Precision semiconductor device timer
OwnerDouglas E. Oliverinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microprocessor controls a programmable oscillator, directing it to produce digital pulses of variable width and frequency. The microprocessor generates inputs for the device under test and compares its outputs after one clock cycle with expected outputs. The clock cycle is adjusted repeatedly until the device's time to complete is known. Response times for the system both with and without the device under test are measured and the difference reported.
Claims13
A system for measuring response time of a semiconductor device, comprising:
- (a) timing means for generating a first timing event, and for generating a second timing event a known delay after said first timing event;
- (b) input means synchronized with said first timing event, for injecting an input signal to the semiconductor device;
- (c) output means synchronized with said second timing event, for detecting an output signal from the semiconductor device;
- and
- (d) means for adjusting said known delay, responsive to said output signal from the semiconductor device.
A system for measuring response time of a semiconductor device, comprising:
- (a) adjustable clock means, for generating a periodic clock signal;
- (b) input means synchronized with said clock signal, for injecting an input signal to the semiconductor device;
- and
- (c) output means synchronized with said clock signal, for detecting an output signal from the semiconductor device after a known number of cycles of said clock signal;
- wherein said clock signal is repeatedly adjusted until the semiconductor device response time is equal to a known period of said clock signal.
A process for measuring response time of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating an periodic clock signal;
- (b) injecting an input signal to the semiconductor device in synchrony with said clock signal;
- (c) detecting an output signal from the semiconductor device after a known period of said clock signal;
- and
- (d) adjusting the frequency of said clock signal repeatedly until the time taken by a known period of said timer signal just matches the time taken by the semiconductor device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.