# US 5,942,908 A · Apparatus for testing a nonpackaged die

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- Number: US 5,942,908 A
- Document ID: US5942908A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/909,674
- Filed: 1997-08-12
- Granted: 1999-08-24
- Earliest claimed: 1993-05-12
- Assignees: Tribotech
- Inventors: Earl S. Cain
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5942908A

## CPC

- G01R 1/0483: {Sockets for unleaded IC's having matrix type contact fields, e.g. BGA or PGA devices; Sockets for unpackaged, naked chips}
- G01R 31/2863: {Contacting devices, e.g. sockets, burn-in boards or mounting fixtures (in general G01R1/04)}
- G01R 31/2886: {Features relating to contacting the IC under test, e.g. probe heads; chucks (G01R31/2865 takes precedence, test connections, e.g. test sockets, or probes per se, G01R1/04 or G01R1/06)}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A fixture is provided for making temporary electrical connections with an integrated circuit die having interconnect pads arranged in a predetermined pattern. The fixture includes contact elements carried by a substantially rigid support member in a pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of interconnect pads and adapted to engage a single die. An engagement assembly is provided for bringing the interconnect pads and the contact elements together to make nonpermanent temporary simultaneous electrical connections therebetween. The engagement assembly includes a package having leads in a configuration compatible with test, burn-in and handling equipment for conventional integrated circuit packages.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for making a temporary electrical connection with an integrated circuit die having interconnect pads, comprising a support member, a plate member spaced apart from the support member, an elastomeric material disposed between the support member and the plate member, a plurality of substantially rigid contact elements, the plate member having opposite first and second surfaces and provided with a plurality of bores extending through the first and second surfaces for sidably receiving the contact elements and a package assembly adapted for carrying the die and for bringing the contact elements into registration and engagement with the interconnect pads to make nonpermanent temporary electrical connections therebetween, the elastomeric material urging each contact element against an interconnect pad and permitting individual movement of each contact element to facilitate engagement of the contact elements and interconnect pads and provide a substantially uniform contact load between the contact elements and interconnect pads.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the support member has a surface provided with a recess therein for accommodating elastomeric material displaced by the movement of the contact elements into the elastomeric material upon the engagement of the contact elements with the interconnect pads.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the plate member has a thermal coefficient of expansion which approximates the thermal coefficient of expansion of the integrated circuit die.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the plate member has a center, registration retention means carried by the engagement means and the plate member which includes at least three slots extending radially from the center of the plate member and spaced apart circumferentially thereabout and at least three pins carried by the package assembly and disposed in the slots.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the slots are substantially equivalently spaced from the center of the plate and substantially equivalently spaced circumferentially thereabout.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising registration retention means carried by the support member and the plate member for retaining the contact elements in registration with the interconnect pads should the die expand during thermal testing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising electrical connector means carried by the elastomeric material and connected to the contact elements.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the package assembly has leads which permit making electrical connections with the package assembly and are in a configuration compatible with test, burn-in and handling equipment for integrated circuit packages, lead means carried by the support member and the package assembly for electrically connecting the contact elements with the leads of the package assembly.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the contact elements are made from a conductive metal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A fixture as in claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is silicone.