Differential receiver architecture

A method for testing an electric device having differential signal outputs, the method comprising:

• receiving a differential clock pair from a device under test;
• receiving a differential data signal from at least one of the differential signal outputs of the device under test;
• receiving a differential trigger signal from the device under test;
• latching the trigger signal based on the differential clock pair;
• when the trigger signal is received, initiating the capture of the differential data the based on the trigger signal and the differential clock pair.

A tester for electronic devices, the tester comprising:

• a device interface board having a receptacle that is adapted to receive a device under test;
• a computer that is programmed to provide test data to the device under test and to process signals received from the device under test;
• a test head, coupled between the device interface board and the computer, the test head including at least one channel card;
• and
• the at least one channel card including:
• a clock receiver that is adapted to receive a source synchronous clock signal from the device under test,
• a data receiver, responsive to the clock circuit, the data receiver adapted to receive at least one differential data signal from the device under test;
• a trigger receiver, responsive to the clock circuit, the trigger receiver adapted to receive a trigger signal from the device under test;
• a control circuit, coupled to the trigger receiver, the control circuit adapted to generate a capture signal based on the received trigger signal;
• and
• a data capture circuit, responsive to the data receiver and the control circuit, the data capture circuit adapted to initiate capturing of data from the data receiver based on the capture signal.

A receiver circuit for a tester for electronic devices, the receiver circuit comprising:

• a clock receiver that is adapted to receive a source synchronous clock signal from a device under test;
• a data receiver, responsive to the clock circuit, the data receiver adapted to receive at least one differential data signal from the device under test;
• a trigger receiver, responsive to the clock circuit, the trigger receiver adapted to receive a trigger signal from the device under test;
• and
• a control circuit, coupled to the trigger receiver, the control circuit adapted to generate a capture signal based on the received trigger signal to initiate capture of data received at the data receiver for comparison with expected values.