Component Characterisation

In quality assessment of semiconductor components the engineering processes of characterization and qualification are important in order to finalise, verify and accept a product specification. This may be for the launch of a new device or for specific customer assurance to begin use of an existing specification for their project.

 

What is characterisation?

Characterisation is the testing process flow applied in order to assess the electrical performance of a device prior to finalisation of it’s specification.

 

Why characterisation?

  • Assessment of deviation between semiconductor design modelling and the physical product
  • Definition of parameters obtainable only once a semiconductor device is assembled in a package
  • Performance assessment in an environment beyond the intended base specification or environmental use e.g. higher temperature or radiation exposure
  • Failure analysis and quality control in semiconductor process development
  • Specification of a standard production performance or quality level.

 

How is characterisation performed?

A custom test process is formed to evaluate the parameters to be measured. This may be provided as a draft specification or by collaborative discussion on parameters, environmental conditions and sample sizes.

Typical steps are:

Test concept development
Software development
Test hardware development
Test verification

The product is a data pack for further analysis by customer QA, design or marketing and manufacturing departments.

 

View our parametric electrical test capability.

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Environmental Testing

We offer a selection of in-house environmental tests, such as centrifuge acceleration, life burn-in, stabilization bake and thermal shock temperature cycling.

Mechanical Testing

We offer a comprehensive selection of mechanical tests, from ball shear, die shear, wire bond pull to SEM inspection.