IP Library Granted Patent US 9,891,277
Granted Patent B2
US 9,891,277 · App. 14/502,406 · Granted Feb 13, 2018

Secure low voltage testing

Inventors: Joel R. Knight (Austin, TX); James B. Eifert (Austin, TX); Stefano Pietri (Austin, TX); Steven K. Watkins (Austin, TX)
Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
G01R31/31719G01R31/31701
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,891,277
App. No.
14/502,406
Granted
Feb 13, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated circuit includes a normal voltage detector configured to detect a normal voltage at which the integrated circuit being fully functional. A first voltage detector detects a first voltage that is less than the normal voltage. A second voltage detector detects a second voltage that is less than the first voltage. A reset module is coupled to a supply voltage, the normal voltage detector, the first voltage detector, and the second voltage detector. The reset module includes test logic to, when the supply voltage rises to the first voltage from the second voltage, perform a pass/fail test when the integrated circuit is in a pass/fail test mode, and perform a power up reset when the integrated circuit in not in the pass/fail test mode.

Claims (48)

1. An integrated circuit, comprising:

a normal voltage detector configured to detect a normal voltage, the integrated circuit being fully functional at the normal voltage;

a first voltage detector configured to detect a first voltage, the first voltage is less than the normal voltage;

a second voltage detector configured to detect a second voltage, the second voltage is less than the first voltage;

a reset module coupled to a supply voltage, the normal voltage detector, the first voltage detector, and the second voltage detector, the reset module including test logic operable to:

when the supply voltage rises to the first voltage from the second voltage,

determine the integrated circuit is in a pass/fail test mode when a first security test is passed;

when the integrated circuit is in the pass/fail test mode, perform a pass/fail test; and

when the integrated circuit in not in the pass/fail test mode, perform a power up reset.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the test logic is further operable to:

when the normal voltage drops to a value between the normal voltage and the first voltage,

determine the integrated circuit is in a pass/fail test mode when the first security test is passed;

when the integrated circuit is in the pass/fail test mode, perform a pass/fail test; and

when the integrated circuit in not in the pass/fail test mode, perform power down reset.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the test logic is further operable to:

when the supply voltage drops to a value between the first voltage and the second voltage,

determine that the integrated circuit is in a characterization test mode when a second security test is passed;

when the integrated circuit is in the characterization test mode, perform a characterization test.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 3 , wherein the second security test determines that a user's security state matches a selected value.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 3 , wherein the characterization test determines a voltage level where at least a portion of the integrated circuit does not operate correctly.

6. The integrated circuit of claim 3 , wherein the pass/fail test is performed when a user's security state is unlocked after having been locked, the first security test is passed, and a test enable signal is set.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 3 , wherein the characterization test is performed when the second security test is passed and a test enable signal is set.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first security test determines that a test security state matches a selected value.

9. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the pass/fail test determines whether at least a portion of the integrated circuit operates correctly at a voltage less than the normal voltage.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the power up reset is performed in response to the supply voltage rising to the normal voltage.

11. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the fail/pass test is performed when the first security test is passed and a test enable signal is set.

12. A processing system comprising:

a normal voltage detector configured to detect a normal voltage, the processing system being fully functional at the normal voltage;

a first voltage detector configured to detect a first voltage, the first voltage is less than the normal voltage and the processing system is only partially functional at the first voltage;

a second voltage detector configured to detect a second voltage, the second voltage is less than the first voltage and the processing system is not functional at the second voltage;

a reset module coupled to a supply voltage, the normal voltage detector, the first voltage detector, and the second voltage detector, the reset module including test logic operable to:

when the supply voltage drops to a value between the first voltage and the second voltage,

determine that the processing system is in a characterization test mode when a first security test is passed; and

when the processing system is in the characterization test mode, perform a characterization test.

13. The processing system of claim 12 , wherein the test logic is further operable to:

when the supply voltage rises to the first voltage from the second voltage,

determine the processing system is in a pass/fail test mode when a second security test is passed;

when the processing system is in a pass/fail test mode, perform a pass/fail test; and

when the processing system in not in the pass/fail test mode, enter a power up reset mode in response to the supply voltage rising to the normal voltage.

14. The processing system of claim 13 , wherein the test logic is further operable to:

when the normal voltage drops to a value between the normal voltage and the first voltage,

determine the processing system is in the pass/fail test mode when the second security test is passed;

when the integrated circuit is in the pass/fail test mode, perform a pass/fail test; and

when the processing system in not in the pass/fail test mode, enter a power down reset mode.

15. The processing system of claim 14 , wherein the second security test determines that a test security state matches a selected value.

16. The processing system of claim 14 , wherein the pass/fail test determines whether at least a portion of the processing system operates correctly at a voltage less than the normal voltage.

17. The processing system of claim 12 , wherein the first security test determines that a user's security state matches a selected value.

18. The processing system of claim 12 , wherein the characterization test determines a voltage level where at least a portion of the integrated circuit does not operate correctly.

Assignments (15)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040626 FRAME: 0683. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 7, 2016. Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: NXP SEMICONDUCTORS USA, INC. (MERGED INTO); FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC. (UNDER)
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041414/0883 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040626/0683 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 7, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037458/0502 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 7, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037458/0460 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0921 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 4, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034160/0351 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 4, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034160/0370 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 4, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034153/0027 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2014
From: KNIGHT, JOEL R.; EIFERT, JAMES B.; PIETRI, STEFANO; WATKINS, STEVEN K.
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 033854/0653 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160091561A1 · Mar 31, 2016