Deterministic Test Vector Compression/Decompression for Systems-on-a-Chip Using an Embedded Processor

A novel approach for using an embedded processor to aid in deterministic testing of the other components of a system-on-a-chip (SOC) is presented. The tester loads a program along with compressed test data into the processor's on-chip memory. The processor executes the program which decompresses the test data and applies it to scan chains in the other components of the SOC to test them. The program itself is very simple and compact, and the decompression is done very rapidly, hence this approach reduces both the amount of data that must be stored on the tester and reduces the test time. Moreover, it enables at-speed scan shifting even with a slow tester (i.e., a tester whose maximum clock rate is slower than the SOC's normal operating clock rate). A procedure is described for converting a set of test cubes (i.e., test vectors where the unspecified inputs are left as X's) into a compressed form. A program that can be run on an embedded processor is then given for decompressing the test cubes and applying them to scan chains on the chip. Experimental results indicate a significant amount of compression can be achieved resulting in less data that must be stored on the tester (i.e., smaller tester memory requirement) and less time to transfer the test data from the tester to the chip.     

Wrapper design for multifrequency IP cores

This paper addresses the testability problems raised by intellectual property cores with multiple clock domains. The proposed solution is based on a novel core wrapper architecture and a new wrapper design algorithm. It is shown how multifrequency at-speed test response capture can be achieved via the design of capture windows without any structural modifications to the logic within the embedded core. The new features in the core wrapper architecture, which introduce limited hardware overhead, can also synchronize the external tester channels with the core's internal scan chains in the shift mode. Thus, the wrapper implementation space can be explored in order to efficiently utilize the available tester bandwidth while meeting the constraints on the maximum internal shift frequency that guarantees low testing time within the given power ratings. Using experimental data, the benefits of the proposed solution are demonstrated by analyzing the tradeoffs between the number of tester channels, testing time, area overhead, and power dissipation.     

Tester Memory Requirements and Test Application Time Reduction for Delay Faults with Digital Captureless Test Sensors

In this paper, we present a technique called Digital Captureless Delay Testing Sensors (DCDTS). This technique allows the detection of delay faults left uncovered by launch-on-capture transitions due to excessive resources (mainly test time or tester memory) requirements, with top-off random launch-on-shift patterns that do not require fast switching scan enable signals. The DCDTS random patterns are internally generated, requiring virtually no additional test application time or tester memory. As such, DCDTS can be seen as a new way to save both test time and tester memory. Results show that DCDTS can achieve pattern volume and test time reduction factors of up to 3. When used in complement to existing compression techniques, DCDTS has the potential to triple their pattern volume (test application time) compression (reduction) rate. Area/performance overhead and technical obstacles to automation are minimal. An automated sensor selection procedure is proposed, with reasonable CPU time.     

Scalable Delay Fault BIST for Use with Low-Cost ATE

We present a BIST architecture based on a Multi-Input Signature Register (MISR) expanding single input vectors into sequences, which are used for testing of delay faults. Input vectors can be stored on-chip or in the ATE; in the latter case, a low speed tester can be employed though the sequences are applied at-speed to the block-under-test. The number of input vectors (and thus the area demand on-chip or ATE memory requirements) can be traded for the test application time.We propose several methods for generating input vectors, which differ in test application time, area requirements and algorithm run-time. As all of them require only a two-pattern test as input, IP cores can be handled by these methods.The block-under-test can be switched off for some amount of time between application of consecutive input vectors. We provide arguments why this approach may be the only way to meet thermal and power constraints. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the BIST scheme can use these cool-down breaks for re-configuration.     

一种基于微处理器的SOC自测试方案

提出了一种基于片上微处理器和透明路径测试访问的SOC自测试方案。以片上微处理器为测试加载和响应收集比较的主体,构造透明路径并行传输测试数据,以嵌入程序控制测试过程。可以在提高测试速度的同时,降低对测试设备性能的依赖,并可以进行全速测试,所需额外面积开销较小。实验表明,该测试方案是有效的。     

A Non-Scan Approach to DFT for Controllers Achieving 100% Fault Efficiency

This paper presents a non-scan design-for-testability method for controllers that are synthesized from FSMs (Finite State Machines). The proposed method can achieve complete fault efficiency: test patterns for a combinational circuit of a controller are applied to the controller using state transitions of the FSM. In the proposed method, at-speed test application can be performed and the test application time is shorter than previous methods. Moreover, experimental results show the area overhead is low.     

Diagnostic Data Compression Techniques for Embedded Memories with Built-In Self-Test

A system-on-chip (SOC) usually consists of many memory cores with different sizes and functionality, and they typically represent a significant portion of the SOC and therefore dominate its yield. Diagnostics for yield enhancement of the memory cores thus is a very important issue. In this paper we present two data compression techniques that can be used to speed up the transmission of diagnostic data from the embedded RAM built-in self-test (BIST) circuit that has diagnostic support to the external tester. The proposed syndrome-accumulation approach compresses the faulty-cell address and March syndrome to about 28% of the original size on average under the March-17N diagnostic test algorithm. The key component of the compressor is a novel syndrome-accumulation circuit, which can be realized by a content-addressable memory. Experimental results show that the area overhead is about 0.9% for a 1Mb SRAM with 164 faults. A tree-based compression technique for word-oriented memories is also presented. By using a simplified Huffman coding scheme and partitioning each 256-bit Hamming syndrome into fixed-size symbols, the average compression ratio (size of original data to that of compressed data) is about 10, assuming 16-bit symbols. Also, the additional hardware to implement the tree-based compressor is very small. The proposed compression techniques effectively reduce the memory diagnosis time as well as the tester storage requirement.     

Test-Per-Clock Logic BIST with Semi-Deterministic Test Patterns and Zero-Aliasing Compactor

We present a test-per-clock BIST scheme using memory for storing test patterns that reduces the number of clock cycle necessary for testing. Thus, the test application time is shorter and energy consumption is lower than those in other solutions. The test hardware consists of a space compactor and a MISR, which provides zero error aliasing for modeled faults. The test pattern generator (TPG) scheme is based on a T-type flip-flop feedback shift register. The generator can be seeded similarly to a D-type flip-flop shift register. It generates test patterns in a test-per-clock mode. The TPG pattern sequence is modified at regular intervals by adding a modulo-2 bit from a modification sequence, which is stored in a memory. The memory can be either a ROM on the chip or a memory in the tester. The test patterns have both random and deterministic properties, which are advantageous for the final quality of the resulting test sequence. The number of bits stored in the memory, number of clock cycles, hardware overhead and the parameters of the resulting zero aliasing space compactor and MISR are given for the ISCAS benchmark circuits. The experiments demonstrate that the BIST scheme provides shorter test sequences than other methods while the hardware overhead and memory requirements are kept low.     

一种高速增益单元存储器的内建自测试方案

介绍了一种用于测试高速增益单元嵌入式动态随机存储器的内建自测试方案。该方案包括了指令集设计和体系结构设计。四级指令流水线的引入使全速测试成为可能。该设计方案可以通过执行不同的测试指令,对待测存储器执行多种类型的测试,从而达到较高的故障覆盖率。该内建自测试模块被集成在了一个存储容量为8kb的增益单元嵌入式动态随机存储器芯片中,并在中芯国际0.13μm标准逻辑工艺下进行了流片验证。芯片测试结果表明,该内建自测试方案可以在多种测试模式下对待测存储器执行全速测试,提高了测试速度,降低了对自动测试设备的性能要求,提高了测试的效率。     

Synthesis of Native Mode Self-Test Programs

Recent studies show that at-speed functional tests are better for finding realistic defects than tests executed at lower speeds. This advantage has led to growing interest in design for at-speed tests. In addition, time-to-market requirements dictate development of tests early in the design process. In this paper, we present a new methodology for synthesis of at-speed self-test programs for microprocessors. Based on information about the instruction set, this high-level test generation methodology can generate instruction sequences that exercise all the functional capabilities of complex processors. Modern processors have large memory modules, register files and powerful ALUs with comprehensive operations, which can be used to generate and control built-in tests and to evaluate the response of the tests. Our method exploits the functional units to compress and check the test response at chip internal speeds. No hardware test pattern generators or signature analyzers are needed, and the method reduces area overhead and performance impact as compared to current BIST techniques. A novel test instruction insertion technique is introduced to activate the control/status inputs and internal modules related to them. The new methodology has been applied to an example processor much more complex than any benchmark circuit used in academia today. The results show that our approach is very effective in achieving high fault coverage and automation in at-speed self-test generation for microprocessor-like circuits.     

Single-insertion temperature testing of semiconductor ICs

This paper presents a preliminary-design study considering the feasibility and conceptual implementation of single-insertion temperature testing of any type of semiconductor integrated circuit (IC): memory, microcontroller, microprocessor, or application specific IC. Analyses are presented that establish the necessary thermal response rate of a device under test to make single-insertion testing comparable in throughput performance to a conventional test method. Modeling with ideal conditions to obtain the fastest device response shows that single-insertion testing in testing plastic packaged parts (or slow responding devices) will only be applicable when the test parallelism is very high (>32) and lot overhead times are long (⩾1 h). Given that actual lot overhead times are generally less than 1 h and the trend is for decreasing lot overhead times, the test method is likely more applicable to testing die-exposed type devices, since the test parallelism can be much lower for a given lot overhead time     

基于扫描的VLSI全速测试方法

当工艺进入到超深亚微米以下,传统的故障模型不再适用,必须对电路传输延迟引发的故障采用延迟故障模型进行全速测试.给出了常用的延迟故障模型,介绍了一种基于扫描的全速测试方法,并给出了全速测试中片上时钟控制器的电路实现方案.对芯片进行测试,可以直接利用片内锁相环电路输出的高速时钟对电路施加激励和捕获响应,而测试向量的扫描输入和响应扫描输出则可以采用测试机提供的低速时钟,从而降低了全速测试对测试机时钟频率的要求.最后,对于全速测试方案提出了若干建议.     

Testing for Interconnect Crosstalk Defects Using On-Chip Embedded Processor Cores

In deep-submicron technologies, long interconnects play an ever-important role in determining the performance and reliability of core-based system-on-chips (SoCs). Crosstalk effects degrade the integrity of signals traveling on long interconnects and must be addressed during manufacturing testing. External testing for crosstalk is expensive due to the need for high-speed testers. Built-in self-test, while eliminating the need for a high-speed tester, may lead to excessive test overhead as well as overly aggressive testing. To address this problem, we propose a new software-based self-test methodology for system-on-chips (SoC) based on embedded processors. It enables an on-chip embedded processor core to test for crosstalk in system-level interconnects by executing a self-test program in the normal operational mode of the SoC, thereby allowing at-speed testing of interconnect crosstalk defects, while eliminating the need for test overhead and the possibility of over-testing. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this method by applying it to test the interconnects of a processor-memory system. The defect coverage was evaluated using a system-level crosstalk defect simulation method.     

Improving the stuck-at fault coverage of functional test sequences by using limited-scan operations

Functional test sequences were shown to detect unique defects in VLSI circuits. This is thought to be due to the fact that they are applied at-speed. However, functional test sequences do not achieve complete stuck-at fault coverage. Therefore, scan-based stuck-at tests, as well as other types of tests, are typically also applied. This increases the amount of test resources required for test application. We describe a procedure for inserting (limited) scan operations into a functional sequence in order to improve its stuck-at fault coverage, thus reducing or eliminating the need for separate scan-based stuck-at tests. Between scan operations, the functional test sequence can still be applied at-speed; however, a higher stuck-at fault coverage is achieved.     

Low Capture Switching Activity Test Generation for Reducing IR-Drop in At-Speed Scan Testing

At-speed scan testing, based on ATPG and ATE, is indispensable to guarantee timing-related test quality in the DSM era. However, at-speed scan testing may incur yield loss due to excessive IR-drop caused by high test (shift & capture) switching activity. This paper discusses the mechanism of circuit malfunction due to IR-drop, and summarizes general approaches to reducing switching activity, by which highlights the problem of current solutions, i.e. only reducing switching activity for one capture while the widely used at-speed scan testing based on the launch-off-capture scheme uses two captures. This paper then proposes a novel X-filling method, called double-capture (DC) X-filling, for generating test vectors with low and balanced capture switching activity for two captures. Applicable to dynamic & static compaction in any ATPG system, DC X-filling can reduce IR-drop, and thus yield loss, without any circuit/clock modification, timing/circuit overhead, fault coverage loss, and additional design effort.

面向电子控制器的片上可调试性结构设计

提出一种满足电子控制器高可靠要求的片上调试结构。通过复用JTAG接口,可以消除冗余引脚带来的成本和体积开销,同时基于TAP控制器而设计的自定义指令,使得JTAG链路实现结构测试和功能调试的融合;针对调试命令与总线访问的协议转换需求,设计一种低开销与高效率的串并转换单元,配合外围的调试软件和协议转换器,实现全局地址空间的调试访问。实验结果表明,设计的调试结构使得调试时间平均缩短79.8%,面积开销下降16.73%,同时显著提高了调试链路的可靠性。     

VLSI流水化格型数字滤波器的内建自测试

格型数字滤波器在信号处理领域得到了广泛应用,本文针对VLSI实现的流水化格型数字滤波器,提出了一种内建自测试方案,不需要对其内部基本功能单元作任何更改,且能在较短时间内检测所有的单固定型故障.所有测试序列都采用简单的算术运算产生.通过对已有功能模块如累加器的复用,作为测试序列生成和响应压缩,该方案能实现真速测试并最大程度的减少了硬件占用和系统性能占用.     

Efficient testing of SRAM with optimized march sequences and a novel DFT technique for emerging failures due to process variations

With increasing inter-die and intra-die parameter variations in sub-100-nm process technologies, new failure mechanisms are emerging in CMOS circuits. These failures lead to reduction in reliability of circuits, especially the area-constrained SRAM cells. In this paper, we have analyzed the emerging failure mechanisms in SRAM caches due to transistor V/sub t/ variations, which results from process variations. Also we have proposed solutions to detect those failures efficiently. In particular, in this work, SRAM failure mechanisms under transistor V/sub t/ variations are mapped to logic fault models. March test sequences have been optimized to address the emerging failure mechanisms with minimal overhead on test time. Moreover, we have proposed a design for test circuit to complement the March test sequence for at-speed testing of SRAMs. The proposed technique, referred as double sensing, can be used to test the stability of SRAM cells during read operations. Using the proposed March test sequence along with the double sensing technique, a test time reduction of 29% is achieved, compared to the existing test techniques with the same fault coverage. We have also demonstrated that double sensing can be used during SRAM normal operation for online detection and correction of any number of random read faults.     

A Fast Redundancy Analysis Algorithm in ATE for Repairing Faulty Memories

Testing memory and repairing faults have become increasingly important for improving yield. Redundancy analysis (RA) algorithms have been developed to repair memory faults. However, many RA algorithms have low analysis speeds and occupy memory space within automatic test equipment. A fast RA algorithm using simple calculations is proposed in this letter to minimize both the test and repair time. This analysis uses the grouped addresses in the faulty bitmap. Since the fault groups are independent of each other, the time needed to find solutions can be greatly reduced using these fault groups. Also, the proposed algorithm does not need to store searching trees, thereby minimizing the required memory space. Our experiments show that the proposed RA algorithm is very efficient in terms of speed and memory requirements.