Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A method of testing microelectronic dies is described. A respective set of dies is inserted into die carrier bodies releasably held within a set of sockets secured to a burn-in board. A set of die carrier covers is closed, each die carrier cover being secured to a respective die carrier body and closing over a respective die. The burn-in board is then inserted into a burn-in oven. Burn-in testing of the dies is then carried out while in the burn-in oven. The burn-in board is then removed from the oven. The die carrier covers are then opened. The dies are removed from the die carrier bodies without removing the die carrier bodies from the sockets. The process is then repeated with subsequent sets of dies.

Abstract: A die carrier is disclosed which is specifically designed for use in a TSOP socket. More specifically, the die carrier has a carrier substrate with carrier contacts thereon that are dimensioned specifically to match the positioning of the upper and lower socket contacts. The carrier substrate, being 145 microns thick, can also fit between the upper and lower socket contacts. A carrier base support component is located below a portion only of the carrier substrate, and does not impair insertion of the carrier substrate into the relatively small spacing between the upper and lower socket contacts. Damage to the carrier substrate is avoided by clamping edges of the carrier substrate from opposing sides between the upper and lower socket contacts. There are no screws or nuts within the carrier base support component that may increase its size and prevent it from being inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A die carrier is disclosed which is specifically designed for use in a TSOP socket. More specifically, the die carrier has a carrier substrate with carrier contacts thereon that are dimensioned specifically to match the positioning of the upper and lower socket contacts. The carrier substrate, being 145 microns thick, can also fit between the upper and lower socket contacts. A carrier base support component is located below a portion only of the carrier substrate, and does not impair insertion of the carrier substrate into the relatively small spacing between the upper and lower socket contacts. Damage to the carrier substrate is avoided by clamping edges of the carrier substrate from opposing sides between the upper and lower socket contacts. There are no screws or nuts within the carrier base support component that may increase its size and prevent it from being inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A die carrier is disclosed which is specifically designed for use in a TSOP socket. More specifically, the die carrier has a carrier substrate with carrier contacts thereon that are dimensioned specifically to match the positioning of the upper and lower socket contacts. The carrier substrate, being 145 microns thick, can also fit between the upper and lower socket contacts. A carrier base support component is located below a portion only of the carrier substrate, and does not impair insertion of the carrier substrate into the relatively small spacing between the upper and lower socket contacts. Damage to the carrier substrate is avoided by clamping edges of the carrier substrate from opposing sides between the upper and lower socket contacts. There are no screws or nuts within the carrier base support component that may increase its size and prevent it from being inserted into the socket. A double-sided, robust electrical connection is made by each respective pair of upper and lower socket contacts.