Patent · US Active

Integrated circuit testing with power collapsed

US9267989B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
12References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 2014
Grant dateFeb 23, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 8, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/318575
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Provided are apparatus and methods for testing an integrated circuit. In an exemplary method for testing an integrated circuit, a test controller and a power manager are integrated into a main power domain of the integrated circuit. The test controller can be Joint Test Action Group-compatible. An isolation signal is generated using the power manager. The isolation signal can comprise at least one of a freeze signal configured to isolate an input-output port of the integrated circuit, and a clamp signal configured to isolate a functional module of the integrated circuit. The isolation signal can be stored in a boundary scan register controlled with the test controller. The main power domain is isolated from a power-collapsible domain of the integrated circuit with the isolation signal. Power of the power-collapsible domain is collapsed. When power is collapsed, the power-collapsible domain is tested using the test controller and the power manager. The testing of the power-collapsible domain can comprise testing a power supply current. When power to the power-collapsible domain is collapsed, a level shifter output can be held constant to an output level based on a pre-collapse input…

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