Abstract: A reconfigurable chip using reconfigurable functional units is modified to better implement linear feedback shift registers. The reconfigurable functional unit has its input multiplexer unit modified so that it can select a combined value. The combined values include some of the bits from the output of the reconfigurable functional unit as well as carry bit from another reconfigurable functional unit. This can significantly reduce the space required to implement linear feedback shift registers which are useful in many digital communication systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for a semiconductor wafer front side pressure testing system (200, 300, 400). Negative or positive pressure is applied to the top portion of a semiconductor wafer (216, 316) mounted on a support structure or wafer chuck (222, 322, 422). In one embodiment, bellows (232) coupled to the wafer chuck (222, 322, 422) and a platen (218, 318, 418) located above the semiconductor wafer (216, 316) provides a sealed atmosphere above the semiconductor wafer (216, 316) to permit negative or positive pressure to be introduced into this sealed atmosphere. In another embodiment, a seal is provided by a wall portion (421) connected to the chuck (422) contacting a gasket (419) located beneath the platen (418).

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having copper bondpads (17) that are free of voids (13) and a method for coating the copper bondpads (17) with solderable or wirebondable metals such that the copper bondpads (17) are free of the voids (13). The void free metal coatings are achieved using a dual activation process. In a first activation step (27), the copper bondpads (17) are activated by placing them in a palladium bath. In a second activation step (28), the bondpads are placed in a nickel-boron bath. After the dual activation, the copper bondpads (17) are coated with a layer of nickel-phosphorous or palladium. The nickel-phosphorous or palladium layer may be coated with a layer of gold for subsequent formation of solder balls or wirebonds thereon.