Minimum pad sizes are shown in Table 1 and Table 2.
NOTE
Recommended minimum pad sizes include error margins for automated measurements (on
a Cascade Microtech semi-automatic station) and over temperature probing (-40° to
+125°C).
The longer dimension on the rectangular pad represents the direction of probe scrub. To provide for probing ease and
parasitics low enough for many applications, use 100 x 100 µ pads for 150 µ pitch and above, unless there is a reason to
do otherwise. Increase pad size when using an autoprober to account for errors. The recommended amount of increase
depends on the station and the type of measurement. As a general rule, however, increase the pad size by 5 µ in both
length and width.
Table 1. Minimum pad size rule in 5 µ increments (units in µ x µ).
# of Contacts
(include X)
425 x 45
5
6
7
8
9
1030 x 50
11
12
13
14
15
1635 x 55
17
18
1940 x 60
20
21
22
2345 x 65
24
25
75 µ
pitch
80 µ
pitch
100 µ
pitch
125 µ
pitch
150 µ
pitch
200 µ
pitch
250 µ
pitch
PN 154-631-2www.cascademicrotech.comInfinityQuad Probe PAD Layout Rules • 1
Table 2. Minimum pad size rule in 1 µ increments (units in µ x µ).
InfinityQuad Probe: Pad InfinityQuad Probe: Pad Layout Rules
# of Contacts
(include X)
425 x 4526 x 4626 x 4626 x 4626 x 4627 x 4728 x 48
526 x 4626 x 4626 x 4626 x 4627 x 4728 x 4828 x 48
626 x 4626 x 4626 x 4627 x 4727 x 4728 x 4829 x 49
726 x 4626 x 4627 x 4727 x 4728 x 4829 x 4930 x 50
826 x 4627 x 4727 x 4728 x 4828 x 4830 x 5031 x 51
927 x 4727 x 4727 x 4728 x 4829 x 4930 x 5032 x 52
1027 x 4727 x 4728 x 4828 x 4829 x 4931 x 5132 x 52
1127 x 4727 x 4728 x 4829 x 4930 x 5032 x 5233 x 53
1227 x 4728 x 4828 x 4829 x 4930 x 5032 x 5234 x 54
1328 x 4828 x 4829 x 4930 x 5031 x 5133 x 5335 x 55
1428 x 4828 x 4829 x 4930 x 5031 x 5133 x 5336 x 56
1528 x 4828 x 4829 x 4930 x 5032 x 5234 x 5436 x 56
1628 x 4829 x 4930 x 5031 x 5132 x 5235 x 5537 x 57
1729 x 4929 x 4930 x 5031 x 5133 x 5335 x 5538 x 58
1829 x 4929 x 4930 x 5032 x 5233 x 5336 x 5639 x 59
1929 x 4929 x 4931 x 5132 x 5234 x 5437 x 5740 x 60
2029 x 4930 x 5031 x 5132 x 5234 x 5437 x 5740 x 60
2130 x 5030 x 5031 x 5133 x 5335 x 5538 x 5841 x 61
2230 x 5030 x 5032 x 5233 x 5335 x 5539 x 5942 x 62
2330 x 5030 x 5032 x 5234 x 5436 x 5639 x 5943 x 63
2430 x 5031 x 5132 x 5234 x 5436 x 5640 x 6044 x 64
2530 x 5031 x 5132 x 5234 x 5436 x 5640 x 6044 x 64
75 µ
pitch
80 µ
pitch
100 µ
pitch
125 µ
pitch
150 µ
pitch
200 µ
pitch
250 µ
pitch
Rule 101: Passivation Window
This rule applies only when the final passivation layer is above the metalization. Minimum passivation window sizes are the
same as minimum pad sizes. Use pad sizes larger than the passivation window whenever possible for reliablity.To provide
clearance for the probe tip, the distance from the top of the probe pad to the top of passivation layer should not exceed
40 µ.
Rule 102: Number of Contacts and Pad Pitch
It is possible to have between 4 and 25 contacts. Available pitches and recommended maximum operational frequencies
when using the InfinityQuad probe are shown in Tab le 3 .
PN 154-631-2www.cascademicrotech.comInfinityQuad Probe PAD Layout Rules • 2
Table 3. Available pitch and the recommended maximum operational frequency.
Quadrant capability: scope view
i
InfinityQuad Probe: Pad InfinityQuad Probe: Pad Layout Rules
75 µ
pitch
GSG
layout
GS or SG
layout
80 µ
pitch
100 µ
pitch
110GHz
125 µ
pitch
67 GHz
150 µ
pitch
200 µ
pitch
250 µ
pitch
Rule 103: Corner Pads Allowed
Corner pads are allowed for all available pitches before and after touch down. However, reduced overtravel may be
required, as well as aslight adjustment of the probe in the scrub direction to avoid collision with the quadrant probes.
N
OTE
InfinityQuad probes are fully quadrant compatible when used exclusively with the same
pitch. For quadrant compatibility with other types of pitches or probes, please contact Cascade Microtech.
PN 154-631-2www.cascademicrotech.comInfinityQuad Probe PAD Layout Rules • 3
Rule 104: Single-Row Pad Spacing
InfinityQuad Probe: Pad InfinityQuad Probe: Pad Layout Rules
The minimum center-to-center pad spacing for opposing, side-by-side probes contacting the same line of pads is 40 µ +
(Pitch_A + Pitch_B) / 2.
Rule 105: Parallel-Row Pad Spacing
The minimum center-to-center pad spacing between facing probes on parallel rows of pads is 150 µ. Note that this spacing
is based on no more than 150 µ of applied probe overtravel. The purpose of this rule is to avoid potential excessive
overtravel conditions which may result in contact between opposing probes. For some cases, it may be necessary to
reduce the spacing to 65 µ (for example, 138-356 ISS with 0.5 ps thru).
Rule 106: Pad Height Variation
The maximum pad height variation in a row of pads is 0.5 µ. Pad height variation usually occurs because pads are
constructed using different metal stacks. Be sure to use the same metal layers to construct all pads.
PN 154-631-2www.cascademicrotech.comInfinityQuad Probe PAD Layout Rules • 4
Rule 107: Planarity Requirements
Multiples of the constant pitch
InfinityQuad Probe: Pad InfinityQuad Probe: Pad Layout Rules
During probing, non-planarity between the probe contacts and the pads should not exceed 2000 ppm or 0.1°. Non-planarity
can be compensated by using the Cascade Microtech RF positioner; which can be adjusted over ± 3.5°.
Rule 108: Pads at 90° Only
Rows of pads meeting at an angle must be orthogonal (at 90°).
Rule 109: Pads are collinear
All pads contacted by an individual probe must be collinear.
Rule 110: Pads Have Equal Pitch
All pads contacted by an individual probe must have constant pitch or multiples of the constant pitch.
Rule 111: Pads on Top
All probe pads must be on the substrate top.
PN 154-631-2www.cascademicrotech.comInfinityQuad Probe PAD Layout Rules • 5
Rule 112: Maximum DUT Size for MicroChamber TopHat Compatibility
InfinityQuad Probe: Pad InfinityQuad Probe: Pad Layout Rules
This rule only applies when using the MicroChamber Top Ha t . The largest DUT the probe can measure inside the 5-inch
TopHat is 7 x 7 mm, measured from center to center of the pads. For the 6-inch TopHat, the maximum DUT size is
30 x 30 mm.