Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for testing memory

US6671836B1 · kind B1 · utility

28Cited by
7References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 1999
Grant dateDec 30, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C11/401
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing DRAM is described. The method and apparatus causes the DRAM pins to be reconfigured to provide a direct path between the memory core and the DRAM pins. This reconfiguration allows the memory core to be “seen” without probing and also allows faster and simpler testing with a more traditional protocol. The method and apparatus for testing also provides for several options to further increase testing speed. These options include an internal block compare and a core noise option. The internal block compare performs an internal parallel bit by bit comparison of read data to the contents of a write buffer and generates an error signal if a mismatch occurs. The core noise option simulates the noise that can occur during the normal mode of operation that does not occur during testing.

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