Advantest Glossary

Semiconductor chips are often integrated into packages. Compared to traditional semiconductor packaging, advanced packages enable higher device density and functionality with a smaller footprint.

Sometimes abbreviated as APU, these semiconductors control the operation of smartphones. They are among the products facing the greatest increases in test complexity due to the adoption of leading-edge semiconductor processes.

Application Specific Integrated Circuit. ASICs are integrated circuits designed and manufactured so as to combine all the functions required for a specific application. Designs can be optimized to meet the required specifications.

A general term for semiconductors installed in automobiles. Semiconductors are used to control most functions in modern cars, including collision avoidance, balance control, car navigation, and fuel injection control. Because a malfunction in a car can impact human life, automotive devices must be highly reliable and durable, and they tend to be carefully tested.

A back-end test that uses specialized equipment to apply temperature and voltage loads to devices over long periods of time, accelerating the occurrence of failures. Early detection and removal of defects improves device reliability.

Investment in testers to support increased production of semiconductors.

These semiconductors are used for wireless communications. The main applications are smartphones and their base stations. Communication ICs are also called RF devices.

Core tests are performed during memory semiconductor back-end test processes to confirm that memory cells can be read and written correctly. Core test does not have to be performed at actual operating speed, and medium- to low-speed testers are often used even for high-speed DRAM.

Device Interface. A general term for adapters that electrically and physically mediate between a device and a tester. By using DI products optimized for the size and specifications of each device, manufacturers can test various types of devices with a single tester.

Direct Random Access Memory. DRAM semiconductors are the most common form of high-speed memory device. Although their data writing and reading speeds are far faster than NAND flash, DRAM devices lose data when the power is turned off.

Fabless semiconductor companies do not have manufacturing facilities, and only carry out design and sales.

Foundries carry out semiconductor front-end processes. Fabless companies specializing in research and development can reduce investment risk by outsourcing front-end processes that require large capital investments, such as lithography, to foundries.

High Bandwidth Memory. HBM devices consist of multiple DRAM chips stacked into a single device. The stacked structure reduces mounting area and increases wiring density, achieving faster speeds, larger capacity, lower power consumption, and so on.

High Performance Computing devices. These semiconductors are designed to perform large-scale calculations at high speed in data servers, AI servers, etc. The market is rapidly expanding with the spread of AI, machine learning, and deep learning, and HPC has become an important driver for the tester business.

An important test that checks device operating speed, performed during back-end memory semiconductor test. Test at a speed equal to the operating frequency of the device is called "at-speed test." As device speeds increase, testers must stay one step ahead, as they are required to send and receive high-speed electrical signals that exceed the device specifications.

A general term for test sockets that electrically connect packaged devices with testers.

Integrated Device Manufacturer. These vertically integrated chipmakers carry out the entire semiconductor manufacturing process in-house, from design and manufacturing to sales.

An unpackaged chip (bare die) that is considered good quality. When front-end and back-end test processes are carried out by different companies, the front-end company guarantees that the bare die is a known good die before handing it over to the back-end company.

Logic ICs are semiconductors that incorporate logic circuits for digital signal processing. Types of logic ICs range from HPC devices that handle AI and machine learning, to application processors that control smartphones, power semiconductors, image sensors, and so on.

Sometimes abbreviated MF. A mainframe houses the tester's power supply, controller, cooling equipment, etc.

Memory semiconductors specialize in writing, reading, and deleting data.

Also known as node transition or node migration, miniaturization involves narrowing the circuit width (distance between circuits) of semiconductors. As miniaturization progresses, more circuits can be packed into the same silicon area, enabling power saving, lower costs, and higher functionality.

NAND is the most common type of flash memory. Its advantages are large capacity and low price. Although these devices operate at slower speeds than DRAM, they can retain data even when the power is turned off.

Formerly the most common type of flash memory. NOR is more reliable than NAND, but has less storage capacity.

These components convert current into light, or light into current. They are used for light sources and optical transmission. LEDs are a representative type of optical device.

Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test. OSATs carry out back-end semiconductor processes such as assembly and test. The OSATs that only perform test are called "test houses."

A general term for back-end test. After wafer test, the semiconductor is diced into individual chips, which are then packaged. Package test is carried out at the final stage of packaging to ensure functionality.

The number of devices that a tester can test simultaneously. The higher a tester's parallelism, the better its productivity.

These components control voltage and frequency, and convert direct current to alternating current and vice versa. They are widely used in electronic equipment, automobiles, industrial equipment, wind power generation, solar power generation, etc. They enable optimized power supply to equipment and play a major role in energy consumption reduction.

A type of device interface that electrically connects the wafer and tester with a probe (needle).

Investment in testers to support increasing demands for semiconductor quality and reliability, which lengthen test times.

Semiconductor test includes various tests, depending on the function and application of the device. The main tests are:

Components that convert external forces such as light and gravity into electrical signals, such as the image sensors used in cameras, acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, gyro sensors, and magnetic sensors.

System-Level Test. These tests are performed as an additional test insertion after back-end tests. The system-level test is conducted in final application mode in order to screen for defects that escaped regular semiconductor test. SLT is regarded as a growth area.

System on Chip. SoC devices are space-saving, multifunctional semiconductors that integrate multiple circuits (IP) onto a single chip.

Investment in testers triggered by technological advances such as improvements in semiconductor performance and increased device complexity, which lead to longer test times.

A test cell is a collective term for semiconductor test equipment, handlers, and device interfaces, all of which are needed for automated semiconductor test. A front-end test cell consists of tester + prober + probe card, while a back-end test cell consists of tester + handler + performance board (load board).

Sometimes abbreviated as TH, a test head houses a module (card) that integrates all the functions and circuits needed for test. By swapping out the module, a variety of tests can be performed with a single tester.

An integrated circuit board housed in the test head. A module is a block of electrical circuits required for semiconductor test, whose specifications vary depending on the device to be tested. By swapping out the module, a variety of tests can be performed with a single tester. The test module is responsible for much of the tester's performance.

The time required to test a semiconductor. Higher functionality and quality mean that higher-end semiconductors tend to have longer test times.

Through Silicon Via. It is one of the technologies used to manufacture 3D ICs, where multiple stacked chips are electrically coupled with electrodes that pass through the stack (vias). Although TSV achieves significant power savings and high speeds, it is difficult to implement.

Wafer test refers to testing semiconductors while they are still in the form of a wafer, also called front-end test. Tests are performed by electrically connecting the tester and the wafer with a device interface called a probe card.

Equipment that transports the wafer to be tested and connects it to the probe card during front-end test.

The percentage of semiconductors manufactured that are not defective.