Microprobing

Chipworks provides microprobing, a type of reverse engineering, as part of our complete portfolio of patent and competitive intelligence services. Microprobing is an analytical technique used to achieve electrical contact with, or access to, a point in the active circuitry of a die using a special piece of equipment called a "microprobing station". Microprobing lets us selectively inject probes into a device's internal nodes and measure real time waveforms, currents and voltages which is critical for identifying specific functions that occur under specific conditions.

Microprobing allows us to do more than ever before, in less time and for less cost and is especially relevant for organizations who need to assert or defend flash memory and DRAM related patents. Nevertheless, it can be applied to any complex patent that requires investigation of signal behavior and relationships.

When combined with circuit extraction and systems analysis, we can perform a comprehensive set of applied methodologies to fully investigate complex patents on state-of-the-art devices and deliver incredibly detailed results which clients can use to defend or assert their patent claims. The depth of analysis is greatly enhanced when all three processes are conducted since it expands the scope of opportunity.

Time and cost savings are key, too, since such analytical depth just wasn't feasible in the past. Chipworks methodology literally opens the door to brand new licensing and defensive opportunities.