US 2004/0164723 A1Published application

Indexing device in semiconductor device handler and method for operating the same

AssigneeMirae Corporation

InventorsGil Ho Bae, Seung Hwan Kim, Yon Choul Baek

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Abstract

An indexing device in a semiconductor device handler, and a method for operating the same, utilizes a plurality of pairs of loading shuttles and unloading shuttles located on both sides of test sockets. Index heads move over and across the test sockets and the loading/unloading shuttles. While one of the index heads holds devices that are being tested, the other index head unloads tested semiconductor devices on one of the unloading shuttles, receives semiconductor devices to be tested from a loading shuttle, and stands by in the vicinity of the test sockets. This allows the semiconductor devices held by the index head at the stand by position to be immediately inserted into the test socket for testing when the other index head moves for unloading the tested semiconductor devices from the test sockets. As a result, an indexing time period is minimized, a size of the device can be reduced, and easy maintenance can be carried out.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A semiconductor device handler, comprising:

test sockets located at a test site of the handler;
a first loading shuttle and a second loading shuttle located on opposite sides of the test sockets and configured to supply semiconductor devices to be tested;
a first unloading shuttle, and a second unloading shuttle arranged on opposite sides of the test sockets and configured to receive tested semiconductor devices;
at least one support frame located adjacent and over the test sockets;
a first index head and a second index head fitted to the at least one support frame, wherein the first and second index heads are independently movable along the at least one support frame, and wherein the first and second index heads are configured to transport semiconductor devices between the test sockets, the first or second loading shuttle and the first or second unloading shuttle;
and
first and second drivers for independently moving the first index head and the second index head, respectively, along the at least one support frame.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.