IP Library Patent Application 12774002
Patent Application
App. No. 12/774,002

TEST METHOD, TEST CONTROL PROGRAM AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/774,002
Abstract

In a method of performing a test on a logic circuit in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the test is performed by supplying a clock signal from a clock supply circuit to a plurality of clock domains operating by a clock signal of a same frequency. The method includes calculating a number of test patterns of each of the plurality of internal clock domains; classifying the plurality of clock domains into a plurality of groups based on the calculated number of test patterns; and assigning a clock supply circuit independently to each of the groups into which the clock domains are classified.

Claims (35)

1 . A method of performing a test on a logic circuit, the test being performed by supplying a clock signal from a clock supply circuit to a plurality of clock domains operating by a clock signal of a same frequency, the method comprising:

calculating a number of test patterns of each of the plurality of clock domains;

classifying the plurality of clock domains into a plurality of groups based on the calculated number of test patterns; and

assigning a clock supply circuit independently to each of the groups into which the clock domains are classified.

2 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein

the plurality of clock domains are classified into the plurality of groups so that the numbers of test patterns get closer to each other.

3 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 2 , wherein

the plurality of clock domains are classified into the groups in a descending order of the calculated number of test patterns for the clock domains.

4 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 3 , further comprising:

selecting a group having the smallest number of test patterns; and

classifying the clock domain into the selected group.

5 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein

the number of test patterns is calculated for each subgroup including the clock domain having no data-path dependency relation; and

the subgroup is classified into the groups based on the calculated number of test patterns.

6 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein

the number of the clock supply circuits to be assigned is determined according to the number of terminals for supplying a clock signal to the clock supply circuit that can be added.

7 . The method of performing a test on a logic circuit according to claim 1 , wherein

the number of test patterns are calculated based on a number of flip flop circuits included in the clock domain.

8 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a test on a logic circuit by supplying a clock signal from a clock supply circuit to a plurality of clock domains operating with a clock signal of a same frequency, the program causing to the computer to:

calculate a number of test patterns of each of the plurality of clock domains;

classify the plurality of clock domains into a plurality of groups based on the calculated number of test patterns;

assign a clock supply circuit independently to each of the groups into which the clock domains are classified;

supply the clock signal from the clock supply circuit to the groups into which the clock domain is classified.

9 . The non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program according to claim 8 , wherein

the plurality of clock domains are classified into the plurality of groups so that the numbers of test patterns get closer to each other.

10 . The non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program according to claim 9 , wherein

the plurality of clock domains are classified into the groups in a descending order of the calculated number of test patterns for the clock domains.

11 . The non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program according to claim 10 , further comprising:

select a group having the smallest number of test patterns; and

classify the clock domain into the selected group.

12 . A semiconductor device including a first clock domain and a second clock domain operating with a clock signal of a same frequency comprising:

a first clock supply circuit that supplies a test clock to the first clock domain;

a second clock supply circuit that supplies a test clock to the second clock domain;

a first terminal that inputs a test clock to the first clock supply circuit; and

a second terminal that inputs a test clock to the second clock supply circuit.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 26, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025191/0985 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2010
From: MURAOKA, HIROYUKI
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024335/0233 →