Application Details for Embedded Digital Test Core: Optoelectronic Test Bed and Wafer-level Prober

A multi-purpose digital test core utilizing programmable logic has been introduced [1,2] to implement many of the functions of traditional automated test equipment (ATE). While previous papers have described the theory, this paper quantifies the results and presents additional applications with improved methods. The digital test core provides a substantial number of programmable I/O for testing circuits and systems. It may be used either to enhance the capabilities of ATE or to provide autonomous testing within large systems or arrays of components. This technique has been expanded upon to produce greater functionality at higher frequencies. Based upon limitations of current ATE and BIST, the need for the digital test core is described. The test core concept is reintroduced within an opto-electronic pattern generator and sampler. The performance of the device is discussed, and then a second application of the digital test core is introduced as a nano-scale wafer-level embedded tester.