Abstract: Embodiments are directed to probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays wherein the probes include at least one flat extension spring segment and wherein in some embodiments the probes also provide: (1) narrowed channel passage segments (e.g. by increasing width of plunger elements or by decreasing channel widths) along portions of channel lengths (e.g. not entire channel lengths) to enhance stability or pointing accuracy while still allowing for assembled formation of movable probe elements, and/or (2) ratcheting elements on probe arms and/or frame elements to allow permanent or semi-permanent transition from a build state or initial state to a working state or pre-biased state.

Abstract: A method for testing a semiconductor device comprises obtaining an alignment signal between one or more auxiliary pins of a test probe and one or more auxiliary pads of a test key of the semiconductor device before a probing test of the semiconductor device. The obtaining of the alignment signal comprises: performing a vertical alignment between the one or more auxiliary pins of the test probe and the one or more auxiliary pads of the test key; and gradually reducing a vertical distance between the one or more auxiliary pins of the test probe and the one or more auxiliary pads of the test key for bringing into an electrical contact until the alignment signal there-between satisfies an alignment condition.

Abstract: A contact terminal includes a tubular body and a first conductor. The tubular body has an end-side cutout provided in a shape cut out from one axial-direction end surface toward an other axial-direction side at one axial-direction end portion of the tubular body, a hole that is open at the one axial-direction end portion, and a pair of arms interposed between the end-side cutout and the hole. The first conductor includes a first insertion including an inclined portion having an outside diameter gradually increased toward one axial-direction side, and a first straight portion connected to the one axial-direction side of the inclined portion and having an outside diameter constant along the axial direction. The outside diameter of the first straight portion is larger than an inside diameter of the tubular body. The first straight portion is configured to be in contact with the pair of arms.

Abstract: A probe for testing a semiconductor device includes a post having a plate shape and connected to a test substrate. A beam has a first end connected to the post. A tip structure is connected to a second end of the beam. The post includes a front surface having a normal line extending in a first direction. A back surface is located opposite to the front surface. Bumps are disposed on the front surface and are spaced apart from each other. The beam extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Each of the bumps protrudes from the front surface in the first direction by a first length.

Abstract: A probe head for testing a device under test integrated on a semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of contact probes, each having a first end and a second end, and at least one first lower guide and one second lower guide at the first end. The guides are parallel to each other and have a respective plurality of first and second guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. At least one third lower guide is substantially parallel to the first lower guide and to the second lower guide and includes a plurality of third guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. The guide holes are disposed in a shifted arrangement to eliminate a scrub movement of the first ends of each contact probe of the probe head.

Abstract: An automated test equipment (ATE) apparatus comprising a tester processor operable to generate commands and data for coordinating testing of a plurality of devices under test (DUTs). The ATE further comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA) communicatively coupled to the tester processor, wherein the FPGA comprises routing logic operable to route signals associated with the commands and data in the FPGA based on a type of the device under test (DUT). Further, the ATE comprises a connector module communicatively coupled to the FPGA comprising a socket to which the DUT connects and further comprising circuitry for routing the signals to a set of pins on the DUT, wherein the set of pins are associated with a first type of DUT. The circuitry can support multiple different DUT types having a common form factor but different pinout assignments.

Abstract: It is possible to make the free length of a contactor uniform even when the contactor is joined to a position that deviates from a joint position in a high-frequency conducting path and make contact with an electrode with stability, which improves measurement quality. A probe unit according to the present disclosure includes: a coaxial connector that is attached to a main body and gives and receives an electrical signal to and from a tester via a coaxial cable; a high-frequency conducting path that is connected to the coaxial connector and transmits an electrical signal; a plurality of contactors, each having a tip portion that makes electrical contact with an electrode of an object to be inspected and giving and receiving an electrical signal to and from the high-frequency conducting path; and a pedestal that is interposed between the contactor and the high-frequency conducting path, and the pedestal is provided in each contactor such that a free length of the contactor is a predetermined length.

Abstract: Probe arrays include spacers attached to the probes that were formed along with the probes. Methods of making probe arrays by (1) forming probes on their sides and possibly as linear arrays or combination subarrays (e.g. as a number of side-to-side joined linear arrays) having probes fixed in array positions by a sacrificial material that is temporarily retained after formation of the probes; (2) assembling the probe units into full array configurations using the spacers attached to the probes or using alternative alignment structures to set the spacing and/or alignment of the probe(s) of one unit with another unit; and (3) fixing the probes in their configurations (e.g. bonding to a substrate and/or engaging the probes with one or more guide plates) wherein the spacers are retained or are removed, in whole or in part, prior to putting the array to use.

Abstract: An inspection terminal provided in a test device has a main body portion including a support portion that is curved; a plate-shaped portion integrally connected to the support portion and extending in a first direction; a tip portion integrally connected to the plate-shaped portion and having a larger dimension in a second direction intersecting with the first direction than that of the plate-shaped portion in the second direction; and a slit formed from the tip portion to the plate-shaped portion so as not to reach the support portion of the inspection terminal. The tip portion of the inspection terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion that are separated from each other by way of via the slit, and each contact portion is brought into contact with an external terminal of a semiconductor package, and an electrical test of the semiconductor package is performed.

Abstract: Heat is transferred to a cold plate from one or more subassemblies in an array of subassemblies in an electronic package. The cold plate has a thermally conductive cold plate substrate, a pressure header, a pressure passage, and one or more pressure connections. Each of the pressure connections connects through a housing opening to housing volume defined by a flexible housing in an encapsulated liquid thermal interface (LTI). The flexible housing is in physical and thermal contact with one of the subassemblies through a housing bottom and a top surface of one or more components in the subassembly. A thermally conductive fluid fills the housing volume, housing opening, pressure connections, pressure passage, and pressure header which are all in fluid communication along with one or more other connections, housing openings, and LTIs on other subassemblies. The system transfers heat from the subassemblies to the cold plate while maintaining a constant pressure/stress on each of the subassemblies.

Abstract: A skate on a tip of a probe for testing electrical devices is a reduced thickness probe tip contact. Such a skate can advantageously increase contact pressure, but it can also undesirably reduce probe lifetime due to rapid mechanical wear of the skate. Here multilayer skate probes are provided where the overall shape of the probe tip is a smooth curved surface, as opposed to the conventional fin-like skate configuration. The skate layer is the most mechanically wear-resistant layer in the structure, so abrasive processing of the probe tip leads to a probe skate defined by the skate layer. The resulting probes provide the advantage of increased contact pressure without the disadvantage of reduced lifetime.

Abstract: A device probe includes a primary probe arm and a subsequent probe arm with a slip plane spacing between the primary probe arm and subsequent probe arm. Each probe arm is integrally part of a probe base that is attachable to a probe card. During probe use on a semiconductive device or a semiconductor device package substrate, overtravel of the probe tip allows the primary and subsequent probe arms to deflect, while sufficient resistance to deflection creates a useful contact with an electrical structure such as an electrical bump or a bond pad.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a connection module. The example connection module includes a connection interface and a connection matrix having a root transmission line to conduct signals to and from the connection interface. The connection matrix also includes branch transmission lines that are connectable electrically to the root transmission line to conduct the signals to and from the root transmission line. Each of the branch transmission lines is part of an electrical pathway between a device and the root transmission line. A housing encloses the connection matrix and enables access to the connection interface. The root transmission line and the branch transmission lines are each multi-conductor transmission lines that conduct the signals in transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microcantilever, a measuring device and a method for determining mass and/or mechanical properties of a biological system.

Abstract: Provided is a contact probe which may achieve improved heat resistance even when a spring portion thereof is compressed and released in a high temperature environment. The contact probe includes an Ni—P layer, and the Ni—P layer has different concentrations of P at different positions in a thickness direction of the Ni—P layer.

Abstract: A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.

Abstract: A probe includes a beam and at least two tips. The beam transmits test signals to a device under test (DUT). The at least two tips are arranged on a first end portion of the beam in a direction at a predetermined angle to a length direction of the beam and contacts adjacent terminals of the DUT. The beam has a larger width that exceeds a sum of widths of the at least two tips in a width direction of the beam such that the probe has an improved current carrying capacity and is prevented from being damaged due to overcurrent.

Abstract: Coated probe tips are described for plunger pins of an integrated circuit package tests system. One example has a plunger having a tip to contact a solder ball of an integrated circuit package, a sleeve to hold the plunger and allow the plunger to move toward and away from the package, the sleeve being held in a socket, a spring within the sleeve to drive the plunger toward the package, and a coating over the tip, the coating being harder than a solder ball.

Abstract: Probe systems, storage media, and methods for wafer-level testing over extended temperature ranges are disclosed herein. The methods are configured to test a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) present on a substrate. The probe systems are programmed to perform the methods. The storage media include computer-readable instructions that direct a probe system to perform the methods.

Abstract: A multi-electrode conductive probe, a manufacturing method of insulating trenches and a measurement method using the multi-electrode conductive probe are disclosed. The conductive probe includes a base, a plurality of support elements, a plurality of tips and a conductive layer. The base has a surface and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are configured on the surface in a spacing manner, and an insulating trench is disposed between the two adjacent protrusions. The support elements are disposed at the base and protrude from the base. The tips are disposed on the end of the support elements away from the base. The conductive layer covers the surface of the base, the protrusions, the support elements and the tips. Portions of the conductive layer on the two adjacent support elements are electrically insulated from each other by at least an insulating trench.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biosensor device wafer testing and processing methods, system and apparatus. The biosensor device wafer includes device areas separated by scribe lines. A number of test areas that allow fluidic electrical testing are embedded in scribe lines or in device areas. An integrated electro-microfluidic probe card includes a fluidic mount that may be transparent, a microfluidic channels in the fluidic mount in a testing portion, at least one microfluidic probe and a number of electronic probe tips at the bottom of the fluidic mount, fluidic and electronic input and output ports on the sides of the fluidic mount, and at least one handle lug on the fluidic mount. The method includes aligning a wafer, mounting the integrated electro-microfluidic probe card, flowing one or more test fluids in series, and measuring and analyzing electrical properties to determine process qualities and an acceptance level of the wafer.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for extracting information carried in higher eigenmodes or harmonics of an oscillating cantilever or other oscillating sensors in atomic force microscopy and related MEMs work are described. Similar apparatus and techniques for extracting information from piezoelectric, polymer and other materials using contact resonance with multiple excitation signals are also described.

Abstract: A method for triggering an adjustment operation in a dynamic random access memory device, the method including receiving a refresh command, generating an execute signal, counting the execute signal to provide a count value, refreshing a memory array based on the count value and triggering the adjustment operation when the count value reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing improved interconnection elements and tip structures for effecting pressure connections between terminals of electronic components is described. The tip structure of the present invention has a sharpened blade oriented on the upper surface of the tip structure such that the length of the blade is substantially parallel to the direction of horizontal movement of the tip structure as the tip structure deflects across the terminal of an electronic component. In this manner, the sharpened substantially parallel oriented blade slices cleanly through any non-conductive layer(s) on the surface of the terminal and provides a reliable electrical connection between the interconnection element and the terminal of the electrical component.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a semiconductor device includes a circuit board having a contact pattern on one side and an opening therethrough, and a probe card supporting a probe needle array. The probe needle array is insertable into the opening of the circuit board and is configured to probe a device under test. The probe needle array is in electrical contact with the contact pattern of the circuit board, to allow signals through the probe card and circuit board to a test equipment. A holder supports the probe card and other probe cards. The holder has multiple sides, each of which is supportable of a probe card having a probe needle array. The holder is rotatable to manipulate and position the probe needle arrays of the probe cards relative to a device under test. The holder allows disconnection and replacement of the probe needle arrays from the holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing electronic devices is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of probes attached to a substrate; each probe capable of elastic deformation when the probe tip comes in contact with the electronic; each probe comprising a plurality of isolated electrical vertical interconnected accesses (vias) connecting each probe tip to the substrate, such that each probe tip of the plurality is capable of conducting an electrical current from the device under test to the substrate. The plurality of probes may form a probe comb. Also disclosed is a probe comb holder that has at least one slot where the probe comb may be disposed. A method for assembling and disassembling the probe comb and probe comb holder is also disclosed which allows for geometric alignment of individual probes.

Abstract: An elastic micro high frequency probe includes a conductor, which includes a stationary body and a movable body. The stationary body has a conductive terminal, a contacting end, and a guider. The movable body has a conductive terminal, a spring mechanism, and a guider. The spring mechanism is connected to the stationary body and to one conductive terminal. The second guider connects to the spring mechanism in such a manner that the compression direction of the spring mechanism is confined by a guiding rail. Since the width of the spring mechanism is not limited by the first and second guiders, the width of the spring mechanism can be enlarged to maximize within limited space. Therefore, the HF probe as a whole can have shortest length while acquiring the predetermined total length of the elastic stroke, such that the transmission performance of the high frequency signals can be effectively enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test contact arrangement (15) for testing semiconductor components, comprising at least one test contact (10) which is arranged in a test contact frame (13) and is designed in the type of a cantilever arm and which has a fastening base (12) and a contact arm (30) which is provided with a contact tip (11) and which is connected to the fastening base, wherein the fastening base is inserted with a fastening projection (16) thereof into a frame opening (14) of the test contact frame in such a manner that a lower edge (17) of the fastening projection is essentially aligned flush with a lower side (18) of the test contact frame.

Abstract: A cantilever probe card, which is provided between a device under test (DUT) and a tester, includes a carrier board, a probe base, two probes, and a transmission device. The carrier board is provided with through holes. The probe base is provided on the carrier board, and the probes are mounted to the probe base. Each probe has a tip to contact a test pad of the DUT. The transmission device is flexible, and has signal circuits. The transmission device passes through the through hole on the carrier board, and the signal circuits connect the probes to the tester respectively.

Abstract: [Problems to be solved] To provide a test-use individual substrate capable of improving testing accuracy and connecting reliability. [Means for solving the Problems] A test-use individual substrate 30 which is used for testing a semiconductor wafer, comprises a main body portion 31, thin portions 321, 322 extending from the main body portion 31 and being relatively thinner than the main body portion, and bumps 33 provided on the thin portions 321, 322.

Abstract: A probe card for conducting an electrical test on a test subject includes a substrate body including a first surface, which faces toward the test subject, and a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface. A through electrode extends through the substrate body between the first surface and the second surface. A contact bump is formed in correspondence with the electrode pad and electrically connected to the through electrode. An elastic body is filled in an accommodating portion, which is formed in the substrate body extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The contact bump is formed on the elastic body.

Abstract: Provided are microfabricated probe elements, including elastomer elements, and methods of making the same, that can be readily used with fine pitch microelectronic arrays, for instance by providing sufficient compliance in a small package, while minimizing deflection forces, and while precisely maintaining the planarity and positioning of the contact tips across vast grid arrays. Elastomer elements may be generated using photolithography, either directly or through a sacrificial lost-mold process. Elastomer probe elements are provided with rigid tip structures microfabricated thereon to improve contact pressure. A novel space transformation probe card assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120).

Abstract: A testing probe card for wafer level testing semiconductor IC packaged devices. The card includes a circuit board including testing circuitry and a testing probe head. The probe head includes a probe array having a plurality of metallic testing probes attached to a substrate including a plurality of conductive vias. In one embodiment, the probes have a relatively rigid construction and have one end that may be electrically coupled to the vias using a flip chip assembly solder reflow process. In one embodiment, the probes may be formed from a monolithic block of conductive material using reverse wire electric discharge machining.

Abstract: A test prod for high-frequency measurement having a contact-side end for electrically contacting planar structures and a cable-side end, for connecting to a cable, wherein between the contact-side end and the cable-side end a coplanar conductor structure having at least two conductors is arranged, wherein on the coplanar conductor structure a dielectric is arranged over a predetermined section between the cable-side end and the contact-side end, wherein the test prod is between the dielectric and the contact-side end such that the conductors of the coplanar conductor structure are arranged freely in space and relative to the dielectric in a suspending manner, wherein on one side of the test prod facing towards the planar structure a shielding element is arranged extending into the area of the coplanar conductor structure.

Abstract: A method of probing compliant bumps of a circuit with probes is described. The method includes disposing the probes on a substrate, a base of each of the probes being coupled to the substrate. The method also includes disposing the circuit such that each of the compliant bumps is in contact with the probe tip of a corresponding one of the probes, each probe tip being connected to each base of each probe through a cantilever, and supplying current to the probes to test the circuit.

Abstract: A probe conducts testing of a circuit. The probe includes a base coupled to a substrate. The probe also includes a cantilever attached to the base at a first end, the cantilever deflecting from a first position to a second position in which a second end opposite the first end is in contact with the substrate and to move between the second position and the first position based on movement of a compliant bump of the circuit, and a probe tip attached to the cantilever at the second end, the probe tip maintaining contact with the compliant bump of the circuit.

Abstract: Structures having a plurality of discrete insulated elongated electrical conductors projecting from a support surface which are useful as probes for testing of electrical interconnections to electronic devices, such as integrated circuit devices and other electronic components and particularly for testing of integrated circuit devices with rigid interconnection pads and multi-chip module packages with high density interconnection pads and the apparatus for use thereof and to methods of fabrication thereof. Coaxial probe structures are fabricated by the methods described providing a high density coaxial probe.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to compliant probe structures for making temporary or permanent contact with electronic circuits and the like. Some embodiments are directed to various designs of cantilever-like probe structures while other embodiments are directed to methods for fabricating probe structures. In some embodiments, methods are used to form probe structures from a plurality of planar multi-material layers wherein each probe structure includes a contact tip and a compliant body wherein a portion of the complaint body is formed, then the contact tip is formed and then finally the rest of the compliant body is formed, wherein the compliant body provides for elastic compression of the probe in a plane of primary motion during use and wherein during formation of the layers a stacking direction of the plurality of layers is perpendicular to the plane of primary motion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to compliant probe structures for making temporary or permanent contact with electronic circuits and the like. Some embodiments are directed to various designs of cantilever-like probe structures while other embodiments are directed to methods for fabricating probe structures. In some embodiments, methods are used to form probe structures from a plurality of planar multi-material layers wherein each probe structure includes a contact tip, a compliant body, and a bonding material that can be used in bonding the probe to a substrate and wherein the compliant body provides for elastic compression of the probe in a plane of primary motion during use and wherein during formation of the layers a stacking direction of the plurality of layers is perpendicular to the plane of primary motion.

Abstract: A probe card for use in testing a wafer and a method of making the probe card include a printed circuit board (PCB) formed with a conductor pattern and a probe head in proximity to the PCB, the probe head defining at least one hole through the probe head, and the probe head being made of an electrically insulating material. At least one conductive pogo pin is disposed respectively in the at least one hole, the pogo pin having a first end electrically connected to the conductor pattern on the PCB. At least one conductive probe pin includes a cantilever portion and a tip portion. The cantilever portion is in contact with and electrically connected to a second end of the pogo pin, and the tip portion is electrically connectable to the wafer to electrically connect the wafer to the conductor pattern on the PCB. The cantilever portion of the probe pin is fixedly attached to the probe head.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to compliant probe structures for making temporary or permanent contact with electronic circuits and the like. Some embodiments are directed to various designs of cantilever-like probe structures while other embodiments are directed to methods for fabricating probe structures. In some embodiments, methods of forming probe structures include formation of a plurality of planar multi-material electrodeposited layers wherein each probe structure includes a contact tip and a compliant body, wherein the compliant body is formed from at least one material that is different from the contact tip material and wherein the compliant body provides for elastic compression of the probe in a plane of primary motion during use and wherein during formation of the layers a stacking direction of the plurality of layers is perpendicular to the plane of primary motion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to compliant probe structures for making temporary or permanent contact with electronic circuits and the like. In particular, embodiments are directed to various designs of cantilever-like probe structures. Some embodiments are directed to methods for fabricating such cantilever structures. In some embodiments, methods are used to form probe structures from a plurality of planar multi-material layers wherein the probe structures include a contact tip and a compliant body with the compliant body formed from at least one material that is different from the tip material and wherein compliant body provides for elastic compression of the probe in a plane of primary motion during use and wherein during formation a stacking direction of the plurality of layers is perpendicular to the plane of primary motion.

Abstract: A probe card includes a circuit board, a flexible substrate, and a plurality of probes. The flexible substrate includes a plurality of arrayed conductive strips. The plurality of conductive strips is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The plurality of probes is fixed to the printed circuit board, and the end of each probe is attached to one corresponding conductive strip.

Abstract: A probe of the present invention includes a beam portion cantilevered by a holding portion, and a contact extending perpendicularly to and downward from a free end of the beam portion. An inner cut portion is formed on a fixed end side of the beam portion in a side portion of the contact, and an outer cut portion is formed on a free end side of the beam portion in a side portion of the contact, so that the outer cut portion and the inner cut portion are formed to bend the contact when the contact contacts an electrode of an object to be inspected at a predetermined contact pressure. According to the present invention, in inspection of electrical characteristics of the object to be inspected, suitable contact between the probe and the object to be inspected may be maintained and the durability of the probe may be improved.

Abstract: A suspended IO trace design for SSP cantilever Read/Write is described. Instead of having the whole I/O trace attached to surface of the cantilever, the cantilever is designed with fish-bone-like support and the I/O traces are anchored to cantilever structures 110 at some specific attachment locations with dielectric insulation in between. This design provides very compliant trace compared to cantilever's see-saw actuation around the torsional beam pivot and is also insensitive to residual stress variations from I/O trace in fabrication.

Abstract: A high precision semiconductor probing system includes a probe head, a circuit board positioned above the probe head, and an optical microscope, wherein the probe head has a plurality of vertical probes and at least one cantilever probe having a vertical body positioned therein. The cantilever probe is disposed close to an edge of the probe head and extends laterally out from the probe head, in order to facilitate the visual alignment viewing from top of the probing apparatus. The optical microscope is positioned on top of the probing apparatus and is configured to have a line of sight directed to the tip of the cantilever probe.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electrical connecting apparatus comprises a probe base plate and a plurality of contacts provided with tips to be pressed against electrodes of a device under test and arranged on the underside of the probe base plate. The distance dimensions from an imaginary plane parallel to the probe base plate to the tips of the contacts are made the greater toward the center of the probe base plate.

Abstract: A suspended IO trace design for SSP cantilever Read/Write is described. Instead of having the whole I/O trace attached to surface of the cantilever, the cantilever is designed with fish-bone-like support and the I/O traces are anchored to cantilever structures 110 at some specific attachment locations with dielectric insulation in between. This design provides very compliant trace compared to cantilever's see-saw actuation around the torsional beam pivot and is also insensitive to residual stress variations from I/O trace in fabrication.

Abstract: A MEMS probe adapted to contact a corresponding terminal of an integrated circuit, integrated on at least one chip of a semiconductor material wafer during a test phase of the wafer is provided. The probe includes a support structure comprising a first access terminal and a second access terminal; the support structure defines a conductive path between said first access terminal and said second access terminal. The probes further-includes a probe region connected to the support structure adapted to contact the corresponding terminal of the integrated circuit during the test phase for providing at least one test signal received from the first access terminal and the second access terminal to the integrated circuit through at least one portion of the conductive path, and/or providing at least one test signal generated by the integrated circuit to at least one between the first access terminal and the second access terminal trough at least one portion of the conductive path.