IP Library Patent Application 13846718
Patent Application
App. No. 13/846,718

SECURE TESTING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/846,718
Abstract

A method includes testing, by a processor, a secure portion of a semiconductor device through a first interface between the processor and the semiconductor device; and sending, by the processor, a pass or fail indication of a result of the testing of the secure portion of the semiconductor device to the tester through a second interface between the processor and the tester.

Claims (35)

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a first interface configured to communicate with a semiconductor device;

a second interface configured to communicate with a tester; and

a processor configured to test a secure portion of the semiconductor device,

wherein the processor is configured to send a result of testing of the secure portion of the semiconductor device to the tester through the second interface.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to provide an encryption key into the secure portion, the encryption key being associated with a processing code.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to isolate the tester from the secure portion of the semiconductor device.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor includes a test key configured to facilitate testing of the secure portion.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a relay switch configured to selectively allow communication between the tester and a non-secure portion of the semiconductor device.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the relay switch is configured to selectively allow the tester to test the non-secure portion of the semiconductor device.

7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to receive instructions from the tester to operate the relay switch.

8 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the relay switch is configured to isolate the tester from the secure portion of the semiconductor device.

9 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the communication between the tester and the non-secure portion of the semiconductor device passes through the first interface and the second interface.

10 . A method, comprising:

testing, by a processor, a secure portion of a semiconductor device through a first interface between the processor and the semiconductor device; and

sending, by the processor, a pass or fail indication of a result of the testing of the secure portion of the semiconductor device to the tester through a second interface between the processor and the tester.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

providing, by the processor, an encryption key into the secure portion, the encryption key being associated with a processing code.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising isolating the tester from the secure portion of the semiconductor device.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the testing the secure portion comprises using a test key by the processor to facilitate testing the secure portion.

14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

operating a relay switch to allow communication between the tester and a non-secure portion of the semiconductor device.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein operating the relay switch is responsive to receiving, by the processor, instructions from the tester to operate the relay switch.

16 . A computer program product, embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

computer code for testing a secure portion of a device by a processor; and

computer code for sending results of the testing from the processor to a tester, wherein the results include an indication of pass or fail, and wherein the tester is isolated from the secure portion of the device.

17 . The computer program product of claim 16 , further comprising:

computer code for allowing communication between the tester and a non-secure portion of the device.

18 . The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the computer code for allowing communication between the tester and the non-secure portion of the device comprises:

computer code for operating a relay switch.

19 . The computer program product of claim 18 , further comprising:

computer code for receiving instructions from the tester to operate the relay switch.

20 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the computer code for testing the secure portion comprises:

computer code for using a test key to facilitate testing the secure portion.

Assignments (4)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041712/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 041706/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037806/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2013
From: BUER, MARK LEONARD; DZHANDZHAPANYAN, NORAYR NORIK
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030507/0834 →