Scan chain formation for improving chain resolution

Abstract

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for forming scan chains. The system includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor receives a circuit design that includes a plurality of scan cells. The plurality of scan cells includes a first scan cell and a first set of scan cells coupled logically to the first scan cell. The processor forms the plurality of scan cells into a first scan chain such that the first set of scan cells are placed outside an extended neighborhood of the first scan cell. The extended neighborhood of the first scan cell includes (i) scan cells that are downstream of the first scan cell in the first scan chain and (ii) a scan cell that is adjacent to and upstream of the first scan cell in the first scan chain.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.