Patent · US Expired

Microelectronic device and method for testing same

US4243937A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 6, 1979
Grant dateJan 6, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/04
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for testing a microelectronic circuit to detect process defects which affect first and second characteristics of the circuit elements thereof. The circuit is formed on a semiconductor chip in proximity with an independent test element. The test element is not connected to and does not form a part of the circuit. The circuit elements are tested to detect process defects which affect the first characteristic thereof. The test element is tested to detect process defects which affect the second characteristics of both the circuit elements and the test element. The results of the test on the test element are relied on to determine the acceptability of the second characteristics of the circuit elements. The test on the test element for said second characteristic may be performed at the same time the circuit elements are being tested for said first characteristic.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.