Abstract: Methods of a scan partitioning a circuit are disclosed. One method includes calculating a power score for circuit cells within a circuit design based on physical cell parameters of the circuit cells. For each of the circuit cells, the circuit cell is assigned to a scan group according to the power score for the circuit cell and a total power score for each scan group. A plurality of scan chains is formed. Each of the scan chains is formed from the circuit cells in a corresponding scan group based at least in part on placement data within the circuit design for each of the circuit cells. Interconnect power consumption can be assessed to determine routing among circuit cells in the scan chains.

Abstract: A clock distribution circuit configured to output a clock signal includes a first circuit configured to use a reference clock signal to provide first and second reference signals, wherein the second reference signal indicates whether the first reference signal is locked with the reference clock signal; a second circuit configured to use the reference clock signal to provide an output signal and an indication signal indicative whether the output signal is locked with the reference clock signal; and a monitor circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, and configured to use at least one of the first reference signal, the second reference signal, the output signal, and the indication signal to determine whether the second circuit is functioning correctly.

Abstract: A network-on-chip (NoC) system includes a default communication path between a master device and a slave device, and a backup communication path between the master device and the slave device. The default communication path is configured to work in a normal operation state of the chip. The backup communication path is configured to replace the default communication path when a fault arises in the default communication path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device comprises: a first die having disposed thereon a first plurality of latches wherein ones of the first plurality of latches are operatively connected to an adjacent one of the first plurality of latches; and a second die having disposed thereon a second plurality of latches wherein ones of the second plurality of latches are operatively connected to an adjacent one of the second plurality of latches. Each latch of the first plurality of latches on said first die corresponds to a latch in the second plurality of latches on said second die. Each set of corresponding latches are operatively connected. A scan path comprises a closed loop comprising each of said first and second plurality of latches. One of the second plurality of latches is operatively connected to another one of the second plurality of latches via an inverter.

Abstract: Process for determining defects in cells of a circuit is provided. A layout of a circuit is received. The layout comprises a first cell and a second cell separated by a boundary circuit. Bridge pairs for the first cell and the second cell is determined. The bridge pairs comprises a first plurality of boundary nodes of the first cell paired with a second plurality of boundary nodes of the second cell. Bridge pair faults between the bridge pairs are modeled. A test pattern for the bridge pair faults is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an image sensor having a light sensing region, the light sensing region being partitioned into a plurality of sub-regions, a first sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions has a first size, a second sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions has a second size different from the first size, and the second sub-region partially overlaps with the first sub-region. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled with the image sensor, wherein the processor includes a plurality of pixel processing units, and each processing unit of the plurality of processing units is configured to generate a processed image based on an image captured by a corresponding sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions. The apparatus further includes a plurality of lenses configured to focus incident light onto the image sensor.

Abstract: A device comprises a first die; and a second die stacked below the first die with interconnections between the first die and the second die. A least one of the first die or the second die has a circuit for performing a function and provides a functional path. Each of the first and second dies comprise a plurality of latches, including a respective latch corresponding to each one of the interconnections; and a plurality of multiplexers. Each multiplexer is connected to a respective one of the plurality of latches and arranged for receiving and selecting one of a scan test pattern or a signal from the functional path for outputting during a scan chain test of the first die and second die.

Abstract: Electronic design automation (EDA) of the present disclosure, in various embodiments, optimizes designing, simulating, analyzing, and verifying of electronic circuitry for an electronic device. The electronic device includes scan flip-flops to autonomously test the electronic circuitry for various manufacturing faults. The EDA of the present disclosure statistically groups the scan flip-flops into scan chains in such a manner such that scan flip-flops within each scan chain share similar characteristics, parameters, or attributes. Thereafter, the EDA of the present disclosure intelligently arranges ordering for the scan flip-flops within each of the scan chains to optimize power, performance, and/or area of the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A device for power estimation is disclosed. The device includes a transformer circuit coupled with a processing circuit and a transaction interface. The transformer circuit is configured to count performance activities executed in the processing circuit and to compare count values of the performance activities with a pre-determined value to determine a power state of the processing circuit. The transaction interface is configured to receive a request from the processing circuit and record a first timestamp, and further configured to receive a response from a memory model and record a second timestamp, the transaction interface being further configured to record a time difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp as a time difference. The transformer circuit is further configured to determine the power state of the processing circuit based on both of the count values and the time difference.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an integrated circuit and at least one lens. The integrated circuit comprises an image sensor having a light sensing region. The light sensing region is partitioned into sub-regions. The integrated circuit also comprises a processor coupled with and beneath the image sensor. The processor is configured to generate a first processed image based on an image captured by one sub-region, and a second processed image based on another image captured by another sub-region. The first processed image and the second processed image are generated based on a pixel correction process executed by the processor which corrects one or more of the image or the another image based on a predefined light reception factor associated with the sub-regions. The image sensor is configured to receive light via the light sensing region through the at least one lens.

Abstract: A circuit includes a plurality of scan chains arranged in a ring network topology. Each scan chain includes a plurality of scan blocks, each of the plurality of scan blocks including a storage element and a switching device. Each switching device includes a first input configured to receive an output of a storage element in a different scan chain from the scan chain in which the switching device is disposed, and a second input configured to receive one of a function logic signal or a test scan signal. The switching device configured to selectively couple the first input or the second input to an input of the storage element.

Abstract: A clock distribution circuit configured to output a clock signal includes a first circuit configured to use a reference clock signal to provide first and second reference signals, wherein the second reference signal indicates whether the first reference signal is locked with the reference clock signal; a second circuit configured to use the reference clock signal to provide an output signal and an indication signal indicative whether the output signal is locked with the reference clock signal; and a monitor circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, and configured to use at least one of the first reference signal, the second reference signal, the output signal, and the indication signal to determine whether the second circuit is functioning correctly.

Abstract: A power state transformer, a system and a method thereof are disclosed. The power state transformer is coupled with a processing unit model. The power state transformer is configured for counting performance activities executed in the processing unit model, and further for determining a power state of the processing unit model according to count values of the performance activities.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to execute computer program codes to perform operations below. A netlist of a functional unit is transformed to a first matrix. The netlist includes information associated with nodes and flip-flops. A first node is selected from the nodes according to the first matrix and a second matrix, to generate a fault list. The second matrix includes weighting values for the nodes. The first node is determined to be associated with a maximum number of the flip-flops. A fault injection is performed on the functional unit. The functional unit is analyzed according to the netlist and the fault list, to generate a first file. A safety mechanism unit is analyzed to generate a second file. A failure is detected according to the first file or a combination of the first file and the second file.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a systematic defect in a circuit under test is provided. Elements of the circuit under test converted into scan cells. A first scan chain that includes a first plurality of scan cells is formed. Each scan cell of the first plurality of scan cells of the first scan chain are of a first cell type. The first scan chain contains a first scan input and a first scan output. A first test pattern is applied at the scan input and a first test output is collected for the applied first test pattern at the first scan output. The collected first test output is compared with a first expected test output. The first cell type is marked to be a suspect for a systematic defect when the first test output is different from the first expected test output.

Abstract: A clock distribution circuit configured to output a clock signal includes a first circuit configured to use a reference clock signal to provide first and second reference signals, wherein the second reference signal indicates whether the first reference signal is locked with the reference clock signal; a second circuit configured to use the reference clock signal to provide an output signal and an indication signal indicative whether the output signal is locked with the reference clock signal; and a monitor circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, and configured to use at least one of the first reference signal, the second reference signal, the output signal, and the indication signal to determine whether the second circuit is functioning correctly.

Abstract: A device includes a first memory circuit, a second memory circuit and a processing circuit. The memory circuit is configured to store a distinguishable identification (ID). The second memory circuit is configured to store first hash data, wherein the first hash data is generated according to the distinguishable ID. The processing circuit is configured to generate second hash data according to the distinguishable ID when the device is powered on, and to compare the first hash data and the second hash data to determine whether the second hash data matches the first hash data.

Abstract: Methods of a scan partitioning a circuit are disclosed. One method includes calculating a power score for circuit cells within a circuit design based on physical cell parameters of the circuit cells. For each of the circuit cells, the circuit cell is assigned to a scan group according to the power score for the circuit cell and a total power score for each scan group. A plurality of scan chains is formed. Each of the scan chains is formed from the circuit cells in a corresponding scan group based at least in part on placement data within the circuit design for each of the circuit cells. Interconnect power consumption can be assessed to determine routing among circuit cells in the scan chains.

Abstract: Electronic system level (ESL) design and verification of the present disclosure is utilized to provide an electronic simulation and modeling of function safety and fault management of an electronic device. A method for simulating a safety circuit includes providing an electronic architectural design to perform one or more functional behaviors of the electronic device in accordance with an electronic design specification. The method further includes modeling the safety circuit of the electronic architectural design and one or more other electronic circuits of the electronic architectural design that communicate with the safety circuit. The method further includes simulating, using the modeling, operation of the safety circuit while the electronic architectural design is performing the one or more functional behaviors. The method also includes determining whether the simulated operation of the safety circuit satisfies the electronic design specification.

Abstract: A method for dynamic frequency scaling (DFS) on the electronic systems level (ESL). The method can run in a virtual environment and dynamically scale the frequency of a virtual component based on a first transaction time and a second transaction time.