Patent ID: 8344746

Claim:
A system to test an integrated circuit with an electrostatic discharge signal, the system of the type that includes a probe card to contact at least one contact point of the integrated circuit, the system comprising: a probe interface, configured to be located proximate to the integrated circuit with the probe card situated therebetween, receiving an electrical signal external to the probe interface, the probe interface including, a pulse generation circuit generating an electrostatic discharge signal, a ground plane comprising an electrically conductive layer in the probe interface, and a relay matrix, receiving the electrostatic discharge signal, comprising a plurality of relays, selectively couples the electrical signal to the at least one contact point, the plurality of relays including, a first relay selectively coupling an output of the first relay to one of the electrical signal and the ground plane, a second relay selectively coupling an output of the second relay to one of the first relay and the pulse generation circuit, having an output coupled to the first contact point, a third relay disposed between the second relay and the pulse generation circuit, and a fourth relay, wherein the third relay selectively couples the pulse generation circuit to one of the second relay and the fourth relay.