Boundary Scan Patents (Class 714/727)
  • Patent number: 12158498
    Abstract: A testing circuitry includes an on-chip clock controller circuit and a first clock adjustment circuit. The on-chip clock controller circuit is configured to generate an internal clock signal in response to a reference clock signal, a scan enable signal, a plurality of enable bits, and a scan mode signal, and generate a first control signal in response to the scan enable signal, a plurality of first bits, and the reference clock signal. The first clock adjustment circuit is configured to generate a first test clock signal according to the first control signal and the internal clock signal, in order to test a multicycle path circuit. The plurality of first bits are to set a first pulse of the first test clock signal, in order to prevent the multicycle path circuit from occurring a timing violation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Yi Kuo, Po-Lin Chen, Yu-Cheng Lo
  • Patent number: 12085610
    Abstract: An example device includes built in test observation controller circuitry configured to: obtain a test; send first instructions to the processor to begin to execute the test by modifying values stored in a plurality of memory circuits; send second instructions to the processor to stop execution of the test at a first simulation time, wherein one or more memory values that are unobservable during a second simulation time of the test execution are observable during the first simulation time; and enhanced chip access trace scan circuitry configured to select a subset of the values from the plurality of memory circuits while the test is stopped; and signature circuitry configured to: determine a logic signature based on the subset of the values; and provide the logic signature for comparison to an expected signature, wherein a difference between the logic signature and the expected signature corresponds to a fault in the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Devanathan Varadarajan, Benjamin Niewenhuis
  • Patent number: 12063830
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels. At least one of the pixel includes a light emitting diode, a first transistor connected between a power line receiving a power source voltage and an anode of the light emitting diode, a second transistor connected between a data line and a first reference node, a first capacitor connected between the power line and the first reference node, a second capacitor connected between the first reference node and a second reference node, a third transistor connected between the first refence node and a reference voltage line receiving a reference voltage, a fourth transistor connected between an initialization voltage line receiving an initialization voltage and a drain of the first transistor, and a fifth transistor connected between the drain of the first transistor and the anode of the light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Donggyu Lee, Jihye Kim, Jin-Wook Yang, Jae-Hyeon Jeon
  • Patent number: 12044720
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a multi-core test processor, and an integrated circuit test system and method. The multi-core test processor includes a co-test-processor-sync-controller, a master-test-processor, two or more co-test-processors, and a test subsystem command switching device. Several co-test-processors are introduced under the master-test-processor. The master-test-processor will deliver test patterns that require concurrent testing to the co-test-processors for execution, so as to complete test items similar to the asynchronous signal match test. After the co-test-processors complete the test, the master-test-processor continues to carry out the subsequent test. The present disclosure can achieve asynchronous concurrent test on multiple sites and improve the test efficiency. Meanwhile, idling of fewer test channels can be avoided when asynchronous test channels are allocated to each site, thereby improving test channel utilization rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Inventor: Guoliang Mao
  • Patent number: 12032016
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic component comprising a first integrated sub-circuit having a defined interface and a defined fixed-hardware functionality, a second, reconfigurable integrated sub-circuit being signal-connected via the interface to the first sub-circuit to exchange signals therewith, and optionally supply energy thereto, and one or more terminals for electrically connecting the electronic component to its periphery. The second sub-circuit is configured as an interface circuit between the one or more terminals and the first sub-circuit. The second sub-circuit is further configured as a reconfigurable integrated testing unit to test said hardware functionality of the first sub-circuit by applying one or more input signals to the first circuit and evaluating one or more output signals received via the interface from the first sub-circuit in response to the one or more input signals for conformance with one or more predetermined test criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Aal, Hosea Busse
  • Patent number: 11988712
    Abstract: A multi-bit flip-flop includes a first flip-flop having a first output driver connected to a first output pin and arranged on a first row, a second flip-flop including a second output driver electrically connected to a second output pin and arranged on a second row, and an internal hold buffer connected to the first output driver on the first row and the second flip-flop on the second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunghee Kim, Ahreum Kim, Minsu Kim, Seungman Lim
  • Patent number: 11984177
    Abstract: A memory component comprises a memory unit including an array of memory cells, a controller of the memory unit, and a JTAG test interface including a plurality of contact pads adapted to connect the memory component with a host device and/or a test machine, wherein the test interface further comprises a plurality of test registers, which are configured to store the operating instructions for performing the test of the memory component, and wherein those test registers are organized in a matrix configuration, each row of the matrix being associated with a specific address. A related System-On-Chip device and a related method are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventors: Antonino Mondello, Alberto Troia
  • Patent number: 11966299
    Abstract: A user terminal, a debugging device, and a data backup method are provided. The user terminal includes a storage component, an I/O controller, a main controller, a first CC controller, a first MUX, a second MUX, a third MUX, and a first interface. The first CC controller is connected to each of the first interface and a first signal selection input end of the first MUX; a first signal input end of the first MUX is connected to the I/O controller, a second signal input end of the first MUX is connected to the main controller, and a first signal output end of the first MUX is connected to the first interface; the main controller is connected to each of a second signal selection input end of the second MUX and a third signal selection input end of the third MUX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongbin Yi, Jinfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11899062
    Abstract: A basic logic element includes: a calculation unit configured to perform calculation processing; a self-diagnosis unit configured to self-diagnose whether or not there is an abnormality in a result of the calculation output from the basic logic element; a management unit configured to determine whether or not to retain authority to output the result of the calculation based on a result of the diagnosis performed by the self-diagnosis unit and output a result of the determination as an authority signal; and an output control unit configured to control whether or not to output the result of the calculation performed by the calculation unit based on whether or not the authority to output data is retained by the management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NEC SPACE TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Hihara
  • Patent number: 11842894
    Abstract: An element that is configured to bond to another element is disclosed. A first element that can include a first plurality of contact pads on a first surface. The first plurality of contact pads includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad that are spaced apart from one another. The first and second contact pads are electrically connected to one another for redundancy. The first element can be prepared for direct bonding. The first element can be bonded to a second element to form a bonded structure. The second element has a second plurality of contact pads on a second surface. At least one of the second plurality of contact pads is bonded and electrically connected to at least one of the first plurality of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ADEIA SEMICONDUCTOR BONDING TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh Katkar, Belgacem Haba
  • Patent number: 11824534
    Abstract: A transmit driver architecture with a test mode (e.g., a JTAG configuration mode), extended equalization range, and/or multiple power supply domains. One example transmit driver circuit generally includes one or more driver unit cells having a differential input node pair configured to receive an input data signal and having a differential output node pair configured to output an output data signal; a plurality of power switches coupled between the differential output node pair and one or more power supply rails; a first set of one or more drivers coupled between a first test node of a differential test data path and a first output node of the differential output node pair; and a second set of one or more drivers coupled between a second test node of the differential test data path and a second output node of the differential output node pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Nakul Narang, Siok Wei Lim, Luhui Chen, Yipeng Wang, Kee Hian Tan
  • Patent number: 11720719
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for signal encryption in high bandwidth memory are described. A high bandwidth memory (HBM) may include a mix of secure circuits and non-secure circuits, which are coupled to secure and non-secure registers respectively. Information may be communicated between the secure and non-secure registers along an interface. The information associated with the secure register may be encrypted. When information is written to the secure register, an encryption circuit in the HBM may first decrypt the information before it is written to the secure register. When information is read from the secure register, it may first be encrypted by the encryption circuit before it is provided along the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chikara Kondo, Kazuhiro Kurihara
  • Patent number: 11714131
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for performing scan testing includes: generating first and second scan clock signals; providing the first and second scan clock signals to first and second scan chains, respectively, where the first and second scan clock signals includes respective first shift pulses when a scan enable signal is asserted, and respective first capture pulses when the scan enable signal is deasserted, where the first shift pulse of the first and second scan clock signals correspond to a first clock pulse of a first clock signal, where the first capture pulse of the first scan clock signal corresponds to a second clock pulse of the first clock signal, and where the first capture pulse of the second scan clock signal corresponds to a first clock pulse of a second clock signal different from the first clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Venkata Narayanan Srinivasan, Manish Sharma, Shiv Kumar Vats, Umesh Chandra Srivastava
  • Patent number: 11598808
    Abstract: A system comprises a memory sub-system controller mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) and an in-circuit test (ICT) device. The memory sub-system controller has test points on the PCB comprising stimulus points and observation points. The ICT device connects to the test points of the controller. The ICT device converts automated test pattern generation (ATPG) input test vectors to test signals. A first set of pin drivers of the ICT device applies the test signals to the stimulus points of the controller and a second set of pin drivers of the ICT device read output signals output at the observation points of the controller. A comparator of the ICT device compares the output signals with output test vectors. The comparator provides test result data comprising a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Richard Spica
  • Patent number: 11585852
    Abstract: In some examples, an integrated circuit comprises: a TDI input, a TDO output, a TCK input and a TMS input; a TAP state machine (TSM) having an input coupled to the TCK input, an input coupled to the TMS input, an instruction register control output, a TSM data register control (DRC) output, and a TSM state output; an instruction register having an input coupled to the TDI input, an output coupled to the TDO output, and a control input coupled to the instruction register control output of the TAP state machine; router circuitry including a TSM DRC input coupled to the TSM DRC output, a control DRC input coupled to the TSM state output, and a router DRC output; and a data register having an input coupled to the TDI input, an output coupled to the TDO output, and a data register DRC input coupled to the router DRC output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11477547
    Abstract: An industrial monitoring system comprises monitoring devices that are enabled for debugging by a component comprising a first microcontroller unit and a second microcontroller unit. The monitoring device receives a debugging command based on a subscription, on a publish-subscribe communications channel, to events indicative of requests to perform debugging operation. The second microcontroller unit causes the first microcontroller unit to perform the command. Results of performing the command are returned by publishing an event to the publish-subscribe communications channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Fathy Mohammed Abdelrazek, Aleksei Dorokhov, Johan Moraal, Marinus Jan de Putter
  • Patent number: 11462288
    Abstract: A memory component comprises a memory unit including an array of memory cells, a controller of the memory unit, and a JTAG test interface including a plurality of contact pads adapted to connect the memory component with a host device and/or a test machine, wherein the test interface further comprises a plurality of test registers, which are configured to store the operating instructions for performing the test of the memory component, and wherein those test registers are organized in a matrix configuration, each row of the matrix being associated with a specific address. A related System-On-Chip device and a related method are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Mondello, Alberto Troia
  • Patent number: 11448697
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatuses for allowing a controller to select and access different types of access ports in a device. The selecting and accessing of the access ports is achieved using only the dedicated TDI, TMS, TCK, and TDO signal terminals of the device. The selecting and accessing of device access ports can be achieved when a single device is connected to the controller, when multiple devices are placed in a daisy-chain arrangement and connected to the controller, or when multiple devices are placed in a addressable parallel arrangement and connected to the controller. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11422188
    Abstract: The operational mode information and the hold-toggle pattern for a flexible isometric test compression system may be determined based on the plurality of test cubes generated for a subset of the targeted faults, the predetermined size and toggle rate for the hold-toggle pattern, and the predetermined maximum number of device inputs for full-toggle scan chains. The operational mode information comprising information of the full-toggle scan chains may be determined based on reduced toggle ranges first and the hold-toggle pattern may then be determined using a relaxation method. Alternatively, the hold-toggle pattern and the full-toggle scan chains may be determined incrementally together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Inc
    Inventors: Yu Huang, Janusz Rajski, Sylwester Milewski
  • Patent number: 11391769
    Abstract: A test control port (TCP) includes a state machine SM, an instruction register IR, data registers DRs, a gating circuit and a TDO MX. The SM inputs TCI signals and outputs control signals to the IR and to the DR. During instruction or data scans, the IR or DRs are enabled to input data from TDI and output data to the TDO MX and the top surface TDO signal. The bottom surface TCI inputs may be coupled to the top surface TCO signals via the gating circuit. The top surface TDI signal may be coupled to the bottom surface TDO signal via TDO MX. This allows concatenating or daisy-chaining the IR and DR of a TCP of a lower die with an IR and DR of a TCP of a die stacked on top of the lower die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11320485
    Abstract: A system-on-chip (SoC) is disclosed. The SoC includes a set of input channels, a first partition including a set of output wrapper chains, a set of output channels, a second partition including a set of input wrapper chains, and an inter-partition circuit coupled between the first and second partitions. During an external test mode, the set of input channels receives input test data. The set of output wrapper chains receives and stores intermediate data that is generated based on the input test data. The inter-partition circuit receives the intermediate data from the set of output wrapper chains and generates test response data based on the intermediate data. The set of input wrapper chains receives the test response data, and provides the test response data to be captured as output test data at the set of output channels to test the inter-partition circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhil Garg, Sahil Jain
  • Patent number: 11301607
    Abstract: Testing of integrated circuitry, wherein the integrated circuitry includes a flip-flop with an asynchronous input, so that during performance of asynchronous scan patterns, glitches are avoided. Combinatorial logic circuitry delivers a local reset signal to the asynchronous input independent of an assertion of an asynchronous global reset signal. A synchronous scan test is performed of delivery of the local reset signal from the combinatorial logic circuitry while masking delivery of any reset signal to the asynchronous input of the flip-flop. An asynchronous scan test is performed of an asynchronous reset of the flip-flop with the asynchronous global reset signal while masking delivery of the local reset signal to the asynchronous input of the flip-flop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Tom Waayers, Johan Corneel Meirlevede, Paul-Henri Pugliesi-Conti, Vincent Chalendard, Michael Rodat
  • Patent number: 11293972
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, a test method, and a system including the same are disclosed, which may relate to a technology for testing open and short states of a pad of a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Ah Hyun, Seok Bo Shim, Sang Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11287474
    Abstract: A scan flip-flop includes an input unit and a flip-flop. The input unit is configured to select one signal from among a data input signal and a scan input signal to supply the selected one signal as an internal signal according to an operation mode. The flip-flop is configured to latch the internal signal according to a clock signal. The flip-flop includes a cross coupled structure that includes first and second tri-state inverters which share a first output node and face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ha-Young Kim, Sung-We Cho, Dal-Hee Lee, Jae-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 11275126
    Abstract: A test system includes a transmitter, capacitor, and receiver. The transmitter includes: an output circuit coupled to the receiver via the capacitor; a transmitting circuit transmitting a predetermined signal to a pad of the output circuit during a first test; a signal generator outputting a first signal and second signal to the pad during a first process and second process of a second test; and a comparator comparing the pad's signal with a reference signal in the first process and second process to determine whether the second test passes. The receiver includes: an input circuit coupled to the transmitter via the capacitor; a switch coupled between the input circuit and a receiving circuit to be conducting in the first test and second process and nonconducting in the first process; and the receiving circuit determining whether the first test passes according to the predetermined signal and assisting the capacitor in discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Feng-Cheng Chang, Xiao-Guo Zheng, Wei-Xiong He
  • Patent number: 11232725
    Abstract: A display device includes a panel unit including a display unit, a first circuit board connected to the display unit, and a first connecting member connected to the first circuit board, an input unit including a connection member configured to attach to the first connecting member, and to provide an image signal to the panel unit, a master configured to output a transmitting signal for diagnosing an electrical connection between the first connecting member and the connection member, a transmitting line connected to the master, an inspecting line configured to connect to the transmitting line through the connection member, and a slave configured to connect to the master through the inspecting line, to receive the transmitting signal as a receiving signal, and to enable determination of on-time duty and off-time duty of the receiving signal to determine whether a connection error between the panel unit and the input unit exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kee Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 11231462
    Abstract: An augmented simulation model can be created of an integrated circuit (IC) design by inserting a switch in a simulation model of the IC design between an output of a scan cell and an input of a combinational logic cloud. A simulation enable signal can be used to control the switch. Next, an IC design simulation environment can be generated based on the augmented simulation model. The IC design can be verified by using the IC design simulation environment. The simulation enable signal can be activated when the combinational logic cloud is desired to be simulated by the IC design simulation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam D. Cron
  • Patent number: 11231463
    Abstract: The disclosure describes novel methods and apparatuses for accessing test compression architectures (TCA) in a device using either a parallel or serial access technique. The serial access technique may be controlled by a device tester or by a JTAG controller. Further the disclosure provides an approach to access the TCA of a device when the device exists in a daisy-chain arrangement with other devices, such as in a customer's system. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11222884
    Abstract: A layout design methodology is provided for a device that includes two or more identical structures. Each device can have a first die, a second die stacked over the first die and a third die stacked over the second die. The second die can include a first through-silicon via (TSV) and a first circuit, and the third die can include a second TSV and a second circuit. The first TSV and the second TSV can be linearly coextensive. The first and second circuit can each be a logic circuit having a comparator and counter used to generate die identifiers. The counters of respective device die can be connected in series between the dice. Each die can be manufactured using the same masks but retain unique logical identifiers. A given die in a stack of dice can thereby be addressed by a single path in a same die layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Chin-Chou Liu, Chin-Her Chien, Po-Hsiang Huang, Ka Fai Chang
  • Patent number: 11209483
    Abstract: Boundary scan test data and a command to initiate a boundary scan test are received via a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART). Based on receiving the command, a boundary scan test mode is initiated at a memory sub-system controller. A boundary scan test vector based on the boundary scan test data is synchronously streamed to a boundary scan chain. Test result data output by the scan chain is provided to a UART host via the UART.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Richard Spica
  • Patent number: 11204385
    Abstract: One example includes a clock receiver system. The system includes a scan clock generator configured to receive a shift clock signal and a high-speed clock signal and to generate a scan clock signal for a transition fault test (TFT) based on the high-speed clock signal. The scan clock generator can provide the scan clock signal as having a pulse sequence comprising at least one preliminary pulse followed by periodic logic state transitions in a capture window during the TFT. The system also includes receiver logic configured to receive the scan clock signal and being programmed to identify each of the at least one preliminary pulse and the periodic logic state transitions in the capture window to pass the TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gautam Sanjay Kale, Nagalinga Swamy B. Aremallapur, Sundarrajan Rangachari
  • Patent number: 11199582
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit (IC) die in a multi-die IC package, the multi-die IC package having a test access port (TAP) comprising a test data input (TDI), test data output (TDO), test clock (TCK), and test mode select (TMS), is described. The IC die includes a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) controller having a JTAG interface that includes a TDI, a TDO, a TCK, and a TMS, a first output coupled to first routing in the multi-die IC package, a first input coupled to the first routing or to second routing in the multi-die IC package, a master return path coupled to the first input, and a wrapper circuit configured to couple the TDI of the TAP to the TDI of the JTAG controller, and selectively couple, in response to a first control signal, the TDO of the TAP to either the master return path or the TDO of the JTAG controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Roger D. Flateau, Jr., Srinu Sunkara
  • Patent number: 11156662
    Abstract: A software-defined linear feedback shift register (SLFSR) implements a low-power test compression for launch-on-capture (LOC). Each bit of an extra register controls a stage of the SLFSR. A control vector is shifted into the extra register to indicate whether a primitive polynomial contains the stage of the non-zero bit. Therefore, SLFSR can configure any primitive polynomials with different degrees by loading different control vectors without any hardware overhead. A low-power test compression method and design for testability (DFT) architecture provide LOC transition fault testing by using seed encoding scheme, low-power test application procedure and a software-defined linear-feedback shift-register (SLFSR) architecture. The seed encoding scheme generates seeds for all test pairs by selecting a primitive polynomial that encodes all test pairs of a compact test set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Dong Xiang
  • Patent number: 11153152
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media are provided for detecting and simulating issues in a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Waseem A Siddiqi, Rajesh S. Pazhyannur, Kedar Krishnanand Gaonkar, Aruna Nukala
  • Patent number: 11138083
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to a multiple master capable debug interface are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a device circuit, a wireless connector circuit, and a switching circuit coupled between the device circuit and the wireless connector circuit to switch a debug and test mastership from the wireless connector circuit to a debug and test tool, wirelessly connected to the wireless connector circuit, to perform a debug and test operation on the device circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik Eder, Rolf H. Kuehnis, Enrico D. Carrieri
  • Patent number: 11137447
    Abstract: Testing of integrated circuits is achieved by a test architecture utilizing a scan frame input shift register, a scan frame output shift register, a test controller, and a test interface comprising a scan input, a scan clock, a test enable, and a scan output. Scan frames input to the scan frame input shift register contain a test stimulus data section and a test command section. Scan frames output from the scan frame output shift register contain a test response data section and, optionally, a section for outputting other data. The command section of the input scan frame controls the test architecture to execute a desired test operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11120187
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a logic circuit including: a first scan chain and a second scan chain; a clock generator; and a test control circuit. The first scan chain includes: a first flip-flop having a first scan data input terminal and a first output terminal; and a first multiplexer. The first multiplexer is configured to electrically couple the first scan data input terminal to the first output terminal based on a first signal received from the test control circuit to form a first closed loop. The second scan chain includes a second flip-flop having a second scan data input terminal and a third output terminal that is not coupled to the second scan data input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11113184
    Abstract: A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Breker Verification Systems
    Inventors: Adnan Hamid, Kairong Qian, Kieu Do, Joerg Grosse
  • Patent number: 11073555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a circuit testing system, including a control circuit and an I/O interface circuit. The control circuit is electrically connected to a test machine, and is configured to receive a scan control signal. The I/O interface circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit, the test machine, the scan chain circuit and a circuit under test. When the scan control signal is at a first level, the control circuit is configured to control the I/O interface circuit to propagate a scan test signal sended from the test machine to the scan chain circuit. When the scan control signal is at a second level, the control circuit is configured to control the I/O interface circuit to propagate a response signal generated by the circuit under test to the test machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ying-Yen Chen, Jeong-Fa Sheu, Chia-Jui Yang, Po-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11061073
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a circuit testing system, including a control circuit and an interface circuit. The control circuit is electrically connected to a test machine, and configured to receive a scan control signal. The I/O interface circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit, the test machine, the scan chain circuit and a circuit under test. When the scan control signal is at a first level, the control circuit is configured to control the I/O interface circuit to conduct the scan chain circuit to the test machine. When the scan control signal is at a second level, the control circuit is configured to control the I/O interface circuit to conduct the circuit under test to the test machine so as to propagate a response signal generated by the circuit under test to the test machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ying-Yen Chen, Jeong-Fa Sheu, Chia-Jui Yang, Po-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11056452
    Abstract: An IC includes first, second, and third IOs, and a multiplexer that includes first and second inputs, and an output. The IC includes first and second transmitters respectively having an output coupled to the first IO and an output coupled to the second IO. A clock generator is coupled between the output and an input of the first transmitter and between the output and an input of the second transmitter. The first input may receive a clock signal generated by the first clock generator and the second clock input is coupled to the third IO and may receive a clock signal via the third IO element from another IC. An IC includes a programmable fabric, k*n wires coupled to and extending from the fabric, n TDMs, and n IO blocks. Each TDM includes k inputs coupled to k wires and an output coupled to one of the IO blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Dheeraj Subbareddy, Ankireddy Nalamalpu, Md Altaf Hossain
  • Patent number: 11057027
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit having a plurality of modes, wherein the circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer and a specific flip-flop. In the operations of the circuit, the first circuit is configured to generate a first signal, the second circuit is configured to generate a second signal, the first multiplexer is configured to output one of the first signal and the second signal according to a mode selection signal, the second multiplexer is configured to output one of a first clock signal and a second clock signal according to the mode selection signal, and the specific flip-flop is configured to sample the first signal or the second signal outputted by the first multiplexer by using the first clock signal or the second clock signal outputted by the second multiplexer to generate an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Szu-Yang Chang
  • Patent number: 11054470
    Abstract: A family of novel, low power, min-drive strength, double-edge triggered (DET) input data multiplexer (Mux-D) scan flip-flop (FF) is provided. The flip-flop takes the advantage of no state node in the slave to remove data inverters in a traditional DET FF to save power, without affecting the flip-flop functionality under coupling/glitch scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Amit Agarwal, Steven Hsu, Anupama Ambardar Thaploo, Simeon Realov, Ram Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 11047909
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed to test an inter-domain device that is positioned in a signal path between a first output wrapper device in a first module and a first input wrapper device in a second module. In one example, a testing system includes an output scan chain that includes the first output wrapper device and an input scan chain that includes the first input wrapper device. A controller is configured to: provide an output scan enable signal to the output scan chain to cause test data to be stored in the first output wrapper device; capture, with the first input wrapper device, inter-domain device data output; provide an input scan enable signal to the input scan chain to cause the inter-domain device data to be output by an output scan chain serial output; and determine whether the inter-domain device data indicates that the inter-domain device is defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MaxLinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Himanshu Kukreja, Shakil Ahmad
  • Patent number: 11041907
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates efficient and effective device testing and debugging. In one embodiment, a tester system includes: a controller processor, a plurality of programmable accelerator circuits, and a plurality of load boards respectively. The plurality of programmable accelerator circuits providing input test signals and capture output test signals. The plurality of load boards apply the input test signals to a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) and capture the output test signals therefrom. In one exemplary implementation, each of the plurality of load boards includes a first set of connections that transmit input test signals to a respective DUT, a second set of connections that receive output test signals from the respective DUT, and sideband connectors. The sideband connectors receive test related information from the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ben Rogel-Favila, Mei-Mei Su, John Frediani, Shunji Tachibana
  • Patent number: 11005458
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a scan flipflop comprising a scan input and a data input; and scan control circuitry. The scan control circuitry is configured to control the scan flipflop to capture a value inputted to the scan input in a capture mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Takahisa Nakako
  • Patent number: 10976366
    Abstract: A scan controller provides a translation between a two terminal external interface and a four signal line internal scan interface to a digital core of the integrated circuit. The two terminal external interface has an input terminal and an input/output terminal. The input terminal receives a clock signal and the input/output terminal serially receives a scan enable signal and a scan in data bit. A state machine controls the scan controller. The scan in data bit, the scan enable signal, and a scan clock signal are supplied in parallel to the internal scan interface. The digital logic provides a scan out data bit and the scan controller supplies the scan out data bit over the input/output terminal in synchronism with the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. de Bakker, Michael R. May
  • Patent number: 10969432
    Abstract: A system-on-chip includes a first scan register being in a first core and being closest to an input port of the first core; an inverting circuit on a feedback path of the first scan register; a second scan register in the first core; and a logic circuit on a data path between the first scan register and the second scan register. In a test mode for an AT-SPEED test of the logic circuit, the inverting circuit generates test data by inverting scan data that are output from the first scan register, the first scan register stores the test data in response to a first pulse of a clock signal, the logic circuit generates result data based on the test data that are output from the first scan register, and the second scan register stores the result data in response to a second pulse of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beom Seok Shin, Jinsoo Park
  • Patent number: 10921848
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes multiple blocks of circuitry (4, 6, 8) communicating signals via an interface 10 controlled by a clock signal. A clock mesh (20, 22) is used on at least one side of the interface driven by one or more clock drivers (24, 26) that drive the clock mesh with the clock signal communicated with a further block of circuitry. A plurality of interface storage circuits (flip-flops) (12, 14, 16, 18) are coupled to the clock mesh and receive the clock signal from the clock mesh to control storage therein. The interface storage circuits (54) may be of a form controlled by multiple clock signals, CP0, CP1. A signal value D may be captured into the storage circuit upon a rising edge of a first clock signal CP0 and launched from the storage circuit upon the rising edge of a second clock signal CP1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventor: Ramnath Bommu Subbiah Swamy
  • Patent number: 10921372
    Abstract: A method of testing an IC chip having a plurality of programmable blocks and at least one memory. The method includes configuring a first programmable block of the plurality of programmable blocks with scan test logic for carrying out a scan test on other ones of the plurality of programmable blocks. The method further includes generating scan patterns and expected results for the scan test outside the IC chip. The generated scan patterns and expected results are loaded into the memory. The scan patterns from the memory are injected into the other programmable blocks. An output response of the other programmable blocks to the scan patterns is obtained. The output response is compared with the expected results by the scan test logic within the first programmable block. A scan test result based on the comparison between the output response and the expected results is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Maruti Bhagwat, Nitin Satishchandra Kabra, Jay Shah