Ternary Search Process for Signal Value Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic test equipment (ATE) processes for obtaining signal values from device pins require a large number of iterations, leading to slow performance and inefficient use of processing resources.
Innovation Solution
A ternary search process is implemented using comparators to adjust reference signals based on output signals, reducing the number of iterations required to obtain a signal value by comparing the device signal to both a reference high and reference low signal, and repeating the process until a predetermined criterion is met, followed by a binary search when the difference is below a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a binary search process is used to obtain signal values, then the measurement precision is sufficient, but the number of iterations is large leading to slow processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The search process is segmented into two distinct phases: a ternary search phase that performs coarse search and a binary search phase that performs fine search. The ternary search divides the search space into three parts using two comparators, enabling faster initial convergence compared to binary search's two-part division. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high precision and improved speed by using appropriate search strategies at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional binary search (comparing to a single reference point) to a two-dimensional ternary search (comparing to two reference points simultaneously). By introducing a second comparator and second reference signal, the system gains an additional dimension of comparison, enabling it to eliminate two-thirds of the search space in one iteration rather than half, thus reducing total iterations while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of iterations are used to obtain signal values, then the measurement precision is achieved, but valuable processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The search process is segmented into two distinct phases: a ternary search phase that performs coarse search and a binary search phase that performs fine search. The ternary search divides the search space into three parts using two comparators, enabling faster initial convergence compared to binary search's two-part division. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high precision and improved speed by using appropriate search strategies at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The ternary search phase performs preliminary action by rapidly narrowing down the search space to within a predetermined threshold before the binary search phase begins. This preliminary coarse search reduces the amount of work remaining for the fine search phase, thereby reducing total processing resource consumption while maintaining the required measurement precision.
3Productivity
If a ternary search process is implemented with two comparators, then the number of iterations is reduced improving processing speed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second comparators, while dedicated to specific reference signals, work together as a unified ternary search system. The comparators are configured to simultaneously compare the device signal against two different reference signals (reference high and reference low), enabling the system to eliminate two-thirds of the search space in one iteration. This multi-functional use of comparators in a coordinated manner achieves speed improvement without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuitry performs preliminary adjustment of reference signals based on comparator outputs before the main search begins. By pre-configuring the reference signals at appropriate levels and using the comparators to immediately narrow the search space, the system reduces the number of iterations needed, thereby improving processing speed while keeping the comparator configuration manageable through intelligent control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use in obtaining a value from a device includes a first comparator to receive a reference high signal and a device signal, where the first comparator provides a first output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference high signal, and a second comparator to receive a reference low signal and the device signal, where the second comparator provides a second output signal to indicate whether the device signal is above or below the reference low signal. Also included in the apparatus is circuitry (i) to adjust at least one of the reference high signal and the reference low signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal, and (ii) to output the value if a difference between the reference high signal and the reference low signal meets a predetermined criterion, the value being based on the difference.