IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,283,933
Granted Patent B2
US 8,283,933 · App. 12/707,534 · Granted Oct 9, 2012

Systems and methods for built in self test jitter measurement

Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
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 8,283,933
App. No.
12/707,534
Granted
Oct 9, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus configured for built in self test (BIST) jitter measurement is described. The apparatus includes a time-to-voltage converter. The time-to-voltage converter generates a voltage signal proportional to timing jitter present in a clock/data signal input. The apparatus also includes feedback circuitry for the time-to-voltage converter. The feedback circuitry provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter. The apparatus further includes a calibration controller. The calibration controller provides control signals to the time-to-voltage converter for process-independent calibration. The apparatus also includes a sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit. The S/H circuit provides a set bias voltage to the time-to-voltage converter once calibration is complete.

Claims (56)

1. An integrated circuit configured for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement, comprising:

a time-to-voltage converter, wherein the time-to-voltage converter generates a voltage signal proportional to timing jitter present in a clock/data signal input for the built in self-test jitter measurement;

feedback circuitry for the time-to-voltage converter, wherein the feedback circuitry provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter, and wherein the feedback circuitry adjusts a gate bias for a transistor in the time to voltage converter to provide a linearly increasing voltage ramp;

a calibration controller, wherein the calibration controller provides control signals to the time-to-voltage converter for process-independent calibration as part of the built in self-test jitter measurement;

and

a sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit, wherein the S/H circuit provides a set bias voltage to the time-to-voltage converter once calibration is complete.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the feedback circuitry comprises a clocked comparator.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 2 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a supply voltage if the voltage ramp is less half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 2 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a voltage of zero volts if the voltage ramp is greater than half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , further comprising an on-chip analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

6. The integrated circuit of claim 5 , wherein outputs from the ADC are provided to output pads for observation by automatic test equipment (ATE) using a simple functional pattern.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the time-to-voltage converter comprises a current source applied to a capacitor.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer may switch an input for the time-to-voltage converter between the feedback circuitry and the S/H circuit.

9. A method for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement using an integrated circuit configured for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement, comprising:

generating a constant current;

providing a jitter voltage signal from a time-to-voltage converter in the integrated circuit, wherein the jitter voltage signal is a voltage representation of jitter in a clock/data signal input for the built in self-test jitter measurement;

providing feedback to the time-to-voltage converter, wherein feedback circuitry provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter, and wherein the feedback circuitry adjusts a gate bias for a transistor in the time to voltage converter to provide a linearly increasing voltage ramp;

providing the jitter voltage signal to automatic testing equipment (ATE); and

performing jitter measurements using the ATE.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the feedback circuitry provides calibration of the time-to-voltage converter.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising switching an input for the time-to-voltage converter between the feedback circuitry and a sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the ATE is analog ATE.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the time-to-voltage generator comprises a current source applied to a capacitor.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying the jitter voltage signal to an on-chip analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing outputs from the ADC to output pads for observation by digital ATE.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the ADC, the time-to-voltage converter and feedback circuitry providing feedback are configured to use phase-shifted limited duty cycle clocks.

17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the feedback circuitry comprises a clocked comparator.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a supply voltage if the voltage ramp is less than half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a voltage of zero volts if the voltage ramp is greater than half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

20. A wireless device configured for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

a transceiver; and

an integrated circuit configured for built-in self-test jitter measurement, including:

a time-to-voltage converter, wherein the time-to-voltage converter generates a voltage signal proportional to timing jitter present in a clock/data signal input for the built in self-test jitter measurement;

feedback circuitry for the time-to-voltage converter, wherein the feedback circuitry provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter, and wherein the feedback circuitry adjusts a gate bias for a transistor in the time to voltage converter to provide a linearly increasing voltage ramp;

a calibration controller, wherein the calibration controller provides control signals to the time-to-voltage converter for process-independent calibration; and

a sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit, wherein the S/H circuit provides a set bias voltage to the time-to-voltage converter once calibration is complete.

21. The wireless device of claim 20 , wherein the feedback circuitry comprises a clocked comparator.

22. The wireless device of claim 21 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a supply voltage if the voltage ramp is less than half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

23. The wireless device of claim 21 , wherein the clocked comparator outputs a voltage of zero volts if the voltage ramp is greater than half the supply voltage at half the ramp period.

24. The wireless device of claim 20 , further comprising an on-chip analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

25. The wireless device of claim 24 , wherein outputs from the ADC are provided to output pads for observation by automatic test equipment (ATE) using a simple functional pattern.

26. The wireless device of claim 20 , wherein the time-to-voltage converter comprises a current source applied to a capacitor.

27. The wireless device of claim 20 , further comprising a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer may switch an input for the time-to-voltage converter between the feedback circuitry and the S/H circuit.

28. An apparatus for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement, comprising:

means for generating a constant current;

means for providing a jitter voltage signal by a time-to-voltage converter, wherein the jitter voltage signal is a voltage representation of jitter in a clock/data signal input for the built in self-test litter measurement;

means for providing feedback to the time-to-voltage converter, wherein the means for providing feedback provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter, and wherein the means for providing feedback adjusts a gate bias for a transistor in the time to voltage converter to provide a linearly increasing voltage ramp;

means for providing the jitter voltage signal to automatic testing equipment (ATE); and

means for performing jitter measurements using the ATE.

29. A computer-program product for a wireless device configured for built in self-test (BiST) jitter measurement, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:

code for generating a constant current; code for providing a jitter voltage signal by a time-to-voltage converter, wherein the jitter voltage signal is a voltage representation of jitter in a clock/data signal input for the built in self-test jitter measurement;

code for providing feedback to the time-to-voltage converter, wherein the feedback provides a ramp slope for the time-to-voltage converter, and wherein the feedback adjusts a gate bias for a transistor in the time to voltage converter to provide a linearly increasing voltage ramp;

code for providing the jitter voltage signal to automatic testing equipment (ATE); and

code for performing built in self-test jitter measurements using the ATE.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2010
From: DASNURKAR, SACHIN D
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 024489/0020 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61160192 · Mar 13, 2009
Related Publication 20100231233A1 · Sep 16, 2010