Testing Specific Device Patents (Class 714/742)
  • Patent number: 8086921
    Abstract: According to the invention, an IP core is clocked during a debugging operation by switching from the clock used for testing the device under test to a clock oscillator or any other free-running clock source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Bensinger, Jean-Marc Brault, Hans Erich Multhaup
  • Publication number: 20110302472
    Abstract: A system and method for testing a control module includes a microprocessor, where the microprocessor has a programming environment. The programming environment has a test data structure, a configuration data structure, and a monitor data structure each containing data. At least one test data instance is associated with the test data structure and at least one configuration data instance is associated with the configuration data structure. The configuration data instance is a diagnostic test that monitors a parameter of the microprocessor, and the monitor data structure creates the test data instance such that each test data instance corresponds to one of the configuration data instances. The program includes a first control logic for associating the test data structure, the configuration data structure and the monitor data structure as part of a core infrastructure portion of the programming environment, where the core infrastructure portion of the program is static.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Onno R. Van Eikema Hommes, Richard L. Schupbach, James K. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8074135
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an embedded processor. An embedded in-circuit emulator is located within the embedded processor. The embedded in-circuit emulator performs a test on the integrated circuit. The embedded in-circuit emulator generates a testing result based on the test on the integrated circuit. Trace logic to generate trace data based on the testing result, the trace data being in a parallel format. A serializer is located on the integrated circuit. The serializer converts the parallel format of the trace data into a serial format. The serializer serially outputs the trace data in the serial format from the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Saeed Azimi, Son Ho
  • Patent number: 8069380
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a flash memory residing on at least one flash memory die. The flash memory device also includes a flash controller residing on a flash controller die that is separate from the at least one flash memory die. The flash memory and the flash controller reside within, reside on, or are attached to a common housing. The flash controller is configured to execute at least one test program to test at least one flash memory die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sandisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Murin, Menahem Lasser, Avraham Meir
  • Patent number: 8069383
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for bad block remapping. A bad block identifier module identifies one or more data blocks on a solid-state storage element as bad blocks. A log update module writes at least a location of each bad block identified by the bad block identifier module into each of two or more redundant bad block logs. A bad block mapping module accesses at least one bad block log during a start-up operation to create in memory a bad block map. The bad block map includes a mapping between the bad block locations in the bad block log and a corresponding location of a replacement block for each bad block location. Data is stored in each replacement block instead of the corresponding bad block. The bad block mapping module creates the bad block map using one of a replacement block location and a bad block mapping algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fusion-IO, Inc.
    Inventors: David Flynn, John Strasser, Jonathan Thatcher, David Atkisson, Michael Zappe, Joshua Aune, Kevin Vigor
  • Patent number: 8060333
    Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a pattern list storage section that stores a plurality of pattern lists that each designate, in a prescribed order, the test patterns to be output by the device under test, and a pattern list processing section that (i) sequentially outputs the test patterns by sequentially executing the pattern lists according to test results of the device under test and, (ii) when transitioning from a current pattern list to a subsequent pattern list, repeatedly outputs a prescribed idle pattern until execution of the subsequent pattern list is begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8055969
    Abstract: A multi-strobe circuit that latches a signal to be tested, an evaluation target, at each edge timing of a multi-strobe signal having a plurality of edges. An oscillator oscillates at a predetermined frequency in synchronization with a reference strobe signal. A latch circuit latches the signal to be tested at an edge timing of an output signal of the oscillator. A gate circuit is provided between a clock terminal of the latch circuit and the oscillator, and makes the output signal of the oscillator pass therethrough for a predetermined period. A clock transfer circuit loads the output signal of the latch circuit at an edge timing of the output signal of the oscillator and performs retiming on the output signal of the latch circuit by using a reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Chiba
  • Patent number: 8055968
    Abstract: A panel driving circuit that produces a panel test pattern and a method of testing a panel are provided. The driving circuit includes a pattern generation unit and a selection unit. The pattern generation unit responds to a system clock and produces pattern test data and pattern test signals. The selection unit responds to a test signal and selects and outputs either (a) the pattern test data and the pattern test signals that are outputted from the pattern generation unit, or (b) the pattern test data and pattern test signals that are directly applied from the outside. The driving circuit and the method of the panel test generates the panel test data, the horizontal synchronizing signal, the vertical synchronizing signal, and the data activating signal within the driving circuit using a system clock so that the testing of the panel can be carried out without using a separate test device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Sik Kang, Jae-Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 8054257
    Abstract: An OLED display and a driving method of an inspection circuit are provided. The OLED display may include a data driver, a scan driver, a driving transistor, a switching transistor, an organic light emitting diode, and an inspection circuit. The data driver and scan driver may apply a data signal and a scan signal. The driving transistor may generate a current corresponding to a voltage supplied to a first electrode and a control electrode. The switching transistor may apply the data signal to the driving transistor. The organic light emitting diode may be electrically connected to the driving transistor. The inspection circuit may include a three-phase inverter circuit having an input and an output terminal. The input terminal may supply a first power voltage to the output terminal when the output terminal decides an output signal regardless of a signal input to the input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Kyu Kwak, Jin-Tae Jeong
  • Patent number: 8051343
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method and system of testing a memory module having the process of receiving single ended input signals via differential input terminals through which differential pairs of packet signals may be received from a testing equipment, wherein a number of terminals of the testing equipment may be different from a number of terminals of the memory module, and testing memory chips of the memory module based on the single ended input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Man Shin, Byung-Se So, Seung-Jin Seo, You-Keun Han
  • Patent number: 8046643
    Abstract: An apparatus including a controller configured to present one or more commands and receive one or more responses, a plurality of transport circuits configured to receive one of the commands, present the responses, and generate one or more control signals, and a plurality of memory-controlling circuits, each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of transport circuits and configured to generate one or more memory access signals in response to the one or more control signals, receive one or more memory output signals from a respective memory in response to the one or more memory access signals, and generate the responses in response to the one or more memory output signals. Each respective memory may be independently sized. The controller generally provides a common testing routine for each respective memory that may be adjusted for the size of each respective memory by the memory-controlling circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Andreev, Anatoli Bolotov, Mikhail Grinchuk
  • Patent number: 8046654
    Abstract: An image data test unit includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire image data having individual frames, an image data temporary storage unit configured to receive the acquired image data from the data acquisition unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and a test calculation unit configured to sequentially receive the image data from the image data temporary storage unit to store a certain amount of the image data, and compare the stored image data with pre-set test elements. In addition, an image apparatus having the image data test unit and a method of testing image data using the image data test unit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Su Jun
  • Patent number: 8046655
    Abstract: An integrated test device reduces external wiring congestion to a memory. The integrated test device provides for separate decoder testing and debugging to find specific errors in the memory. The device also helps in reducing the complexity of the test of external BIST. Furthermore, the number of clock cycles required for the decoder testing for an N-address memory is reduced from 4N cycles to N clock cycles. Additionally, the access time for the memory is reduced as the test device is used as a pipelining device in normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventor: Prashant Dubey
  • Patent number: 8042012
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, such as a device including a data location, a quantizing circuit coupled to the data location, and a test module coupled to the quantizing circuit. The quantizing circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter, a switch coupled to the memory element and a feedback signal path coupled to the output of the analog-to-digital converter and to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Jacob Baker
  • Patent number: 8037089
    Abstract: A test system for testing a plurality of devices under test is disclosed. The test system includes a tester and a plurality of processors. The tester is used for providing a plurality of control signals and determining a plurality of test results for the devices under test according to a plurality of measurement results. Each processor coupled to the tester is used for generating a plurality of test signals according to the plurality of control signals. The plurality of devices under test respectively generates the plurality of test results according to the plurality of test signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Yung Teng, Yi-Chang Hsu, Jie-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 8037385
    Abstract: A scan chain circuit is disclosed. The scan chain circuit includes a chain of serially coupled clocked circuits. In a first mode of operation, each of the clocked circuits toggles in response to a rising edge of a clock signal. In a second mode of operation, a first set of the clocked circuits in the chain of serially coupled clocked circuits toggle in response to the rising edge of the clock signal and a second set of the clocked circuits in the chain of serially coupled clocked circuits toggle in response to a falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporat
    Inventor: Triveni Rachapalli
  • Patent number: 8032803
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit has a memory collar including a memory cell configured to store a written data pattern and read and output the data pattern, and a register configured to store a failed data pattern, and a built-in self test circuit configured to write the data pattern in the memory cell, output expected value data, and decide whether to continue a test or suspend the test to output failure information to outside, based on a comparison result of the data pattern outputted from the memory cell and the expected value data and a comparison result of the data pattern and the failed data pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi Anzou, Chikako Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 8028209
    Abstract: A method and system to facilitate a scalable scan system in the design of a system-on-chip. In one embodiment of the invention, the system-on-chip includes a controller and one or more clock gating units. The clock gating unit is added to each unique clock domain of each function or logic block in the system-on-chip. By having a controller that connects to each clock gating unit and the scan input and output signals in each logic block of the SOC, this allows a scalable scan system in the design of the SOC and allows frequent block level design changes in the SOC without extensive changes to the scan logic in one embodiment of the invention. In addition, the scalable scan system also allows at-speed scan write-through testing of a memory array that can improve the scan test coverage of the system-on-chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Li, Chih-Jen M. Lin, Praveen Sathyanarayanan
  • Patent number: 8015460
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention enable a memory device to load its memory array with desired background data, such as to reduce total test time and costs associated with testing. A background data loading circuit according to one embodiment of the invention includes a buffer, a data loading circuit, and a pattern generating logic. The buffer is coupled to the array of memory cells. The data loading circuit is coupled to load data into the buffer to be transferred to a respective row of the memory cells. The pattern generating logic is coupled to the data loading circuit. The pattern generating logic applies a pattern generating algorithm corresponding to a test mode when the memory devices is in the test mode and generates patterns of data each for a respective row of the memory cells according to the pattern generating algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Grunzke
  • Patent number: 8010854
    Abstract: Detecting brown-out in a system having a non-volatile memory (NVM) includes loading data in the NVM, wherein a next step in loading is performed on a location in the NVM that is logically sequential to an immediately preceding loading. A pair of adjacent locations include one with possible data and another that is empty. Determining which of the two, if at all, have experienced brownout includes using two different sense references. One has a higher standard for detecting a logic high and the other higher standard for detecting a logic low. Results from using the two different references are compared. If the results are the same for both references, then there is no brownout. If the results are different for either there has been a brownout. The location with the different results is set to an invalid state as the location that has experienced the brownout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. McGinty, Jochen Lattermann, Ross S. Scouller
  • Patent number: 8006148
    Abstract: A test mode control circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes an input unit configured to input test mode data for at least one of a plurality of test modes, and a test mode controlling unit configured to enable/disable a test mode according to the number of inputs of the test mode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Bo-Yeun Kim
  • Patent number: 8006152
    Abstract: A method comprises generating a test pattern for a device under test (DUT), wherein the DUT comprises a plurality of scan chains coupled to a plurality of multiple input shift registers (MISRs). The plurality of faults detected by a first MISR and by a second MISR are identified. In the event the plurality of faults detected by the first MISR does not include any of the plurality of faults detected by the second MISR and the plurality of faults detected by the second MISR does not include any of the plurality of faults detected by the first MISR, the first MISR and the second MISR are coupled as an independent MISR pair. The test pattern is applied to the DUT to generate a scan chain output. The independent MISR pair captures the scan chain output to generate a test signature. The test signature is compared with a known good signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel I. Ward, Patrick R. Crosby, William D. Ramsour, Bao G. Truong
  • Patent number: 8001439
    Abstract: Systems and methods of testing integrated circuits are disclosed. The systems include a test module configured to operate between automated testing equipment and an integrated circuit to be tested. The testing interface is configured to test the integrated circuit at a higher slew rate than the slew rate at which signals are received from the automated testing equipment. In order to do so, the testing interface includes components configured for generating addresses, commands, and test data to be conveyed to the integrated circuit. A variety of test data patterns can be produced and the test data can be address dependent. The systems are optionally configured to include a test plan memory component configured to store one or more test plans. A test plan may include a sequence of test patterns and/or conditional branches whereby the tests to be performed next are dependent on the results of the preceding tests. The test plan memory is, optionally, be detachable from the test module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian E. Ong
  • Patent number: 8000656
    Abstract: Various embodiments for performing calibration of a mobile computing device are described. In one or more embodiments, a device under test and a calibration test bench may be coupled by at least one of a wireless connection and a wired connection. The device under test may be arranged to receive one or more test command instructions from the calibration test bench and, in response, send an acknowledgment to the calibration test bench. In some embodiments, the device under test and the calibration test bench may be arranged to communicate according to a wireless device calibration protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Qingzhong Jiao, Wen Zhao, Isabel Mahe
  • Patent number: 7996743
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may have a circuit under test. The integrated circuit may have a clock generation circuit that receives a reference clock from a tester and that generates a corresponding core clock. The integrated circuit may have a built in self test circuit and a clock synthesizer that receives the core clock. The built in self test circuit may provide clock synthesizer control signals that direct the clock synthesizer to produce test clock signals at various test clock frequencies. The test clock at the test clock frequencies may be applied to the circuit under test during circuit testing. The circuit under test may assert a pass signal when the circuit tests are completed successfully. The built in self test circuit may inform the tester of the maximum clock frequency at which the circuit under test successfully passes testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tze Sin Tan, Jayabrata Ghosh Dastidar
  • Patent number: 7992059
    Abstract: A system and method for replicating a memory block throughout a main memory and modifying real addresses within an address translation buffer to reference the replicated memory blocks during test case set re-executions in order to fully test the main memory is presented. A test case generator generates a test case set (multiple test cases) along with an initial address translation buffer that includes real addresses that reference an initial memory block. A test case executor modifies the real addresses after each test case set re-execution in order for a processor to test each replicated memory block included in the main memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Divya Subbarao Anvekar, Shubhodeep Roy Choudhury, Manoj Dusanapudi, Sunil Suresh Hatti, Shakti Kapoor
  • Patent number: 7991584
    Abstract: A system for testing a fan interface on a motherboard is provided. A fan simulator receives a PWM signal from a fan interface of the motherboard, converts the PWM signal to a TACH signal and outputs the TACH signal to a computer via a fan connector. A difference between the actual rotation speed from the TACH signal and a preset desired rotation speed of the fan simulator is determined and analyzed by comparing the difference with a preset allowable error margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: De-Hua Dang, Po-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 7984346
    Abstract: An integrated apparatus for testing image devices is disclosed, in which a plurality of testing apparatuses needed when an image-related device is installed are integrated into one construction for thereby achieving a good portability as compared to a conventional art in which a plurality of testing apparatuses such as a multi-meter, a portable monitor, a communication tester, etc. are separately needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Byeongil Seo
  • Patent number: 7984352
    Abstract: A system comprises built-in self-test (BIST) logic configured to perform a BIST, processing logic coupled to the BIST logic and storage logic coupled to the processing logic. The storage logic comprises debug context information associated with a debugging session. Prior to performance of the BIST, the processing logic stores the debug context information to a destination. After performance of the BIST, the processing logic is reset, and the processing logic restores the debug context information from the destination to the storage logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Karl F. Greb
  • Patent number: 7979762
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit board, a plurality of integrated circuits to be checked are connected together in a star shape. Operation clock data for JTAG of each integrated circuit and check data for checking each integrated circuit are stored. When an integrated circuit to be checked is specified, operation clock data for JTAG and check data for the specified integrated circuit are determined. With an operation clock for JTAG according to the determined operation clock data for JTAG, the determined check data is input to the specified integrated circuit. Based on the check data and output data output from the integrated circuit to which this check data is input, the integrated circuit board determines a malfunction in the integrated circuit, and then stores the determination result in a storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Esaka, Masayuki Furuta, Masataka Kushigemachi
  • Patent number: 7970594
    Abstract: A mechanism for exploiting the data gathered about a system model during the system design phase to aid the identification of errors subsequently detected in a deployed system based on the system model is disclosed. The present invention utilizes the coverage analysis from the design phase that is originally created to determine whether the system model as designed meets the specified system requirements. Included in the coverage analysis report is the analysis of which sets of test vectors utilized in simulating the system model excited individual components and sections of the system model. The present invention uses the information associated with the test vectors to select appropriate test vectors to use to perform directed testing of the deployed system so as to confirm a suspected fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gaudette
  • Patent number: 7966528
    Abstract: A method for handling watchdog events of an electronic device includes detecting a watchdog fault in a normal mode, which is a watchdog event in which a watchdog trigger is not correctly serviced; entering from the normal mode into a first escalation level of nx escalation levels upon detection of the watchdog fault, wherein nx is an integer equal to or greater than 1; detecting correct watchdog events, which are watchdog events in which a watchdog trigger is correctly serviced; and concurrently detecting watchdog faults, leaving the first escalation level if a first escalation condition is met. An electronic device embodiment includes a CPU and program instructions for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rainer Troppmann, Giuseppe Maimone
  • Patent number: 7966534
    Abstract: A method of detecting an error when loading a programmable integrated circuit (IC) can include detecting a predetermined bit pattern indicating a start of a bitstream within the programmable IC, starting a timer within the programmable IC responsive to detecting the predetermined bit pattern, and determining whether a bitstream load complete condition has occurred prior to expiration of the timer. When the timer expires prior to an occurrence of the bitstream load complete condition, at least one recovery action can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil G. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7966527
    Abstract: A method for handling watchdog events of an electronic device includes detecting a watchdog fault in a normal mode, which is a watchdog event in which a watchdog trigger is not correctly serviced; entering from the normal mode into a first escalation level of nx escalation levels upon detection of the watchdog fault, wherein nx is an integer equal to or greater than 1; detecting correct watchdog events, which are watchdog events in which a watchdog trigger is correctly serviced; and concurrently detecting watchdog faults, leaving the first escalation level if a first escalation condition is met, and recovering in a recovering step back from any of the nx escalation levels to a previous level or mode, if a de-escalation condition is met. An electronic device embodiment includes a CPU and program instructions for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maimone, Rainer Troppmann
  • Patent number: 7962823
    Abstract: A system and method for testing a plurality of packet data transmitters in which multiple devices-under-test (DUTs) are tested by providing similar transmit data streams to the DUTs each of which, in response thereto, provides a respective packet data signal. At least a portion of each packet data signal is captured to provide captured data packets, which are processed to provide multiple sets of test data respective ones of which, in turn, are analyzed in view of the transmit data to determine an operational status of each DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: LitePoint Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Volf Olgaard
  • Patent number: 7958412
    Abstract: A memory module includes several memory devices coupled to a memory hub. The memory hub includes several link interfaces coupled to respective processors, several memory controller coupled to respective memory devices, a cross-bar switch coupling any of the link interfaces to any of the memory controllers, a write buffer and read cache for each memory device and a self-test module. The self-test module includes a pattern generator producing write data having a predetermined pattern, and a flip-flop having a data input receiving the write data. A clock input of the flip-flop receives an internal clock signal from a delay line that receives a variable frequency clock generator. Read data are coupled from the memory devices and their pattern compared to the write data pattern. The delay of the delay line and frequency of the clock signal can be varied to test the speed margins of the memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph M. Jeddeloh
  • Patent number: 7958422
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating code for a device are disclosed. A device command for which the code is to be generated is selected. Response template parameters for the selected device commands are retrieved from a response template associated with the device command. Command syntax for the selected device commands are retrieved from a device library associated with the device command. The code is generated for the device in a high level language and the response template parameters are incorporated to provide verification of the device response when the test code is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Sapphire Infotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj Betawar, Dinesh Goradia
  • Patent number: 7949913
    Abstract: A method for storing a memory defect map is disclosed whereby a memory component is tested for defects at the time of manufacture and any memory defects detected are stored in a memory defect map and used to optimize the system performance. The memory defect map is updated and the system's remapping resources optimized as new memory defects are detected during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Forrest E. Norrod, Jimmy D. Pike, Tom L. Newell
  • Patent number: 7945834
    Abstract: A testing circuit has scan chain segments (62,64,60) defined between parallel inputs (wpi[0] . . . wpi[N?1]) and respective parallel outputs (wpo[0] . . . wpo[N?1]). The scan chain segments comprise a bank (62) of cells of a shift register circuit, a core scan chain portion (62), a first bypass path around the core scan chain portion (62) and a second bypass path around the bank (60) of cells of the shift register circuit. This architecture enables loading of data in parallel into the core scan chain, or into the shift register (WBR). In addition, each scan chain segment also has a series latching element (80), and this provides additional testing capability. In particular, the shifting of data between the latching elements (80) can be used to test the bypass paths while the internal or external mode testing is being carried out. This testing can thus be part of a single ATPG procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Tom Waayers, Richard Morren
  • Patent number: 7945824
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package (SiP) and system-in-package (SiP) integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a processing module, a memory module and a programmable system module. The programmable system module is configured to function as an interface between the memory module and the processing module, or as an interface between the memory module and a testing device. The invention facilitates integration and testing of processor-memory units including functional components having different communication protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian E. Ong, Naresh Baliga
  • Patent number: 7945822
    Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatus for storing data to a low-latency random read memory (LLRRM) device using non-aligned data striping, the LLRRM device being implemented on a storage system. The LLRRM device may comprise a bank comprising a plurality of memory chips, each chip being simultaneously accessible for storing data on a plurality of erase-units (EUs). A storage operating system may maintain, for each chip, a reserve data structure listing reserve EUs and a remapping data structure for tracking remappings between defective EUs to reserve EUs in the chip. A defective EU in a chip may be mapped to a reserve EU from the reserve data structure. Upon receiving a data block to be stored to the LLRRM device at the defective EU, the storage operating system may stripe the received data block across a plurality of chips in a non-aligned manner using the remapped reserve EU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Kimmel, Rajesh Sundaram, George Totolos, Jr., Michael W. J. Hordijk
  • Patent number: 7941722
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing of integrated circuits using a Direct Memory Load Execute Dump (DMLED) test module. The method includes loading a test case into a memory using the DMLED test module, loading initialization signatures of fixed pattern into the memory using the DMLED test module, and executing the test case at an operating clock rate of a processor. The method further includes writing result signatures into the memory, and dumping the results signatures from the memory to a tester using the DMLED test module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Pascal Cussonneau, Eric Bernillon
  • Patent number: 7941723
    Abstract: A clock generator is disclosed that includes an array of MEMS resonators and a test circuit. The test circuit is operable at start-up to operate one or more of the MEMS resonators to generate test output and analyze the test output to determine whether the operated MEMS resonators meet test criteria. A MEMS resonator is selected that meets the test criteria and its output is used to generate an output clock signal. In addition, the test circuit is operable to analyze the output of the selected MEMS resonator and select a replacement MEMS resonator when the output of the selected MEMS resonator no longer meets the test criteria. The replacement MEMS resonator is then operated and its output is coupled to the output of the clock generator. Thereby, failing and potentially failing MEMS resonators are automatically replaced during operation of the clock generator in its end-use application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuen-Der Lien, Jimmy Lee
  • Patent number: 7941719
    Abstract: A shift register circuit is provided for storing instruction data for the testing of an integrated circuit core. The shift register circuit comprises a plurality of stages, each stage comprising a serial input (si) and a serial output (so) and a parallel output (wir_output) comprising one terminal of a parallel output of the shift register circuit. A first shift register storage element (32) is for storing a signal received from the serial input (si) and providing it to the serial output (so) in a scan chain mode of operation. A second parallel register storage element (38) is for storing a signal from the first shift register storage element (32) and providing it to the parallel output (wir_output) in an update mode of operation. The stage further comprises a feedback path (40) for providing an inverted version of the parallel output (wir_output) to the first shift register storage element (32) in a test mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Tom Waayers
  • Patent number: 7941717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an integrated circuit core or circuitry external to an integrated circuit core using a testing circuit passes a test vector from a parallel input of the testing circuit along a shift register circuit. The shift register circuit is configured to bypass one or more cores not being tested and to provide the test vector to a core scan chain of the core being tested. The bypassed cores are configured such that the associated shift register circuit portion is driven to a hold mode in which storage elements of the shift register circuit portion have their outputs coupled to their inputs. This method provides holding of the shift register stages when a core is bypassed and in a test mode, and this means the shift register stages are less prone to errors resulting from changes in clock signals applied to the shift register stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Tom Waayers
  • Patent number: 7934136
    Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus for testing a specimen by using a test pattern and an expected value pattern. The test apparatus includes: a control unit for outputting a test pattern to the specimen; a pattern converting unit for converting the expected value pattern based on an output pattern output from the specimen upon an input of the test pattern; and a determination unit for determining the specimen as a non-defective product or a defective product by using the converted expected value pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Harada
  • Patent number: 7930601
    Abstract: A method for implementing at speed bit fail mapping of an embedded memory system having ABIST (Array Built In Self Testing), comprises using a high speed multiplied clock which is a multiple of an external clock of an external tester to sequence ABIST bit fail testing of the embedded memory system. Collect store fail data during ABIST testing of the embedded memory system. Perform a predetermined number of ABIST runs before issuing a bypass order substituting the external clock for the high speed multiplied clock. Use the external clock of the tester to read bit fail data out to the external tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Eckelman, Donato O. Forlenza, Orazio P. Forlenza, William J. Hurley, Thomas J. Knips, Gary William Maier, Phong T. Tran
  • Patent number: 7930610
    Abstract: A system comprises a circuit analysis module configured to analyze a device under test (DUT), the DUT comprising a plurality of latches coupled together in a scan chain. The circuit analysis module analyzes a DUT for sub-circuits within the DUT and identifies a logical description of identified sub-circuits. A don't-care analysis module couples to the circuit analysis module identifies absolute don't-care latches associated with the identified sub-circuits. A sub-circuit exception module couples to the circuit analysis module and selects weighted input values for an identified sub-circuit, based on the identified absolute don't-care latches and the logical description of the identified sub-circuit. The sub-circuit exception module stores the selected weighted input values for the sub-circuit and associates the selected weighted input values with the logical description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel I. Ward, Benjiman L. Goodman, Joshua P. Hernandez, Linton B. Ward, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7926012
    Abstract: A method is provided to improve the usability of Design-For-Testability Synthesis (DFTS) tools and to increase the design process productivity. The method comprises receiving a list of testability and design impact analysis functions, to be performed on the circuit, also referred to as a device under test (DUT). The impact analysis leads to the creation of logical transformations, which can be selected by a user with one or more available transformation methods from a list including, but not limited to, boundary scan test logic insertion, scan test logic insertion, memory BIST (built-in-self-test) logic insertion, and logic BIST logic insertion, and scan test data compression insertion logic insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Parimi, Patrick Gallagher, Brian Foutz, Vivek Chickermane
  • Patent number: 7925948
    Abstract: A system comprises a circuit analysis module configured to analyze a device under test (DUT), the DUT comprising a plurality of latches coupled together in a scan chain. A don't-care analysis module identifies absolute don't-care latches within the DUT, assigns a weighted value to the bit positions of identified don't-care latches, and identifies absolute don't-care bits within a general test pattern. The circuit analysis module replaces identified absolute don't-care bits in the general test pattern according to the weighted value of the associated bit position, generating a weighted test pattern. A test vector module generates a test vector based on the weighted test pattern and an input module applies the test vector to the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel I. Ward, Benjiman L. Goodman, Joshua P. Hernandez, Linton B. Ward, Jr.