Test System with Test Trays and Automated Test Tray Handling

Abstract

A test system may be provided in which devices under test are loaded into test trays. Each test tray may include clamps for retaining a device under test within the test tray. The test tray may be configured to transmit test tray identification information to facilitate tracking of the device under test associated with the test tray. The test tray may include engagement features configured to receive corresponding engagement features on a computer-controlled loading arm. The loading arm may be used to move the test tray and associated device under test to a test fixture for testing. A contact extending structure may be retained in the test tray and may be configured to mate with the device under test. Contact pads on the contact extending structure may be mated with corresponding contacts on the test fixture to form an electrical connection between the device under test and the test fixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Test apparatus for testing an electronic device, comprising:
 a test tray configured to receive the electronic device, wherein the test tray includes a plurality of test tray engagement features configured to receive corresponding loader engagement features on a computer-controlled loader; and   a contact extending structure having first and second ends, wherein the first end comprises a connector configured to mate with the electronic device, and wherein the second end comprises a plurality of contact pads configured to mate with contacts at a test station.   
     
     
         2 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test tray further includes at least one spring-loaded member configured to retain the electronic device within the test tray. 
     
     
         3 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test tray comprises a base and at least one side wall, wherein the at least one side wall comprises at least one opening, and wherein the opening aligns with an input-output device in the electronic device when the electronic device is received within the test tray. 
     
     
         4 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test tray comprises a base and at least one side wall, wherein the base comprises at least one opening, and wherein the opening aligns with an input-output device in the electronic device when the electronic device is received within the test tray. 
     
     
         5 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test tray comprises a slot configured to receive the contact extending structure. 
     
     
         6 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of test tray engagement features comprises a plurality of recesses in the test tray. 
     
     
         7 . The test apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test tray comprises a radio-frequency identification tag configured to transmit test tray identification information. 
     
     
         8 . A test system for testing a device under test, comprising:
 a test tray configured to receive the device under test, wherein the test tray comprises a radio-frequency identification tag configured to transmit test tray identification information;   a sensor configured to receive the test tray identification information;   a test fixture configured to receive the test tray; and   computer-controlled loading equipment configured to engage with the test tray and to move the test tray towards the text fixture for testing.   
     
     
         9 . The test system defined in  claim 8 , wherein the test fixture comprises a plurality of test fixture contacts, the test system further comprising:
 a contact extending structure having first and second ends, wherein the first end comprises a connector configured to mate with the device under test and wherein the second end comprises a plurality of contact pads configured to mate with the plurality of test fixture contacts.   
     
     
         10 . The test system defined in  claim 8 , wherein the test tray comprises test tray engagement features, wherein the computer-controlled loading equipment comprises a loading arm having loading arm engagement features, and wherein the loading arm is configured to hold and move the test tray by engaging the loading arm engagement features with the test tray engagement features. 
     
     
         11 . The test system defined in  claim 8 , wherein the test tray comprises a plurality of recesses, wherein the computer-controlled loading equipment comprises a loading arm having a plurality of protrusions, and wherein the loading arm is configured to hold and move the test tray by inserting each protrusion in the plurality of protrusions in an associated recess in the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         12 . The test system defined in  claim 8 , wherein the test tray comprises at least one spring-loaded member configured to retain the device under test within the test tray. 
     
     
         13 . The test system defined in  claim 8 , wherein the computer-controlled loading equipment comprises a loading arm and an actuator and wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the loading arm to engage with the test tray in response to the sensor receiving the test tray identification information. 
     
     
         14 . A method of testing a device under test, comprising:
 installing the device under test into a test tray;   connecting a contact extending structure to a connector port in the device under test;   while the device under test is installed in the test tray and while the contact extending structure is connected to the connector port, feeding the test tray into a conveyor belt system; and   with a computer-controlled loading arm, installing the test tray in a test fixture for testing.   
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 with the test tray, transmitting test tray identification information; and   with a sensor, receiving the test tray identification information.   
     
     
         16 . The method defined in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 with a sensor, detecting the test tray at a predetermined location in the conveyor belt system; and   in response to detecting the test tray at the predetermined location, automatically actuating the computer-controlled loading arm to pick up the test tray.   
     
     
         17 . The method defined in  claim 16 , wherein the computer-controlled loading arm comprises a plurality of pins, wherein the test tray comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein automatically actuating the computer-controlled loading arm to pick up the test tray comprises inserting each pin in the plurality of pins into an associated hole in the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         18 . The method defined in  claim 14  wherein the contact extending structure comprises a plurality of contact pads, wherein the test fixture comprises a plurality of test fixture contacts, and wherein installing the test tray in the test fixture comprises electrically connecting the plurality of contact pads to the plurality of test fixture contacts. 
     
     
         19 . The method defined in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 after installing the test tray in the test fixture, performing testing on the device under test.   
     
     
         20 . The method defined in  claim 19 , wherein performing testing on the device under test comprises:
 with the contact extending structure, conveying test signals between the test fixture and the device under test.