal center of the shield tube <NUM> accommodated in the tube accommodating portion <NUM>.

The tube accommodating portion <NUM> penetrates the conductive block <NUM> from the bottom to the top and extends toward the top of the insulating block <NUM>. The tube accommodating portion <NUM> is formed as long as possible not to penetrate the insulating block <NUM>. The tube accommodating portion <NUM> includes a flange hole <NUM> which is formed in a lower end portion of the conductive block <NUM> and accommodates a flange <NUM> of the shield tube <NUM> (to be described later), and a tube main body hole <NUM> which accommodates the tube main body <NUM> of the shield tube <NUM>. The flange hole <NUM> has a greater diameter than the tube main body hole <NUM>. In result, a stepped portion <NUM> is formed between the flange hole <NUM> and the tube main body hole <NUM>. The shield tube <NUM> accommodated in the tube accommodating portion <NUM> accommodates a barrel <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> therein without contact.

The first signal probe support hole <NUM> includes a first signal barrel end support hole <NUM> communicating with the tube accommodating portion <NUM> in the insulating block <NUM> and accommodating a first end portion of the barrel <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM>, and a first signal plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius from the first signal barrel end support hole <NUM>, penetrating the top of the insulating block <NUM>, and accommodating a plunger <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> therein. The first signal barrel end support hole <NUM> is slantly formed being decreased in radius from the tube main body hole <NUM> to the first signal plunger through hole <NUM>. The first signal barrel end support hole <NUM> accommodates and supports the barrel <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM>. The first signal plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the upper plunger <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the top of the insulating block <NUM>.

The second signal probe support hole <NUM> includes a signal barrel moving hole <NUM> communicating with the tube accommodating portion <NUM> in the insulating cover block <NUM> and allowing the barrel <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> to be movable up and down at a test, and a second signal plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius in the signal barrel moving hole <NUM>, penetrating the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM> and accommodating a lower plunger <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> therein. The second signal plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the lower plunger <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM>.

The ground probe hole <NUM> includes a ground barrel hole <NUM>, and first and second ground probe support hole <NUM> and <NUM>, which are formed throughout the coupled conductive and insulating blocks <NUM> and <NUM>, and accommodate a barrel <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>.

The ground barrel hole <NUM> has an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the barrel <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>. The ground barrel hole <NUM> penetrates the conductive block <NUM> from the bottom to the top and extends toward the top of the insulating block <NUM>. The ground barrel hole <NUM> is formed as long as possible not to penetrate the insulating block <NUM>. The ground probe <NUM> is inserted in the ground barrel hole <NUM>, and is in contact with the inner wall of the ground barrel hole <NUM> of the conductive block <NUM> thereby grounding the conductive block <NUM>.

The first ground probe support hole <NUM> includes a first ground barrel end support hole <NUM> communicating with the ground barrel hole <NUM> in the insulating block <NUM> and accommodating a first end portion of the barrel <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>, and a first ground plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius in the first ground barrel end support hole <NUM>, penetrating the top of the insulating block <NUM>, and accommodating an upper plunger <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>. The first ground barrel end support hole <NUM> is slantly formed being decreased in radium from the ground barrel hole <NUM> to the first ground plunger through hole <NUM>. The first ground barrel end support hole <NUM> accommodates and supports the first end portion of the barrel <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>. The first ground plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the upper plunger <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the top of the insulating block <NUM>.

The second ground probe support hole <NUM> includes the ground barrel moving hole <NUM> communicating with the ground barrel hole <NUM> in the insulating cover block <NUM> and allowing the barrel <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM> to be movable up and down at a test, and a second ground plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius in the ground barrel moving hole <NUM>, penetrating the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM> and accommodating a lower plunger <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM>. The second ground plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the lower plunger <NUM> of the ground probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM>.

The power probe hole <NUM> includes a power barrel through hole <NUM> formed in the conductive block <NUM>, a power barrel accommodating hole <NUM> formed in the insulating block <NUM>, and first and second power probe support holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The power barrel through hole <NUM> has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of a barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM> passes through the power barrel through hole <NUM> without contact. The power barrel through hole <NUM> passes through the conductive block <NUM> from the bottom to the top.

The power barrel accommodating hole <NUM> has an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>. The power barrel accommodating hole <NUM> communicates with the power barrel through hole <NUM>, and is formed as long as possible not to penetrate the bottom of the insulating block <NUM>.

The first power probe support hole <NUM> includes a first power barrel end support hole <NUM> communicating with the power barrel accommodating hole <NUM> in the insulating block <NUM> and accommodating the first end portion of the barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>, and a first power plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius in the first power barrel end support hole <NUM>, penetrating the top of the insulating block <NUM> and accommodating an upper plunger <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>. The first power barrel end support hole <NUM> is slantly formed being decreased in radius from the power barrel accommodating hole <NUM> to the first power plunger through hole <NUM>. The first power barrel end support hole <NUM> accommodates and supports the first end portion of the barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>. The first power plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the upper plunger <NUM> of the power probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the top of the insulating block <NUM>.

The second power probe support hole <NUM> includes a power barrel moving hole <NUM> communicating with the power barrel through hole <NUM> in the insulating cover block <NUM> and allowing the barrel <NUM> of the power probe <NUM> to be movable at a test, and a second power plunger through hole <NUM> decreased in radius in the power barrel moving hole <NUM>, penetrating the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM>, and accommodating a lower plunger <NUM> of the power probe <NUM>. The second power plunger through hole <NUM> is formed to allow the lower plunger <NUM> of the power probe <NUM> to pass therethrough and penetrate the bottom of the insulating cover block <NUM>.

The signal probe <NUM> includes the barrel <NUM> shaped like a cylindrical pipe as a pogo pin type, the upper plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a first side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, the lower plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a second side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> interposed between the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> within the barrel <NUM> so that at least one of the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> can elastically slide inside the barrel <NUM>. The signal probe <NUM> is not limited to the pogo pin type, but may employ any probe as long as it can be elastically retractable. The signal probe <NUM> is accommodated being spaced apart from the inner wall of the shield tube <NUM> and supported in the probe supporting block <NUM>.

The ground probe <NUM> includes the barrel <NUM> shaped like a cylindrical pipe as a pogo pin type like the signal probe <NUM>, the upper plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a first side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, the lower plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a second side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> interposed between the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> within the barrel <NUM> so that at least one of the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> can elastically slide inside the barrel <NUM>. The signal probe <NUM> is not limited to the pogo pin type, but may employ any probe as long as it can be elastically retractable. The ground probe <NUM> is supported in the probe supporting block <NUM> while being in contact with the conductive block <NUM>.

The power probe <NUM> includes the barrel <NUM> shaped like a cylindrical pipe as a pogo pin type like the signal probe <NUM> or the ground probe <NUM>, the upper plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a first side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, the lower plunger <NUM> partially inserted in a second side end portion of the barrel <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> interposed between the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> within the barrel <NUM> so that at least one of the upper plunger <NUM> and the lower plunger <NUM> can elastically slide inside the barrel <NUM>. The signal probe <NUM> is not limited to the pogo pin type, but may employ any probe as long as it can be elastically retractable. The power probe <NUM> is supported in the probe supporting block <NUM> while being spaced apart from the conductive block <NUM>.

The shield tube <NUM> is provided as a metal pipe having good conductivity and manufactured to have a sufficiently greater diameter than the barrel <NUM> of the signal probe <NUM>. The shield tube <NUM> is in contact with the conductive contact portion <NUM> for transmitting a ground signal from the ground probe <NUM> via the conductive block <NUM>, thereby keeping a ground state. In result, the shield tube <NUM> makes the plurality of signal probes <NUM> passing through the conductive block <NUM> and the insulating block <NUM> be shielded against noise between them.

At this time, by forming the conductive block <NUM> to the minimum size and the insulating block <NUM> to the maximum size, the grounded shield tube <NUM> passing through the insulating block <NUM> shields the adjacent signal probes <NUM> against crosstalk between them, thereby reducing costs of materials and reducing costs of manufacture.

All of the signal probe <NUM>, the ground probe <NUM> and the power probe <NUM> described above are actualized by not a conventional special high-frequency dedicated probe but a general pogo pin type probe to test a high-frequency and high-speed semiconductor or the like subject to be tested, thereby reducing manufacture costs.

<FIG> is a partial cross-section view of a test device <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. As shown therein, the test device <NUM> includes a probe supporting block <NUM>, a shield tube <NUM>, a signal probe <NUM>, a ground probe <NUM>, and a power probe <NUM>.

The probe supporting block <NUM> includes a conductive block <NUM>, a first insulating cover block <NUM>-<NUM> coupled to the top of the conductive block <NUM>, and a second insulating cover block <NUM>-<NUM> coupled to the bottom of the conductive block <NUM>.

The first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are made of an insulator, for example, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyacrylic, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. The first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> arranged with the conductive block <NUM> between them supports both ends of the signal probe <NUM>, the ground probe <NUM>, and the power probe <NUM>.

The shield tube <NUM>, the signal probe <NUM>, the ground probe <NUM> and the power probe <NUM> are equivalent to those of the test device <NUM> according to the first embodiment, and therefore repetitive descriptions thereof will be avoided.

In the foregoing test device <NUM> according to the second embodiment, the shield tube <NUM> is inserted in the signal probe hole <NUM> throughout the conductive block <NUM>, and the signal probe <NUM> passes through the center of the shield tube <NUM> without contact. The shield tube <NUM> has an even surface of an inner wall so that the signal probe <NUM> can be uniformly spaced apart from the shield tube <NUM>, thereby showing good impedance characteristics.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged cross-section view of a test device <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. Below, the same elements as those of the test device <NUM> according to the second embodiment shown in <FIG> will be given the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions thereof will be avoided.

As shown therein, the test device <NUM> includes a probe supporting block <NUM>, a shield tube <NUM>, a signal probe <NUM>, a ground probe <NUM>, and a power probe <NUM>. The test device <NUM> may include an insert to accommodate a semiconductor or the like subject to be tested.

The first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> respectively include first and second cover main bodies <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> shaped like plates, and first and second probe holders <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> integrally protruding from the first and second cover main bodies <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second probe holders <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are inserted in the shield tube <NUM> and hold both ends of the signal probe <NUM> without contacting the inner wall of the shield tube <NUM>.

The first and second cover main bodies <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> shaped like plates may be thinner than the first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the test device <NUM> according to the second embodiment. This is possible because both ends of the signal probe <NUM> are supported by the first and second probe holders <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> inserted in the shield tube <NUM>. In result, the shield tube <NUM> is formed as long as possible with respect to the whole thickness of the probe supporting block <NUM>, thereby minimizing crosstalk between the adjacent signal probes <NUM>.

Further, the first and second probe holders <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are forcibly fitted to both ends of the shield tube <NUM> and serve to hold and support the first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> on the top and bottom of the conductive block <NUM>. Of course, the first and second insulating cover blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be attached to the top and bottom of the conductive block <NUM> by a screw, adhesive and the like. Although it is not illustrated, the first and second probe holders <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be formed in the insulating cover block <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In the test device according to the disclosure, the general signal probe such as a pogo pin passes through the inside of the conductive shield tube shaped like a pipe without contact, thereby providing the following advantages.

First, the signal probe is uniformly spaced apart from the inner wall of the conductive shield tube, thereby showing good impedance characteristics.

Second, the shield is achieved by the conductive shield tube extended up to the insulating block in the state that the conductive block becomes thinner and the insulating block becomes thicker, thereby reducing manufacture costs.

Third, the conductive shield tube is disposed throughout the whole thickness of the support block, thereby perfectly decreasing crosstalk between the adjacent signal probes.

Fourth, the general pogo pin is used in the test device dedicated for the high-frequency and high-speed semiconductor, thereby reducing manufacture costs and improving assembling characteristics of the test device.

Although the disclosure is described through a few exemplary embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiments and it will be appreciated by a person having an ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made from these embodiments.

Claim 1:
A test device comprising:
a probe supporting block (<NUM>) formed with a tube accommodating portion (<NUM>) along a test direction;
a conductive shield tube (<NUM>) accommodated in the tube accommodating portion (<NUM>); and
a probe (<NUM>) accommodated and supported in the shield tube without contact,
the tube accommodating portion (<NUM>) comprising a conductive contact portion (<NUM>) for transmitting a ground signal to the shield tube (<NUM>),
characterised in that
the probe supporting block (<NUM>) comprises:
a conductive block (<NUM>) comprising a conductive contact portion (<NUM>) with which the shield tube (<NUM>) is in contact;
an insulating block (<NUM>) stacked on one side of the conductive block (<NUM>) and supporting the shield tube (<NUM>) and a first end portion of the probe (<NUM>); and
an insulating cover block (<NUM>) covering a rear side of the conductive block (<NUM>) and supporting a second end portion of the probe (<NUM>).