Automated stressing and testing of semiconductor memory cells

Abstract

A memory cell readable through a bit line and addressable through a word line can be stressed by applying a stress voltage to the bit line for a stress voltage time, and addressing the memory cell through the word line for an addressing time included within the stress voltage time. The memory cell can be tested by writing a data value into the memory cell, stressing the memory cell, reading the stored value from the memory cell, and determining whether the stored value corresponds to the data value. A testable memory array can include a memory cell addressable through a word line and readable through a bit line, a precharge circuit, a stress circuit, and an array built-in self test (ABIST) circuit. The ABIST circuit can be configured to stress the memory cell by applying a stress signal to the stress circuit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.