July, 2016
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IC Temperature Test: Thermal Stream vs. Direct Thermal Head Systems
Continued from page 63
to the DUT. The direct method has little to no influence on surrounding components, which can improve test accuracy. However, there are some preparatory steps before the system can be used to test an IC. A mechanical adapter plate must be attached. In some cases, it is necessary to custom- make the adapter plate to fit a specific device while other applications can use and reuse the same uni- versal adapter.
Accuracy and Cost Both systems are capable of temperature
accuracy to around ±1°C, which in most manufac- turing processes is good enough for IC testing. For other applications, such as testing thermal sensors, this level of accura- cy is not sufficient. In this case, the direct thermal head system allows much better resolution, with an accu- racy down to ±0.2°C. Since thermal stream systems
are more complex and need com- pressed air for their cooling and heat- ing systems, they require more main- tenance, which makes these systems more expensive over time. Direct thermal head systems do not need compressed air and also have more straightforward maintenance re - quire ments, lowering the cost of both purchase and upkeep. Thermal stream systems can
cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000, which is significantly higher than a comparable direct thermal head system. Even the smallest of them still takes up a large chunk of floorspace, mainly because of the need for the compressed air supply. Direct thermal head systems are use- ful plug-and-play units that can be used during IC design, or in places where the infrastructure for large systems may not be available. Less expensive, these units are priced from $13,000 to $20,000. Both thermal stream systems
and direct thermal head systems are capable of providing similar perform- ance during environmental tempera- ture testing. When comparing the two, the differences in size, weight, noise level, ease of deployment, and price stack the systems against one another. Direct thermal head systems provide a
PCB with universal adapter plate for connection to a thermal head.
more versatile, more accurate and less expensive way to test a single IC for its functionality across a range of temperatures. They can be moved easily from station to station, are much quieter than ther- mal stream systems, and offer better test resolution without the hassle of accidentally influencing other components near the DUT. In this case, the direct approach is the best approach. Direct thermal head systems now offer product and test engineers an easy and valuable way to characterize a device’s operating temperature profile. Contact: Mechanical Devices, Inc., 1800
Wyatt Drive, Suite 16, Santa Clara, CA 95054 % 408-498-3608 E-mail:
sales@mechanical-devices.com Web:
www.mechanical-devices.com r
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