Testing electronic components is a vital part of confirming quality in many products. One area of concern is component ESD (electrostatic discharge) qualification. For many years the machine model (MM) test has been widely used. Now many in the industry feel that it is no longer necessary. To promote that viewpoint, JEDEC has released the new JEP 172, “Discontinuing Use of the Machine Model for Device ESD Qualification.”
Why release a document like JEP 172? Change in the protocols of component testing comes slowly, as the need for robustness of this equipment is essential in many applications. So JEDEC wanted to make the technical case that MM testing no longer serves a valid purpose.
What is the rationale? MM testing, in JEDEC’s view, is redundant, has more variability, and performs less well in general than other widely used tests. These include the Human Body Model (HBM), Charged Device Model (CDM), and Electrostatic Overstress (EOS).
The document provides you with background on why the MM testing has come under review, then compares it to the various other options. It discusses various situations that are tested and why the MM under-performs it’s counterparts. Then it covers the recommendations of other standards bodies with regards to the usage of MM. Finally, it wraps up the discussion with a section on it’s conclusions.
If you are involved in IC manufacturing, handling and assembling, you’ll want to review this new publication. You can get your copy from Document Center’s web store at www.document-center.com. Or you can contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). You’ll be purchasing your JEDEC standards from an authorized dealer, and getting automatic update notifications at no additional charge.
You’ll be able to buy the JEDEC documents in paper format, for pdf download and as part of our new Standards Online annual subscription service. This means that you have a wide variety of options for compliant single user and multi-user access. We’ve been providing standards to the electronics industry since 1982 from our Silicon Valley location. Make us your Standards Experts!
