G11C29/1201

MEMORY BUILT-IN SELF-TEST WITH AUTOMATED MULTIPLE STEP REFERENCE TRIMMING
20230049928 · 2023-02-16 ·

A memory device can sense stored data during memory read operations using a reference trim, and a memory built-in self-test system can perform a multiple step process to set the reference trim for the memory device. The memory built-in self-test system can set a reference trim range that corresponds to a range of available reference trim values and then select one of the reference trim values in the reference trim range as the reference trim for the memory device. The memory built-in self-test system can set the reference trim range by prompting performance of the memory read operations using different positions of the reference trim range relative to read characteristics of the memory device and set a position for the reference trim range relative to the read characteristics of the memory device based on failures of the memory device to correctly sense the stored data during the memory read operations.

TECHNIQUES FOR RETIRING BLOCKS OF A MEMORY SYSTEM
20230049201 · 2023-02-16 ·

Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for retiring blocks of a memory system are described. In some examples, aspects of a memory system or memory device may be configured to determine an error for a block of memory cells. Upon determining the occurrence of the error, the memory system may identify one or more operating conditions associated with the block. For example, the memory system may determine a temperature of the block, a cycle count of the block, a quantity of times the block has experienced an error, a bit error rate of the block, and/or a quantity of available blocks in the associated system. Depending on whether a criteria associated with a respective operating condition is satisfied, the block may be enabled or retired.

Memory system
11581055 · 2023-02-14 · ·

A memory system includes a memory device and a controller. The controller is coupled to the memory device through input/output (I/O) lines. The controller includes an interface component and a dummy power consumption component. The interface component performs a signal training operation for adjusting a timing of a clock signal, to which test data is synchronized. The dummy power consumption component performs a dummy power consumption operation while the signal training operation is performed.

METHOD, DEVICE, AND CIRCUIT FOR HIGH-SPEED MEMORIES

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a memory device is disclosed. In some aspects, the memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array, an input/output (I/O) interface connected to the plurality of memory cells to output data signal from each memory cell, and a control circuit. In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a first clock generator to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal according to an input clock signal and a chip enable (CE) signal and provide the first clock signal to the plurality of memory cells. In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a second clock generator to generate a third clock signal according to the input clock signal and a DFT (design for testability) enable signal. In some embodiments, the control circuit generates an output clock signal according to the second clock signal or the third clock signal.

SINGLE "A" LATCH WITH AN ARRAY OF "B" LATCHES

An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and scan latches that are enabled to load data during a first part of a clock period. A clocking circuit outputs latch clocks with one latch clock driven to an active state during a second part of the clock period dependent on a first address input. A set of storage elements have inputs coupled to the output of the first scan latch and are respectively coupled to a latch clock to load data during a time that their respective latch clock is in an active state. A selector circuit is coupled to outputs of the first set of storage elements and outputs a value from one output based on a second address input. The second scan latch then loads data from the selector's output during the first part of the input clock period.

Screening of memory circuits

Systems and methods of screening memory cells by modulating bitline and/or wordline voltage. In a read operation, the wordline may be overdriven or underdriven as compared to a nominal operating voltage on the wordline. In a write operation, the one or both of the bitline and wordline may be overdriven or underdriven as compared to a nominal operating voltage of each. A built-in self test (BIST) system for screening a memory array has bitline and wordline margin controls to modulate bitline and wordline voltage, respectively, in the memory array.

System and method for low power memory test

An apparatus includes a first group of memory units and a second group of memory units coupled to a first data path and a second data path coupled to a controller, a first delay element on the first data path coupled to the second group of memory units and configured to send, from the controller to the second group of memory units, signals for write and read operations in a sequence of time cycles delayed by a time cycle with respect to the first group of memory units, and a second delay element on the second data path and coupled to the first group of memory units and configured to send, from the first group of memory units to the controller, test result signals delayed by a time cycle, the delayed test result signals having a matching delay to the delayed write and read operations.

Semiconductor device including defect detection circuit and method of detecting defects in the same
11715542 · 2023-08-01 · ·

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die having a peripheral region surrounding, a defect detection circuit in the peripheral region, the defect detection circuit arranged in an open conduction loop, the defect detection circuit comprising a plurality of latch circuits and a plurality of defect detection conduction paths, each defect detection conduction path of the plurality of defect detection conduction paths connecting two adjacent latch circuits of the plurality of latch circuits, and a test control circuitry configured to perform (a) a test write operation by transferring bits of an input data pattern in a forward direction of the open conduction loop to cause the plurality of latch circuits to store the bits of the input data pattern in the plurality of latch circuits, and (b) a test read operation by transferring bits stored in the plurality of latch circuits in a backward direction of the open conduction loop.

Semiconductor device having micro-bumps and test method thereof

A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first micro-bumps suitable for transferring normal signals; a plurality of a second micro-bumps suitable for transferring test signals; and a test circuit including a plurality of scan cells respectively corresponding to the first and second micro-bumps. The test circuit is suitable for applying signals stored in the respective scan cells to the first and second micro-bumps, feeding back the applied signals from the first and second micro-bumps to the respective scan cells, and sequentially outputting the signals stored in the scan cells to a test output pad.

Semiconductor package test method, semiconductor package test device and semiconductor package

A method of testing a semiconductor package including a plurality of semiconductor chips includes sensing electrical signals respectively output from a plurality of semiconductor chip groups each representing a combination of at least two semiconductor chips among the plurality of semiconductor chips, obtaining amplitudes of electrical signals respectively output from the plurality of semiconductor chips based on the plurality of sensed electrical signals, and outputting a test result for the semiconductor package by using the plurality of obtained electrical signals.