Author's Latest Posts


Analysis Of Multi-Chiplet Package Designs And Requirements For Production Test Simplification


In recent years there has been a sharp rise of multi-die system designs. Numerous publications targeting a large variety of applications exist in the public domain. One presentation [2] on the IEEE’s website does a good job of detailing the anecdotal path of multi-die systems by way of chiplet building blocks integrated within a single package [2]. The presentation includes references to a ha... » read more

Revising 5G RF Calibration Procedures For RF IC Production Testing


Modern radio frequency (RF) components introduce many challenges to outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) suppliers whose objective is to ensure products are assembled and tested to meet the product test specifications. The growing advancement and demand for RF products for cellphones, navigational instruments, global positioning systems, Wi-Fi, receiver/transmitter (Rx/Tx) componen... » read more

Production Testing Of Discrete Power Products


By Vineet Pancholi and Dennis Dinawanao Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs), diodes, and application specific multi-transistor packaged modules are some of the more popular discrete products. Switches control the flow of current within a circuit. MOSFETs are a building block of most electronic... » read more

The Importance Of Product Burn-In Test


Product burn-in (BI) is an indispensable step in the production test flow to ensure good quality and a properly functioning product for the customer. Amkor takes pride in rating ‘quality delivered to the customer’ as one of the highest corporate virtues. See figure 1. Fig. 1: Defects per Million (DPM) and DPM goal reported over five years. Burned-in integrated circuits (ICs) have a ... » read more

Meeting The Challenges Of 5G RF Production Test Services


Implementation of the 5G radio frequency (RF) standard is increasing rapidly [1]. Over the past four to six quarters, there has been an increased focus on publications and products that have been introduced to the marketplace. Some of the more popular RF eco-system applications include cellphone, Wi-Fi, automotive, Internet of Things (IoT), location services, and more. Wi-Fi and cellphone servi... » read more

Taking Advantage Of Outsourced Test Services


The business model in today’s competitive world of commerce has shifted over recent years to “services.” Companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Google are prime success stories that have advanced the industry with business-enabling services. These economic productivity improvement services allow their customers to focus on product architecture, design and quick time to market. The service p... » read more