On-chip method and apparatus for testing semiconductor circuits
View Patent ↗A semiconductor circuit is disclosed that contains test hardware or test software (or both) that allows test functions to be executed directly from the memory of the semiconductor circuit. A remote testing station can issue a command indicating a specific test function that should be implemented. The disclosed semiconductor circuit independently performs the indicated test and provides the results to the test station. For an exemplary memory test, the test hardware and test software are employed to initially clear the memory and thereafter selectively apply a pattern to memory and read the applied pattern from each address to confirm that the correct pattern has been stored. The testing technique of the present invention reduces the number of pins that must be contacted by the tester, such as the address pins. In addition, the reduced number of contact points allows a number of semiconductor circuits to be setup and tested in parallel using the same automated test equipment (ATE).
1. A method of testing a semiconductor circuit having a processor, said method comprising the steps of:
providing self-test software on said semiconductor circuit;
initiating the execution of said self-test software by said processor, and wherein said processor executes at least one additional instruction not included in said self-test software; and
monitoring said semiconductor circuit for a result of said self-test software.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying voltage signals to said semiconductor circuit.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said voltage signals include a reset signal.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said voltage signals include an enablement signal.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying clock signals to said semiconductor circuit.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said initiating step is performed by a remote tester.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a memory, and said test software determines if a predefined pattern is properly applied to said memory.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a logic device, and said test software determines if a logic operation performed on a pattern is valid.
9. A method of testing a semiconductor circuit having a processor, said method comprising the steps of:
providing test software and test hardware on said semiconductor circuit;
initiating the execution of said test software by said processor, said test software employing said test hardware to test said semiconductor circuit, and wherein said processor executes at least one additional instruction not included in said self-test software; and
monitoring said semiconductor circuit for a result of said test.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of applying signals to said semiconductor circuit.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a memory, and said test software determines if a predefined pattern is properly applied to said memory.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a logic device, and said test software determines if a logic operation performed on a pattern is valid.
13. A method of testing a semiconductor circuit having a processor, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving a command to initiate self-test software previously stored on said semiconductor circuit;
executing said self-test software to control the testing of said semiconductor circuit by said processor, and wherein said processor executes at least one additional instruction not included in said self-test software; and
providing an indication of whether said semiconductor circuit passes said testing.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of receiving signals from a remote source.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a memory, and said self-test software determines if a predefined pattern is properly applied to said memory.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said semiconductor circuit includes a logic device, and said self-test software determines if a logic operation performed on a pattern is valid.
17. A semiconductor circuit having a self-test feature, comprising:
a memory that stores computer-readable code including self-test software; and
a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to implement said computer-readable code including said self-test software, said computer-readable code configured to:
initiate the execution of said self-test software by said processor, and wherein said processor executes at least one additional instruction not included in said self-test software; and
monitor said semiconductor circuit for a result of said self-test software.
18. A semiconductor circuit having a self-test feature, comprising:
a memory that stores computer-readable code including self-test software; test hardware; and
a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to implement said computer-readable code including said self-test software, said computer-readable code configured to:
initiate the execution of said self-test software, said self-test software employing said test hardware to test said semiconductor circuit by said processor, and wherein said processor executes at least one additional instruction not included in said self-test software; and
monitor said semiconductor circuit for a result of said test.