Abstract: An integrated circuit test mechanism based upon the JTAG standard utilises serial scan chains for applying signals to and capturing signals from predetermined nodes within an integrated circuit (2). Multiple independent scan chains (12, 14, 16) are provided for different circuit units (4, 6, 8, 10) within the integrated circuit, i.e. individual scan chains (12, 14) for circuit elements such as a central processing core (4) or a cache memory (8). The scan chain controller (18) is responsive to a scan chain selecting instruction (Scan-N) received at its serial input (20) to capture a scan chain specifying value at the serial input. The scan chain specifying value is then used to control the position of a scan chain multiplexer (28) that selects one of the multiple scan chains to which subsequent instructions received at the serial input are applied.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described having a scan chain of the JTAG type in which there are provided a plurality of serially connected test cells 2. The test cells serve the additional function of operating during the normal operation of the integrated circuit to store signal values that are logically combined (compared) with signal values generated by the integrated circuit to yield control signals into for controlling the operation of the integrated circuit. This allows the storage capacity of the test cells to be utilised during normal operation when they would otherwise be idle.