Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for testing embedded DRAM

US6072737A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
4References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 6, 1998
Grant dateJun 6, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 6, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C29/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A test circuit tests for defective memory cells in a memory portion of an Embedded DRAM. The Embedded DRAM includes an array of memory cells. The test circuit includes a test mode terminal adapted to receive a test mode signal and a plurality of comparison circuits. Each comparison circuit includes a first input adapted to receive a read data signal and a second input adapted to receive an expect data signal. Each comparison circuit compares the binary values of the read and expect data signals and develops and inactive error signal on an output when the compared signals have the same binary values, and develops an active error signal when the compared signals have different binary values. A storage circuit is coupled to the outputs of the comparison circuits. The storage circuit latches the error signals output by the comparison circuits and sequentially transfers the latched error signals onto a data terminal of the Embedded DRAM. A test control circuit is coupled to the comparison circuits, the test mode terminal, and the storage circuit. The test control circuit operates when the test mode signal is active, to apply data from addressed memory cells respectively on the first inp…

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