Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to integrated circuit (IC) test systems and, more particularly, to burn-in and system testing of ICs. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Complex integrated circuits (ICs) such as microprocessors are routinely subjected to several tests to screen for defective parts and to characterize the speed and voltage at which they will operate in target applications. One such test that is frequently employed is a “burn-in” test whose purpose is to weed out defective parts that would otherwise fail early in their operating use. Burn-in tests are usually performed on 100% of manufactured parts with the goal of accelerating potential failure mechanisms, thereby screening out any defective parts. In order to accelerate potential failure mechanisms, burn-in testing may operate parts at higher than normal voltages and/or temperatures, with temperatures being controlled by placing parts in an oven-like enclosure, providing cooling via fans or liquid heat exchange mechanisms, etc. A technique referred to as “self-heating” is often employed in which the operating temperature is a function of the clock speed at which a device under test (DUT) is operated during the burn-in test. 
     Additional testing is usually performed to verify the functionality and characterize the operating speed of a DUT. Well-known functionality tests include cache execution, scan, built-in self test (BIST), logic built-in self test (LBIST), and system-level application tests. Generally speaking functionality tests are performed under normal environmental conditions, i.e. at normal operating voltages and temperatures. By performing one or more functional tests at a variety of clock speeds, the maximum operating speed for a given part may be determined. Parts are often given a speed rating and separated into different lots according to the measured maximum speed. 
     Because of the different goals of burn-in tests and functional tests, different test systems have evolved to perform each type of test. Burn-in test equipment usually involves operating a part in an extreme environment while the DUT executes fairly simple instructions. Functional testing, on the other hand, generally involves causing a DUT to execute complex instructions in an environment that resembles a product-level application at a number of pre-determined clock speeds. For example, system-level testing is often performed by inserting a processor DUT into a test fixture that is functionally similar to a computer motherboard, loading an operating system into the processor&#39;s memory, and executing system-level application software. Consequently, execution of burn-in and functional tests often requires that a DUT be inserted into each of two or more test fixtures sequentially, resulting in higher risk of damage as well as extending the time to complete all of the tests in the sequence. 
     The fact that burn-in tests are often performed in a circuit environment that differs from a product-level application may lead to both higher stress to some parts of a device as well as lower stress to other parts than might occur in most applications, causing both lower yield and higher early failure than might otherwise be achieved. In addition to the above problems inherent in separate burn-in and functional test systems, the use of self-heating causes an undesirable dependency between the pattern of instructions that are executed during a test and the operating temperature of the device under test. Also, because of rapid changes in product-level functionality, it is difficult for test systems to be kept current with product-level applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of a burn-in test system are contemplated. A burn-in test system includes a device under test (DUT), a temperature controller coupled to the DUT, and a test controller. During testing, the test controller is configured to: (a) set a parameter of the DUT to a first value and apply a test stimulus to the DUT, and (b) set the parameter of the DUT to a second value and apply the test stimulus to the DUT. A change in the value of the parameter results in a change in the amount of heat dissipated by the DUT. The temperature controller is configured to maintain the DUT at a pre-determined temperature during testing with the parameter set to both the first and the second values. 
     In one embodiment, the DUT is coupled to a module that comprises circuitry employed in a product-level application environment. The module is configured by the test controller to simulate a product-level application. During at least a portion of testing, the test stimulus includes causing the DUT to execute one or more of: a system-level application, a scan test, a built-in self-test (BIST), a logic built-in self-test (LBIST), and a cache execution test. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a test system for performing both burn-in and system-level testing. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the connections between a controller and a device module. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a test process that may be executed by a controller to test a device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a process for controlling the environment of a burn-in test that may be executed by a controller. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a remote computer system coupled to a controller of a test system. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that drawings and detailed descriptions thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a test system  100  for performing both burn-in and system-level testing. In the illustrated embodiment, a controller  110  is coupled to three device modules  120  via interfaces  130 . As shown, each device module  120  includes two sockets  140  and two sockets  150 . Socket  140  couples a DUT  160  to device module  120 . Socket  150  couples a chipset module  170  to device module  120 . DUT  160  is further coupled to a Temperature Controller  180 . The number of DUTs  160  and chipset modules  170  that may be coupled to a device module  120  may vary from embodiment to embodiment, depending on physical packaging constraints and the number of simultaneous tests that are desired. Regardless of the number of DUTs  160  on a device module  120 , in these embodiments each DUT  160  may be associated with an individual chipset module  170  and an individual temperature controller  180 . In addition, in other embodiments, controller  110  may be coupled to more than or less than three device modules  120 , depending on physical packaging constraints and the number of simultaneous tests that are desired. 
     In one embodiment, controller  110  may be a control computer including a general-purpose processor coupled to a set of standard input/output devices. Alternatively, controller  110  may be implemented in custom logic circuitry. In other embodiments, controller  110  may be a combination of custom logic, general-purpose hardware, software, and/or firmware generally suited for controlling test equipment. In one embodiment, controller  110  may be further coupled to a remote computer system from which it may receive test programs and to which it may send test results for analysis as described below. 
     In one embodiment, chipset module  170  may include the support chips typically comprising a computer motherboard. For example, chipset module  170  may comprise RAM, PROM, input/output devices, etc to simulate the product-level circuit environment of a motherboard. As, described above, chipset module  170  may be coupled to a socket  150 . Hence, chipset module  170  may be easily replaced for repair or upgrade without requiring a replacement of larger portions of test system  100 . In alternative embodiments, one or more chipsets  170  may be incorporated into device module  120  without the use of sockets  150 . 
     Temperature controller  180  may comprise a heating element, a cooling fan, a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) in contact with DUT  160 , a liquid circulating heat sink in contact with DUT  160 , or a combination of the above. In one embodiment, temperature controller  180  is a TEC that may be configured to heat or cool DUT  160 , depending on the amount of self-heating produced by a test being executed and the desired operating temperature. Temperature controller  180  may also include a temperature sensor to facilitate active temperature control. 
     During testing, controller  110  may configure temperature controller  180  to achieve a desired operating temperature and maintain that temperature actively throughout the duration of a test. Controller  110  may also configure chipset module  170  to simulate the circuit environment of a product-level application. In addition, controller  110  may load a set of instructions into DUT  160  to be executed during a test. During testing and at the conclusion of a test, controller  110  may, in various embodiments, retrieve a set of test results from DUT  160  and/or chipset  170 . Also, controller  110  may monitor the testing process and store a record of any system failures that occur. In embodiments in which controller  110  is not coupled to a remote computer system, controller  110  may include a storage device for storing test results for future analysis. Controller  110  may, in such embodiments, also perform analysis of test results and present results to a user. Alternatively, in some embodiments, controller  110  may transmit test results to a remote computer system for storage, analysis, and presentation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the connections between controller  110  and a device module  120  through interface  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, controller  110  includes a temperature module  210 , a test pattern controller  220 , and a test data collector  230 . In alternative embodiments controller  110  may include more than one of each of temperature module  210 , test pattern controller  220 , and test data collector  230 , which in turn may be coupled to one, two, or more DUT/chipset module/temperature controller combinations. 
     During operation, temperature module  210  may send a temperature setpoint command to temperature controllers  180  in order to set the temperature of one or more DUTs  160 . For example, temperature controller  180  may control a voltage applied to a heating element coupled to DUT  160  and/or control the flow of a refrigerating liquid in close proximity to DUT  160 . In addition, temperature controller  180  may include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of DUT  160 . By measuring the output of the temperature sensor and actively heating or cooling DUT  160 , temperature controller  180  may implement an active temperature control loop. 
     Prior to the start of a burn-in test, test pattern controller  220  may configure DUT  160  and chipset module  170  for a test. For example, test pattern controller  220  may download a set of instructions to an onboard instruction cache within DUT  160  and/or to RAM within chipset module  170  to be executed by DUT  160  during a test. Alternatively, test pattern controller  220  may transmit a sequence of signals to the pins of DUT  160  during a test, causing DUT  160  to execute a BIST, LBIST, scan test, or other test as desired. 
     During a test, in one embodiment, test data collector  230  may monitor DUT  160  and chipset module  170 , retrieving failure data and test results and storing them locally for analysis and presentation. In an alternative embodiment, test data collector  230  may convey test results to a remote computer system for analysis and presentation. In addition, in some embodiments, test data collector  230  may batch a set of test results during testing and retrieve them from DUT  160  and/or chipset module  170  at the conclusion of the burn-in test. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a test process  300  that may be executed by controller  110  to test DUT  160 . An operator may begin the setup phase of the test process by inserting DUT  160  into socket  140  (block  310 ). Controller  110  may then obtain the parameters of a test (block  320 ). In one embodiment, controller  110  may obtain the parameters of a test from an operator input. Alternatively, controller  110  may obtain the parameters of a test from a remote computer system. To complete the setup phase of the test, controller  110  may adjust the test operating environment (block  330 ). In particular, controller  110  may set the operating temperature via temperature module  210  and temperature controller  180 . Other environmental parameters that may be set by controller  110  include the DUT operating voltage and clock speed. 
     Once the setup phase of the test process is complete, controller  110  may execute a selected test program (block  340 ). In one embodiment, the selected test comprises a burn-in test in which a stimulus may be applied to DUT  160  by controller  110 . For example, the stimulus may include clocking DUT  160  at a pre-determined clock speed and causing DUT  160  to execute one or more of a BIST, LBIST, scan, cache execution, or system-level application test for a pre-determined period of time. DUT  160  may execute instructions that are stored in memory within chipset module  170  and/or internal to the DUT. In other embodiments, various combinations of a BIST, LBIST, scan, cache execution, system-level application test, or other stimulus may be applied to DUT  160  as a functional test apart from a burn-in test. In alternative embodiments, a burn-in test may include any other suitable stimulus that may accelerate potential failure mechanisms in DUT  160 . 
     During test execution and/or at the conclusion of test execution, controller  110  may monitor the success or failure of the test in decision block  350 . For example, controller  110  may retrieve test results from either DUT  160  or chipset module  170 . If a failure is detected, controller  110  may store failure data (block  360 ) either locally or by transmitting a test dataset to a remote computer system. In one embodiment, if a burn-in failure is detected, DUT  160  may be rejected (decision block  365 ) and testing of DUT  160  may be discontinued (block  367 ). DUT  160  may then be removed from its socket  140  and placed in a reject bin (block  390 ). Alternatively, if DUT  160  fails to operate at a pre-determined clock speed during a speed test, then a decision may be made (decision block  365 ) to test at a lower speed. Controller  110  may then check to see if another test is available (decision block  380 ) for DUT  160 . 
     If a test is successful (decision block  350 ), controller  110  may store success data associated with DUT  160  and execute decision block  380  to see if additional testing or DUT  160  is desired. If so, controller  110  may return to block  320 . If not, controller  110  may signal an operator to remove DUT  160  from its socket  140  and place it in a selected sort bin (block  390 ). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a process  400  for controlling the environment of a burn-in test that may be executed by controller  110 . To begin the process, controller  110  may select the type of test to be performed in block  410 . Generally speaking, the operating temperature is set at the beginning of a burn-in test to allow sufficient time for temperature to stabilize. Controller  110  may set the operating temperature in block  420 . Then, controller  110  may adjust the operating voltage (block  430 ) and operating clock speed (block  440 ). In one embodiment, a delay may be added to block  440  to allow the DUT operating environment to stabilize. Once the desired temperature, voltage, and clock speed have been reached, controller  110  may cause DUT  160  to begin the execution of a test program in block  450 . During the test execution, controller  110  may enter a control loop in which the DUT operating temperature is monitored and maintained (block  460 ), looping back to continue to actively control the operating temperature until the test is complete (decision block  470 ). At the conclusion of the test, controller  110  may end the test or proceed to execute another test on DUT  160  (block  480 ). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a remote computer system  500  coupled to controller  110  of a test system. In the illustrated embodiment, remote computer system  500  may include test programs  510 A- 510 E. Remote computer system  500  may also include a test selector  520  and an analyzer  530 . As shown, test pattern controller  220  within controller  110  may include an instruction loader  540 , a clock driver  550 , and a voltage controller  560 . 
     During operation, test selector  520  may respond to an operator input or other command by selecting one or more of test programs  510 A- 510 E. A test program  510  may include a set of temperature, voltage, and clock speed settings as well as a set of instructions to be executed by a DUT. Other test parameters such as test duration, success criteria, etc. may be included in a test program  510 . Test selector  520  may be further configured to convey a test program  510  to test pattern controller  220  of controller  110  which, in turn may configure DUT  160  and chipset module  170  for the selected test. Within test pattern controller  220 , instruction loader  540  may be configured to convey executable instructions to DUT  160  and/or chipset  170 . Clock driver  550  may be configured to deliver a system clock to DUT  160  at a clock speed determined by test program  510 . In addition, voltage controller  560  may be configured to apply a supply voltage to DUT  160  as determined by test program  510 . 
     During and/or at the conclusion of a burn-in test, test results may be retrieved by test data collector  230 . In the illustrated embodiment, test data collector  230  may convey retrieved test results to analyzer  530  for analysis and/or presentation to a test operator. It is noted that in alternative embodiments, at least some of the functionality of remote computer system  500  may be incorporated into controller  110 . 
     In one embodiment, remote computer system  500  may control one test system  100 . In other embodiments, remote computer system  500  may control several test systems  100  stacked together in one or more equipment racks. Remote computer system  500  may include a user interface such as a keyboard and mouse, a touch-screen, a display etc. Remote computer system  500  may be a PC, workstation, or any other computing device suitable for directing and monitoring a test system. 
     It is noted that the above described embodiments may comprise software. In such an embodiment, the program instructions which implement the methods and/or mechanisms may be conveyed or stored on a computer accessible medium. Numerous types of media which are configured to store program instructions are available and include hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROM, DVD, flash memory, Programmable ROMs (PROM), random access memory (RAM), and various other forms of volatile or non-volatile storage. Still other forms of media configured to convey program instructions for access by a computing device include terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication links such as network, wireless, and satellite links on which electrical, electromagnetic, optical, or digital signals may be conveyed. Thus, various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a computer accessible medium. 
     Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Technology Category: 3