A Hybrid Test Approach – Combining ATPG and BIST

A Hybrid Test Approach – Combining ATPG and BIST
by Daniel Payne on 09-09-2013 at 5:18 pm

In the world of IC testability we tend to look at various approaches as independent means to an end, namely high test coverage with the minimum amount of test time, minimum area impact, minimum timing impact, and acceptable power use. Automatic Test Pattern Generation (ATPG) is a software-based approach that can be applied to any… Read More


SpyGlass: Focusing on Test

SpyGlass: Focusing on Test
by Paul McLellan on 09-07-2013 at 5:51 pm

For decades we have used a model of faults in chips that assumes that a given signal is stuck-at-0 or stuck-at-1. And when I say decades, I mean it. The D-algorithm was invented at IBM in 1966, the year after Gordon Moore made a now very famous observation about the number of transistors on an integrated circuit. We know that stuck-at… Read More


Test, The Forgotten Step-Child of Semiconductor Design

Test, The Forgotten Step-Child of Semiconductor Design
by Paul McLellan on 08-20-2013 at 7:56 pm

Somehow, when designing a chip it is synthesis and place & route that gets all the attention. But it is no good taping out perfect layout without also having away to test the silicon. Somehow, test just isn’t as glamorous.

On September 10-12th is the International Test Conference which, as usual, is at the Disneyland Hotel… Read More


A Most Significant Man

A Most Significant Man
by Beth Martin on 11-06-2012 at 8:10 pm

Most of us live perfectly good lives without distinction, fame, or note. Others rack up the honors, filling their walls and resumes with recognition of their brilliance. Like Dr. Janusz Rajski.

Rajski is the director of engineering for the test products at Mentor Graphics, an IEEE Fellow, and the inventor of embedded deterministic… Read More