IP Library Granted Patent US 10,914,783
Granted Patent B2
US 10,914,783 · App. 16/257,225 · Granted Feb 9, 2021

Test circuit and semiconductor device

Inventors: Tadakatsu Kuroda (Chiba, JP); Tsutomu Tomioka (Chiba, JP); Hideyuki Sawai (Chiba, JP)
Assignee: ABLIC INC.
G01R31/2879G01R31/2621G01R31/2856G01R31/2882G01R31/2884H01L22/32
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,914,783
App. No.
16/257,225
Granted
Feb 9, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A test circuit includes a test pad supplied with a test signal causing the test circuit to be transitioned to a test mode, and further includes a first p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, and a gate applied with a prescribed reference voltage, a first n channel MOS transistor having a drain connected to a drain of the first p channel MOS transistor, and a source grounded via a first current limiting element, and a control circuit which has an input terminal connected to the drain of the first n channel MOS transistor, and an output terminal connected to a gate of the first n Tr, and controls the first n channel MOS transistor from an on state to an off state when the test signal becomes a prescribed voltage or more.

Claims (22)

1. A test circuit having a test pad supplied with a test signal for transition to a test mode, comprising:

a first p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, and a gate to which a prescribed reference voltage is applied;

a first n channel MOS transistor having a drain connected to a drain of the first p channel MOS transistor, and a source connected to a ground through a first current limiting element; and

a control circuit having an input terminal connected to the drain of the first n channel MOS transistor and an output terminal connected to a gate of the first n channel MOS transistor, and configured to control the first n channel MOS transistor from an on state to an off state by the test signal having a prescribed voltage or more.

2. The test circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises a second n channel MOS transistor having a drain connected to the gate of the first n channel MOS transistor and to a power supply terminal through a second current limiting element, a gate connected to the drain of the first n channel MOS transistor, and a source connected to the ground.

3. The test circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a hysteresis circuit configured to perform hysteresis control in which a voltage of the test signal at which the test circuit goes out from the test mode is lowered against a voltage of the test signal at which the test circuit transitions to the test mode.

4. The test circuit according to claim 3 , wherein the hysteresis circuit comprises:

a second p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, a gate connected to the power supply terminal, and a drain connected to the ground through a third current limiting element,

a third p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, a gate connected to the gate of the first n channel MOS transistor, and a drain connected to the drain of the first n channel MOS transistor,

a third n channel MOS transistor having a drain connected to the second current limiting element, and a source connected to the drain of the second n channel MOS transistor, and

an inverter circuit having an input terminal connected to the drain of the second p channel MOS transistor, and an output terminal connected to a gate of the third n channel MOS transistor.

5. The test circuit according to claim 4 , wherein the hysteresis circuit further comprises a p channel depletion MOS transistor inserted between the test pad and the third p channel MOS transistor or between the test pad and the second p channel MOS transistor.

6. The test circuit according to claim 2 , further comprising a hysteresis circuit configured to perform hysteresis control in which a voltage of the test signal at which the test circuit goes out from the test mode is lowered against a voltage of the test signal at which the test circuit transitions to the test mode.

7. The test circuit according to claim 6 , wherein the hysteresis circuit comprises:

a second p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, a gate connected to the power supply terminal, and a drain connected to the ground through a third current limiting element,

a third p channel MOS transistor having a source connected to the test pad, a gate connected to the gate of the first n channel MOS transistor, and a drain connected to the drain of the first n channel MOS transistor,

a third n channel MOS transistor having a drain connected to the second current limiting element, and a source connected to the drain of the second n channel MOS transistor, and

an inverter circuit having an input terminal connected to the drain of the second p channel MOS transistor, and an output terminal connected to a gate of the third n channel MOS transistor.

8. The test circuit according to claim 7 , wherein the hysteresis circuit further comprises a p channel depletion MOS transistor inserted between the test pad and the third p channel MOS transistor or between the test pad and the second p channel MOS transistor.

9. A semiconductor device comprising the test circuit according to claim 1 .

10. A semiconductor device comprising the test circuit according to claim 2 .

11. A semiconductor device comprising the test circuit according to claim 3 .

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 8, 2023
From: ABLIC INC.
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 064021/0575 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2019
From: KURODA, TADAKATSU; TOMIOKA, TSUTOMU; SAWAI, HIDEYUKI
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 048155/0221 →