HYDRA SERIES
Probe Standardization and Simplification Designed for High-Volume Power and RF Applications, Improving OEE
High-Performance Standard Test Height Probes
Engineered for excellence and efficiency, HYDRA™ spring probe series offers precision, reliability, and standardized semiconductor test interface.
Designed to be best-in-class at a competitive price point, HYDRA is optimized to maximize your operational efficiency. HYDRA is built to withstand demanding high-volume manufacturing test environments with its robust and durable design.
With a common test-height, HYDRA offers the ability to mix and match power, RF, and Kelvin probes within the same test socket. In addition, HYDRA streamlines inventory management with fewer probe part numbers to manage and shorter lead times.
HYDRA RFPC, HYDRA RF, HYDRA COAX and HYDRA xW technologies are optimized RF performance solutions for 5G mmWave or FR2 greater than 54+ GHz.
HYDRA is the foundation of the test interface and provides the opportunity for standard sockets, standard change kits, and standard PCB designs.
- Available pitches 0.15 mm to 0.80 mm
- Offered in test heights 2.30 mm, 3.22 mm and 5.05 mm
- Operating temperature range -55°C to 155°C; up to 200°C for Kelvin
- Durable plating solutions for Matte Tin, SAC-Q to NiPd
- Stable, low cRES performance and high current carrying capacity
- Long mechanical life with up to 1,000,000 insertions for singulated packages
- Suitable for BGA, LGA, QFN, QFP and WLCSP applications
- Maximum compliance range for large array packages
Mix Different Probe Diameters and Tip Styles in a Single Contactor or Probe Head
Pitches 0.15 mm to 0.80 mm
500K Life Span for packaged devices
Key Features
High Temperature
Temperature range -55 ̊C to +200 ̊C for Kelvin and -55 ̊C to +155 ̊C for standard.
Interchangeability
RF and power probes within the same test socket housing. Combine with Cohu HYDRA RF, HYDRA COAX, or HYDRA xW semiconductor technology for optimized RF performance.
Simplification
Fewer probe part numbers to manage. Shorter lead times and in-stock availability.
Standardization
Common test heights to standardize change kits, sockets and PCB designs.
3 Tip Styles
Three probe tip styles to select from Single-Point, 4-Point Crown, and Kelvin.
Packages
Grid array packages: BGA, LGA, WLCSP. Leadless packages: QFN, QFP, SO.
Optimized RF Performance Solutions
Other Spring Probe Contactors
cBoa Contactor/Probe Head
Cost-Effective, High-Performance Contactor or Probe Head for High-Volume Production Test
cBoa contactors and probe heads are the solution for contacting high frequency devices for package test or final test at wafer. The robust design and materials of the cBoa probe withstand the rigors of high-volume test by providing longer life and higher yield. The homogenous DUT side plunger provides longer run times between cleaning and increased probe life.
The cBoa features a stainless-steel spring for tri-temp testing and performs in operating temperatures of -55°C to +155°C. With a bandwidth up to 27 GHz, cBoa can be used to test some of the highest frequency devices.
The enhanced compliance window accommodates package stack height tolerances well.
cPython Kelvin Contactor / Probe Head
High performance kelvin contact for high volume production test
cPython Kelvin contactors and probe heads provide superior electrical and thermal performance with significant cost savings. This makes cPython Kelvin ideal for lab and high-volume production test of analog and mixed signal integrated circuits – for applications such as power control, A-D and D-A converters, audio, video, power amplifiers, photonics, optical MEMS and sensors.
cPython Kelvin probes are electrically isolated and mechanically independent force and sense paths for true Kelvin contact for taking accurate measurements, even under high current conditions. These robust probes provide hundreds of thousands of insertions or touchdowns, and a bandwidth up to 26 GHz. cPython Kelvin probes can land on 0.4 mm pitch targets, and their tip spacing is 90 µm to land on small targets. cPython probes are available with homogeneous tips to optimize performance.
E-Series Spring Probe Contactors
Custom Probes and Test Contactor Solutions up to 60 GHz
Our E-Series® probes offer a comprehensive portfolio designed for versatile testing applications—from bare boards to surface mount assemblies and more. Whether you need off-the-shelf options or fully customized solutions, we deliver performance, reliability, and value.
Providing test probe solutions, probe customization services and failure analysis capability are part of our core competencies.
Gemini Kelvin Contactor/Probe Head
Industry Preferred High-Performance, High Value, Low Cost True Kelvin QuadTech Contacting Solution
Gemini Kelvin probes and contactors provide a first-rate solution that effortlessly makes reliable, true Kelvin contact for high-volume final test of both singulated packages and wafer-level devices. Gemini Kelvin is an ideal solution for devices such as power controllers, A-D and D-A converters, power amplifiers and audio and video circuits.
At 3.22 mm test height, the Gemini Kelvin is an excellent all-around spring probe with low inductance, high bandwidth, and excellent current-carrying capacity. The DUT side tip design accurately maintains its 100 µm spacing for the life of the probe. Customers report typical probe life of 500 k to 800 k package insertions, or over 2M touchdowns at wafer-level test. The offset tip allows manageable board layout with a board-side spacing of 0.4 mm.
Mercury Contactor/Probe Head
Industry Preferred High-Performance, High Value, Low Cost QuadTech Contacting Solution
Mercury probes and contactors are excellent spring probes for the laboratory though they were designed with the robust qualities needed for high-volume production test. Their unique design ensures excellent plating quality for low, consistent resistance, long life, and high-test yields. Mercury probes are available with minimum pitches of 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, and 0.8 mm, to provide the best performance at any device pitch. Mercury probes have bandwidths of up to 22 GHz, and can carry over 3 Amps of current. The Mercury is an excellent choice for any test application.
Smarter Inventory – Streamline Inventory Management with Fewer Part Numbers
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