Design for test of analog module systems
View Patent ↗An apparatus for testing an integrated circuit that includes analog nodes is disclosed. In one aspect, an integrated circuit comprises testing circuitry and core logic circuitry. A memory in the testing circuitry stores data identifying analog nodes in the core logic circuitry and tolerance values associated with the analog nodes. A condition checker compares actual test values with the associated tolerance values. A main control unit controls the testing circuitry and synchronizes testing of the core logic circuitry. In another aspect, the testing circuitry includes a host computer interface useful for communicating with a host computer. A data memory in the testing circuitry is used for storing diagnostic data. The contents of the data memory may then be uploaded to a host computer. Test stimuli may be transmitted to the integrated circuit from a location outside the integrated circuit to perform testing.
1. An integrated circuit comprising testing circuitry and analog nodes of a circuit under test, the testing circuitry comprising:
a program memory that stores data identifying at least a plurality of the analog nodes of the circuit under test and one or more tolerance values associated with the plurality of the analog nodes;
noise calibration circuitry that combines one or more calibration values with the one or more tolerance values to produce one or more combined values;
a condition checker that uses the one or more combined values to check the plurality of the analog nodes for fault states; and
a main control unit coupled to the program memory, the noise calibration circuitry and the condition checker that synchronizes testing of the core logic circuitry.
2. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the testing circuitry further comprises a tester interface.
3. The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein the tester interface is a host computer interface.
4. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the testing circuitry further comprises a second memory for storing diagnostic data.
5. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the testing circuitry is JTAG-compliant.
6. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the testing circuitry includes a JTAG controller module comprising:
a JTAG controller module memory for storing data transmitted to the JTAG controller module;
a JTAG controller module control unit; and
a test access port controller.
7. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the noise calibration circuitry comprises:
a calibrate-in register that produces the one or more calibration values.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the testing circuitry further comprises a second condition checker.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the main control unit comprises:
a program counter;
a plurality of registers for storing addresses of the analog nodes; and
a control unit for controlling the main control unit.
10. The integrated circuit of claim 9 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a diagnostic data memory, and wherein the main control unit further comprises:
a data pointer for addressing the diagnostic data memory to archive test results.
11. The integrated circuit of claim 9 , wherein the testing circuitry comprises a plurality of condition checkers, and wherein the main control unit further comprises:
a decoder and latch for selecting a condition checker from the plurality of condition checkers in the testing circuitry.
12. An integrated circuit comprising testing circuitry and analog nodes of a circuit under test, wherein the testing circuitry comprises:
means for storing addresses of at least a plurality of the analog nodes along with one or more tolerance values associated with the plurality of the analog nodes;
means for selecting an analog node of the circuit under test by selecting an address from the stored addresses of the plurality of the analog nodes;
means for obtaining a test value from the selected analog node;
means for retrieving a tolerance value of the one or more tolerance values, the retrieved tolerance value associated with the selected analog node;
means for producing a calibration value to combine with the retrieved tolerance value; and
means for checking whether the selected analog node is in a fault state based at least in part on the obtained test value, the retrieved tolerance value and the calibration value.
13. The integrated circuit of claim 12 wherein the means for checking comprises means for generating an error indication signal in response to the checking.
14. The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising:
means for storing data identifying the selected analog node along with the test value from the selected analog node.
15. The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising means for communicating with a host computer.
16. The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising:
means for selecting a condition checker for performing the checking.
17. In an integrated circuit comprising an analog test controller and analog nodes in a circuit under test, a method comprising:
selecting an analog node from data identifying at least a plurality of the analog nodes in the circuit under test, wherein the data identifying the plurality of the analog nodes is stored in a memory of the analog test controller along with one or more tolerance values;
obtaining a test value from the selected analog node;
retrieving a tolerance value associated with the selected analog node from the one or more tolerance values stored in the memory;
combining a calibration value with the retrieved tolerance value to produce a combined value; and
checking the selected analog node for a fault state using the combined value.
18. One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 17 .