Phase-shifter functional safety testing
AssigneeAyDeeKay LLC
InventorsTom Heller, Danny Elad, Benny Sheinman, Oded Katz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated circuit that performs testing of a circuit sub-block is described. This integrated circuit may include the circuit sub-block that performs a function, where the circuit sub-block is implemented in an analog domain using analog components and in a digital domain using digital components. Moreover, the integrated circuit may perform the testing of the circuit sub-block using independent testing of individual components in the circuit sub-block instead of testing the function of the circuit sub-block as a whole. Note that the individual components include the analog components and the digital components. In some embodiments, the testing may include functional safety testing.
Claims20
An integrated circuit, comprising:
- a circuit sub-block configured to perform a function, wherein the circuit sub-block is implemented in an analog domain using analog components and in a digital domain using digital components;
- wherein the integrated circuit is configured to perform testing of the circuit sub-block using independent testing of individual components in the circuit sub-block instead of testing the function of the circuit sub-block as a whole;
- wherein the individual components comprise the analog components and the digital components;
- wherein the circuit sub-block comprises a phase shifter and the function comprises providing an output signal having a phase shift relative to an input signal;
- and
- wherein the phase shifter comprises a variable-gain amplifier and the testing comprises radio-frequency testing for a presence of power of the variable-gain amplifier over a range of gain values of the variable-gain amplifier.
An electronic device, comprising:
- an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit comprises:
- a circuit sub-block configured to perform a function, wherein the circuit sub-block is implemented in an analog domain using analog components and in a digital domain using digital components;
- wherein the integrated circuit is configured to perform testing of the circuit sub-block using independent testing of individual components in the circuit sub-block instead of testing the function of the circuit sub-block as a whole;
- wherein the individual components comprise the analog components and the digital components;
- wherein the circuit sub-block comprises a phase shifter and the function comprises providing an output signal having a phase shift relative to an input signal;
- and
- wherein the phase shifter comprises a variable-gain amplifier and the testing comprises radio-frequency testing for a presence of power of the variable-gain amplifier over a range of gain values of the variable-gain amplifier.
A method for performing testing of a circuit sub-block, comprising:
- by an integrated circuit:
- performing testing of a circuit sub-block in the integrated circuit using independent testing of individual components in the circuit sub-block instead of testing the function of the circuit sub-block as a whole, wherein the circuit sub-block performs a function and is implemented in an analog domain using analog components and in a digital domain using digital components;
- and wherein the individual components comprise the analog components and the digital components;
- and
- assessing the circuit sub-block based at least in part on results of the testing and a ratio of detectable potential faults in a given component in the circuit sub-block to a total number of potential faults in the given component, wherein the circuit sub-block comprises a phase shifter and the function comprises providing an output signal having a phase shift relative to an input signal;
- and
- wherein the phase shifter comprises a variable-gain amplifier and the testing comprises radio-frequency testing for a presence of power of the variable-gain amplifier over a range of gain values of the variable-gain amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.