OTP Memory Self-Verification Reduces ATE Test Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing test methods for one-time programmable (OTP) memory devices are complex and costly, particularly during auto-test equipment (ATE) testing, which requires searching and comparing OTP information stored in a database, increasing the difficulty and expense of the testing process.
Innovation Solution
A one-time programmable memory device with a memory array that includes a data storage section, a verification information section, and a verification processor, allowing for self-verification of application data using reference verification data stored within the device, without the need for external reference data, thereby simplifying the ATE test process and enhancing data security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ATE test method uses external search database to store and compare OTP information, then the verification can be performed, but the test complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The OTP memory device performs self-verification by internally calculating verification codes for stored data and comparing them against stored reference verification codes. This eliminates the need for external ATE equipment and search databases, allowing the device to verify its own data integrity independently, thereby reducing test complexity and cost while maintaining verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
During the initial programming phase, the device pre-calculates and stores reference verification codes in the verification information section. These pre-stored reference codes enable subsequent self-verification operations without requiring external reference data or complex testing equipment, thus simplifying the overall test process
2Reliability
If the ATE test method reads and compares OTP information from external database, then verification is achieved, but data security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-verification internally by calculating verification codes for data in the data storage section and comparing them against reference verification codes stored in the verification information section. This internal self-verification mechanism eliminates the need for external database access during testing, thereby maintaining data security while ensuring verification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The verification information section acts as an intermediary that stores reference verification codes locally within the device. This internal intermediary enables verification operations without requiring external database connections, thus protecting sensitive data from external access while maintaining the ability to verify data integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A one-time programmable (OTP) memory device includes a memory array. The memory array includes: a data storage section for storing application data; a verification information section including at least one verification information unit, wherein each verification information unit includes a verification address region for storing verification address information associated with an address of a subject region in the data storage section, and a reference verification data region for storing one or more reference verification data, and wherein each reference verification data is calculated through reference verification calculation on the application data stored in the subject region using a predetermined verification algorithm. The OTP memory device further includes a verification processor for reading the application data from the subject region according to the verification address information, and calculating a self-verification result from the application data stored in the subject region using a selected verification algorithm; and a controller coupled to the memory array and the verification processor, for receiving the self-verification result from the verification processor and comparing the self-verification result with a reference verification data selected from the one or more reference verification data stored in the reference verification data region to obtain a comparison result.