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US 10,593,419 B1Granted
Failing read count diagnostics for memory built-in self-test
AssigneeCadence Design Systems, Inc.
InventorsSteven Lee Gregor, Puneet Arora, Norman Robert Card
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for improved diagnostics for memory built-in self-test (“MBIST”). Embodiments provide for a sequence iterator unit including a diagnostics analysis unit that monitors and reports on the failing read count associated with the tested memory. Embodiments further provide for a bit fail map report that is generated based on the failing read count.
Claims15
A memory built-in self-test (“MBIST”) diagnostics system, comprising:
- a memory;
- at least one sequence iterator unit including a diagnostic analysis unit;
- a data compare unit;
- a processor;
- a tester configured to collect failure information from the diagnostic analysis unit associated with the a plurality of mis-compares, wherein:
- the at least one sequence iterator unit is configured to (i) generate read command and address instructions associated with an algorithm to provide to the memory and (ii) provide expected read data associated with the algorithm to the data compare unit,
- the data compare unit is configured to (i) compare the expected read data with an output of the memory and (ii) provide a result of the comparison to the diagnostic analysis unit,
- upon determining at least one mis-compare between the output of the memory and the expected read data, the diagnostic analysis unit is configured to generate a corresponding read command count associated with each mis-compare of the plurality of mis-compares,
- the failure information is collected via a test access method,
- the processor is configured to generate a bit fail map report based on the read command count, wherein the bit fail map report includes information associated with the at least one mis-compare, and
- the memory is tested with the algorithm for a plurality of passes, and during a first pass of a test corresponding to the algorithm:
- (i) failure information associated with a first mis-compare is collected, and the first mis-compare defines a most recent mis-compare;
- and
- (ii) failure information associated with subsequent mis-compares is blocked from collection;
- and
- during each subsequent pass of the test:
- (i) collection of failure information associated with each of the plurality of mis-compares is unblocked in response to a read command count associated with the plurality of mis-compares being greater than a read command count associated with the most recent mis-compare:
- (ii) failure information associated with a given mis-compare is collected, and the most recent mis-compare is set to the given mis-compare;
- and
- (iii) failure information associated with subsequent mis-compares is blocked from collection.
17 more elements
A diagnostics method for memory built-in self-test (“MBIST”), the method comprising:
- generating, with at least one sequence iterator unit, read command and address instructions associated with an algorithm to provide to a memory;
- providing, with the at least one sequence iterator unit, expected read data associated with the algorithm to a data compare unit;
- comparing, with the data compare unit, the expected read data with an output of the memory;
- providing, with the data compare unit, a result of the comparison to a diagnostic analysis unit;
- upon determining at least one mis-compare between the output of the memory and the expected read data, generating, with the diagnostic analysis unit, a corresponding read command count associated with each mis-compare;
- generating, with a processor, a bit fail map report based on the read command count, wherein the bit fail map report includes information associated with the at least one mis-compare;
- and
- collecting failure information via a test access method, wherein the memory is tested with an algorithm for a plurality of passes, wherein executing of the plurality of passes of the test comprises:
- executing a first pass of a test corresponding to the algorithm, the executing of the first pass comprising:
- (i) collecting failure information associated with a first mis-compare, and the first mis-compare defines a most recent mis-compare;
- and
- (ii) blocking collection of failure information associated with subsequent mis-compares;
- and
- executing subsequent passes of the test, wherein execution of each subsequent pass comprises:
- (i) unblocking collection of failure information associated with each of the plurality of mis-compares in response to a read command count associated with the plurality of mis-compares being greater than a read command count associated with the most recent mis-compare;
- (ii) collecting failure information associated with a given mis-compare, and the most recent mis-compare is set to the given mis-compare;
- and
- (iii) blocking collection of failure information associated with subsequent mis-compares.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.