Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/622,907, filed Jul. 17,2003 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,822,475 on Nov. 23, 2004; which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/112,380, filed Mar. 28, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,144 on Sep. 30, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/467,667, filed Dec. 17, 1999 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,300 on May 28, 2002; which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/023,639, filed Feb. 13, 1998 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,878 on Sep. 5, 2000. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more specifically, to a circuit and method for isolating a contact pad from a logic circuit. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Processed semiconductor wafers typically comprise an array of substantially isolated integrated circuitry locations, which are subsequently separated to form semiconductor dies. In order to test the operability of the integrated circuitry of a die location on a wafer, a wafer probe card is applied to each die location. The wafer probe card includes a series of pins that are placed in physical contact with a die location&#39;s contact pads, which in turn connect to the die location&#39;s circuitry. The pins apply voltages to the input contact pads and measure the resulting output electrical signals from the output contact pads. However, the wafer probe card&#39;s pins may not be able to extend to all of the contact pads. As a result, it is necessary to provide accessible redundant contact pads on the die location and couple them to particular logic circuits. 
   An additional hardware limitation relevant to testing the die locations is the spacing between the pins of the wafer probe card. Specifically, the pins may be spaced further apart than the contact pads in a particular area of a die location. As a result, one contact pad in that area may not be serviceable by a pin. As a solution, prior art teaches providing a redundant contact pad in another area of the die location that can be reached by a pin. This redundant pad is connected to the same logic circuit as the unserviceable contact pad. 
   There may also be other reasons for including additional contact pads on a die. Regardless of the reasons, prior art allows these redundant contact pads to remain connected to the logic circuit after they are no longer needed. By remaining connected, these redundant contact pads contribute additional capacitance to their associated logic circuits and thereby degrade performance of the die. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides a circuit for isolating a contact pad from a logic circuit. In a first exemplary embodiment, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) multiplexer connects a redundant pad to a logic circuit, wherein the CMOS multiplexer is controlled by a fuse. Programming the fuse disables the multiplexer and prevents the redundant contact pad from affecting the logic circuit. Thus, this embodiment has the advantage of removing a parasitic component that might degrade performance of the logic circuit. 
   In a second exemplary embodiment, one fuse circuit controls several multiplexers, wherein each multiplexer services a separate logic circuit. This embodiment offers the advantage of reducing capacitance of several logic circuits while simultaneously conserving the die space needed to do so. 
   In a third exemplary embodiment, one fuse circuit controls two multiplexers, wherein both multiplexers service the same logic circuit. In addition to interposing a first multiplexer between the redundant contact pad and the logic circuit, a second multiplexer is interposed between a main contact pad and the logic circuit. Further, this second multiplexer is configured to operate conversely to the first multiplexer. Thus, before the fuse is programmed, only the redundant contact pad is in electrical communication with the logic circuit. After the fuse is programmed, only the main contact pad is in electrical communication with the logic circuit. The advantage offered by this embodiment is that, while one contact pad is being used, the other contact pad does not contribute additional capacitance. 
   A fourth exemplary embodiment combines the features described in the second and third exemplary embodiments. Thus, not only does one fuse control the electrical communication of several logic circuits, but the fuse also controls which contact pad can be used with each logic circuit. Accordingly, this embodiment combines the advantages found in the second and third embodiments. A fifth embodiment achieves the same advantages discussed above using an anti-fuse in place of the fuse. In addition, all of the embodiments listed above provide capacitance-reducing advantages while avoiding accidental programming of the fuse due to an ESD event. 
   Moreover, a sixth exemplary embodiment replaces the fuse controlled multiplexer with the fuse itself for linking the redundant contact pad with the logic circuit. In doing so, this embodiment offers all of the capacitance-reducing advantages of the embodiments discussed above and takes up less die space. 
   In a seventh exemplary embodiment, an isolation circuit is used during a test mode to connect a logic circuit to a no-connect pin on an integrated device, thereby providing the advantage of having an additional access point for testing the integrated device. Once the test mode has ended, the fusing element is programmed and the no-connect pin electrically disconnects from the logic circuit. 
   In an eighth exemplary embodiment, a die is provided having two groups of contact pads, wherein each group is configured to accommodate a different lead frame. One contact pad from each group is connected to a particular logic circuit. An isolation circuit similar to the fourth exemplary embodiment is provided to regulate electrical communication with the contact pads. Specifically, in an unprogrammed state, the isolation circuit electrically isolates the second group of contact pads from the logic circuits. The first group remains in electrical communication with the logic circuits and may accommodate an appropriate lead frame. If, on the other hand, a lead frame is chosen that is compatible with the second group of contact pads, then the entire first group  64  can be isolated in a single programming step that also serves to enable communication between the entire second group  66  and the logic circuits. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a die that is compatible with two different types of lead frames. In addition, the adaptation requires at most one programming step. As a further advantage, this embodiment restricts additional capacitance from unneeded contact pads once the appropriate lead frame has been determined. 
   A ninth exemplary embodiment is configured in a manner similar to the eighth embodiment. Rather than including one all-encompassing isolation circuit, however, this embodiment includes several isolation circuits—one for each logic circuit. Each isolation circuit resembles the third exemplary embodiment in that the isolation circuit can be used to determine which contact pad communicates with the logic circuit—either the pad from the first group or the pad from the second group. By allowing a programming choice for each logic circuit, this embodiment provides a die that can adapt to other lead frames in addition to the two lead frames addressed in the eighth embodiment. Accordingly this embodiment also restricts additional capacitance from unneeded contact pads once the appropriate lead frame has been determined. 
   In addition to these circuit embodiments, the present invention encompasses various methods for achieving these advantages. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a wafer probe card superimposed over a die. 
       FIG. 2  demonstrates a circuit used in the prior art for testing a logic circuit on a die. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  portrays a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a lead frame having a conductive lead configuration and accommodating a plurality of dies. 
       FIG. 10   a  is a partial pin-out diagram of a typical integrated device that exists in the prior art. 
       FIG. 10   b  demonstrates a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  displays an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  displays a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the top view of a wafer probe card  10  having a series of pins  12  extending from two sides of the wafer probe card  10 . In order to test a particular die  14  on a wafer, this wafer probe card  10  is placed over the die  14 . The die  14  includes a plurality of contact pads  16 . For purposes of this application, a contact pad is defined to include any conductive surface configured to permit temporary or permanent electrical communication with a circuit or node. During testing, the pins  12  of the wafer probe card  10  are in communication with nearby contact pads  16 . Given the configuration of the wafer probe card  10 , however, the pins  12  may not be able to reach contact pads  16  on certain areas of the die  14 . 
     FIG. 2  demonstrates the solution in the prior art for this problem. If the contact pad  16  for a logic circuit  18  cannot be accessed by the wafer probe card  10 , then a redundant contact pad  20  is provided in a more accessible location and coupled to the logic circuit  18 . After testing, the original contact pad  16  is once again used to access the logic circuit  18 . The redundant contact pad  20 , however, also remains coupled to the logic circuit  18  and, as described above, may adversely affect the performance of the logic circuit in particular and the entire die in general. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the current invention that solves the problem remaining in the prior art solution. An isolation circuit  22  is electrically interposed between the redundant contact pad  20  and the logic circuit  18  in order to regulate electrical communication therebetween. The isolation circuit  22  in this embodiment comprises a p-channel long L device  24  having a source coupled to a potential node  26 . The potential node  26  is configured to accept a voltage source. The p-channel long L device  24  also has a drain coupled to a signal node  28 . The gate of the long L device  24  is bled to ground, thereby allowing signal node  28  to constantly receive a voltage signal from the potential node  26 . 
   The signal node  28  carries the voltage signal through a pathway leading to ground, but that pathway is interrupted by a fuse  30 . Moreover, the signal node  28  is coupled to a first inverter  32 . The output of the first inverter  32  connects to the gate of an n-channel transistor Q 1 , which is a component of a multiplexer  80  electrically interposed between the redundant contact pad  20  and the logic circuit  18 . In addition, the output of the first inverter  32  serves as the input for a second inverter  34 . This second inverter  34  connects to the gate of a p-channel transistor Q 2 , which is another component of the multiplexer  80 . 
   In operation, the potential node  26 , the p-channel long L device  24 , the signal node  28 , and the fuse  30  cooperate to determine the drive state of the multiplexer  80 . The fuse  30  is initially intact and provides grounding communication for the signal node  28 . Because the signal node  28  is grounded, a low voltage signal, or “logic 0,” is generated and carried to the first inverter  32 . Accordingly, the first inverter outputs a high voltage signal, or “logic 1.” The high signal drives the n-channel transistor Q 1 . The high signal also serves as input to the second inverter  34 , and the resulting low signal drives the p-channel transistor Q 2 . With transistors Q 1  and Q 2  on, a range of signals may be transmitted between the redundant contact pad  20  and the logic circuit  18 . 
   The redundant contact pad  20  can then be isolated by programming or “blowing” the fuse  30 . With fuse  30  blown, the signal node  28  no longer has a direct path to ground. As a result, a high signal is sent in a new direction—to the first inverter  32 . The resulting low signal turns off the n-channel transistor Q 1 . Further, the low signal is changed by the second inverter  34  to a high signal that turns off the p-channel transistor Q 2 . With both transistors Q 1  and Q 2  off, electrical communication between the redundant contact pad  20  and the logic circuit  18  is prevented. 
   Moreover, the potential node  26 /signal node  28 /fuse  30  configuration, hereinafter referred to as a “program circuit,” is not limited to driving only one multiplexer. As seen in  FIG. 4 , first inverter  32  and second inverter  34  can also be coupled to transistors Q 1 ′ and Q 2 ′ of a second multiplexer  80 ′, wherein the second multiplexer  80 ′ is electrically interposed between another logic circuit  18 ′ and another redundant contact pad  20 ′. As a result, this embodiment provides for the electrical isolation of two redundant contact pads by blowing only one fuse. Contact pads  16  and  16 ′ maintain electrical communication with their respective logic circuits  18  and  18 ′. It follows that additional logic circuits could be similarly accommodated. 
   In yet another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a multiplexer  81  is electrically interposed between contact pad  16  and the logic circuit  18 . As with multiplexer  80 , multiplexer  81  is comprises a p-channel transistor Q 3  and an n-channel transistor Q 4 . However, whereas the first inverter  32  is coupled to the n-channel transistor Q 1  of multiplexer  80 , the first inverter  32  is instead coupled to the p-channel transistor Q 3  of multiplexer  81 . Similarly, the second inverter  34  connects to the p-channel transistor Q 2  in multiplexer  80  but drives the n-channel transistor Q 4  in multiplexer  81 . By switching the driving signals in this fashion, the initial signals that serve to turn on multiplexer  80  also turn off multiplexer  81 . Conversely, blowing the fuse, which turns off multiplexer  80 , serves to turn on multiplexer  81 . 
   Further, the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5  could be combined so that blowing one fuse  30  switches the communication arrangement for two or more logic circuits. Thus, as demonstrated in  FIG. 6 , multiplexers  80 ′ and  81 ′ are driven by the program circuit to allow electrical communication between logic circuit  18 ′ and redundant contact pad  20 ′, while at the same time electrically isolating contact pad  16 ′. Meanwhile, the same program circuit allows for electrical communication between logic circuit  18  and redundant contact pad  20  and electrically isolates contact pad  16 . Blowing fuse  30  switches the electrical communication pathways for both logic circuits  18  and  18 ′. 
     FIG. 7  demonstrates another embodiment of the current invention. The isolation circuit  22  has a similar configuration to the one in  FIG. 3  except that (1) the fuse  30  has been replaced with an anti-fuse  36 ; (2) the second inverter  34  now drives the n-channel transistor Q 1 ; and (3) the first inverter  32  directly drives the p-channel transistor Q 2 . Given this configuration, the direct path from the signal node  28  to ground is initially barred by the anti-fuse  36 . Consequently, a high signal is transmitted to the first inverter  32 . The low signal output drives the p-channel transistor Q 2 . The second inverter  34  turns this low signal into a high signal in order to drive the n-channel transistor Q 1 . With both transistors Q 1  and Q 2  on, the redundant contact pad is fully coupled to the logic circuit. Once the anti-fuse is programmed, however, the signal node  28  becomes grounded and a low signal is transmitted to the first inverter  32 , which sends a high turn-off signal to the p-channel transistor Q 2 . Moreover, this high signal is altered by the second inverter  34  so that a low signal turns off the n-channel transistor Q 1 . With both transistors Q 1  and Q 2  off, the redundant contact pad  20  is no longer in electrical communication with logic circuit  18 . 
   It can be appreciated that an anti-fuse  36  could replace the fuse many of the embodiments of this invention. Accordingly the “program circuit” could include an anti-fuse. 
   An embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  demonstrates that the isolation circuit  22  can comprise the fuse  30  directly interposed between the redundant contact pad  20  and the logic circuit  18 , wherein programming the fuse isolates the redundant contact pad  20 . Programming can occur at the completion of testing or at a stage in any other application where isolation of a contact pad is beneficial. It should be noted that, while this embodiment conserves die space, embodiments such as those in  FIGS. 3 through 7  are better at preventing accidental programming due to an ESD event. 
   If wafer testing indicates a likelihood that the wafer has a yield of good quality dies, the dies are separated from the wafer and undergo a packaging process. Many such processes involve attaching a die  14  to a lead frame  42 , such as one shown in  FIG. 9 , and using bond wires  44  to connect the contact pads  16  to the conductive leads  46  of the lead frame  42 . The die/lead frame assembly may then be encased, with the outer ends of the conductive leads  46  remaining exposed to allow communication with external devices. However, some conductive leads may not be connected to the contact pads of a die. Such a conductive lead is designated as a “no-connect” or “NC” pin, as demonstrated in the pin-out diagram of  FIG. 10   a.    
   After assembly, a packaged device may then be subjected to further testing.  FIG. 10   b  depicts an embodiment of the current invention that makes use of the no-connect pin  38  of the packaged die  14  for such testing. Prior to assembly, the die  14  is configured to include a redundant contact pad  20  coupled to a logic circuit  18  through an isolation circuit  22 . Further, the no-connect pin  38  is connected to the redundant contact pad  20  by a bond wire  44 . As a result, communication with the logic circuit  18  may be accomplished during testing of the device through the no-connect pin  38 . Once testing is complete, the isolation circuit  22 , which may comprise one of the configurations described above, is programmed, thereby halting communication between the no-connect pin and the logic circuit. 
   Moreover, other embodiments of the current invention allow for isolating an additional contact pad that is not necessarily a test-mode pad. As shown in  FIG. 11 , isolation circuits can be used to allow a die to adapt to more than one lead frame configuration.  FIG. 11  shows eight logic circuits  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62  coupled to a first group of contact pads  64  located on opposing sides  68 ,  70  of a die  14 . These eight logic circuits are also coupled to a second group of contact pads  66  extending along a center axis  76  of the die  14  between the between the opposing sides  68 ,  70 . An isolation circuit  22  is also provided. In this embodiment, the isolation circuit  22  resembles the one depicted in  FIG. 6 , where the isolation circuit  22  not only services more than one logic circuit but also enables exclusive electrical communication within a logic circuit to be switched between two contact pads. 
     FIG. 11  further demonstrates that the first group of contact pads  64  is configured to accommodate a lead frame having conductive leads  72  that address the opposing sides  68  and  70  of the die  14 . The second group of contact pads  66  will favorably receive a lead frame having conductive leads  74  addressing internal portions of the die, such as those near the center axis  76 . Thus, depending on the lead frame ultimately chosen, the current invention allows for particular contact pads to be isolated accordingly. As in  FIG. 6 , the isolation circuit in  FIG. 11  is assumed to be configured to turn on the transistors in multiplexers  80  when the fuse is intact. It should also be noted that multiplexers  80  are interposed between the first group of contact pads  64  and their respective logic circuit. Further, multiplexers  81  are interposed between the second group of contact pads  66  and their respective logic circuit. Thus, if the fuse  30  is not blown, then electrical communication with the logic circuits  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62  is achieved solely through the first group of contact pads  64 . Should it be determined to package the die  14  with a lead frame having conductive leads  72 , the fuse remains unprogrammed, the conductive leads  72  are wire bonded to that group, and the second group of contact pads  66  remain isolated. If, however, a lead frame including conductive leads  74  is to be packaged with the die  14 , then by programming a single fuse  30 , the second group of contact pads will be in electrical communication with the logic circuits  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 . Moreover, the first group of contact pads  64 , having been isolated due to blowing the fuse, will not contribute additional capacitance to the circuit operations. 
   The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12  can accommodate still other lead frames, wherein only some of the contact pads of a group need to be isolated. While the logic circuit/contact pad layout in  FIG. 12  is similar to the configuration in  FIG. 11 , the isolation circuitry is preferably more like the arrangement in  FIG. 5 . Furthermore, It would be beneficial in this embodiment to use a plurality of isolation circuits  22  in order to provide one fuse  30  for every contact pad pair associated with a logic circuit. Given this configuration, each fuse  30  can be programmed as needed to accommodate the lead frame. For example, the lead frame in  FIG. 12  has some conductive leads  74  addressing internal portions of the die near the center axis  76 , and the lead frame has other conductive leads  72  that address opposing sides  68  and  70  of the die  14 . Therefore, only some of the contact pads in the first group  64  should be isolated, as should some of the contact pads in the second group  66 . The embodiment in  FIG. 12  allows this selectivity. 
   It would be a further benefit to associate a particular group of contact pads with multiplexers having the same initial state. For example, assuming that each contact pad in the first group  64  is respectively coupled to the multiplexer  80  of each isolation circuit  22 , it follows that the entire first group  64  is initially in electrical communication with the logic circuits  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 . It also follows that the entire second group  66  is associated with the multiplexers  81  of the isolation circuits  22  and are therefore isolated. In order to accommodate the conductive leads  72 ,  74  illustrated in  FIG. 12 , it is relatively easy, given contact pad/isolation circuit association, to determine that only the fuses  30  corresponding to logic circuits  50 ,  52 ,  58 , and  60  need to be blown. 
   In addition, one can appreciate that other lead frame adapter embodiments could use isolation circuits similar to those depicted in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  8 . 
   Finally, one of ordinary skill can appreciate that, although specific embodiments of this invention has been described for purposes of illustration, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, concerning the embodiments discussed above that use a fuse, such a fuse could comprise one of various types of fuses, including a link fuse or a laser fuse. Alternatively, the fuse could be replaced by an anti-fuse with minor configuration changes. Moreover, embodiments such as those in  FIGS. 3 through 7  using both a p-channel and an n-channel transistor as a link could be modified to use only one of the transistors. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as stated in the claims.

Technology Category: 5