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Load Board

What is a Load Board and at Which Stage of the Manufacturing Process Is It Used?

Load Boards are used for final testing of chips after packaging and before shipment. They serve as the critical interface between ICs and Automated Test Equipment (ATE), responsible for signal transmission and measurement. At this stage, Load Boards ensure signal and power integrity (SI/PI), help identify defective Chips, control yield, and verify that chips meet their functional and performance specifications.

A high-quality Load Board must feature low signal loss, minimal crosstalk, impedance matching, and stable power delivery to meet the demands of high-speed and high-frequency component testing. With the growing prevalence of high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, USB4, and DDR, the Load Board serves not just as a connection board, but as a critical gatekeeper for test quality and efficiency.

 

This article introduces the functions, types, applications, and benefits of Load Boards.

  • What can iST do for you

    iST provides one-stop hardware solutions from wafer to final testing, helping you rapidly implement mass production testing while strengthening overall reliability verification. Our capabilities extend beyond Load Board design, PCB layout, material selection, and component assembly—we also integrate iST’s internal resources in high-speed signal testing, failure analysis (FA), and reliability assessment (RA) to help customers accurately monitor product performance, optimize test flows, and reduce costs associated with test failures and repeated revisions.

    Depending on chip characteristics and testing requirements, iST offers the following types of Load Boards:

    Load Board Types and Their Suitable Applications in IC Testing

    TypeFeaturesApplications
    DUT BoardDesigned to accommodate various IC package types, achieving cost-effective testing.For ICs with the same function but different package types, only the DUT Board needs to be replaced while reusing the Mother Board.
    Load BoardCustom-designed boards optimized for signal quality and production efficiency in IC testing.Suitable for digital, analog, mixed-signal, high-speed, and RF packaged ICs.
    Interface Board (PIB / WPI)Supports test resource mapping and interface conversion.Converts specific test slots and layouts to meet CP requirements.

Design Advantages of iST Load Boards

1

One-Stop Integrated Services: iST is a professional testing laboratory offering end-to-end solutions—from defining test specifications, PCB design, and component selection, to assembly, fabrication, and verification. Our services include flying probe testing, electrical and structural inspections, ensuring stable production quality and high reliability

2

Comprehensive Platform Support: We provide compatibility with leading test platforms, including Advantest, Teradyne, Cohu, Chroma, NI, KYEC, and YTEC, meeting diverse equipment setups and testing scenarios across different manufacturers.

3

Flexible Support from Development to Production: iST provides fast technical assistance and tailored designs to meet critical early-stage IC design and packaging requirements, helping speed up test deployment and reduce lead times.

4

Integrated SI/PI Simulation for Enhanced Test Accuracy and Efficiency: With both SI/PI simulation and measurement capabilities, iST optimizes high-speed signal paths—such as PCIe Gen5/6 and USB4—early in the Load Board design process, ensuring signal integrity and impedance matching while enabling stable and precise high-frequency functional verification.

Types of iST Load Boards

  • Front Side of NI STS RF Load Board
  • Back Side of NI STS RF Load Board
  • Load Board with Stiffener
  • Advantest V93K Load board
  • Supported Platforms
  • Key Components of Load Board
  • Advantest: EXA, V93K, T2000, ND1~4
  • Teradyne: Ultraflex+, Ultraflex, J750, ETS
  • Cohu: Diamondx, D10, ASL
  • NI: STS
  • Chroma: 3360, 3350, 3380, 3680
  • KYEC: E320, I6000, I2K
  • YTEC: S50, S100, S300 For other inquiries, please contact us.

A high-performance and stable Load Board must incorporate five key component designs. iST ensures their performance and longevity through rigorous verification processes.

ComponentDesign FocusiST Approach
PCB (Multi-layer Board)Control impedance paths, ensure signal integrity, stabilize power supplyPerform SI/PI simulations; design to meet impedance specifications, load characteristics, suppress noise, and stabilize power supply with proper decoupling capacitors
Socket & ConnectorEnsure stable high-pin contact without damaging BGA solder ballsUse PCR socket design to prevent damage and support high-frequency testing
Passive ComponentsImpedance matching and
interference suppression		Incorporate decoupling capacitors and EMI suppression components to reduce internal and external interference

Contact Window | Ms. Lin/Aaliyah | Tel:+886-3-5799909#8890 | Email:HWBU_Sales@istgroup.com

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