Method and apparatus for exercising external memory with a memory built-in self-test
AssigneeAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.
InventorsSie Boo Chiang, Beng Chew Khou, Jacques Wong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and arrangement for testing different types of external memories that can be coupled to a network interface controller. The network interface controller interprets the results of the memory test differently in accordance with the memory type. A fail state indicator is used by test controller to indicate the proper offset to add or subtract to a test address to calculate the actual failing memory location.
Claims16
A network interface controller comprising:
- an external memory interface configured to be coupled to different types of external memories;
- a memory type register configured to store the type of an external memory coupled to the external memory interface;
- memory built-in self test (MBIST) logic configured to perform a built-in self test of an external memory coupled to the external memory interface, the same built-in self test being performed for all different types of external memories coupled to the external memory interfaces wherein the MBIST logic includes adaptive logic configured to interpret results of the built-in self test differently in accordance with the type of external memory stored in the memory type register.
A network interface controller arrangement comprising:
- a network interface controller having an external memory interface configured to be coupled to different types of external memories having different operating characteristics;
- memory built-in self test (MBIST) logic in the network interface controller configured to perform a universal memory built-in self test on an external memory coupled to the external memory interface and interpreting results of the test in accordance with the particular operating characteristics of the type of external memory coupled to the external memory interface.
A method of testing an external memory coupled to a network interface controller, comprising the steps of:
- determining the type of external memory that is coupled to the network interface controller;
- performing a memory built-in self test (MBIST) of the external memory through an external memory interface on the network interface controller, the same MBIST being performed regardless of the type of external memory;
- and
- interpreting the results of the MBIST differently according to the determined type of external memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.