G01R31/318572

METHOD FOR PROTECTING A RECONFIGURABLE DIGITAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AGAINST REVERSIBLE ERRORS
20230051943 · 2023-02-16 ·

A method for protecting a reconfigurable digital integrated circuit includes multiple parallel processing channels each comprising an instance of a functional logic block and an error detection unit, the method comprising the successive steps of: activating the error detection unit in order to detect an error in at least one processing channel, executing the data replay mechanism, and then activating the error detection unit in order to detect an error in at least one processing channel, if an error is detected again, executing a self-test on each processing channel, for each processing channel, if the self-test does not detect any error, executing the data replay mechanism for this processing channel, if the self-test detects an error, reconfiguring that part of the configuration memory associated with this processing channel.

METHOD OF CONVERTING A SERIAL VECTOR FORMAT (SVF) FILE TO A VECTOR COMPATIBLE WITH A SEMICONDUCTOR TESTING SYSTEM

Provided is a method for enabling a semiconductor test system for testing field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to operate as a device programmer by converting a serial vector format (SVF) file containing a bitstream and converting the file to a vector compatible with the semiconductor test system. When executed on an HP93K test system, as an example, the vector generates JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) signals, which program the bitstream into a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The inventive method eliminates the need for a separate computer system that is normally required to run FPGA programming software and also eliminates the need to use FPGA vendor provided JTAG programming pods. Eliminating the need for the vendor software, a separate computer system, and programming pods reduces equipment cost, maintenance, and streamlines the electrical test, evaluation, and characterization of FPGAs.

COMMANDED JTAG TEST ACCESS PORT OPERATIONS
20230221368 · 2023-07-13 ·

The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving the operation of a TAP architecture in a device through the use of Command signal inputs to the TAP architecture. In response to a Command signal input, the TAP architecture can perform streamlined and uninterrupted Update, Capture and Shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device or streamlined and uninterrupted capture and shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device. The Command signals can be input to the TAP architecture via the devices dedicated TMS or TDI inputs or via a separate CMD input to the device.

STIMULATED CIRCUITS AND FAULT TESTING METHODS

A logic gate system for fault insertion testing can include a logic gate module having a plurality of input pins. The plurality of input pins can include an input signal pin configured to receive an input signal, a power supply input pin configured to receive power from a power supply, and a test input pin. The logic gate module can also include an output pin connected to the input pins via one or more logic gates. The logic gate system can include a power supply line connected to the power supply input pin and the test input pin. The logic gate system can also include a zero-ohm jumper resistor disposed between the power supply input pin and the test input pin. The zero-ohm resistor can be configured to be replaced with a low ohm resistor to allow reverse driving a voltage on the test input pin. The one or more logic gates can be configured to reverse an output at the output pin when the voltage on the test input pin is reverse driven.

Direct scan access JTAG
11693055 · 2023-07-04 · ·

The present disclosure describes novel methods and apparatuses for directly accessing JTAG Tap domains that exist in a scan path of many serially connected JTAG Tap domains. Direct scan access to a selected Tap domain by a JTAG controller is achieved using auxiliary digital or analog terminals associated with the Tap domain and connected to the JTAG controller. During direct scan access, the auxiliary digital or analog terminals serve as serial data input and serial data output paths between the selected Tap domain and the JTAG controller.

Scan chain for memory with reduced power consumption

A scan chain architecture with lowered power consumption comprises a multiplexer selecting between a functional input and a test input. The output of the multiplexer is coupled to a low threshold voltage latch and, in test mode, to a standard threshold voltage latch. The low threshold voltage latch and standard threshold voltage latch are configured to store data when a clock input falls, using a master latch functional clock M_F_CLK, master latch test clock M_T_CLK, slave latch functional clock S_F_CLK, and slave latch test clock S_T_CLK. The slave latch has lower power consumption than the master latch.

APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR DEBUGGING SOLID-STATE DISK (SSD) DEVICE
20220413048 · 2022-12-29 · ·

The invention relates to an apparatus and a system for debugging a solid-state disk (SSD) device. The apparatus includes a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) add-on board; and a Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi includes a General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) interface (I/F), coupled to the JTAG add-on board; and a processing unit, coupled to the GPIO I/F. The processing unit is arranged operably to: simulate to issue a plurality of JTAG command through the GPIO I/F to the SSD device for dumping data generated by the SSD device during operation from the SSD device.

Scalable infield scan coverage for multi-chip module for functional safety mission application

An apparatus of a multi-chip package (MCP) of a functional safety system, comprises a processor to be configured as a master chip in a master-slave arrangement with a slave chip in the MCP, and a memory coupled to the processor to store one or more infield test scan patterns. The processor includes a bock to couple the master chip to the slave chip via a high-speed input/output (IO) interface to retrieve the one or more infield test scan patterns from the memory via the master chip, and to provide the one or more infield test scan patterns to the slave chip via the high-speed IO interface in response to the functional safety system entering an infield test mode.

At-speed test access port operations
11585852 · 2023-02-21 · ·

In some examples, an integrated circuit comprises: a TDI input, a TDO output, a TCK input and a TMS input; a TAP state machine (TSM) having an input coupled to the TCK input, an input coupled to the TMS input, an instruction register control output, a TSM data register control (DRC) output, and a TSM state output; an instruction register having an input coupled to the TDI input, an output coupled to the TDO output, and a control input coupled to the instruction register control output of the TAP state machine; router circuitry including a TSM DRC input coupled to the TSM DRC output, a control DRC input coupled to the TSM state output, and a router DRC output; and a data register having an input coupled to the TDI input, an output coupled to the TDO output, and a data register DRC input coupled to the router DRC output.

Built-in Self-Test for Die-to-Die Physical Interfaces
20220365135 · 2022-11-17 ·

A system includes a first integrated circuit including a first interface circuit with a first transmit pin and a first receive pin, and a first test circuit. The system also includes a second integrated circuit including a second interface circuit with a second receive pin coupled to the first transmit pin, and a second transmit pin coupled to the first receive pin. The second integrated circuit further includes a second test circuit configured to route signals from the second receive pin to the second transmit pin, such that the sent test signal is received by the second receive pin, bypasses the second test circuit, and is routed to the second transmit pin. The first test circuit is further configured to receive the routed test signal on the first receive pin via the second conductive path.