IP Library Patent Application 15359692
Patent Application
App. No. 15/359,692

Scan Logic For Circuit Designs With Latches And Flip-Flops

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
15/359,692
Abstract

A system for scanning a circuit includes flip-flops and latches includes a multiplexer to couple an output of a flip-flop with an input of a latch. The multiplexer has an input receiving an input signal for the latch and another input coupled with output of the flip-flop. The system further another multiplexer to couple output of the first multiplexer with an input of another flip-flop. The system also includes scan logic for controlling multiplexers to load test data into the flip-flop and into the latch from the flip-flop. The system also includes scan logic for passing output of the flip-flop and the latch into portions of the circuit to be tested.

Claims (29)

1 . A method for scanning a circuit comprising a plurality of flip-flops and latches, the method comprising:

providing a first multiplexer to couple an output of a first flip-flop with an input of a first latch, wherein the first multiplexer has a first input receiving an input signal for the first latch and a second input coupled with output of the first flip-flop;

providing a second multiplexer to couple output of the first multiplexer with an input of a second flip-flop;

controlling the first and second multiplexers to load test data into the first flip-flop and into the first latch from the first flip-flop; and

passing output of the first flip-flop and the first latch into portions of the circuit to be tested.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first flip-flop acts as a lock-up latch for the first latch.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first flip-flop and the first latch receive separate scan clock signals.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer receive separate enable signals.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising routing a first circuit logic to an input of the first multiplexer, wherein the first circuit logic is configured to provide a signal to the latch during non-scanning operation.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , further comprising loading result data from the first flip-flop and the first latch, the result data to indicate processing of test data by the first circuit logic.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising capturing first result data from the first flip-flop reflecting performance of the circuit to be tested.

8 . The method according to claim 7 , further comprising, after capturing the first result data from the first flip-flop, loading the same test data back into the first flip-flop.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , further comprising, after loading the same test data back into the first flip-flop, capturing second result data from the first latch reflecting performance of the circuit to be tested and storing the second result data into the first flip-flop.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising, after storing the second result data into the first flip-flop, simultaneously shifting out the second result data and shifting in new test data to the first flip-flop.

11 . A system for scanning a circuit comprising a plurality of flip-flops and latches, the system comprising:

a first multiplexer configured to couple an output of a first flip-flop with an input of a first latch, wherein the first multiplexer has a first input for receiving an input signal for the first latch and a second input coupled with output of the first flip-flop;

a second multiplexer configured to couple output of the first multiplexer with an input of a second flip-flop; and

scan logic configured to:

control the first and second multiplexers to load test data into the first flip-flop and into the first latch from the first flip-flop; and

pass output of the first flip-flop and the first latch into portions of the circuit to be tested.

12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the first flip-flop is configured to perform as a lock-up latch for the first latch.

13 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the first flip-flop and the first latch are configured to receive separate scan clock signals.

14 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are configured to receive separate enable signals.

15 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to route a first circuit logic coupled to an input of the first multiplexer, wherein the first circuit logic is configured to provide a signal to the latch during non-scanning operation.

16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to cause loading of result data from the first flip-flop and the first latch, the result data to indicate processing of test data by the first circuit logic.

17 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to route capturing first result data from the first flip-flop reflecting performance of the circuit to be tested.

18 . The system according to claim 17 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to cause, after capturing the first result data from the first flip-flop, loading the same test data back into the first flip-flop.

19 . The system according to claim 18 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to cause, after loading the same test data back into the first flip-flop, capturing second result data from the first latch reflecting performance of the circuit to be tested and storing the second result data into the first flip-flop.

20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein the scan logic is further configured to cause, after storing the second result data into the first flip-flop, simultaneously shifting out the second result data and shifting in new test data to the first flip-flop.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2016
From: VAIDYANATHAN, ATHMANATHAN; SCHROEDER, ERIC
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 040989/0553 →