IP Library Granted Patent US 9,720,032
Granted Patent B2
US 9,720,032 · App. 14/674,479 · Granted Aug 1, 2017

Automated test platform for testing short circuits

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,720,032
App. No.
14/674,479
Granted
Aug 1, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An automated test platform for testing a first device under test includes N voltage sources for providing N different voltages. A cross matrix switching system is coupled to the N voltage sources, the cross matrix switch being configured to provide the N different voltages to M discrete test points within the first device under test, wherein M is larger than N. An N voltage measuring system is coupled to the first device under test, the N voltage measuring system being configured to measure the voltage potential present on the M discrete test points.

Claims (43)

1. An automated test platform for testing a first device under test, the automated test platform comprising:

N voltage sources for providing N different voltages;

a cross matrix switching system coupled to the N voltage sources, the cross matrix switching system configured to provide the N different voltages to M discrete test points within the first device under test, wherein M is larger than N, and wherein the N different voltages includes at least a first voltage from a first voltage source of the N voltage sources and a second voltage from a second voltage source of the N voltage sources;

an automated switch activation system configured to effectuate a switching sequence on the cross matrix switching system that selectively applies the N different voltages to the M discrete test points;

an N voltage measuring system coupled to the first device under test, the N voltage measuring system configured to measure the voltage potential present on the M discrete test points; and

a processor configured to determine whether two or more conductive traces of the first device under test are shorted, wherein an alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates a lack of a short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test, and wherein a lack of the alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates the short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test.

2. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the switching sequence is a static switching sequence.

3. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the switching sequence is an automated switching sequence.

4. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the cross matrix switching system includes N cross point switches, wherein each N cross point switch is coupled to one of the N voltage sources.

5. The automated test platform of claim 4 wherein each of the N cross point switches includes M outputs, wherein each of the M outputs is selectively coupleable to the M discrete test points within the first device under test.

6. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the cross matrix switching system is configured to releasable engage the first device under test.

7. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the N voltage measuring system includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters coupled to the M discrete test points within the first device under test.

8. The automated test platform of claim 1 wherein the N voltage measuring system is configured to releasable engage the first device under test.

9. The automated test platform of claim 1 further comprising:

an automated DUT swap system configured to:

uncouple the first device under test from the automated test platform, and

couple a second device under test to the automated test platform.

10. An automated test platform for testing a first device under test, the automated test platform comprising:

N voltage sources for providing N different voltages;

a cross matrix switching system coupled to the N voltage sources, the cross matrix switching system configured to provide the N different voltages to M discrete test points within the first device under test, wherein M is larger than N, and wherein the N different voltages include at least a first voltage from a first voltage source of the N voltage sources and a second voltage from a second voltage source of the N voltage sources;

an automated switch activation system configured to effectuate a switching sequence on the cross matrix switching system that selectively applies the N different voltages to the M discrete test points;

an N voltage measuring system coupled to the first device under test, the N voltage measuring system configured to measure the voltage potential present on the M discrete test points, wherein the N voltage measuring system includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters coupled to the M discrete test points within the first device under test; and

a processor configured to determine whether two or more conductive traces of the first device under test are shorted, wherein an alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates a lack of a short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test, and wherein a lack of the alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates the short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test.

11. The automated test platform of claim 10 wherein the switching sequence is a static switching sequence.

12. The automated test platform of claim 10 wherein the switching sequence is an automated switching sequence.

13. The automated test platform of claim 10 wherein the cross matrix switching system includes N cross point switches, wherein each N cross point switch is coupled to one of the N voltage sources.

14. The automated test platform of claim 13 wherein each of the N cross point switches includes M outputs, wherein each of the M outputs is selectively coupleable to the M discrete test points within the first device under test.

15. The automated test platform of claim 10 further comprising:

an automated DUT swap system configured to:

uncouple the first device under test from the automated test platform, and

couple a second device under test to the automated test platform.

16. An automated test platform for testing a first device under test, the automated test platform comprising:

N voltage sources for providing N different voltages;

a cross matrix switching system coupled to the N voltage sources, the cross matrix switching system configured to provide the N different voltages to M discrete test points within the first device under test, wherein M is larger than N, and wherein the N different voltages include at least a first voltage from a first voltage source of the N voltage sources and a second voltage from a second voltage source of the N voltage sources;

an automated switch activation system configured to effectuate a switching sequence on the cross matrix switching system that selectively applies the N different voltages to the M discrete test points, wherein the switching sequence includes one of:

a static switching sequence, and

an automated switching sequence;

an N voltage measuring system coupled to the first device under test, the N voltage measuring system configured to measure the voltage potential present on the M discrete test points, wherein the N voltage measuring system includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters coupled to the M discrete test points within the first device under test;

a processor configured to determine whether two or more conductive traces of the first device under test are shorted, wherein an alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates a lack of a short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test, and wherein a lack of the alternating voltage potential that is different between the first voltage from the first voltage source and the second voltage from the second voltage source measured on the M discrete test points indicates the short of the two or more conductive traces of the first device under test; and

an automated DUT swap system configured to: uncouple the first device under test from the automated test platform, and couple a second device under test to the automated test platform.

17. The automated test platform of claim 16 wherein the cross matrix switching system includes N cross point switches, wherein each N cross point switch is coupled to one of the N voltage sources.

18. The automated test platform of claim 16 wherein each of the N cross point switches includes M outputs, wherein each of the M outputs is selectively coupleable to the M discrete test points within the first device under test.

19. The automated test platform of claim 16 wherein the cross matrix switching system is configured to releasable engage the first device under test and the N voltage measuring system is configured to releasable engage the first device under test.

Assignments (4)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED AT REEL 047185, FRAME 0624 Recorded Mar 7, 2024
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS AGENT
To: XCERRA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066762/0811 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT STATEMENT THAT THIS DOCUMENT SERVES AS AN OATH/DECLARATION PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 047185 FRAME 0628. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 28, 2018
From: XCERRA CORPORATION
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047675/0354 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 2, 2018
From: XCERRA CORPORATION
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047185/0624 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2015
From: CHEN, WAI-KONG; HARRIS, DAVID
To: XCERRA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035394/0339 →