Of Circuit Patents (Class 702/117)
  • Patent number: 8510635
    Abstract: A method for evaluating failure rate, which is applied to a plurality of semiconductor chips with error checking and correcting function includes the following steps. A first read-write test operation is applied to the semiconductor chips, thereby obtaining a plurality of first failure bit counting values. The error checking and correcting function of each of the semiconductor chips is off. An aging test is applied to the semiconductor chips. A second read-write test operation as the first read-write test operation is applied to the semiconductor chips, thereby obtaining a plurality of second failure bit counting values. The number of the semiconductor chips, the first failure bit counting values, the second failure bit counting values and an error checking and correcting coefficient are calculated to obtain a failure rate of the semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yun-Chi Yang, Yen-Song Liu, Chin-Hsien Chen, Sheng-Yu Wu, Kuan-Cheng Su
  • Patent number: 8510074
    Abstract: A moving light test system allows connecting moving lights to an interface board and conveying the lights and orienting and testing the lights while they are attached to the board. The lights can be mechanically and electrically connected to the board, and once connected, can be tested in multiple ways without reconfiguring or removing the lights. The board has a connector that can be plugged in at various locations, and the board can also be handled by mechanical devices. In this way, once the light is connected to the board, it does not need to be re-handled. In addition, lights can be tested in different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Lee, Chris Conti
  • Patent number: 8510072
    Abstract: Additional circuitry is included in an input cell design structure for an integrated circuit to detect and report transitions on an input that was expected to be stable, and to store that event for later analysis. Two or more modified input cells may have their error indications daisy-chained together to minimize additional routing. The storage elements may be included in a scan chain to allow for isolation of which input had the unexpected transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Buechner, Martin Eckert, Matthias Klein, Manfred Walz, Andreas Wagner, Gerhard Zilles
  • Publication number: 20130204569
    Abstract: A system for generating calibration information usable for wafer inspection, the system including: (I) a displacement analysis module, configured to: (a) calculate a displacement for each target out of multiple targets selected in multiple scanned frames which are included in a scanned area of the wafer, the calculating based on a correlation of: (i) an image associated with the respective target which was obtained during a scanning of the wafer, and (ii) design data corresponding to the image; and (b) determining a displacement for each of the multiple scanned frames, the determining based on the displacements calculated for multiple targets in the respective scanned frame; and (II) a subsequent processing module, configured to generate calibration information including the displacements determined for the multiple scanned frames, and a target database that includes target image and location information of each target of a group of database targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Applied Materials Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Goren, Nir Ben-David Dodzin
  • Patent number: 8504319
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products maintain reflective maintenance records for a network. Test results are mirrored from different testing applications to a centralized testing database. The test results are associated to circuit identifiers. A work order is received that identifies trouble associated with a customer. A circuit identifier associated with the customer is retrieved and, prior to performing a test of a circuit to resolve the trouble, the centralized testing database is queried for the circuit identifier. A test result associated with the circuit identifier is retrieved and the work order is updated with the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Qian, Paritosh Bajpay, Jackson Liu, Michael John Zinnikas
  • Patent number: 8504314
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring batteries is disclosed. There is provided a plurality of sensors each adapted to communicate with one of the batteries, and to provide information concerning a characteristic of the battery in response to application of a stimulus to the battery. A controller that communicates with the sensors is also provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Broadband Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rocci, Michael L. Quelly
  • Publication number: 20130197851
    Abstract: Stacked IC devices (or 3D semiconductor devices) have two or more semiconductor devices stacked so they occupy less space than two or more conventionally arranged semiconductor devices. Access to test infrastructures of stacked ICs is provided, regardless of configuration, while using a reduced number of interface pins. A master test controller is provided in a base die and at least one slave test controller is provided in another die. The master test controller is coupled to a test data control (TDC) bus and is configured to broadcast test instructions, test data, and an ID of a slave test controller. The slave test controller is also coupled to the TDC bus, is configured to recognize the broadcast test instructions and test data addressed to the slave test controller, and responds to the instructions when the instructions are addressed to the slave test controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Sudipta Bhawmik
  • Publication number: 20130197850
    Abstract: A device under test (DUT) may be tested using a radio-frequency test station. The DUT may include at least one antenna, wireless communications circuitry associated with the antenna, and other peripheral components such as a camera module, a display module, and audio circuitry. The test station may include a shielded enclosure in which the DUT is placed during testing. The DUT need not be electrically wired to any test equipment. The DUT may be configured to operate in self test mode. The DUT may be configured to obtain baseline noise floor measurements while all the peripheral components are deactivated and may be configured to obtain elevated noise floor measurements while selectively activating desired subsets of the peripheral components. The difference between the elevated and baseline noise floor measurements may be computed to determine whether at least some of the peripheral components negatively impact the antenna performance by an excessive amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Qishan Yu, Jeffrey M. Thoma, Robert S. Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20130191065
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing clock fault detection is presented. A first clock of a plurality of clocks on a printed circuit board (PCB) is designated as a reference clock. A reference clock counter is in communication with the reference clock, counting cycles of the reference clock. A counter is provided for each other clock of the plurality of clocks, each counter counting cycles of a respective clock. The reference clock counter and each of the counters are started at a same time. When the reference clock counter reaches a maximum count value the value of each of the counters is stored and a determination is made whether the stored values are expected values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Avaya Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Ely
  • Patent number: 8494803
    Abstract: A device for testing an electrical component is provided, having a simulation device for generating a simulation signal, a testing device for connecting the electrical component, at least two connecting devices, and a selection device for selecting the connecting device, wherein the simulation device and the testing device can be connected in an electrically conducting manner to at least one of the connecting devices by the selection device and the individual connecting devices differ from one another in at least one electrical property. Thus, a device for testing an electrical component is provided with which in a simple manner the testing accuracy can be increased by minimizing the signal corruption due to a parasitic property of the connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DSpace Digital Signal Processing and Control Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Hasse, Peter Scheibelhut, Dirk Bittner, Robert Polnau
  • Publication number: 20130185014
    Abstract: Exemplary systems, methods and computer-readable mediums can assign, from the circuit, at least two scan cells as at least two interface registers, and generate at least one bidirectional scan path between the at least two interface registers of the at least one portion of the circuit. The at least two interface registers can be disposed in neighboring positions, and the assigning can include a partitioning procedure that can iteratively merge the scan cells of the at least one portion of the circuit into a plurality of regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: New York University
    Inventor: New York University
  • Patent number: 8489345
    Abstract: A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by measuring a first response on a first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on the first transmission line, and then measuring a second response on the first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on at least one second transmission line, wherein the at least one second transmission line is substantially adjacent to the first transmission line. The worst case bit sequences for transmission on the first transmission line and the at least one second transmission line are then determined based upon the first response and the second response for determining performance characteristics associated with the first transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Haw-Jyh Liaw, Xiangchao Yuan, Mark A. Horowitz
  • Patent number: 8483981
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement are provided for identifying parameters of an induction machine when the induction machine is connected to the output phases of a voltage source inverter and the induction machine is in standstill state. The method includes providing a DC magnetization current (idc—magn) to the induction machine with the inverter, controlling the power semiconductors of the inverter to an off-state, controlling all the output phases of the inverter to the same potential to provide a zero voltage vector, measuring the stator current (isd) during the zero voltage vector, and determining parameters of the induction machine from the stator current (isd) measured during the zero voltage vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Samuli Heikkilä
  • Patent number: 8484481
    Abstract: A system for implementing a chip lockout protection scheme for an IC device includes an on-chip password register that stores a password externally input by a user; an on-chip security block that generates a chip unlock signal, depending on whether the externally input password matches a correct password; an on-chip false data generator; an input protection scheme configured to gate the external data inputs to functional chip circuitry upon entry of the correct password; and an output protection scheme in communication configured to steer true chip data to external outputs of the IC device upon entry of the correct password, and to steer false data generated by the false data generator to the external outputs upon entry of an incorrect password. The false generated by the false data generator is deterministic and based upon external data inputs, thereby obfuscating whether or not the correct password has been entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse E. Craig, Stanley B. Stanski, Scott T. Vento
  • Patent number: 8483987
    Abstract: There is provided a circuit with control function including a circuit to be controlled so as to be operated only if a predetermined environment meets a specific condition and being arranged to detect, in any predetermined environment, whether or not the circuit with control function is normally operated, and a test method thereof. The circuit with control function includes a controller (microcomputer) for operating the circuit to be controlled (a heater) only if a predetermined environment (ambient temperature) detected by a sensor (a first temperature sensor) meets a specific condition (0° or below).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyozo Terao
  • Publication number: 20130173203
    Abstract: A digital on-die-test engine (OTE) is disclosed to generate stimuli signals for an analog/RF circuit, where the OTE is embedded within the circuitry. The stimuli signals are injected into the circuit, feed through the circuit, and are received back into the OTE for analysis. The OTE includes an input subsystem to receive signals from various locations throughout the circuit. The received signals are sub-sampled before being tested. The OTE includes memory-aware and memory-less algorithms for testing the signals. The OTE is capable of changing the configuration of the circuit, where needed, following the tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: GEORGIOS PALASKAS, Jorge Hermosillo, Marian K. Verhelst
  • Patent number: 8478553
    Abstract: A method for calculating resistive values of an electronic circuit represented in the form of masks and connections includes defining the circuit in the form of a first list of electrical components and connections between them, identifying circuit entry and exit ports, selecting part of the resistive components of the circuit alone, producing a matrix of resistances of the resistive components alone selected in the previous step, and calculating equivalent resistances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Edxact
    Inventors: Francois Charlet, Mathias Silvant
  • Publication number: 20130166244
    Abstract: A supervisor monitoring system for autonomous test supervision is presented. A system can comprise a first supervisor monitor (SM) and a second SM, each configured to simultaneously monitor one or more tests conducted by one or more testing apparatus. First and second SMs can be configured to verify the other's integrity throughout a testing procedure, providing a failsafe system. The first and second SMs can be interlocked so that if the first SM detects a fault at the second SM, the first SM can interrupt testing monitored at the first SM, and can also interrupt testing monitored at the second SM, and vice versa. An SM can be configured to control a safety relay configured to couple a power channel of a battery exerciser to a battery cell, and be configured to monitor input at the battery exerciser from the cell to determine whether a test constraint has been violated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Turgeon
  • Patent number: 8473275
    Abstract: A method for emulating and debugging a microcontroller is described. In one embodiment, an event thread is executed on an emulator that operates in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information is sampled at selected points. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. As such, the event information and trace information are effectively pre-filtered. Accordingly, it is not incumbent on a designer to read and understand the event and trace information and sort out the information that is of interest. Instead, this task is essentially done automatically, helping the designer and reducing the probability of error. Furthermore, because only selected event and trace information is recorded, the resources of the in-circuit emulator system are not taxed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Bartz, Craig Nemecek, Matt Pleis
  • Patent number: 8463571
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system, method, and storage device simulate a periodic voltage waveform in a network model of the integrated circuit design. The method then determines resultant current values in each segment of nets of the integrated circuit design resulting from the periodic voltage waveform and performs a Fourier transform of the periodic voltage waveform to generate a frequency domain representation of the periodic voltage waveform. The frequency domain representation comprises multiple Fourier terms, each of the Fourier terms is a frequency that is a multiple of the base frequency. Next, the method performs an AC analysis of the resultant voltage at each frequency of the multiple Fourier terms. The AC analysis provides an electrical current value for each of the frequencies of the Fourier terms for each of the nets. This allows the method to compute a root mean square current through each of the nets based on the AC analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Soroush Abbaspour, Ayesha Akhter, Peter Feldmann, Joachim Keinert
  • Patent number: 8458542
    Abstract: Observability and controllability in a test of an analog LSI are increased. Analog signals input from input terminals IN1 to IN3 are supplied to diffusion layer regions 221, 223 and 225 via transistors 301 to 303, and are accumulated as electric charge. A clock signal is applied to signal lines 121 and 122 alternately connected to gate electrodes 211 to 216, thus allowing the accumulated electric charge to be transferred to the right direction. Electric charge/voltage conversion amplifiers 411 to 413 are connected to the diffusion layer regions 221, 223 and 225, and the accumulated electric charge is converted into voltage and is output to output terminals VOUT1 to VOUT3 as analog signals. A scan-in terminal Sin is connected to a diffusion layer region 220, and a scan-out terminal Sout is connected to the diffusion layer region 225 via an electric charge/voltage conversion amplifier 401.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Shimizume, Ikuro Hata, Akira Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8457919
    Abstract: A process for testing an integrated circuit includes collecting a set of points of a physical property while the integrated circuit is executing a multiplication, dividing the set of points into a plurality subsets of lateral points, calculating an estimation of the value of the physical property for each subset, and applying to the subset of lateral points a step of horizontal transversal statistical processing by using the estimations of the value of the physical property, to verify a hypothesis about the variables manipulated by the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Inside Secure
    Inventors: Benoit Feix, Georges Gagnerot, Mylene Roussellet, Vincent Verneuil
  • Publication number: 20130138380
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventor: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
  • Patent number: 8452566
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) including a warranty and enforcement system, and a related design structure and HDL design structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a parameter obtainer for obtaining a value of a parameter of the IC; a warranty data storage system for storing warranty limit data regarding the IC; a comparator for determining whether a warranty limit has been exceeded by comparing the value of the parameter to a corresponding warranty limit; and an action taker for taking a prescribed action in response to the warranty limit being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Goodnow, Suzanne Granato, Eze Kamanu, Todd E. Leonard, Ramnath Ravindran, Kyle E. Schneider, Peter A. Twombly
  • Patent number: 8452558
    Abstract: A test circuit for testing a flexible printed board (FPC) is provided, the test circuit includes a parameter preset module, a comparison module, and a prompt module. The parameter preset module is used to preset a parameter range indicating the suitable range of the resistance value of the FPC, and is further configured to connect to the FPC and convert the resistance value of the FPC to a related parameter. The comparison module compares the related parameter with the parameter range preset by the parameter preset module, and produces a comparison result. The prompt module produces a corresponding prompt signal according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Fa Huang, Peng-Wei Gu, Wen-Juan Ning, Yu-Zhe Geng, Jia Chen, De-Ke Ma
  • Patent number: 8447556
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Michael C. Doogue, William P. Taylor, Ravi Vig, P. Karl Scheller
  • Patent number: 8448008
    Abstract: On-chip high speed clock control techniques for testing circuits with multiple clock systems are disclosed. The techniques allow certain (e.g. compatible) high speed clocks to be activated with predefined waveforms during a capture period of a logic test, based on a clock control signal. The clock control signal may be supplied via a JTAG control port or via a scan chain load port. The clock control signal may also be generated by a BIST controller. The techniques may ensure glitch-free transitions from slow speed clocks during a shift period to fast speed clocks during a capture period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Friedrich Hapke, Michael Wittke, Sascha Ochsenknecht, Thomas H. Rinderknecht
  • Patent number: 8447553
    Abstract: Methods and systems using one or more expert systems to increase electronic device reliability. One embodiment is a method to screen an electronic device by one or more expert systems to detect a potential failure of the electronic device, selectively testing the electronic device when the screening indicates a potential failure, and providing one or more outputs if the selective testing of the electronic device indicates a failure. A second embodiment is a system to screen an electronic device by one or more expert systems to detect a potential failure, selectively testing the electronic device when the screening indicates a potential failure and providing one or more outputs if the selective testing of the electronic device indicates the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Roe
  • Patent number: 8437967
    Abstract: A method of and system for inspecting multi-layer reticles. The method includes: selecting a multi-layer reticle having an array of cells arranged in R rows and C columns; defining a full inspection region that includes all cells of the array of cells; and when R is equal to one (or is greater than two) and C is greater than two (or is equal to one) and a cell of the array of cells is a dummy cell in a first or last position of a row (or of a column) of the array of cells, then reducing the full inspection region to generate a shrunken inspection region that does not include the dummy cell, and then inspecting the shrunken inspection region for defects. If the dummy cell is between two non-dummy cells, then the dummy cell is a copy of one of the non-dummy cells, but is not inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karen D. Badger, Karen Strube Edwards, Patricia Mae Hynek, John M. Leonard, Maureen Fitzpatrick McFadden, David A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 8438442
    Abstract: A method of testing a processing includes performing a test of at least one logic block of a processor of a data processing system; receiving an interrupt; stopping the performing the test for the processor to respond to the interrupt, wherein the stopping the performing the test includes storing test data of the test to a memory prior to the processor responding to the interrupt; and after the processor responds to the interrupt, resuming performing the test, wherein the resuming performing the test includes retrieving the test data from the memory and using the retrieved test data for the resuming performing the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 8437976
    Abstract: A gas density transducer including: a piezoresistive bridge sensor operative to provide an output indicative of an applied pressure, a computing processor having multiple inputs and at least one output, with the output of the bridge sensor coupled to an input of the processor; a temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor for providing at an output a signal indicative of a temperature of the bridge sensor, the output of the temperature sensor coupled to an input of the processor; and, at least one memory accessible by the processor and having stored therein: compensation coefficients for compensating the output of the bridge sensor for temperature variation; an algorithm for solving Van der Waal's equation; and, code for providing at an output of the processor a signal indicative of a gas density when the bridge is subjected to a gas containing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Wolf S. Landmann
  • Patent number: 8433534
    Abstract: A method for testing multiple features of an electronic device sets a global timer and a series of feature test timers. The feature test timers are arranged in a sequence. The global timer is firstly activated. The feature test timers are then activated one by one according to the sequence and one or more features of the electronic device corresponding to each of the feature test timers are tested until the global timer times out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 8428899
    Abstract: Apparatus for testing a conducted energy weapon includes analyzer to produce characteristic signals representative of characteristics of electrical current pulses delivered by the weapon into a resistive load when the weapon is discharged. Risk estimation device responsive to the characteristic signals produces a risk estimate representative of a risk of injury to a targeted subject due to electrical stimulation, or alternatively representative of a risk of failure to incapacitate the targeted subject. Indicator device responsive to the risk estimate indicates the risk of injury, or alternatively the risk of failure to incapacitate, and warns the user of the apparatus when the risk exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Edward Miller, Ronald William Evans
  • Patent number: 8423851
    Abstract: A measured device coupled to test equipment providing at least two test factors and receiving a test result is disclosed. The measured device includes a combinatorial logic circuit and a main circuit. The combinatorial logic circuit includes a first storage module and a second storage module. The first storage module stores the test factors according to a first operation clock. The second storage module stores and outputs at least two output factors according to a second operation clock. The frequency of the second operation clock is higher than the frequency of the first operation clock. When the test factors are stored in the first storage module, the test factors stored in the first storage module are served as the output factors and the output factors are output and stored in the second storage module. The main circuit generates the test result according to the output factors output by the second storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shu-Liang Nin
  • Patent number: 8423314
    Abstract: Configuring at least one radio frequency (RF) instrument according to a plurality of RF measurement configurations for performing a plurality of tests on a device under test (DUT). A list of RF measurement configurations may be stored in a computer memory. The list of RF measurement configurations comprises a plurality of parameters for configuring operation of the at least one instrument. Information regarding the list of RF measurement configurations (e.g., a data stream) may be provided to the at least one RF instrument. The at least one RF instrument may perform the plurality of tests on the DUT, including the at least one RF instrument configuring itself according to the RF measurement configurations based on processing of the information. Configuring enables the at least one RF instrument to perform the plurality of tests on the DUT in a deterministic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Kunal H. Patel, David E. Klipec
  • Publication number: 20130080107
    Abstract: A tester module for automatic test equipment (ATE) includes test instruments for testing an integrated circuit device under test (DUI). A plurality of sensors include sensors coupled to or proximate to the test instruments for detecting a plurality of different maintenance triggers associated with the test instruments. A memory stores code including operating system code for controlling the test instruments and for implementing a system maintenance compliance tool. A processor is coupled to the test instruments, the sensors and the memory. The processor runs the operating system code including the system maintenance compliance tool. The system maintenance compliance tool upon receiving notification of at least a first maintenance trigger automatically blocks the ATE being used for the testing. The system maintenance compliance tool can include a listing of needed maintenance actions associated with the maintenance triggers that when completed automatically releases the ATE to allow resumption of testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: NICHOLAS FLORES, JR., RICHARD G. BAKER, DENNIS H. BURKE, JR.
  • Patent number: 8407642
    Abstract: A leak current calculation apparatus includes an acquiring section for acquiring partial circuit information, and a grouping section for forming a plurality of groups each comprising a part of the partial circuits connected with each other and for generating group information. The apparatus includes a leak difference value calculating section for calculating a leak difference value, which is a difference between a provisional maximum value acquired by adding up the maximum values of the leak current values of all the partial circuits and a sum of maximum values of the leak current values contained in the group information of the groups, and a maximum leak current calculating section for calculating the maximum leak current value of the integrated circuit by adjusting the provisional maximum value with the leak difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yuzi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 8401812
    Abstract: A tester for testing a device under test has a first channel unit and a second channel unit. The first channel unit has a corresponding first pin connection for a signal from a device under test, a corresponding first test processor adapted to process, at least partially, data obtained from the first pin connection, and a corresponding first memory coupled with the first test processor and adapted to store data provided by the first test processor. The first channel unit is adapted to transfer at least a part of the data obtained from the first pin connection to the second channel unit as transfer data. The second channel unit has a corresponding second test processor adapted to process, at least partly, the transfer data from the first channel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Martin Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8401543
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for testing a battery-powered electronic device-under-test in a transport frame engaged with a test fixture. A transport frame power supply is arranged to provide power to the DUT in a pre-testing stage. A switching circuit is arranged to switch from the transport frame power supply to a test fixture power supply in response to receiving a power switching signal indicating satisfaction of a pre-testing condition. Power from the test fixture power supply can then be switched back to the first transport frame, or to a second transport frame, to begin testing a second DUT. The ability to start a DUT test without having to wait for the DUT to boot-up in the test fixture reduces test time and increases efficiency of use of test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Karoly Goja, Jun Ni, William Mark Dodd, Arkady Ivannikov
  • Publication number: 20130060506
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for an intact evaluation of the unit cells in a fuel cell stack. Since the degradation of the unit cells can be detected intactly, i.e. without disassembly of the stack, the time required for the detection and analysis thereof can be greatly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jong Hyun JANG, Kug-Seung LEE, Hyoung-Juhn KIM, Eun Ae CHO, Soo-Kil KIM, Dirk HENKENSMEIER, Suk-Woo NAM, Tae Hoon LIM
  • Publication number: 20130060505
    Abstract: Wafer sort data can be converted to binary data, whereby each integrated circuit of the wafer is assigned a value of one or zero, depending on whether test data indicates the integrated circuit complies with a specification. In addition, each integrated circuit is assigned position data to indicate its position on the wafer. A frequency transform, such as a multidimensional discrete Fourier transform (DFT), is applied to the binary wafer sort data and position data to determine a spatial frequency spectrum that indicates error patterns for the wafer. The spatial frequency spectrum can be analyzed to determine the characteristics of the wafer formation process that resulted in the errors, and the wafer formation process can be modified to reduce or eliminate the errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ATI Technologies ULC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Brennan
  • Patent number: 8390296
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for detecting abnormality of a current sensor operative to measure a charge or discharge current of a battery pack. The method comprises measuring current and voltage of the battery pack; and detecting abnormality of the current sensor by comparing variations in current and voltage over a predetermined time with a current reference value and a voltage reference value, respectively. According to the present invention, it is capable of improving reliability of the battery pack, and in case that the current sensor is out of order, of protecting the battery pack from dangerous accidents such as explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Gi Jung, Ju-Young Kim, Jung-Soo Kang, Do-Youn Kim, Cheol-Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 8392767
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of devices that are connected in series and a controller that communicates with the devices. Each of the devices has a plurality of input ports and corresponding output ports. The outputs of one device and the inputs of a next device are interconnected. The controller is coupled to the first device and the last device of the series-connection. The controller applies a test pattern to the plurality of input ports at the first device connected in series, by the controller. Each data channel defines a data path between corresponding pairs of input and output ports of the first and last devices. A data channel is enabled if the test pattern is detected at its corresponding output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Hong Beom Pyeon
  • Publication number: 20130049781
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices with self-heating structures, methods of manufacture thereof, and testing methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece, an active electrical structure disposed over the workpiece, and at least one self-heating structure disposed proximate the active electrical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia Yang Ko, Ying-Han Chiou, Ling-Sung Wang
  • Publication number: 20130054179
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor includes multiple cores and a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the cores. The PCU has a stress detector to receive a voltage and a temperature at which the processor is operating and can calculate an effective reliability stress, maintain the effective reliability stress over multiple boot cycles of a computing system such as personal computer, server computer, tablet computer, smart phone or any other computing platform, and control one or more operating parameters of the processor based on the effective reliability stress. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Dorit Shapira, Efraim Rotem, Douglas R. Moran
  • Patent number: 8386859
    Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling an operation of one or more cores on an integrated circuit chip are provided. The mechanisms retrieve, from an on-chip non-volatile memory of the integrated circuit chip, baseline chip characteristics data representing operational characteristics of the one or more cores prior to the integrated circuit chip being operational in the data processing system. Current operational characteristics data of the one or more cores are compared with the baseline chip characteristics data. Deviations of the current operational characteristics data from the baseline chip characteristics data are determined and used to determine modifications to an operation of the one or more cores. Control signals are sent to one or more on-chip management units based on the determined modifications to cause the operation of the one or more cores to be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
  • Patent number: 8386862
    Abstract: A fault diagnosis apparatus and method capable of simultaneously detecting the fault of a multiplexer and the fault of an A/D converter and isolating and identifying causes of these faults, the multiplexer and the A/D converter being used in a multi-channel analog input/output circuit. Test-voltage values are inputted from a diagnosis-voltage input unit into the multiplexer and the A/D converter constituting an analog-signal conversion unit, the multiplexer having plural channels, the A/D converter converting outputs from the multiplexer into digital signals, the test-voltage values being different from each other for each channel of the multiplexer. Comparisons are made between the digital voltage values and the test-voltage values inputted, the digital voltage values being outputted for each channel of the multiplexer. From this comparison result, it is judged whether the multiplexer is at fault or the A/D converter is at fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Terae, Masakazu Ishikawa, Yasuyuki Furuta, Katsumi Yoshida, Atsushi Nishioka, Yasuhiro Kiyofuji, Takenori Kasahara, Syuichi Nagayama, Fujiya Kawawa, Manabu Kubota, Tatsuyuki Ootani, Hidechiyo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130046504
    Abstract: In a method for testing integrity of signals transmitted from hard disk interfaces using a computing device, the computing device connects to an oscilloscope and a mechanical arm that is equipped with a test fixture. The mechanical arm controls the test fixture to make contact with one of the hard disk interfaces to be tested. The method adjusts an intensity grade of the signals through the hard disk interface, and controls the hard disk interface to produce a signal corresponding to the adjusted intensity grade. The test fixture obtains the signal from the hard disk interface, and the oscilloscope measures one or more test parameters of the signal. The method analyzes values of the test parameters to find an optimal signal, determines an intensity grade of the optimal signal as a driving parameter of the hard disk interface, and generates a test report of the hard disk interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HUI-CHI LO, HSIEN-CHUAN LIANG, JUI-HSIUNG HO, SHOU-KUO HSU, CHENG-CHUNG HUANG, CHENG-HSIEN LEE
  • Publication number: 20130046503
    Abstract: Testing system and method with wireless transmission tested data function are provided. An electronic device performs self-testing by a testing program or a testing instrument so as to generate tested data and transmits the tested data to a server via a wireless network. A processing device linked to the server via the wireless network obtains and processes the tested data so as to generate processed data. The processing device further transmits the processed data to the server via the wireless network. Accordingly, the processing device immediately and remotely monitors the electronic device, which is located on a production line, thereby effectively reducing manpower and costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicants: ASKEY COMPUTER CORPORATION, ASKEY TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Lin Huang, Ching-Feng Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20130046502
    Abstract: A test device for testing a motherboard includes a connector, a processor, and a controller. The motherboard includes a slot including a sleep unit and a wake port. The connector is inserted into the slot to make an electrical connection with the motherboard. The processor includes a first pin connected to the wake port, a second pin connected to the sleep unit, and a control port sending control signals to the first pin and the second pin. The controller includes a first control module, a second control module, and a timer. The timer is programmed with at least two time points. Wherein the first control module and the second control module respectively send signals to the control port at each time point, to control the motherboard to enter the sleep mode and wake mode by turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HON FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao ZHANG, Yu-Mei LI, Hui LI