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Title: US7263642: Testing replicated sub-systems in a yield-enhancing chip-test environment using on-chip compare to expected results for parallel scan chains testing critical and repairable sections of each sub-system
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Country: US United States of America

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19 pages

 
Inventor: Makar, Samy R.; Fremont, CA, United States of America
Patkar, Niteen A.; Burlingame, CA, United States of America

Assignee: Azul Systems, Inc, Mountain View, CA, United States of America
other patents from AZUL SYSTEMS, INC. (874053) (approx. 2)
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Published / Filed: 2007-08-28 / 2005-09-15

Application Number: US2005000162595

IPC Code: Advanced: G01R 31/28; G06F 11/00;
Core: more...

ECLA Code: G01R31/3185S7;

U.S. Class: 714/736; 714/742;

Field of Search: Non/00e

Priority Number:
2005-09-15  US2005000162595

Abstract:     A multi-processor chip has several processor cores that are simultaneously tested in parallel. The processor cores each have identical scan chains that produce identical test results absent defects. Expected test data is scanned from an external tester onto the chip and replicated to each processor core's scan chain. The expected test data is compared to scan chain outputs at each processor core. Any mismatches set a test-fail bit for that processor core. Each processor core has repairable scan chains and a separate critical scan chain. Failures in the critical scan chain in any processor core cause the whole chip to fail. Processor cores are disabled that have failures in their repairable scan chains, allowing the chip to be repairable by using the remaining processor cores. Critical scan chains include logic that drives to other blocks on the chip, while repairable scan chains have logic embedded deep within a processor core.

Attorney, Agent or Firm: g Patent LLC ; Auvinen, Stuart T. ;

Primary / Asst. Examiners: Britt, Cynthia;

Family: None

First Claim:
Show all 22 claims
    1. A parallel-testable multi-block chip comprising:

a test clock that is pulsed during a test mode;

an operating clock that is pulsed during the operating mode;

a test-data input that receives a stream of test input data during the test mode, the test input data being synchronized to the test clock;

an expected data line that carries expected test data synchronized to the test clock;

a plurality of functional blocks that are capable of performing functions in parallel at a same time in response to the operating clock, the plurality of functional blocks being testably identical;

each functional block in the plurality of functional blocks comprising:

functional logic to perform functions in response to the operating clock;

scan flip-flops that form a first scan chain that links an output of a prior scan flip-flop to a test input of a next scan flip-flop for all scan flip-flops except for a first scan flip-flop and a final scan flip-flop in the first scan chain, wherein each scan flip-flop also has a data input driven by the functional logic, wherein the data input is clocked to the output of a scan flip-flop when the operating clock is pulsed, while the test input is clocked to the output of the scan flip-flop when the test clock is pulsed;

wherein outputs of the scan flip-flops are also inputs to the functional logic;

wherein the first scan flip-flop in the first scan chain has a test input that receives the stream of test input data that is shifted through the first scan chain in response to pulsing of the test clock during the test mode;

a comparator having an input that receives the output of the final scan flip-flop in the first scan chain and compares the output to expected test data from the expected data line and signals a fault when a mismatch occurs; and

a test-capture register that is triggered to indicate a fault in the functional block in response to the comparator signaling the fault;

wherein a plurality of test capture registers for the plurality of functional blocks is readable to determine which of the plurality of functional blocks is a failing functional block having the fault;

wherein the expected test data matches outputs from the first scan chain in each of the plurality of functional blocks when no defects occur, wherein the plurality of functional blocks are tested with a same expected test data and are testably identical,

whereby the plurality of functional blocks are tested in parallel using the expected test data that is compared in parallel to outputs of the first scan chains in each of the plurality of functional blocks.



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Forward References: Show 1 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one

       
U.S. References: Go to Result Set: All U.S. references   |  Forward references (1)   |   Backward references (12)   |   Citation Link

Buy
PDF
Patent  Pub.Date  Inventor Assignee   Title
Buy PDF- 20pp US5732209  1998-03 Vigil et al.  Exponential Technology, Inc. Self-testing multi-processor die with internal compare points
Buy PDF- 39pp US6122756  2000-09 Baxter et al.  Data General Corporation High availability computer system and methods related thereto
Buy PDF- 14pp US6360342  2002-03 Lee et al.  National Science Council Built-in self test for multiple memories in a chip
Buy PDF- 12pp US6385747  2002-05 Scott et al.  Cisco Technology, Inc. Testing of replicated components of electronic device
Buy PDF- 16pp US6618827  2003-09 Benavides  Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. System and method for parallel testing of IEEE 1149.1 compliant integrated circuits
Buy PDF- 15pp US6966018  2005-11 Hilliges  Agilent Technologies, Inc. Integrated circuit tester with multi-port testing functionality
Buy PDF- 12pp US7155637  2006-12 Jarboe et al.  Texas Instruments Incorporated Method and apparatus for testing embedded memory on devices with multiple processor cores
Buy PDF- 15pp US20020170009A1  2002-11 Barnhart   Testing regularly structured logic circuits in integrated circuit devices
Buy PDF- 10pp US20020199143A1  2002-12 Alt et al.   METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING CIRCUIT MODULES
Buy PDF- 29pp US20030200492A1  2003-10 Nakao et al.   Semiconductor integrated circuit and its analyzing method
Buy PDF- 21pp US20030204802A1  2003-10 Sim   Multiple scan chains with pin sharing
Buy PDF- 7pp US20050204217A1  2005-09 Whetsel et al.   Identical core testing using dedicated compare and mask circuitry
       
Foreign References:
Buy
PDF
Publication Date IPC Code Assignee   Title
Buy PDF JP2004079032A2 2004-03  G01R 31/28 MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD TEST METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE 


Other References:
  • “A Scalable Test Mechanism and Its Optimization for Test Access to Embedded Cores” by He Hu and Sun Yihe This paper appears in: ASIC, 2001. Proceedings. 4th International Conference on Publication Date: 2001 On pp. 773-776 ISBN: 0-7803-6677-8 INSPEC Accession No. 7260840.
  • “Addressable Test Ports an Approach to Testing Embedded Cores” by Whetsel, L. This paper appears in: Test Conference, 1999. Proceedings. International Publication Date: 1999 On pp. 1055-1064 ISBN: 0-7803-5753-1 INSPEC Accession No. 6543625.


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