Abstract: A memory logic built-in self-test (“BIST”) includes slow speed controller-to-collar signals, while allowing collars to test memories at full speed. A controller is configured to include control features and address, data, read/write, output evaluation, and redundancy calculation values are configured within the collars. The controller is further configured to handle scheduling of the collars and diagnostics interfacing. In addition, the collars are configured to allow BIST testing to be run serially, in parallel, or in groups. Collars are also configured to send diagnostic results back to the controller based on the initialization of the respective collars, thus providing a central interface for the diagnostics results.

Abstract: In methods and apparatus for testing a digital system, scannable memory elements of the digital system are configured in a scan mode in which the memory elements are connected to define a plurality of scan chains. A test stimulus pattern is clocked into each of the scan chains at a respective clock rate, at least two of the clock rates being different from one another. The memory elements of each scan chain are then configured in a normal operation mode in which the memory elements are interconnected by the combinational network for at least one clock cycle at a highest of the respective clock rates. The memory elements are then reconfigured in the scan mode, and a test response pattern is clocked out of each of the scan chains at its respective clock rate. The methods and apparatus are particularly useful for testing digital systems such as digital integrated circuits in which different memory elements are clocked at different rates during normal operation.