Abstract: A voltage controlled delay line (VCDL) for measuring the maximum speed of a chip includes a first input configured to receive a reference clock signal, a first output configured to output an output clock signal, and a second input configured to receive a phase error signal representing a phase delay between the reference and output clock signals. A register stores a delay code applied by the VCDL to the reference clock signal to delay the reference clock signal to generate the output clock signal. The delay code is adjusted according to the phase error signal until the phase delay is equal to a predetermined value. A second output is coupled to an interface that reads the delay code from the register and outputs the delay code to automated testing equipment when the phase delay is equal to the predetermined value. The outputted delay code corresponds to the maximum chip speed.

Abstract: A method for measuring a phase locked loop bandwidth parameter for a high-speed serial link includes the steps of initiating a jitter frequency of a clock input of a phase locked loop equal to a reference frequency with a frequency generator; determining a reference jitter amplitude value of a clock output of the phase locked loop with a waveform analyzer at the reference frequency, the reference jitter amplitude value being a function of a time interval error jitter trend of the clock output at the reference frequency; and adjusting the jitter frequency of the clock input with the frequency generator until an adjusted jitter amplitude value of the clock output reaches a goal value as determined by the waveform analyzer, the adjusted jitter amplitude being a function of a time interval error trend of the clock output at the adjusted frequency.

Abstract: A voltage controlled delay line (VCDL) for measuring the maximum speed of a chip includes a first input configured to receive a reference clock signal, a first output configured to output an output clock signal, and a second input configured to receive a phase error signal representing a phase delay between the reference and output clock signals. A register stores a delay code applied by the VCDL to the reference clock signal to delay the reference clock signal to generate the output clock signal. The delay code is adjusted according to the phase error signal until the phase delay is equal to a predetermined value. A second output is coupled to an interface that reads the delay code from the register and outputs the delay code to automated testing equipment when the phase delay is equal to the predetermined value. The outputted delay code corresponds to the maximum chip speed.

Abstract: A method for measuring a phase locked loop bandwidth parameter for a high-speed serial link includes the steps of initiating a jitter frequency of a clock input of a phase locked loop equal to a reference frequency with a frequency generator, determining a reference jitter amplitude value of a clock output of the phase locked loop with a waveform analyzer at the reference frequency, the reference jitter amplitude value being a function of a time interval error jitter trend of the clock output at the reference frequency; and adjusting the jitter frequency of the clock input with the frequency generator until an adjusted jitter amplitude value of the clock output reaches a goal value as determined by the waveform analyzer, the adjusted jitter amplitude being a function of a time interval error trend of the clock output at the adjusted frequency.