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Technology News
May. 25, 2017 :: NEWS Imec and Cascade Microtech Develop First Automatic Probe System for Advanced 3D Chips
May. 22, 2017 :: NEWS FormFactor Announces Participation at Upcoming Conferences
May. 18, 2017 :: NEWS FormFactor Awarded Texas Instruments Supplier Excellence Award
Apr. 14, 2017 :: NEWS FormFactor to Announce First Quarter 2017 Financial Results on May 3
International Symposium on Power Semiconductor Devices and ICs (ISPSD)
Test-station for flexible semi-automatic wafer-level silicon photonics testing
As the need for data links with ever greater bandwidth continues to grow, optical interconnects are becoming an attractive alternative to electrical links. The cost and performance of optical transceivers are key elements that determine the economic viability of optical interconnects. This paper presents developing an active silicon photonics platform that leverages existing CMOS infrastructure and processing techniques to provide a wide range of passive and active optical devices on silicon wafers.
Automated Testing of Bare Die-to-Die Stacks
This paper presents an approach to perform automatic stepping and probing on arrays of D2D stacks pick-n-placed (PnP) on a carrier substrate. An algorithm will be described for the Cascade Microtech CM300 probe station to automatically correct small PnP misalignments. Experimental results will be presented on three types of carriers: (1) dicing tape on tape frames for Ø 100 mm wafers, (2) sheets of single-sided thermal-release tape, and (3) Ø 300 mm carrier wafers with double-sided thermal-release tape.
3 Key Challenges for Consistent, Accurate RF Measurement Results
Engineers deal with architectures and multi-functional ICs that continuously decrease physical dimensions, while operation frequencies and levels of integration complexity increase. Learn how they achieve high levels of accuracy and confidence in measurement results.
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Tomorrow’s Chip Interconnects Call for New Reliability Test Method
Shrinking semiconductor geometries with reduced reliability margins demand a highly accurate method for modeling EM effects to produce proper IC design rules. CVEM offers a precise solution to avoid these pitfalls and enable IC manufacturers to continue offering aggressive performance specifications without sacrificing quality.
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Consistent Parameter Extraction for Advanced RF Devices
Pushing device operation frequencies towards the sub-THz range causes serious challenges for conventional device characterization techniques. This application note presents a comparison of SOLT, NIST multiline TRL, and LRRM probe-tip calibration methods for accuracy of measured and extracted figure of merits (FoM) of advanced BiCMOS HBT. A good understanding of possible sources of errors and potential room for improvement at each step are key to increasing the accuracy of device characterization. This paper will show why eLRRM is recommended as an accurate, consistent and easy to implement probe tip calibration method for characterization of advanced high-performance active devices.
Direct Probing on Large-Array Fine-Pitch Micro-Bumps of a Wide-I/O Logic-Memory Interface
Experiments show the technical feasibility of the direct probing approach, with probe tips making proper electrical contact to the micro-bumps, causing only limited probe marks and no measureable impact on stack interconnect yield. Cost modeling indicates economic feasibility for single-site testing, with the next step to prepare the technology for volume production.
Please see this important announcement regarding Microsoft Windows XP.
FormFactor Completes Acquisition of Cascade Microtech
By completing the acquisition of Cascade Microtech, FormFactor transforms into a broader test and measurement market leader with significant scale and increased diversification.
Introducing EPS200MMW- achieve accurate measurement results at 67 GHz up to THz frequencies
At higher frequencies, probe placement with submicron accuracy on calibration substrates and DUTs is critical for accurate and repeatable measurement results. The EPS200MMW manual 200 mm probe solution addresses this need with its rigid case-base frame, solid platen with four-point support and highly-refined granite base plate, and includes a fine-glide chuck stage to offer both wide-range coarse movement and submicron-level fine movement.
Learn More: 200 mm Probe Systems
Flexible 300 mm Probing Platform
Cascade Microtech’s CM300xi is a flexible on-wafer measurement platform that scales to meet evolving needs in capability and automation. It enhances device and process characterization and modeling by capturing the true electrical performance of devices and enabling hands-off productivity. With the new Velox™ probe station control software, the CM300xi enables safe and fast wafer loading and easy test automation and measurement system integration, while preventing damage of probe tips, probe cards and customer wafers throughout the entire measurement cycle. Read more ...
New Velox Probe Station Control Software
Velox harnesses the flexibility of Nucleus and the power of ProberBench, and enables the fastest time-to-job completion for mixed environment labs. Velox gives you several options to simplify the setup and execution of automated sequences on your probe stations. Upgrade to Velox today and achieve gains in both speed and productivity.
Learn more: Velox - Probe Station Control Software
MeasureOne Solutions Provide New Level of Integration Capabilities
By leveraging the cumulative experience of Cascade Microtech and its MeasureOne partners- all who perform as best in breed in their category- customers can streamline their processes and realize efficient, "true to measurement" solutions that deliver speed to market and fast return on their investment.
Reducing Risk and Cost When Purchasing Refurbished Equipment
Meeting the needs of advanced node device manufacturing is driving a rise in fab capacity, in particular for new mobility, sensing and IoT applications. Many of these devices are based on mature technologies, leading manufacturers to consider refurbished or remanufactured test and measurement equipment. Learn how to reduce risk and cost by sourcing directly from the OEM.
View article or learn more about our SourceOne program