Skip to main content

ATE solutions

Precision inspection equipment

Wafer-level automated visual inspection systems ensure the highest quality and reliability of semiconductor ICs and enable manufacturers to continuously improve yields. These systems employ precision optics and analog circuitry to identify the smallest defects during wafer fabrication. As lithographic dimensions continue to shrink with advances in the latest process nodes, manufacturers require the highest defect sensitivities.

This requirement places stress on the analog and mixed-signal circuitry in vision systems that require considerable noise filtering. As power needs increase, filters are becoming too large to be accommodated by these systems. A new approach to power delivery is required to keep pace with advances in semiconductor wafer fabrication.

Precision inspection equipment

The power delivery network

Automated vision system design engineers can reduce noise in sensitive wafer inspection systems starts with a reconsideration of the power delivery network. A critical first step is moving the system from an outdated 12V bus to a more power-efficient 48V bus to improve efficiency and thermal issues. However, to fully achieve wafer inspection requirements, it is necessary to employ a solution that is inherently low-noise. Vicor BCM fixed-ratio converters with sine amplitude conversion (SAC) topology mitigate noise and allow manufacturers to use less filtering. As an added bonus, the compact size and low profile simplifies thermal management that, in turn, simplifies the mechanical design of inspection systems.

Power Delivery Network for

BCM bus converter modules

Input: 800 – 48V

Output: 2.4 – 55.0V

Current: Up to 150A

Efficiency: Up to 98%

As small as 22.0 x 16.5 x 6.7mm  

DCM DC-DC converters

Input: 9 – 420V

Output: 3.3, 5, 12, 13.8, 15, 24, 28, 36, 48V

Power: Up to 1300W

Efficiency: Up to 96%

As small as 24.8 x 22.8 x 7.21mm

ZVS buck regulators

Inputs: 12V (8 – 18V), 24V (8 – 42V), 48V (30 – 60V)

Output: 2.2 – 16V 

Current: Up to 22A

Peak efficiency: Up to 98%

As small as 10.0 x 10.0 x 2.56mm  

Resources

Contact Form

Get in touch with Vicor

Thank you for contacting us

You should receive a reply to your request within one business day.