IP Library Granted Patent US 7,415,479
Granted Patent B2
US 7,415,479 · App. 10/839,887 · Granted Aug 19, 2008

Method and apparatus for assigning test numbers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,415,479
App. No.
10/839,887
Granted
Aug 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a method for assigning test numbers, current testflow context information is maintained during execution of a testflow. Upon execution of a subtest in the testflow, a database of test numbers is indexed using index information comprising 1) an identifier of the subtest, and 2) the current testflow context information. If a test number corresponding to the index information exists in the database, the test number is assigned to a result of the subtest. If a test number corresponding to the index information does not exist in the database, a new test number is assigned to the result of the subtest, and the index information and new test number are associated in the database. A test number engine for satisfying calls for test numbers is also disclosed.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

during execution of a testflow, maintaining current testflow context information;

upon execution of a subtest in the testflow, indexing a database of test numbers using index information comprising i) an identifier of the subtest, and ii) the current testflow context information, and

when a test number corresponding to the index information exists in the database, assigning the test number to a result of the subtest;

when a test number corresponding to the index information does not exist in the database, assigning a new test number to the result of the subtest, and associating the index information and the new test number in the database;

outputting a first set of numbered test results, including the result of the subtest and its assigned test number;

during execution of a subsequent testflow, maintaining current testflow context information;

using the database, repeating said indexing step, said assigning step, and said associating step in a context of the subsequent testflow; and

outputting a second set of numbered test results, wherein when a particular subtest is executed in a same context in both the testflow and the subsequent testflow, results of the particular subtest are assigned a same test number in each of the first and second sets of numbered test results.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said index information forms a unique test identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said new test number is unique from all other test numbers in the database.

4. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

during execution of a testflow, maintaining current testflow context information;

upon execution of a subtest in the testflow, indexing a database of test numbers using index information comprising

i) an identifier of the subtest, and

ii) the current testflow context information, and

when a test number corresponding to the index information exists in the database, assigning the test number to a result of the subtest;

when a test number corresponding to the index information does not exist in the database, assigning a new test number to the result of the subtest, and associating the index information and the new test number in the database;

storing said database of test numbers; and

drawing test numbers from said database during a subsequent testflow execution,

wherein if a particular subtest is executed in a same context in both the testflow and the subsequent testflow, results of the particular subtest are assigned a same test number.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the testflow is a system-on-a-chip testflow.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said testflow context information comprises a test suite designator.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said testflow context information comprises a loop iteration designator.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said testflow context information comprises a loop iteration designator for each of a number of loop layers.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said testflow context information comprises at least one of: a port designator, a vector label, a vector designator, and a pin designator.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein maintaining current testflow context information comprises:

upon entering a given testflow context, pushing the given testflow context into a data structure; and

upon leaving the given testflow context, popping the given testflow context from the data structure.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein maintaining current testflow context information comprises:

upon repeated entry into a loop during execution of the testflow, incrementing context information for the loop.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a physical computer readable storage media; and

program code, stored on said physical computer readable storage media, comprising:

code to cause a computer to, in response to a call for a test number, index a database of test numbers using index information comprising i) an identifier of a subtest, and ii) current testflow context information;

code to cause a computer to, when a test number corresponding to the index information exists in the database, retrieve a test number from the database and satisfy the call by returning the test number;

code to cause a computer to, upon a miss in indexing the database, generate a new test number, satisfy the call by returning the new test number, and associate the index information and new test number in the database; and

code to cause a computer to store the database in persistent storage, and to access the database during subsequent testflow executions, to assign same test numbers to results of same subtests executed in same testflow contexts.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the program code further comprises code to establish a data structure for maintaining said current testflow context information.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the program code further comprises code to, in response to an executing testflow re-entering a loop, incrementing a loop iteration number of said current testflow context information.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the program code further comprises code to i) push new testflow contexts into said data structure, and ii) pop exited testflow contexts from said data structure.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2012
From: VERIGY (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
To: ADVANTEST (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
Reel/Frame 027896/0018 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2007
From: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: VERIGY (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 019015/0119 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2004
From: KOLMAN, ROBERT S; HAYHOW, REID
To: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 014880/0153 →