US6529385B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Component array adapter
Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1999-08-25
•
Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2019-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for connecting a device to an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes an insulating substrate that has two major sides and a number of sites for housing components. Each site has a first node on one of the two sides of the insulating substrate and a second node on the other of the two sides of the insulating substrate. Each site also has components that are aligned normal to the sides of the insulating substrate and are connected to the nodes at the site. Such apparatus are useful as adapters for testing an integrated circuit, such as connecting a test device to the integrated circuit with the adapter and observing and/or driving signals through the adapter.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Brady
- 👤 Harry L. Hampton, III
- 👤 Michael T. White
- 👤 Ashok N. Kabadi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:34
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0216; H05K1/023; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10227; H05K2201/10325; H05K2201/10424; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10621; H05K2201/10636; H05K2201/10734; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/301; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; and a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface so as to engage a separate contact of the first unit, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage a separate corresponds contact of the second unit; wherein at least two of the active or passive electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; and a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface so as to engage a separate contact of the first unit, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage a separate corresponds contact of the second unit; wherein at least two of the active or passive electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interconnect device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of active or passive electrical components are selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interconnect device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of holes contains a conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interconnect device of claim 1 where the at least two active or passive components are located in the same one of the holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interconnect device of claim 1 where at least one active or passive electrical component of a first hole of the plurality of holes is electrically connected in parallel with at least on active or passive electrical component of a second hole of the plurality of holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interconnect device of claim 5 where at least one of the plurality of holes contains a conductor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
230 words
A test device for an integrated circuit having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface and electrically isolated from others of the first interconnects, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from others of the second interconnects, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage the separate contacts of the integrated circuit; a test processor; and an instrumentation probe connected to the test processor having a plurality of pins, wherein each pin is connected to the first conductive interconnect of one of the active or passive electrical components in one of the plurality of holes of the insulating substrate in a one-to-one relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
230 words
A test device for an integrated circuit having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface and electrically isolated from others of the first interconnects, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from others of the second interconnects, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage the separate contacts of the integrated circuit; a test processor; and an instrumentation probe connected to the test processor having a plurality of pins, wherein each pin is connected to the first conductive interconnect of one of the active or passive electrical components in one of the plurality of holes of the insulating substrate in a one-to-one relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The test device of claim 7 where the plurality of active or passive electrical components are selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The test device of claim 7 where at least one of the plurality of holes contains a conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The test device of claim 7 where at least two of the active or passive electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The test device of claim 7 where at least one active or passive electrical component of a first hole of the plurality of holes is electrically connected in parallel with at least one active or passive electrical component of a second hole of the plurality of holes.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for testing an integrated circuit comprising: connecting a plurality of separate test probes to an adapter wherein the adapter comprises: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface and electrically isolated from others of the first interconnects, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components electrically isolated from others of the second interconnects, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage the separate contacts of the integrated circuit; connecting the adapter to the integrated circuit using the second plurality of electrically isolated interconnects; connecting the adapter to the separate test probes using corresponding ones of the first plurality of electrically isolated interconnects; and testing the integrated circuit using a test unit attached to each of the test probes.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for testing an integrated circuit comprising: connecting a plurality of separate test probes to an adapter wherein the adapter comprises: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is located proximate to the first planar surface and electrically isolated from others of the first interconnects, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components electrically isolated from others of the second interconnects, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage the separate contacts of the integrated circuit; connecting the adapter to the integrated circuit using the second plurality of electrically isolated interconnects; connecting the adapter to the separate test probes using corresponding ones of the first plurality of electrically isolated interconnects; and testing the integrated circuit using a test unit attached to each of the test probes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 where connecting the test probes comprises connecting each of the test probes to a different one of the electrically isolated interconnects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 where the plurality of active or passive electrical components are selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 where at least one of the plurality of holes contains a conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 where at least two of the active or passive electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 where at least one active or passive electrical component of a first hole of the plurality of holes is electrically connected in parallel with at least one active or passive electrical component of a second hole of the plurality of holes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
217 words
A circuit board interface system for an external unit having multiple contacts, comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; and a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from the first interconnects of others of the active or passive components, and is located proximate to the first planar surface, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from the second interconnects of others of the active or passive components, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage a corresponding separate contact of the external unit; a circuit board having a plurality of separate signal paths, each signal path connected to one of the plurality of electrically isolated first interconnects.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
217 words
A circuit board interface system for an external unit having multiple contacts, comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel, planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing through the insulating substrate such that a center line of each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; and a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at distal ends of the body, the plurality of active or passive electrical components being located in the plurality of holes such that the first conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from the first interconnects of others of the active or passive components, and is located proximate to the first planar surface, and the second conductive interconnect of each of the plurality of active or passive electrical components is electrically isolated from the second interconnects of others of the active or passive components, and is located proximate to the second planar surface so as to engage a corresponding separate contact of the external unit; a circuit board having a plurality of separate signal paths, each signal path connected to one of the plurality of electrically isolated first interconnects.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The interface system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of active or passive electrical components are selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interface system of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of holes contains a conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface system of claim 18 where at least two of the active or passive electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
the interface system of claim 18 where at least on active or passive electrical component of a first hole of the plurality of holes is electrically connected in parallel with at least one active or passive electrical component of a second hole of the plurality of holes.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
154 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple electrically isolated contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at ends of the body, the first interconnects of the active or passive components are electrically isolated from each other, and are located proximate to the first planar surface so as to releasably engage the separate contacts of the first unit, the second interconnects of the active or passive components are electrically isolated from each other, and are located proximate to the second planar surface so as to releasably engage the separate contacts of the second unit.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
154 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple electrically isolated contacts, the device comprising: an insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel planar surfaces, the insulating substrate having a plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at ends of the body, the first interconnects of the active or passive components are electrically isolated from each other, and are located proximate to the first planar surface so as to releasably engage the separate contacts of the first unit, the second interconnects of the active or passive components are electrically isolated from each other, and are located proximate to the second planar surface so as to releasably engage the separate contacts of the second unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interconnect device of claim 23 further comprising a plurality of mutually electrically isolated connectors interposed between the first interconnects of the active or passive components and the contacts of the first unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interconnect device of claim 24 where the connectors are solder balls.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interconnect device of claim 24 further comprising another plurality of mutually electrically isolated connectors connected to the second interconnects of the active or passive components.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interconnect device of claim 26 where the other connectors are solder.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interconnect device of claim 23 where the some active or passive components are selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
292 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: a first insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel planar surfaces and having a first plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the first plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a first plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at its ends, the first plurality of active or passive components being located in at least some of the first plurality of holes such that the first interconnects are located proximate to the first surface so as to engage separate contacts of the first unit, and the second interconnects are located proximate to the second surface; a second insulating substrate having third and fourth substantially parallel planar surfaces and having a second plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the second plurality of holes is substantially normal to the third and fourth planar surfaces, the third surface being substantially parallel to the second surface of the first substrate; a second plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with third and fourth conductive interconnects located at its ends, the second plurality of active or passive components located in at least some of the second plurality of holes such that the third interconnects are located proximate to the third surface, and the fourth interconnects are located proximate to the fourth surface so as to engage respective separate contacts of the second unit; a plurality of connectors located between the second and third surfaces each of the connectors electrically connecting one of the second interconnects to one of the third interconnects.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
292 words
A device to interconnect a first and a second unit each having multiple separate contacts, the device comprising: a first insulating substrate having first and second substantially parallel planar surfaces and having a first plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the first plurality of holes is substantially normal to the first and second planar surfaces; a first plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with first and second conductive interconnects located at its ends, the first plurality of active or passive components being located in at least some of the first plurality of holes such that the first interconnects are located proximate to the first surface so as to engage separate contacts of the first unit, and the second interconnects are located proximate to the second surface; a second insulating substrate having third and fourth substantially parallel planar surfaces and having a second plurality of holes passing therethrough such that each of the second plurality of holes is substantially normal to the third and fourth planar surfaces, the third surface being substantially parallel to the second surface of the first substrate; a second plurality of active or passive electrical components each having a body with third and fourth conductive interconnects located at its ends, the second plurality of active or passive components located in at least some of the second plurality of holes such that the third interconnects are located proximate to the third surface, and the fourth interconnects are located proximate to the fourth surface so as to engage respective separate contacts of the second unit; a plurality of connectors located between the second and third surfaces each of the connectors electrically connecting one of the second interconnects to one of the third interconnects.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interconnect device of claim 29 where at least some of the connectors are in-line.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interconnect device of claim 30 where the some connectors comprise solder balls located between the second and the third interconnects.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interconnect device of claim 29 where at least one of the connector is offset.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interconnect device of claim 29 where at least one of the active or passive components in the first plurality is connected in series with one of the active or passive components in the second plurality.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interconnect device of claim 29 where at least one of the active or passive components in the first plurality is connected in parallel with one of the active or passive components in the second plurality.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interconnect device of claim 29 where the second surface is proximate to the third surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interconnect device of claim 35 where each of the connectors directly connects the one second interconnect to the one third interconnect.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |