Advantest Test Solutions, Inc.

Joe Koeth

Karthik Ranganathan

Gregory Cruzan

Gilberto Oseguera

Paul Ferrari

James Hastings

Chee Wah Ho

Ikeda Hiroki

Kiyokawa Toshiyuki

Embodiments of the present invention provide a gimbaling socket structure that uses tension to bring a device under test (DUT) disposed in the socket into secure contact with a liquid cooled thermal array or the like to cool the DUT during testing. The gimbaling socket structure is secured to a tension spring and can move freely in 3 dimensions to bring the surfaces of the DUT and the thermal array (or components thereof, such as TEC/ATI layers) into even, level, and secure contact with each other, thereby preventing air gaps between surfaces and improving thermal performance. The even, secure contact between surfaces improves thermal cooling and reduces variation in cooling efficiency. In this way, more DUTs can be tested in parallel within a small test space, overall costs of the test system are reduced, and greater cooling capacity can be provided for testing high-powered devices.

Tension-based socket gimbal for engaging device under test with thermal array

An automated test equipment (ATE) includes a test interface board assembly. The test interface board includes a socket configured to provide electrical couplings from the test interface board to a device under test (DUT). The socket is further configured to accept an active thermal interposer (ATI) device while the DUT is disposed in the socket. The socket includes a plurality of spring-loaded roller retention devices configured to retain one or more devices in the socket. The ATE further includes a Z-axis interface plate configured to open the plurality of spring-loaded roller retention devices to enable insertion of the DUT into the socket and an ATI placement plate configured to open the plurality of spring-loaded roller retention devices to enable insertion of the ATI device into the socket.

Parallel test cell with self actuated sockets

Embodiments of the present invention provide testing systems with liquid cooled thermal arrays that can pivot freely in three dimensions allowing surfaces to be brought into even, level, and secure contact, thereby preventing air gaps between surfaces and improving thermal performance. In this way, more DUTs can be tested in parallel within a small test space, overall costs of the test system are reduced, and greater cooling capacity can be provided for testing high-powered devices. Gimbaled mounts can be disposed on a bottom surface of individual thermal interface boards (TIBs) of a test system, and/or on top of individual thermal heads of a thermal array (TA) having a common cold plate (or having multiple cold plates).

Thermal array with gimbal features and enhanced thermal performance

Embodiments of the present invention provide testing systems with liquid cooled thermal arrays that can pivot freely in three dimensions allowing surfaces to be brought into even, level, and secure contact, thereby preventing air gaps between surfaces and improving thermal performance. In this way, more DUTs can be tested in parallel within a small test space, overall costs of the test system are reduced, and greater cooling capacity can be provided for testing high-powered devices. Gimbaled mounts are disposed on a bottom surface of individual thermal interface boards (TIBs) of a test system, and/or on top of individual thermal heads of a thermal array (TA) having a common cold plate (or having multiple cold plates).

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Joe Koeth