Saturn integrated circuit reliability test program Quarterly progress report, Jul. - Sep. 1966
Saturn integrated circuit reliability tests performed to improve failure mode screening
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Saturn integrated circuit reliability tests performed to improve failure mode screening
Test program to determine reliability of integrated circuit amplifiers for Saturn program
Literature survey and test program to study reliability of linear integrated circuits
Reliability and failure mode prevention tests for Saturn integrated circuits
A technique is described for use in determining the reliability of microscopic conductors deposited on an uneven surface of an integrated circuit device. A wafer containing integrated circuit chips is formed with a test area having regions of different heights. At the time the conductors are formed on the chip areas of the wafer, an elongated serpentine assay conductor is deposited on the test area so the assay conductor extends over multiple steps between regions of different heights. Also, a first test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of first height, and a second test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of second height. The occurrence of high resistances at the steps between regions of different height is indicated by deriving the measured length of the serpentine conductor using the resistance measured between the ends of the serpentine conductor, and comparing that to the design length of the serpentine conductor. The percentage by which the measured length exceeds the design length, at which the integrated circuit will be discarded, depends on the required reliability of the integrated circuit.
A technique is described for use in determining the reliability of microscopic conductors deposited on an uneven surface of an integrated circuit device. A wafer containing integrated circuit chips is formed with a test area having regions of different heights. At the time the conductors are formed on the chip areas of the wafer, an elongated serpentine assay conductor is deposited on the test area so the assay conductor extends over multiple steps between regions of different heights. Also, a first test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of first height, and a second test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of second height. The occurrence of high resistances at the steps between regions of different height is indicated by deriving the measured length of the serpentine conductor using the resistance measured between the ends of the serpentine conductor, and comparing that to the design length of the serpentine conductor. The percentage by which the measured length exceeds the design length, at which the integrated circuit will be discarded, depends on the required reliability of the integrated circuit.
Where disconnect pins must be used for wiring and testing a circuit, improved system reliability is obtained by making a permanent joint between pins and sockets of the disconnect plug. After the circuit has been tested, contact points may be fused through soldering, brazing, or welding.
A general form of a comprehensive reliability modeling rationale was formulated for the integrated circuit. Integrated device failure models amenable to long term applications were investigated.
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Circuit includes a single-word input/output register and a multiword serial memory which are circulated in synchronism. It puts out data at a rate compatible with relatively slow-speed electromechanical devices.
Experimental board includes three layers of special tridirectionally woven fabric. Alumina particles play major role in reducing coefficient of expansion. They also serve as heat sink for heat-generating components.
Development of an alternate approach to the conventional methods of reliability assurance for large-scale integrated circuits. The product treated is a large-scale T squared L array designed for space applications. The concept used is that of qualification of product by evaluation of the basic processing used in fabricating the product, providing an insight into its potential reliability. Test vehicles are described which enable evaluation of device characteristics, surface condition, and various parameters of the two-level metallization system used. Evaluation of these test vehicles is performed on a lot qualification basis, with the lot consisting of one wafer. Assembled test vehicles are evaluated by high temperature stress at 300 C for short time durations. Stressing at these temperatures provides a rapid method of evaluation and permits a go/no go decision to be made on the wafer lot in a timely fashion.
Timing channel circuit reliability in static inverter
Redundancy techniques in two and three level logic circuits - reliability improvement
A family of standard, high-reliability hardware used for packaging digital integrated circuits is described. The design transition from early prototypes to production hardware is covered and future plans are discussed. Interconnections techniques are described as well as connectors and related hardware available at both the microcircuit packaging and main-frame level. General applications information is also provided.
Transmission media reliability is an extremely important factor in the design and operation of a real-time communications network. It has had a profound effect not only on the configuration design of the NASCOM network itself, but on the philosophy of command/control of all NASA spacecraft, manned and unmanned. In an effort to obtain the highest possible level of circuit reliability and performance, goals or criteria have been established for each type of circuit. Also, special management techniques have been used in an effort to improve circuit reliability. The results of these efforts, as well as general technological improvements in the transmission media, are illustrated by showing measured composite circuit reliability over the past nine years and actual circuit performance measured during Apollo 8 through 15.
Soldering and welding techniques are used to connect a coaxial cable to a printed circuit board. This device aids reliability control of equipment as standard connectors are bulky and heavy.
Summation average and reject circuit based on diode clamping allows detection of individual functional deviations in a multiple signal system without shutting down the entire system.