Making discrete power connections to a space transformer of a probe card assembly

A probe card assembly, comprising:

• a probe card having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of contact terminals on the top surface thereof;
• an interposer having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first plurality of resilient contact structures extending from the bottom surface thereof and a second plurality of contact structures extending from the top surface thereof;
• and
• a space transformer having a first surface, a second surface, and a side edge, the side edge distinct from the first surface and distinct from the second surface;
• a first plurality of terminals disposed on the first surface of the space transformer;
• a second plurality of terminals disposed on the second surface of the space transformer and connected within the space transformer to a first portion of the first plurality of terminals;
• and
• a third plurality of terminals disposed along the side edge of the space transformer and connected within the space transformer to a second portion of the first plurality of terminals and not connected to the second plurality of terminals, and with no corresponding connection to the first portion of the first plurality of terminals;
• wherein:
• the first plurality of resilient contact structures effect a pressure connection with the contact terminals of the probe card;
• and
• the second plurality of resilient contact structures effect a pressure connection with the second plurality of terminals on the bottom surface of the space transformer.

A space transformer for a probe card assembly, comprising:

• a space transformer having a first surface, a second surface, and a side edge, the side edge distinct from the first surface and distinct from the second surface;
• a first plurality of terminals disposed on the first surface of the space transformer;
• a plurality of resilient contact elements connected to selected ones of the first plurality of terminals disposed on the first surface;
• a second plurality of terminals disposed on the second surface of the space transformer and connected within the space transformer to a first portion of the first plurality of terminals;
• and
• a third plurality of terminals disposed along the side edge of the space transformer and connected within the space transformer to a second portion of the first plurality of terminals and not connected to the second plurality of terminals.