Flexible performance screen ring oscillator within a scan chain

US9188643B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GlobalFoundries Inc. · KY

Inventors

• Margaret R. Charlebois · Jericho, US
• Christopher D. Hanudel · South Burlington, US
• Robert D. Herzl · South Burlington, US
• David W. Milton · Underhill, US
• Clarence R. Ogilvie · Waterbury, US
• Paul M. Schanely · South Burlington, US
• Tad J. Wilder · South Hero, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/318541
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Aspects of the invention provide for a flexible performance screen ring oscillator (PSRO) integrated within a scan chain. In one embodiment, a circuit structure to create the flexible PSRO includes: a plurality of programmable scan chain elements; and a forward test scan chain path through the plurality of scan chain elements; wherein each of the programmable scan chain elements includes additional circuitry for a backward path, such that the backward path and the forward test scan chain path are combined to create the PSRO.