Addressing Patents (Class 714/730)
  • Patent number: 10467211
    Abstract: Techniques facilitating representing and analyzing cloud computing data as pseudo systems are provided. A system comprises a memory that stores, and a processor that executes, computer executable components. The computer executable components comprise a framework component and a generation component. The framework component can recreate a system state of a computing device as a pseudo system state for the computing device. The pseudo system state can be decoupled from an original operating state of the computing device and can comprise data abstracted from the original operating state. The data abstracted can mimic an operation of the computing device. The generation component can create the pseudo system state and can facilitate black-box execution of software over the pseudo system state. The black-box execution of software can comprise running applications in the pseudo system state as if the applications were executing in the original operating state of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mustafa Bal, Canturk Isci, Shripad Nadgowda
  • Patent number: 9575833
    Abstract: An operating method of a memory controller includes performing a soft read operation to read data stored in a semiconductor memory device using a soft read voltage, performing a soft decision ECC decoding operation to the read data based on a first log likelihood ratio (LLR) value, and performing the soft decision ECC decoding operation to the read data based on a second LLR value when the soft decision ECC decoding operation based on the first LLR value fails. The first and second LLR values are selected between a default LLR value and an updated LLR value. The updated LLR value is generated on a basis of numbers of error bits and non-error bits of the read data, which are obtained through the soft decision ECC decoding operation to the read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Myeong-Woon Jeon
  • Patent number: 9378054
    Abstract: A testing system with methodology for background application control is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method for controlling a background application is provided that includes steps of: prior to or after a test application enters a background execution state, the test application sending a first message to a reflector application via an interprocess communication facility provided by an operating system executing the test application and the reflector application; in response to the reflector application receiving the first message, the reflector application sending a second message to the first application via the interprocess communication facility; wherein sending the second message causes the operating system to transition the test application from the background execution state to a foreground execution state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Chan, Stephen Poletto
  • Patent number: 8984358
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses to devices to select the device TAP for access. Further, the disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses for selecting device TAPs and for inputting commands for commanding circuitry within the device. The inputting of addresses or the inputting of addresses and commands is initiated by a control bit input on TDI that is recognized during the Run Test/Idle, Pause-DR or Pause-IR TAP states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8904249
    Abstract: A programmable Built In Self Test (BIST) system used to test embedded memories where the memories may be operating at a clock frequency higher than the operating frequency of the BIST. A plurality of BIST memory ports are used to generate multiple memory test instructions in parallel, and the parallel instructions are then merged to generate a single memory test instruction stream at a speed that is a multiple of the BIST operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Raguram Damodaran, Naveen Bhoria
  • Patent number: 8839057
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes memory units and at least one memory test module, each module includes one associated memory unit, a set of test registers therefor, and a test engine configured to perform a test operation on that associated memory unit. A transaction interface of the memory test module receives a transaction specifying a register access operation and providing a first address portion having encodings allowing individual memory units as well as groups of memory units to be identified, and a second address portion identifying one of the test registers within the set to be an accessed register. Decode circuitry, within each memory test module and responsive to the transaction, is configured to selectively perform the register access operation if it is determined that the memory test module includes a set of test registers associated with a memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventor: Paul Stanley Hughes
  • Patent number: 8707114
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a decoder, a first register unit, and a second register unit. The decoder generates first and second register control signals in response to an external test code signal. The first register unit is coupled to the decoder. The first register unit receives the first register control signal from the decoder. The first register unit outputs in series a plurality of test signals in response to the first register control signal. The second register unit is coupled to the first register unit. The second register unit receives the first and second register control signals from the decoder. The second register unit receives in series the plurality of test signals from the first register unit in response to the first register control signal. The second register unit outputs in parallel the plurality of test signals in response to the second register control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Hiromasa Noda
  • Patent number: 8677306
    Abstract: A network-fabric used for testing with an external or internal tester is shown for a Structured ASIC. In one embodiment, the Structured ASIC uses a microprocessor, network-aware IO routing fabric comprising network agents in a scalable novel configuration, with the network-aware IO having a plurality of blocks connected in series in a plurality of paths in the fabric leading to and from the microprocessor and memory and/or logic, the blocks acting as intelligent network agents under processor control to determine what state they can assume, whether to pass a data signal or not along these paths, comprising open loops and closed loops running to and from the microprocessor and memory and/or logic, primarily for testing and determining the state of the memory and logic. In another embodiment a JTAG controller may receive JTAG test commands from an external testing apparatus and set up to communicate along the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: EASIC Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Andreev, Andrey Nikitin, Marian Serbian, Massimo Verita
  • Patent number: 8595584
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising processing logic. The processing logic is arranged to configure interleaver logic to re-order data symbols of a data stream according to a quadrature permutation polynomial function. The processing logic is further arranged to: divide a cyclic group of values defined by the QPP function into a set of subgroups, the set of subgroups being capable of being defined by a set of linear functions; derive inverse functions for the set of linear functions defining the subgroups; and configure the interleaver logic to load the data symbols of the data stream into a buffer at locations within the buffer corresponding to a cyclic group of values representative of the inverse function for the QPP function based on the inverse functions of the set of linear functions defining the subgroups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuval Neeman, Guy Drory, Aviel Livay, Inbar Schori
  • Patent number: 8543966
    Abstract: A method of test path selection and test program generation for performance testing integrated circuits. The method includes identifying clock domains having multiple data paths of an integrated circuit design having multiple clock domains; selecting, from the data paths, critical paths for each clock domain of the multiple clock domains; using a computer, for each clock domain of the multiple clock domain, selecting the sensitizable paths of the critical paths; for each clock domain of the multiple clock domain, selecting test paths from the sensitizable critical paths; and using a computer, creating a test program to performance test the test paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeanne P. Bickford, Peter A. Habitz, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, Jinjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 8504887
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to low power data decoding, and more particularly to low power data decoders for use under defects, erasures, and puncturing, with a low density parity check (LDPC) encoder. Systems and methods are disclosed for decoding a vector with punctured, detected defect and/or erased bits. Systems and methods are also disclosed for decoding a vector with undetected defects and/or unknown error patterns. Low power decoding may be performed in an LDPC decoder during the process of decoding an LDPC code in the case of defects, erasures, and puncturing. The low power techniques described herein may reduce power consumption without a substantial decrease in performance of the applications that make use of LDPC codes, or the devices that make use of low power LDPC decoders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Nedeljko Varnica, Gregory Burd
  • Patent number: 8495443
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting the contents of a secure register from scan accessibility is disclosed. The secure register may include a number of scannable elements within a scan chain. During a normal scan test mode, the scannable elements of the secure register may be accessibly, as data may be shifted to, from, or through these elements. During certain other modes (e.g., a scan dump or memory dump), a bypass circuit may be invoked to effectively separate the scan elements associated with the secure register from the remainder of the scan chain. During operation in one of these modes, no data may be shifted to, from, or through the scan elements of the secure register. Accordingly, the bypass path may protect secure data stored in the secure register from unauthorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jianlin Yu, Santiago Fernandez-Gomez, Samy Makar
  • Patent number: 8433963
    Abstract: An address and command port interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations and Trace domain operations within an IC. The port carries TMS and TDI input and TDO output on a single pin and receives a clock signal on a separate pin. The addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to the TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller. A data and clock signal interface between a controller and multiple target devices provides for each target device to be individually addressed and commanded to perform a JTAG or Trace operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8375275
    Abstract: An electronic storage device for connecting with a host system includes a flash memory including a number of memory segments, and a controller including an error correction segment capable of generating a first correction code and a second correction code according to a written data received by the controller. The written data, the first correction code and the second correction code are written into a memory segment of the flash memory by the controller. The first correction code is used for checking whether there is an error bit in the written data, and the second correction code is used for checking and correcting said error bit in the written data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: A-Data Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Dar Chen, Chuan-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8166358
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses to devices to select the device TAP for access. Further, the disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses for selecting device TAPs and for inputting commands for commanding circuitry within the device. The inputting of addresses or the inputting of addresses and commands is initiated by a control bit input on TDI that is recognized during the Run Test/Idle, Pause-DR or Pause-IR TAP states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8136002
    Abstract: An addressable interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations or Trace domain operations within an IC. After being enabled, the TAP receives TMS and TDI input from a single data pin. After being enabled, the Trace domain acquires data from a functioning circuit within the IC in response to a first clock and outputs the acquired data from the IC in response to a second clock. An addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to a TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 8055964
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a plurality of scan chains for testing a plurality of clock domains whose operating frequencies are different from one another, each of the plurality of scan chains including a plurality of flip-flop circuits, a clock oscillator which generates a plurality of clock signals corresponding to respective operating frequencies that are used to test the plurality of clock domains, a scan clock signal input circuit which receives, from an outside, and a scan clock signal that is supplied to the plurality of scan chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kouki Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 8010856
    Abstract: In a method for determining a number of possible hold time faults in a scan chain of a DUT, an environmental variable of the scan chain is set to a value believed to cause a hold time fault in the scan chain, and then a pattern is shifted through the scan chain. The pattern has a background pattern of at least n contiguous bits of a first logic state, followed by at least one bit of a second logic state, where n is a length of the scan chain. The number of possible hold time faults in the scan chain can be determined as a difference between i) a clock cycle when the at least one bit is expected to cause a transition at an output of the scan chain, and ii) a clock cycle when the at least one bit actually causes a transition at the output of the scan chain. If a value of the environmental variable at which the scan chain operates correctly can be determined, the location of one or more hold time faults can also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Cannon, Richard C. Dokken, Alfred L. Crouch, Gary A. Winblad
  • Patent number: 7965568
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first chip that is directly accessible from outside, a second chip that transmits and receives data to and from the first chip, the second chip being not directly accessible from outside, and a through circuit that is provided in the first chip and transmits first and second test signals input from an external device to the second chip, wherein the through circuit includes a first signal transmission path to generate a first signal by synchronizing the first test signal to a clock signal input from the external device and to output it to the second chip and a second signal transmission path to generate a second signal by synchronizing the second test signal to a test clock signal input from the external device and to output it to the second chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ushikoshi, Nobutoshi Tsunesada, Tsuyoshi Hirakawa, Noriaki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7908530
    Abstract: A memory module including a plurality of memory banks, a memory control unit, and a built-in self-test (BIST) control unit is provided. The memory banks store data. The memory control unit accesses the data in accordance with a system command. The BIST control unit generates a BIST command to the memory control unit when a BIST function is enabled in the memory module. While the system command accessing the data in a specific memory bank exists, the memory command control unit has the priority to execute the system command instead of the BIST command testing the specific memory bank. Memory reliability of a system including the memory module is enhanced without reducing the system effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chien Chen
  • Publication number: 20110025364
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a test mode signal generating device are disclosed. The device includes first and second test mode signal generating units. The first test mode signal generating unit is configured to receive test address signals to generate a first test mode signal when a first mode conversion signal is enabled. The first test mode signal generating unit is also configured to enable a second mode conversion signal when the test address signals correspond to a first predetermined combination. The second test mode signal generating unit is configured to receive the test address signals to generate a second test mode signal when the second mode conversion signal is enabled. The second test mode signal generating unit is also configured to enable the first mode conversion signal when the test address signals correspond to a second predetermined combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Tae Sik YUN
  • Patent number: 7821226
    Abstract: A method for placing addresses in the memory cells of a rechargeable energy storage device for use in a motor vehicle, each of which memory cells includes at least one sensor device and an individualizing device for storing an address. In order to optimize the placing of addresses in the memory cells of a rechargeable storage device, the functionality of the memory cells is checked using the sensor device in the vehicle, an individual address is assigned to each operable memory cell, and the individual address is used to individualize the sensor values made available from the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Froeschl
  • Patent number: 7801254
    Abstract: An address generator for providing an address to one of a linear block encoder and a soft linear block code decoder comprises a counter to count c, a position of a bit within a codeword of user data and to count r the codeword, where r=floor(c/74), An inner deinterleaver deinterleaves count c counted by the counter and to output c?. A shift circuit shifts the deinterleaved count c? by the inner deinterleaver in accordance with count r counted by the counter and to output c?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Burd, Zining Wu
  • Patent number: 7770084
    Abstract: An addressable interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations or Trace domain operations within an IC. After being enabled, the TAP receives TMS and TDI input from a single data pin. After being enabled, the Trace domain acquires data from a functioning circuit within the IC in response to a first clock and outputs the acquired data from the IC in response to a second clock. An addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to a TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 7757145
    Abstract: The test method, integrated circuit and test system embodiments disclosed herein relate to testing at least one integrated circuit which uses an internal operating clock and has a first number of address pins, a second number of command pins and an address generation circuit which receives at least one encoded address information item using a third number of the address pins, which is smaller than the first number, and provides the other address pins as a fourth number of free address pins, where at least one first command is transferred using the command pins and at least one second command is transferred using at least one portion of the fourth number of the address pins from a test apparatus to the integrated circuit using a test clock which has a lower rate than the internal operating clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruf, Martin Schnell
  • Patent number: 7716550
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) including a pad for a wafer test and a method of testing a wafer including a semiconductor IC. The semiconductor IC includes a first address generator, a second address generator, and an address output unit. The first address generator generates a normal address having (M+N) bits or a first test address having M bits corresponding to voltages applied to a plurality of address pads. The second address generator generates a second test address having N bits corresponding to a voltage applied to an additional pad. Therefore, according to the semiconductor IC and the wafer test method, an additional pad is provided to generate an N-bit test address in wafer test mode such that the number of pads needed to test a device can be reduced. As a result, more semiconductor ICs can be tested simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-Sook Noh
  • Patent number: 7640124
    Abstract: In a delay failure test circuit, a delay failure test between two clock domains among a plurality of clock domains having different operation clock rates is performed. The delay failure test circuit inputs, to a first clock domain, a clock signal having only a launch edge for transferring data from the first clock domain to a second clock domain, and to input, to the second clock domain, a clock signal having only a capture edge for capturing the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Konishi, Ryuji Shimizu, Masayasu Hojo, Haruhiko Abe, Satoshi Masuda, Naofumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7617425
    Abstract: A method and a circuit of testing of a memory interface associated with an embedded memory in a semiconductor circuit involves writing to two memory locations in succession; reading the two memory locations in succession in the same order in which the two memory locations were written; capturing output data from the memory interface; and analyzing captured output data to determine whether said captured output data corresponds to expected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: LogicVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit Nadeau-Dostie, Jean-François Côté
  • Patent number: 7571402
    Abstract: A leakage power control vector is loaded into existing test scan chain elements for application to circuit elements of a circuit in which the leakage currents are to be controlled. The vector is designed to configure the circuit elements into states in which leakage currents are reduced. A multiplexer selects the power control vector for loading into the scan chain elements, and a clock generator clocks the configuration vector into the scan chain elements. A sleep mode detector may be provided to configure the multiplexer to select the power control vector and to operate the clock generator to clock the power control vector into the scan chain elements when a sleep mode of the circuit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Razak Hossain
  • Patent number: 7571364
    Abstract: An addressable interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations or Trace domain operations within an IC. After being enabled, the TAP receives TMS and TDI input from a single data pin. After being enabled, the Trace domain acquires data from a functioning circuit within the IC in response to a first clock and outputs the acquired data from the IC in response to a second clock. An addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to a TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 7539913
    Abstract: Circuit and method for testing digital logic circuit modules of an integrated circuit chip. The circuit includes a storage device, a first multiplexing module and a selection device. The storage device stores first, second, third and fourth N-bit groups of a test pattern separately according to a loading signal and an address selection signal. The first multiplexing module is coupled to the storage device and a first digital logic circuit module, for parallel transmitting the first, second, third and fourth N-bit groups which will be received and executed by the first digital logic circuit module to parallel generate first, second and third M-bit groups. The selection device is coupled to the first digital logic circuit module for sequentially selecting one of the first, second and third M-bit groups to output a first test result according to the address selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Cheng Chang, Cheng-Yuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20090125768
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 7506210
    Abstract: Methods and tools for detecting and correcting problems arising in the configuration process of a programmable logic device are described. An analyzer is used to aid a user in debugging the configuration process. The analyzer can access the programmable logic device through a boundary scan architecture such as JTAG. The analyzer can step through the configuration process, capturing the data received by the programmable logic device at each step, and compare that captured data with expected data. Mismatches can indicate errors in the configuration process, and the analyzer can help a user correct such errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan K. Bridgford
  • Patent number: 7484152
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a logic circuit formed from a plurality of logic units. The electronic circuit also includes a plurality of memory units capable of forming a shift register, capable of being connected to the logic units, and having terminals for reception of command signals to write data into the logic units and to read data from the logic units. The electronic circuit further includes an access controller having a plurality of outputs connected to the terminals of the memory units and capable of applying the command signals to the outputs. In addition, the electronic circuit includes a scrutinizing module capable of a plurality of functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: STMicoelectronics SA
    Inventors: Frederic Bancel, David Hely
  • Patent number: 7475313
    Abstract: This invention is new built-in self test instructions. A pointer register stores data identifying one bit of a data register. That bit determines whether the data of another data register is used in test in native form or in inverted form. Different built-in self test instructions update pointer including reset to the first bit, no change, increment to the next bit and decrement to the previous bit. For write instructions the selected normal or inverted data is written into memory. For read instructions the selected normal or inverted data is compared with data read from a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Raguram Damodaran, Ananthakrishnan Ramamurti
  • Patent number: 7454673
    Abstract: Persistent files stored in non-XIP flash memory are accessed during operation of an electronic device. During execution of application code on the device, the persistent files are accessed using an access directory such as a look-up table. The access directory provides information that allows an application or other software code running on the processor of the device to locate and access a persistent file within a non-XIP flash memory device where the non-XIP flash memory device may include bad blocks. During creation of the access directory, locations of the bad blocks in the device are identified and recorded. Files are accessed from the non-XIP flash memory device by reading from file start locations identified in the access directory while accounting for bad blocks identified in the bad block data of the access directory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.
    Inventors: Dhamim Packer Ali, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 7447956
    Abstract: Read and write data steering logic in the I/O of a memory array is tested by providing a data bus lane for each addressable subunit of a memory array storage location. Each bus lane is connected to the data input of a comparator. A BIST controller writes test patterns to the memory through the write steering logic and reads the test patterns in parallel to test the write steering logic. The BIST controller writes test patterns to the memory in parallel and reads the test patterns through the read steering logic to test the read steering logic. In both cases, a separate comparator dedicated to each bus lane verifies that the subunit data was properly shifted between the data bus lane and memory storage location subunit. The comparators are effectively disabled during normal operations to prevent logic gate switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lakshmikant Mamileti, Anand Krishnamurthy, Clint Wayne Mumford, Sanjay B Patel
  • Patent number: 7444577
    Abstract: A method of testing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device that has N rows of storage cells and that requires, in at least one operating mode, at least N refresh commands to be received from an external source within a specified time interval. The rows of storage cells are tested in a first retention test to identify rows that fail to retain data over the specified time interval. The rows that fail to retain data over the specified time interval are tested in a second retention test to identify rows that retain data over an abbreviated time interval, the abbreviated time interval being shorter than the specified time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: RAMBUS Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Ely K. Tsern
  • Patent number: 7444573
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with built-in self test enables internal data registers to be written to or read from via an external tester. In a command phase the programmable built-in self test unit receives a command, an address and a data transfer count. The address specifies the initial data register address. The data transfer count corresponds to the amount of data transferred and the number of cycle in the data access phase. The data access phase begins by accessing the data register corresponding to the address from the command phase. During subsequent cycles of the data access phase, the external tester accesses sequential data registers. The programmable built-in self test unit includes a pointer register and an adder to update the address each cycle of the data phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Raguram Damodaran, Ananthakrishnan Ramamurti, Ravi Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 7437643
    Abstract: Training of a link is performed, wherein the link is an interconnect between two devices of a computer system. A built-in self-test (BIST) of the link is performed. A result from the link training is compared to a result from the BIST. A link status of the link is posted, wherein the link status is based at least in part on the result from the link training and the result from the BIST.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rahul Khanna, Mohan J. Kumar, Jay Nejedlo
  • Patent number: 7418636
    Abstract: Addressing error detection systems and methods are disclosed. A target address is written to a memory in an electronic system and subsequently output on an address path through which the memory is addressable. An addressing error is detected by determining whether the target address output on the address path is detected at the memory. Address detection at the memory involves storing the target address, monitoring the address path for the target address, and providing an address detection indication based on whether the target address is detected on the address path. The address detection indication may be provided, for example, by setting a flag in a data structure which is stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Steve Driediger
  • Patent number: 7403901
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program are provided for generating error and summary reports for a data load. A plurality of records to be loaded in a database are received. The records may include medical records. A data management template corresponding to the records is chosen. It is verified that all records to be loaded match the data management template. The records are sent to a database for loading in the database upon validation that the records match the data management template. A report of records that match the data management template and records that do not match the data management template is compiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Accenture LLP
    Inventors: Kevin W. Carley, Lisa Marie Harrington, Jennifer Scot Dikeman, Megan Davies Moody, Mary Michelle Gregory
  • Patent number: 7383480
    Abstract: A method and system for scanning data from a specific latch in a matrix array of latches. The matrix array is made up of vertical selector lines and horizontal data lines. Each latch is coupled at an intersection of a selector line and a data line by a transistor. By turning on the transistor, the contents of the latch can be selectively read or written to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kenneth Martin, Chandler Todd McDowell, Robert Kevin Montoye, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 7281179
    Abstract: A memory device and a method of controlling an input signal of the memory device. In the method of controlling an input signal according to test modes, it is determined whether the input signal is in a first test mode or a second test mode. If the memory device is in the first test mode, in response to a control signal, an input signal is received through input pins. In response to a mode signal, the input signal is separated into data and an address. The separated data and address is applied to the core of a memory device. If the memory device is in the second test mode, an input signal is received through input pins and inverting input pins. In response to a mode signal, an address is separated from the input signal received through the input pins and the data is separated from the input signal received through the inverting input pins. The separated data and address are applied to the core of a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Gyu Lim, Sung-Bum Cho
  • Patent number: 7231563
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing latch based random access memory includes steps of generating a scan enable signal for testing latch based random access memory and generating a scan clock signal for testing the latch based random access memory wherein the scan clock signal has a first scan clock period for a shift cycle and a second scan clock period for a capture cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: David Vinke, Ekambaram Balaji
  • Patent number: 7206237
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a test signal path to provide a test signal to a memory cell array responsive to an address generating command, the test signal to access a memory cell within the memory cell array, a failure address path to generate a failure address responsive to the address generating command, and a failure discriminator to determine a result responsive to the access, the result to indicate whether the memory cell is faulty, and to store the result according to the failure address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byoung-Sul Kim
  • Patent number: 7032141
    Abstract: A test interface circuit, which has a simple pattern generator mounted on a semiconductor device having a mounted memory, consists of a command analysis section which analyses a command of three bits received from a tester, outputs an analysis result to a memory core and controls an operation of the memory core, and an address counter which counts addresses and outputs the addresses to the memory core in accordance with a counter control instruction of two bits received from the tester. It is, therefore, possible to make a circuit for testing the memory core small in scale and to decrease the number of pins for testing the memory core, so that it is possible to use an inexpensive tester and to reduce cost required to test the memory core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Tetsushi Tanizaki
  • Patent number: 6963963
    Abstract: A data processing (10) includes memory management circuitry (14) which allows additional control over the physical address (83) and over the address attributes (84) which are provided for use by data processing system (10). One use of this additional control over the physical address (83) and over the address attributes (84) is to avoid address translation failure and unintended modification of cache (13) and memory (18) system state during debugging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Moyer
  • Patent number: 6865660
    Abstract: A system and method for rapidly generating a series of non-repeating, deterministic, pseudo-random addresses is disclosed. A deterministic, pseudo-random number generator is implemented in hardware. Once a number in a pseudo-random sequence is generated, a pattern eliminator alters the number to remove any pattern existing in the low order bits. The number may then be combined with an offset and a base to form a memory address for testing a memory device. The generated memory address is output directly to the memory device being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Duncan
  • Patent number: 6836440
    Abstract: Two methods check functional capability of electrical connections between address lines of a printed circuit board of a memory module and address line contacts of an integrated semiconductor memory chip mounted on the printed circuit board. Ruptured solder contacts are conventionally examined optically or investigated by electrical resistance measurements; however, the latter do not work in the case of memory modules with a number of semiconductor chips, the pin contacts of which are connected in parallel by the address lines. The methods make it possible to locate interrupted contacts on individual address lines by the indirect use of a write-read access to the semiconductor memory chip, specifically utilizing the misrouting of writing and reading commands produced by defective contact connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Frank Adler, Thomas Huber, Manfred Moser