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We present a new fault data sharing scheme for a multi-core parallel ATPG system. This scheme effectively reduces the memory consumption by putting the fault data in shared memory. We discuss optimization opportunities and the new technical challenges. Experimental results are compared to the original highly efficient multicore ATPG system.
We present a distributed-multicore hybrid ATPG system which leverages the computing power of multiple machines each with multiple CPUs. The system is versatile and scalable and supports flexible configuration. Experimental results are compared to a highly efficient multicore ATPG system.
As scan compression becomes ubiquitous, ever more complex designs require higher compression. This paper presents a novel, two-level compression system for scan input data generated by deterministic test generation. First, load care bits and X-control input data are encoded into PRPG seeds; next, seeds are selectively shared for further compression. The latter exploits the hierarchical nature of large...
Scan testing and scan compression have become key components for reducing test cost. We present a novel technique to increase automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) effectiveness by identifying and exploiting instances of increasingly common “majority gates”. Test generation is modified so that better decision are made and care bits can be reduced. Consequently, test coverage, pattern count and...
Scan testing and scan compression are widely used, but ever more complex designs require higher compression, while the increased density of unknown (X) values reduces effective compression. In this paper, we present a new selector design which blocks all Xs while allowing more observability of non-X scan cells and which requires fewer input control values. Supported by novel test generation algorithms,...
Full scan designs are widely used for their indisputable benefits of predictably high test coverage, diagnosis and debug. However, for high-performance designs the cost of scan - area and delay - is not acceptable and partial scan is used instead. Unfortunately, partial scan significantly increases test generation complexity. We define a structured partial scan design methodology and specific test...
Scan testing and scan compression have become key components for reducing test cost, and most high-compression schemes are based on linear, sequential compressors e.g., pseudo-random pattern generators (PRPG). We present a novel technique to increase PRPG-based compression by modifying test generation so that justification of certain decision nodes is delayed and merged with PRPG seed computation...
To leverage the computing power of multicore machines in ATPG, we developed a highly efficient parallel ATPG system based on dynamic fault partition and shared memory. The system takes advantage of built-in efficiency of parallel search to achieve good performance speedup with no sacrifices in pattern quality or test coverage.
Scan testing and scan compression are key to realizing cost reduction and quality control of ever more complex designs. However, compression can be limited if the density of unknown (X) values is high. We present a method to identify a small, but important, subset of scan cells that are "likely" to capture an X, place them on separate "X-chains", create a combinational unload compressor...
Traditional scan and, more recently, scan compression are increasingly accepted for reducing test cost and improving quality in ever more complex designs. Combinational scan compression techniques are attractive for their low impact on area, timing and design flow, but are best suited for designs with a limited number of unknowns (Xs). However, recent design performance and cost tradeoffs create a...
Scan is widely accepted as the basis for reducing test cost and improving quality, however its effectiveness is compromised by increasingly complex designs and fault models that can result in high scan data volume and application time. The authors present a scan compression method designed for minimal impact in all aspects: area overhead, timing, and design flow. Easily adopted on top of existing...
Tristate buses, commonly used in high-performance designs, raise testability problems because one-hot conditions, required for functional operation, may not be maintained during scan testing. We present a novel method to automatically generate and insert a bus encoder that ensures one-hot bus operation. Each bus is analyzed individually; a customized encoder is then generated and optimized for best...
Recent test-cost reduction methods are based on controlling the initial state (seed) of a pseudo-random pattern generator (PRPG) so that deterministic values are loaded in selected scan cells. Combined with an unload-data compression technique, PRPG seeding reduces test data volume and application time. This paper presents a method of mapping each scan load to multiple PRPG seeds, computed so that...
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