Apparatus and method for determining voltage using optical observation
US7012537B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/311
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A beacon circuit enabling study of active elements in an integrated circuit is disclosed. The beacon circuit may be integral to a DUT to be tested. The DUT is stimulated by a conventional ATE, so that its active devices are operating. The signal from the active device is sent to the beacon circuit which, in response to the signal, emits light having intensity that is proportional to the value of the signal. In one example, the beacon circuit is constructed as a voltage to current converter having its input connected to the node of interest and its output connected to a current to light converter. In one example, the current to light converter is implemented as a current mirror circuit. One beneficial implementation disclosed is the use of the beacon circuit for the study of voltage supply disturbances.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.