Abstract: An external scan test module that is adapted to act as an interface between an automated tester and a device under test. The external scan test module includes a scan pattern memory to hold scan patterns for at least one configuration of the device under test. A failure log memory holds failure information for the device under test. A controller sends scan input data to the device under test, receives scan output data from the device under test, and sends and receives signals from the automated tester. An interface receives scan patterns.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, where a hard macro is resident within the integrated circuit. The hard macro receives a clock signal at a frequency that is below the operational frequency of the integrated circuit, and produces a clock signal having a frequency that is at least equal to the operational frequency of the integrated circuit. The hard macro has a first input that receives a first signal from the tester. A second input receives a second signal from the tester, offset by substantially ninety degrees from the phase of the first signal. A speed select input receives a signal, where the signal is selectively set at one of a logical high indicating a first multiplier to be applied in the hard macro, and a logical low indicating a second multiplier to be applied in the hard macro. A clock multiplication circuit receives the first signal, selectively receives the second signal, and receives the speed select signal, and produces the clock signal.

Abstract: A built in self test circuit for testing an analog to digital converter. An up counter receives a test input and a first clock signal and provides and upper limit. A down counter receives the test input and the first clock signal, and provides a lower limit. A digital to analog converter receives the test input and a second clock signal, and provides an analog output. Circuitry provides the analog output and a third clock signal to the analog to digital converter, and the analog to digital converter thereby produces a digital signal. An upper limit comparator receives the upper limit and the digital signal, and provides an upper limit status signal indicating whether the digital signal violates the upper limit. A lower limit comparator receives the lower limit and the digital signal, and provides a lower limit status signal indicating whether the digital signal violates the lower limit.

Abstract: A metastability risk simulation analysis device and method for identifying metastability risks of a design. The metastability risk simulation analysis device includes computer readable code which is configured to analyze simulation information relating to the design and determine whether the design presents a metastability risk. Desirably, the computer readable code is configured to determine whether two signals, such as a data signal and a clock signal of a synchronous element of the design, cross over each other thereby presenting a metastability risk, and is configured to generate a summary report identifying those synchronous elements of the design which present a metastability risk.

Abstract: A system for designing integrated circuits that use frequency synthesizers to ensure testability. A testability circuit is added or connected to the frequency synthesizer that will receive allow the integrated circuit to operate in a system mode for normal function and in a test mode during testing. In the test mode, the testability circuit will inhibit the reset signal from initializing the integrated circuit until the frequency synthesizer has reached phase lock. The testability circuit may be implemented as a component in the frequency synthesizer cell in an ASIC design system such that anytime the frequency synthesizer is used, the integrated circuit is testable.

Abstract: A scan-based logic test apparatus is provided for use with an automated test equipment (ATE) digital tester which tests scan-based logic IC devices. The test apparatus is embodied in a test card which is pluggable into a bus slot within a computer. The computer includes a permanent memory for storing scan-based pattern data including serial input pattern data and expected serial output pattern data. The test card includes an I/O interface control which interfaces the test card to the computer to permit retrieval of the scan-based pattern data from the permanent memory and which interfaces the test card to the digital tester to permit the tester to supply control signals to the test card. The test card further includes an SRAM memory which is coupled to the I/O interface control. The SRAM memory stores the scan-based pattern data including serial input pattern data and expected serial output pattern data upon retrieval thereof from the permanent memory by the I/O interface control.