Integrated circuit testing module including data generator
View Patent ↗Systems and methods of testing integrated circuits are disclosed. The systems include a test module configured to operate between an automated testing equipment and an integrated circuit to be tested. The testing interface is configured to test the integrated circuit at a higher clock frequency than the automated testing equipment is configured to operate. In order to do so, the testing interface includes components configured for generating addresses and test data to be provided to the integrated circuit. A variety of test data patterns can be produced and the test data can be address dependent.
1. A method for testing integrated circuits comprising the steps of:
receiving test address signals and test data signals from automated testing equipment at a first clock frequency;
generating first test data responsive to the test address signals by duplicating and inverting the test data signals;
generating second test data responsive to a test pattern by duplicating and inverting the test data signals; and
delivering the first test data or the second test data to integrated circuits under test at a second clock frequency.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the second test data responsive to a test pattern includes generating the second test data using the first test data.
3. The method of claim 1 , further including serializing the first test data or the second test data into an ordered sequence of bits.
4. The method of claim 1 , further including selecting the test pattern from a plurality of test patterns.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuits under test include one or more memory devices.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the first test data responsive to the test address signals includes logic operations in which the first test data have a greater number of bits than the test data signals received from the automated testing equipment.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the first test data responsive to the test address signals includes logic operations in which the bits of the first test data to be stored at an even address in the integrated circuits under test are inverted.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the first data responsive to the test address signals includes logic operations in which the bits of the first test data to be stored at an odd address in the integrated circuit under test are inverted.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating second test data responsive to a test pattern includes logic operations in which the second test data have a greater number of bits than the test data signals received from the automated testing equipment.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating second test data responsive to a test pattern includes logic operations in which the bits of the second test data have a sequence of zeros and ones according to a data scramble pattern.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating second test data responsive to a test pattern includes logic operations in which every other pair of bits of the second test data are inverted.