Advantest Corporation has announced a new Active Thermal Control (ATC) option for its M4841 high-volume device handler. Specifically, ATC 2.0 provides dynamic regulation of temperature fluctuations caused by automotive semiconductors’ self-heating during test. Accordingly, it helps to ensure more accurate production tests of up to 16 advanced systems-on-chip (SoCs) in parallel with higher throughput and shorter test times.

Massive amounts of data processing are required for devices used to power electric vehicles (EVs) and other fast-growing, data-intensive automotive applications. Among them are infotainment systems and the forthcoming Level 4 autonomous driving. Advances in semiconductor manufacturing processes bring improvements in functionality as well as enhanced power efficiency for these advanced devices. As a result, thermal design power is increasing. This causes devices to self-heat during test and makes it more difficult to control test temperature. Thus, it creates a need for handlers that can perform prompt, stable device temperature management.

Advantest replaced the handler’s prior passive thermal control technology. Thus, the integrated ATC enables M4841 to provide a stable, consistent test environment with fast response and high load-tracking characteristics. Specifically, these characteristics maintain the device’s internal temperature at the set test temperature, even if dynamic heat fluctuation occurs during the test. Also, this stability enables users to build test programs with unparalleled implementation flexibility – in turn, significantly enhancing overall test productivity.

“Our ATC technology has proven highly effective for other handlers in our portfolio,” said Kazuyuki Yamashita, Senior Vice President at Advantest Corporation. “With demand for high-data-rate devices in automotive, industrial and other markets escalating, passive temperature regulation no longer suffices for our established M4841 model. ATC’s dynamic heat sensing and cooling combined with the handler’s volume production test capabilities creates a comprehensive value-added handler solution for our customers in these markets.”

Advantest’s M4841 handler with ATC 2.0 enables high-throughput tests of up to 16 devices in parallel. This feature yields very high device volumes and supports a range of complex ICs and packages. Moreover, its advanced performance capabilities and features make the M4841 the optimal test handler for high-volume production of devices used in consumer products such as portable digital equipment and automotive systems.

The new ATC option for the M4841 handler will be available in April 2024.