IP Library Patent Application 12213961
Patent Application
App. No. 12/213,961

Test circuit and test method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/213,961
Abstract

In a test circuit, a first N-channel transistor with an open drain is connected to a receiver in a test target integrated circuit and is configured to generate a first amplitude voltage signal in response to a first voltage drive signal. A second N-channel transistor with an open drain is connected to the receiver in the test target integrated circuit and is configured to generate a second amplitude voltage signal in response to a second voltage drive signal complimentary to the first voltage drive signal.

Claims (28)

1 . A test circuit comprising:

a first N-channel transistor with an open drain, connected to a receiver in a test target integrated circuit and configured to generate a first amplitude voltage signal in response to a first voltage drive signal; and

a second N-channel transistor with an open drain, connected to said receiver in said test target integrated circuit and configured to generate a second amplitude voltage signal in response to a second voltage drive signal complimentary to the first voltage drive signal.

2 . The test circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second amplitude voltage signals are generated based on drive currents from said receiver in said test target integrated circuit.

3 . The test circuit according to claim 2 , wherein said receiver comprises a voltage amplifier circuit configured to amplify a differential voltage signal between the first and second amplitude voltage signals.

4 . The test circuit according to claim 3 , wherein when the first voltage drive signal is in a first voltage level and the second voltage drive signal is in a second voltage level, said voltage amplifier circuit outputs a signal with the first voltage level.

5 . The test circuit according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second amplitude voltage signals is an amplitude signal of 100 mV.

6 . The test circuit according to claim 2 , wherein said first and second N-channel transistors are provided in said test target integrated circuit.

7 . The test circuit according to claim 2 , wherein said first and second N-channel transistors are provided in a circuit externally added to a test card.

8 . The test circuit according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second voltage drive signals are supplied from a tester.

9 . A test method of a test target integrated circuit by a tester, comprising:

generating first and second voltage drive signals which are complimentary; and

generating first and second amplitude voltage signals in response to the first and second voltage drive signals, by using first and second N-channel transistors with an open drain, respectively.

10 . The test method according to claim 9 , wherein said generating first and second amplitude voltage signals comprises:

generating the first and second amplitude voltage signals based on drive currents supplied from a receiver in said test target integrated circuit.

11 . The test method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

generating a test output signal by amplifying a differential voltage signal between the first and second amplitude voltage signals.

12 . The test method according to claim 11 , wherein said generating a test output signal comprises:

generating the test output signal with a first voltage level, when the first voltage drive signal is in the first voltage level and the second voltage drive signal is in a second voltage level.

13 . The test method according to claim 9 , wherein said generating first and second voltage drive signals comprises:

generating the first and second voltage drive signals in said tester, and

said generating first and second amplitude voltage signals comprises:

generating the first and second amplitude voltage signals in a test card to supply to said test target integrated circuit.

14 . The test method according to claim 9 , wherein said generating first and second voltage drive signals comprises:

generating the first and second voltage drive signals in said tester, and

said generating first and second amplitude voltage signals comprises:

generating the first and second amplitude voltage signals in said test target integrated circuit to supply to said test target integrated circuit through a test card.

15 . The test method according to claim 9 , wherein said first and second voltage drive signals are supplied from a tester.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 28, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025214/0304 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2008
From: SAEKI, YUTAKA
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021216/0866 →