D00219 Revision E
– 2019-07-19 - Page 22
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Option 0 provides the fastest test time, and provides a time-stamped log of all discharges
applied to the part.
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Option 1 gives the capability to determine if any of the discharges has caused damage to a
pin pair.
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Option 2 will enable determination of which discharge caused the damage.
Each curve trace shows the condition of the device, and any change in the curve shape is likely to
be an indication that damage has occurred. Historical practice is to visually compare the curve
traces, looking for any change. The human eye is good at this, however the number of curves
which must be viewed and evaluated gets very large with today’s components, and it becomes an
arduous and error-prone task to completely evaluate an IC. To address these points, ETS
introduces PinCheck.
There may be modes of ESD damage which do not present as a change in the curve. PinScan
cannot check functional operation of the device, so functional testing should be arranged in
conjunction with PinScan testing.
5.10 PinCheck
PinScan provides a special feature to streamline the evaluation process:
PinCheck
. This is an
innovative feature which saves time by automating the comparison process. Each time a curve
trace is performed, a characterization number, the PinCheck number, is generated based on the
shape of the curve. As long as the circuit is unchanged, the PinCheck numbers will be very close.
If after applying the requested sequence of Voltages to a pin, the PinCheck numbers for all
discharges have remained constant, then a failure is unlikely.
After each curve trace, the PinCheck number is plotted as
a point on the PinCheck Profile plot shown at right. The X
coordinate indicates the discharge voltage applied. The Y
coordinate indicates the computed PinCheck number. An
initial curve trace is performed before any voltage is
applied
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this PinCheck number is plotted at the left edge
of the graph.
This is a quick visual check of the test sequence for the
pin. If no ESD damage occurs, the PinCheck numbers will
be very close, and a straight horizontal line plot will be
created.
Any deviation of the curve trace during discharges to a pin
pair indicates a likely ESD event. This will be visible as a
shift in the computed PinCheck number, and a change in
the value clearly denotes a change in the circuit. This
shows up on the PinCheck profile plot as an increase or
decrease as shown at right. This graph is denoting a
circuit change after the 10V discharge.
PinChk Profile
PinChk Profile