Memory output interface function path test method, electronic equipment and medium
By generating a list of target output interface function paths and automatically generating test vectors, the problem of not being able to effectively test the memory output interface function paths in the prior art is solved, and efficient testing of the memory output interface function paths is realized, and the chip operation frequency is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411886154.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-12-20
AI Technical Summary
The prior art cannot effectively test the memory output interface function path, resulting in limited chip operation frequency.
By obtaining the target output interface function path in the function output circuit connected to the memory output interface, a list of the target output interface function paths is generated, and the test vector is automatically generated using the automatic test vector generation tool, and input it into the memory through the MBIST input circuit for testing.
It realizes efficient testing of the memory output interface function path, reduces the number of test vectors generated, and increases the chip operation frequency.
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Figure CN119811457A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of chip testing technology, and in particular to a memory output interface functional path testing method, electronic equipment and medium. Background Art
[0002] During chip testing, the memory itself is usually tested for faults by an MBIST (Memory Built-In Self-Test) circuit integrated inside the chip for testing semiconductor memory. Traditional chip testing tests the circuits around the memory by inserting a bypass circuit around the memory, and tests the interface of the memory by scanning the path. However, the MBIST circuit can only test internal faults of the memory, and cannot test the functional path of the output interface of the memory. The introduction of the bypass circuit cannot truly reflect the functional path of the output interface under the functional mode, and the introduction of logic devices such as multiplexers in the bypass circuit will increase the number of logic levels, further causing the timing (chip test circuit structure) to deteriorate. In addition, the scan path excludes the memory, and the clock frequency is very low, which cannot reach the frequency that the memory actually needs to run, and the frequency of the memory often determines the highest operating frequency of the chip. It can be seen from this that realizing the test of the functional path of the output interface of the memory and improving the chip operating frequency have become technical problems that need to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention
[0003] The present invention aims to provide a memory output interface functional path testing method, electronic equipment and medium, which improve the memory output interface testing performance and increase the chip operating frequency.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for testing a memory output interface functional path is provided, comprising:
[0005] Step S1, obtaining a target output interface functional path in a functional output circuit connected to a memory output interface, and generating a target output interface functional path list;
[0006] Step S2, the automatic test vector generation tool selects at least one target output interface function path from the target output interface function path list, and automatically generates a test vector based on the selected target output interface function path;
[0007] Step S3, the generated test vector is input into the memory by the MBIST input circuit connected to each other with the memory input interface;
[0008] Step S4: Create a conversion in the output interface through the selected target output interface functional path, capture the target output data, and compare the target output data with the preset value. If they are consistent, the test passes, otherwise, the test fails.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being configured to execute the method described in the first aspect of the present invention.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer instructions are used to execute the method described in the first aspect of the present invention.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. By means of the above technical solution, the present invention provides a memory output interface function path test method, electronic device and medium that can achieve considerable technical advancement and practicality, and has wide industrial utilization value, and has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0012] The present invention can reduce the workload required for testing output interface function paths by setting a target output interface function path list, and uses an MBIST input circuit as an input circuit of an accessor and a function output circuit as a capture circuit of target data, thereby reducing the number of test vectors generated, and all tests of target output interface function paths pass through the memory, thereby achieving full-speed testing and improving chip frequency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.
[0014] Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for testing a memory output interface functional path provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0016] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for testing a memory output interface function path. Figure 1 As shown, including:
[0017] Step S1, obtaining a target output interface functional path in a functional output circuit connected to a memory output interface, and generating a target output interface functional path list.
[0018] Among them, the functional output circuit is a combinational logic circuit. The target output interface functional path is the output interface functional path that needs to be tested. It should be noted that there are usually multiple paths in the functional output circuit. If a large number of test vectors need to be generated based on each output interface functional path, but in fact not every output interface functional path needs to be tested, by obtaining the target output interface functional path list, the generation of test vectors can be greatly reduced, and the efficiency of memory output interface functional path testing can be improved. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory can specifically be a random access memory (Random Access Memory, referred to as RAM) or a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), the input interface of the RAM includes a data input interface and an address input interface, and the input interface of the ROM only includes an address input interface.
[0019] Step S2: The automatic test vector generation tool selects at least one target output interface function path from the target output interface function path list, and automatically generates a test vector based on the selected target output interface function path.
[0020] It should be noted that the automatic test vector generation tool can select one or more target output interface functional paths for each test. In order to improve test efficiency, one test can cover as many target output interface functional paths as possible.
[0021] Step S3: input the generated test vector into the memory through the MBIST input circuit connected to the memory input interface.
[0022] Among them, the MBIST input circuit is a circuit integrated inside the chip for testing semiconductor memory.
[0023] Step S4: Create a conversion in the output interface through the selected target output interface functional path, capture the target output data, and compare the target output data with the preset value. If they are consistent, the test passes, otherwise, the test fails.
[0024] It should be noted that since the test target is the output interface functional path, it is necessary to create a conversion on the memory output interface. During the above memory output interface functional path test process, the ATPG tool is guided to control the memory input interface through the MBIST input circuit, but the data read by the memory is captured through the functional output circuit, which helps to reduce the overall pattern generation work required to observe the fault, and all test paths pass through the memory, so that the test path runs at the required operating frequency of the memory, realizing full-speed testing, thereby increasing the chip operating frequency.
[0025] The embodiment of the present invention selects the MBIST input circuit as the current input circuit and selects the functional output circuit as the current output circuit. That is, when the memory output interface functional path test is performed, the input of the memory is controlled by the MBIST input circuit, and the data in the memory is obtained by the functional output circuit, so as to implement the test of the output interface functional path in the functional output circuit, and the test path all passes through the memory, so that the test path runs at the required operating frequency of the memory, and the full-speed test is implemented, thereby improving the chip operating frequency.
[0026] As an embodiment, the step S4 includes:
[0027] Step S5, determine whether all the target output interface function paths in the target output interface function path list have been tested. If so, end the process; otherwise, return to step S2.
[0028] As an embodiment, the step S1 includes:
[0029] Step S11: Obtain the delay of each output interface functional path in the functional output circuit based on a static timing analysis tool.
[0030] Step S12: Arrange the delays of all output interface function paths in descending order.
[0031] Step S13: Determine the first preset N output interface function paths as the target output interface function paths.
[0032] Specifically, the output interface function paths that rank in the top Y% can be determined as the output interface function paths that rank in the top preset N, and Y can be specifically set to 10 or 20, etc. A delay threshold can also be set, and the output interface function paths that exceed the delay threshold can be determined as the output interface function paths that rank in the top preset N. It should be noted that the target output interface function path is the output interface function path that needs to be tested. By screening the target output interface function path, the output interface function paths that do not need to be tested can be filtered out in advance, thereby reducing the number of subsequent test vectors generated and improving the test efficiency of the output interface function path.
[0033] Step S14: input all target output interface function paths into an automatic test vector generation tool to generate a target output interface function path list.
[0034] As an embodiment, step S3 includes:
[0035] Step S31: Based on the MBIST input circuit, a first address is input through the address input interface of the memory, a first value is input through the data input interface of the memory, and the first value is written into the first address of the memory.
[0036] It should be noted that the first address in the memory is initialized through step S31.
[0037] Step S32, based on MBIST input circuit, input the second address through the address input interface of memory, input the second numerical value through the data input interface of memory, write the second numerical value in the second address of memory, wherein said first address and the second address are different addresses, and said first numerical value and the second numerical value are different numerical values.
[0038] It should be noted that, in step S32, the second address of the memory is initialized. The first value is set to 1, the second value is set to 0, or the first value is set to 0, the second value is set to 1.
[0039] As an embodiment, step S4 includes:
[0040] Step S41: Read data from a first address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path to initialize the output interface.
[0041] Step S42: Read data from the second address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path, create a conversion at the output interface, and use the data read from the second address as target output data.
[0042] Step S43: compare the target output data with a preset value, where the preset value is a second value. If they are consistent, the test passes; otherwise, the test fails.
[0043] It should be noted that if the selected target output interface functional path has a fault, the data read from the second address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path is not equal to the second value, and the test fails. If the selected target output interface functional path does not have a fault, the data read from the second address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path is equal to the second value, and the test passes.
[0044] As an embodiment, the memory further includes a memory enabling interface, and the method further includes:
[0045] Step S10: In the loading phase (Scan Shift) of the test vector of the scan test, the scan enable signal is at the level of the loading mode, and the memory enable interface is always set to an invalid level so that the memory does not work.
[0046] It should be noted that during the test vector loading phase of the scan test, the memory enable interface is always set to an invalid level so that the memory does not work, thereby ensuring the stability of the data stored in the memory.
[0047] Step S20, in the response data capture stage (Scan Capture) of the scan test, the scan enable signal is the level of the capture mode, and the memory enable interface is controlled by the MBIST input circuit to be the effective level for the normal operation of the memory during the memory operation period. When the memory enable interface is the effective level for the normal operation of the memory, the memory can be read and written.
[0048] It should be noted that steps S1 to S4 are executed during the response data capture phase of the scan test.
[0049] As an embodiment, a first enable control circuit can be set in the chip test circuit to control the memory enable interface. The first enable control circuit can be implemented by a simple combination of logic devices to reduce circuit cost. The following is an explanation through two specific implementation methods.
[0050] Implementation Method 1:
[0051] The level of the described loading mode is a high level, and the level of the described capture mode is a low level, the described first enable control circuit comprises a first NOT gate and a first AND gate, the MBIST input circuit is connected to the first input pin of the first NOT gate, the scan enable signal is connected to the input pin of the first NOT gate, the output pin of the first NOT gate is connected to the second input pin of the first AND gate, and the first AND gate single output pin is connected to the memory enable interface.
[0052] When the scan enable signal is at a high level, it is flipped to a low level through the first NOT gate and serves as an input of the first AND gate, so that when the scan enable signal is at a high level, the output of the first AND gate must be a low level, thereby setting the memory enable interface to always be at a low level.
[0053] When the scan enable signal is at a low level, it is flipped to a high level through the first NOT gate and serves as an input of the first AND gate. At this time, the output of the first AND gate is completely controlled by another input, that is, controlled by the MBIST input circuit, and can be controlled according to specific operation requirements.
[0054] Implementation Method 2:
[0055] The level of described loading mode is a high level, and the level of described capture mode is a low level, described first enable control circuit comprises the second NOT gate and the first OR gate, the MBIST input circuit is connected to each other with the first input pin of the first OR gate, the scan enable signal is connected to each other with the second input pin of the first OR gate, the output pin of the first OR gate is connected to each other with the input pin of the second NOT gate, and the output pin of the second NOT gate is connected to each other with the memory enable interface.
[0056] When the scan enable signal is at a high level, the output of the first OR gate must be at a high level, and after being flipped through the second NOT gate, it must be at a low level, thereby setting the memory enable interface to always be at a low level.
[0057] When the scan enable signal is at a low level, the output of the first OR gate is completely controlled by another input, that is, controlled by the MBIST input circuit, and can be controlled according to specific operation requirements.
[0058] It should be noted that some exemplary embodiments are described as processes or methods depicted as flow charts. Although the flow charts describe the steps as sequential processes, many of the steps can be implemented in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of the steps can be rearranged. The process can be terminated when its operation is completed, but it can also have additional steps not included in the accompanying drawings. The process can correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc.
[0059] An embodiment of the present invention also provides an electronic device, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and the instructions are configured to execute the method described in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer instructions are used to execute the method described in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still falls within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for testing a memory output interface functional path, comprising: Step S1, obtaining a target output interface functional path in a functional output circuit connected to a memory output interface, and generating a target output interface functional path list; Step S2, the automatic test vector generation tool selects at least one target output interface function path from the target output interface function path list, and automatically generates a test vector based on the selected target output interface function path; Step S3, the generated test vector is input into the memory by the MBIST input circuit connected to each other with the memory input interface; Step S4: Create a conversion in the output interface through the selected target output interface functional path, capture the target output data, and compare the target output data with the preset value. If they are consistent, the test passes, otherwise, the test fails.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step S4 then includes: Step S5, determine whether all the target output interface function paths in the target output interface function path list have been tested. If so, end the process; otherwise, return to step S2.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step S1 comprises: Step S11, obtaining the delay of each output interface functional path in the functional output circuit based on a static timing analysis tool; Step S12: Arrange the delays of all output interface function paths in descending order; Step S13: determining the first preset N output interface function paths as the target output interface function paths; Step S14: input all target output interface function paths into an automatic test vector generation tool to generate a target output interface function path list.
4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step S3 comprises: Step S31, based on the MBIST input circuit, input a first address through the address input interface of the memory, input a first numerical value through the data input interface of the memory, and write the first numerical value in the first address of the memory; Step S32, based on MBIST input circuit, input the second address through the address input interface of memory, input the second numerical value through the data input interface of memory, write the second numerical value in the second address of memory, wherein said first address and the second address are different addresses, and said first numerical value and the second numerical value are different numerical values.
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The step S4 comprises: Step S41, reading data from a first address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path, and initializing the output interface; Step S42: reading data from the second address through the output interface based on the selected target output interface functional path, creating a conversion at the output interface, and using the data read from the second address as target output data; Step S43: compare the target output data with a preset value, where the preset value is a second value. If they are consistent, the test passes; otherwise, the test fails.
6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The memory is a random access memory or a read-only memory.
7. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: at least one processor; and, a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, wherein the instructions are configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Computer executable instructions are stored, and the computer executable instructions are used to execute the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1-6.
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