KR20110005264A - Testing device, transmission circuit, testing device control method and transmission circuit control method - Google Patents

Testing device, transmission circuit, testing device control method and transmission circuit control method Download PDF

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KR20110005264A
KR20110005264A KR1020107025468A KR20107025468A KR20110005264A KR 20110005264 A KR20110005264 A KR 20110005264A KR 1020107025468 A KR1020107025468 A KR 1020107025468A KR 20107025468 A KR20107025468 A KR 20107025468A KR 20110005264 A KR20110005264 A KR 20110005264A
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data
timing
test
reference clock
unit
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KR1020107025468A
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KR101239121B1 (en
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주니치 마츠모토
요시노리 카와우메
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가부시키가이샤 어드밴티스트
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/317Testing of digital circuits
    • G01R31/31725Timing aspects, e.g. clock distribution, skew, propagation delay
    • G01R31/31726Synchronization, e.g. of test, clock or strobe signals; Signals in different clock domains; Generation of Vernier signals; Comparison and adjustment of the signals
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/317Testing of digital circuits
    • G01R31/31703Comparison aspects, e.g. signature analysis, comparators

Abstract

A test apparatus for testing a device under test, comprising: a test cycle signal indicative of a timing which becomes a reference for the start timing of a test cycle and a test cycle indicative of a delay amount from a test cycle signal to a start timing of a test cycle in synchronization with a reference clock; A test cycle generator for generating data, and a timing generator for generating a timing for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the device under test based on the start timing of the test cycle specified by the test cycle data. In the case of a cycle in which the test cycle data and the test cycle signal are generated, a data acquisition unit which acquires the test cycle data in synchronization with the reference clock and outputs the test cycle data to the timing generator, and a cycle in which the test cycle signal is not generated. Clock gate section for stopping supply of reference clock to data acquisition section It provides a test device comprising a.

Figure P1020107025468

Description

TESTING DEVICE, TRANSMISSION CIRCUIT, TESTING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD AND TRANSMISSION CIRCUIT CONTROL METHOD}

The present invention relates to a test apparatus, a transmission circuit, a control method of the test apparatus, and a control method of the transmission circuit. In particular, the present invention relates to a test apparatus for testing a device under test and a control method of the test apparatus, and a transmission circuit and a transmission circuit for transmitting data and a data enable signal indicating whether the data is valid from a transmission circuit to a reception circuit. It relates to a control method of. This application is an application which claims priority from the following Japanese application with respect to the following Japanese application. Regarding a designated country where inclusion by reference to a document is recognized, the contents described in the following application are incorporated into the present application by reference, and are part of the present application.

1. Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-144581 Filed June 2, 2008

The test apparatus for testing a semiconductor or the like includes a timing generator that generates a timing signal specifying a change point of a test signal to a device under test (see Patent Document 1, for example). The timing generator is given test period data indicating a delay time from the timing of the reference clock to the start timing of the test period, and timing data indicating the delay time from the start timing of the test period to the change point. Then, the timing generator uses a delay circuit to delay the reference clock by the delay time indicated in the test period data and the timing data to generate the timing signal.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-361343

By the way, the test apparatus propagates the test cycle data generated by the cycle generator by a plurality of flip-flops which are continuously connected, and gives the timing generator of the subsequent stage. However, in recent years, the number of bits of test cycle data is increasing with the improvement of the performance of a device under test and many pinning. In addition, the number of flip flops that propagate the test cycle data from the cycle generator to the timing generator is increasing.

In addition, a test apparatus may generate several timing signals within the range of one test period. In such a case, the timing generator selects and operates a plurality of delay circuits connected in parallel one by one each time the test cycle data is given, thereby generating a plurality of timing signals within a range of one test cycle. .

However, in recent years, with the high performance of the device under test, the number of timing signals to be generated within the range of one test cycle has increased, and the number of the plurality of delay circuits which should be connected in parallel is increasing. This caused the increase in power consumption of the test apparatus.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, in the 1st aspect of this invention, in the test apparatus which tests a device under test, the test period signal which shows the timing used as a reference of the start timing of a test period in synchronization with a reference clock, and the said test Between the test cycle generator for generating test cycle data indicating a delay amount from the cycle signal to the start timing of the test cycle, and the device under test on the basis of the start timing of the test cycle specified by the test cycle data. A timing generator for generating a timing for sending and receiving a signal, wherein the test cycle generator includes a cycle generator for generating the test cycle data and the test cycle signal, and the test cycle data in synchronization with the reference clock; And a data acquiring unit for outputting to the timing generator The present invention provides a test apparatus including a clock gate section for stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquisition section in the case of a cycle in which no signal is generated, and a control method of the test apparatus.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in a transmission circuit for transmitting data and a data enable signal indicating whether the data is valid from a transmission circuit to a reception circuit, the data is transferred from the transmission circuit in synchronization with a reference clock. A clock for stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquisition unit when the data acquisition unit acquires and outputs the data enable signal from the transmission circuit to indicate that the data is invalid; A transmission circuit including a gate portion and a control method of the transmission circuit are provided.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in a test apparatus for testing a device under test, timing data and timing data for specifying a timing of generation of a timing signal indicating a timing of transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the device under test are effective. A timing data generator for generating a timing enable signal indicative of whether or not it is operating; and synchronously operating with a reference clock to receive the valid timing data from the timing data generator; A counting unit for counting the reference clock by the number of upper data indicating a time in units of a period or more, and then outputting the lower data other than the upper data of the timing data and the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data. Wow, the count unit is If one does not count the upper side the number of data the contained in the timing data, and provides a control of the apparatus, and such a test device including a clock gate unit for stopping the supply of the reference clock method for the counting section.

In addition, the summary of the above invention does not enumerate all of the necessary features of the present invention, and the subcombination of such a feature group can also be invented.

FIG. 1: shows the structure of the test apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment with the device under test 200. As shown in FIG.
2 shows an example of a bit configuration of test period data output by the test period generator 22.
3 shows a reference clock, test period data output by the test period generator 22, and a test period signal.
4 shows the configuration of a test cycle generator 22 according to the present embodiment.
5 shows a configuration of a transmission circuit 40 according to the present embodiment.
6 shows an example of the configuration of the data acquisition unit 48 and the data switching unit 56.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the detector 50, the clock enable signal transfer circuit 52, the first clock gate unit 54, and the test period signal transfer circuit 58.
8 shows an example of a timing chart of each signal in the transmission circuit 40.
9 shows the configuration of the timing generator 24 according to the present embodiment.
10 shows an example of a timing chart of timing enable signals input to the plurality of counter delay units 114.
11 shows an example of a timing enable signal output from the plurality of counter delay units 114 and a timing chart of the lower side data.
12 shows the configuration of the counter delay unit 114.
13 shows an example of a timing chart of each signal in the counter delay unit 114.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated through embodiment of invention, the following embodiment does not limit the invention based on a claim, and all the combination of the characteristics demonstrated in embodiment are essential for the solution of this invention. Can not.

FIG. 1: shows the structure of the test apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment with the device under test 200. As shown in FIG. The test apparatus 10 tests the device under test 200 by giving a test signal to the device under test 200 and comparing the expected signal with the response signal output from the device under test 200 according to the test signal. . The test apparatus 10 includes a pattern generator 20, a test cycle generator 22, a timing generator 24, a waveform shaper 26, a driver 28, and a level comparator 30. And a timing comparator 32 and a determination unit 34.

The pattern generator 20 designates a test pattern specifying a waveform of a test signal to the device under test 200 and a logic value of a response signal to be output from the device under test 200 according to the test signal. Generates an expected value pattern. In addition, the pattern generator 20 generates data for specifying a test period which is a reference for specifying the timing of the waveform change (edge) of the test signal and the comparison timing of the response signal and the expected value. In addition, the pattern generator 20 has a delay time from the start timing of the test cycle to the timing of the waveform change of the test signal or the start timing of the test cycle from the start timing of the test cycle to the comparison timing between the response signal and the expected value. Generate delay data indicating the delay time.

The test cycle generator 22 generates test cycle data indicative of a delay from the test cycle signal and the test cycle signal to the start timing of the test cycle, which is a reference for the start timing of the test cycle, in synchronization with the reference clock. As an example, the test cycle generator 22 may receive data specifying the test cycle from the pattern generator 20 and generate test cycle data according to the received data. The test period generator 22 generates the generated test period data and the test period signal in synchronization with the reference clock.

The timing generator 24 generates a timing of sending and receiving a signal to and from the device under test 200 based on the start timing of the test period specified by the test period data. Here, the cycle of the reference clock on which the test cycle signal is generated is called a cycle in which the test cycle signal is valid, and the cycle of the reference clock on which the test cycle signal is not generated is called a cycle in which the reference cycle signal is invalid. In addition, in this embodiment, when it is valid test period data, it shows the test period data acquired at the timing which shows a valid test period signal, and when it is invalid test period data, when it is valid test period data, it is at the timing which shows a valid test period signal. The obtained test cycle data is shown. In other words, in the present embodiment, the test cycle signal functions as a signal indicating valid or invalidity of the test cycle data. As an example, the timing generator 24 may generate the timing signal which is a pulse from the timing designated by the valid test period data by the delay time designated by the delay data corresponding to the test period.

The waveform shaping section 26 generates a test signal obtained by shaping the test pattern based on the timing signal given from the timing generator 24. In other words, the waveform shaping section 26 generates a test signal having a waveform whose level changes in timing of the timing signal in the waveform designated by the test pattern.

The driver 28 supplies the test signal generated by the waveform shaping section 26 to the device under test 200. The level comparator 30 receives the response signal output from the device under test 200 in accordance with the test signal, and outputs a logic value signal indicating a logic value corresponding to the level of the received response signal.

The timing comparator 32 acquires the logic value represented by the logic value signal output by the level comparator 30 at the timing of the timing signal given from the timing generator 24. The determination unit 34 compares the logic value acquired by the timing comparator 32 with the expected value specified by the expected value pattern generated by the pattern generator 20, and outputs a comparison result. As an example, when the logic value acquired by the timing comparator 32 and the expected value match, the determination unit 34 outputs a comparison result indicating a path, and the logic value and the expectation acquired by the timing comparator 32. If the values do not match, a comparison result indicating a fail may be output.

2 shows an example of a bit configuration of test period data output by the test period generator 22. The test cycle data is a corresponding test from the timing synchronized with the reference clock of the test apparatus 10 which the test cycle data gives to the timing generator 24, that is, the timing at which the timing generator 24 receives the test cycle data. The delay time until the start timing of the test period specified by the period data is shown.

The test cycle data includes a plurality of bits. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the test period data includes (J + K) bits (J and K are natural numbers).

As the test period data, as an example, the bit of the reference position (for example, the bit of the position of n in FIG. 2) represents a delay time of one cycle (T time) of the reference clock. Each time the test cycle data advances from one bit of the reference position to one bit, each bit is twice, four times, eight times,... , A delay time that is 2 K times (K is a natural number). In addition, each time the test cycle data advances one bit from the bit of the reference position to the lower one, each bit is 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, ... of the 1 cycle of the reference clock. , 2 -J times (J is a natural number).

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the part which shows the delay time less than 1 period T of the reference clock in test period data is called the lower bit of test period data. In addition, in this embodiment, the part which shows the delay time of 2 cycles (2 * T) or more of the reference clock in test period data is called an upper bit of test period data. In other words, in the present embodiment, the test cycle data indicates an upper time indicating a unit of time larger than the period of the reference clock in the delay time from the timing at which the timing generator 24 receives the test cycle data to the start timing of the test cycle. Bits and lower bits representing time in units less than or equal to the period of the reference clock.

3 shows a reference clock, test period data output by the test period generator 22, and a test period signal. The test period generator 22 outputs the test period data and the test period signal as a pair in synchronization with the reference clock. The test cycle generator 22 sequentially outputs the test cycle data and the test cycle signal indicating the validity for each test cycle. In this case, the test period generator 22 does not simultaneously output two or more test period data in one period of the reference clock.

Therefore, when a test period is less than 2 cycles (2 x T) of the reference clock, that is, from the start timing of the test cycle specified by the test cycle data to the start timing of the test cycle specified by the next test cycle data When the interval of is less than two cycles, the test period generator 22 continuously outputs these two test cycle data at intervals of the period T of the reference clock. That is, when the upper bit of the test period data is 0, the test period data and the next test period data are continuously output at intervals of the reference clock period.

4 shows the configuration of a test cycle generator 22 according to the present embodiment. The test cycle generator 22 has a cycle generator 38 and a transmission circuit 40.

The cycle generator 38 receives data specifying the test cycle from the pattern generator 20 and generates test cycle data and a test cycle signal in synchronization with the reference clock in accordance with the received data. The transfer circuit 40 acquires the test period data and the test period signal from the period generator 38 and transmits them to the timing generator 24 in synchronization with the reference clock.

5 shows a configuration of a transmission circuit 40 according to the present embodiment. The transfer circuit 40 includes a lower bit acquisition flip flop 42, an upper bit acquisition flip flop 44, a test period signal acquisition flip flop 46, a data acquisition unit 48, and a detection unit. 50, a clock enable signal transmission circuit 52, a first clock gate section 54, a data switching section 56, and a test period signal transmission circuit 58 are included.

The lower bit acquisition flip-flop 42 acquires the lower bit of the test period data generated by the period generator 38 at the timing of the reference clock. The upper bit acquisition flip-flop 44 acquires the upper bits of the test period data generated by the period generator 38 at the timing of the reference clock. The test cycle signal acquisition flip-flop 46 acquires the test cycle signal generated by the cycle generator 38 at the timing of the reference clock.

The data acquisition unit 48 acquires the test period data in synchronization with the reference clock and outputs it to the timing generator 24. As an example, the data acquisition unit 48 may include a lower bit transfer circuit 60 and an upper bit transfer circuit 62. The lower bit transfer circuit 60 acquires the lower bit of the test period data in synchronization with the reference clock and outputs it to the timing generator 24. The lower bit transfer circuit 60 acquires the upper bits of the test period data and outputs them to the timing generator 24 in synchronization with the reference clock.

The detection unit 50 detects whether the upper bits of the test period data generated by the period generation unit 38 coincide with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, 0 is set as the predetermined value of the upper bit. That is, in this embodiment, the detection part 50 detects whether the upper bit of the test period data which the period generation part 38 generate | occur | produced is zero. Thereby, the detection part 50 can detect the case where the said test period data and the next test period data are output continuously in the period of a reference clock. In addition, the detection unit 50 detects whether or not the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating invalidity of the test cycle data, that is, whether or not the cycle has not been generated.

And the detection part 50 produces | generates the clock enable signal which shows whether the data acquisition part 48 supplies the reference clock used for acquisition of an upper bit. More specifically, the detection unit 50 may generate a cycle when the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating invalidity of the test cycle data (i.e., a cycle in which no test cycle signal is generated) or a cycle generation. When the upper bit of the test period data generated by the section 38 coincides with a predetermined value (0 in this embodiment), a clock enable signal indicating invalidity is generated. In addition, the detection unit 50 generates a test cycle signal indicating the validity of the test cycle data (that is, a cycle in which the test cycle signal is generated) while the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal. When the upper bits of the generated test period data do not coincide with a predetermined value (0 in this embodiment), a clock enable signal indicating validity is generated.

The clock enable signal transmission circuit 52 acquires and propagates the clock enable signal output from the detector 50 in synchronization with the reference clock. The clock enable signal transmission circuit 52 is, for example, a plurality of stages of flips continuously connected to the clock enable signal output by the detector 50 in synchronization with the test period data propagated by the data acquisition unit 48. It may propagate by a flop.

The first clock gate unit 54 receives the reference clock and supplies the received reference clock to the data acquisition unit 48 as a reference clock used for acquiring the upper bits of the test period data. As an example, the first clock gate section 54 supplies the received reference clock to the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

Here, the first clock gate section 54 is the case where the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating invalidity of the test cycle data (that is, a cycle in which no test cycle signal is generated), or When it is detected that the upper bits of the test period data coincide with a predetermined value (0 in this embodiment), the supply of the reference clock used by the data acquisition unit 48 to acquire the upper bits of the test period data is stopped. do. When the data acquisition unit 48 sequentially propagates the higher bits of the test period data by a plurality of flip-flops that are continuously connected, the first clock gate unit 54 is, for example, a test of the plurality of flip-flops. The supply of the reference clock for the flip-flop that propagates the periodic data may be stopped. More specifically, the first clock gate section 54, as an example, includes a clock enable signal acquired by a flip-flop at either end, which is synchronously propagated by the clock enable signal transmission circuit 52 so that the reference clock is a reference clock. In the case of indicating that the supply of is stopped, the supply of the reference clock for the flip-flop of the next stage in the upper bit transfer circuit 62 may be stopped.

In addition to the above, the first clock gate section 54 is, for example, a cycle in which the period generating section 38 generates a test period signal indicating invalidity of the test period data (that is, a cycle in which the test period signal is not generated). In this case, the data acquisition unit 48 may be configured to stop the supply of the reference clock used for acquisition of bits other than the upper bits and the upper bits of the test period data. For example, when the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating invalidity of the test cycle data, the first clock gate portion 54 stops the reference clock used to acquire all bits of the test cycle data. You may be in the structure to say.

When it is detected that the upper bits of the test period data coincide with a predetermined value (0 in the present embodiment), the data switching unit 56 applies the upper bits of the test period data output from the data acquisition unit 48. Instead, a predetermined value is supplied to the timing generator 24. In the present embodiment, the data switching unit 56 supplies zero to the timing generator 24 instead of the upper bits from the data acquisition unit 48 when the upper bits of the test period data are detected as zero. do.

The test cycle signal transmission circuit 58 acquires and propagates the test cycle signal output by the cycle generator 38 in synchronization with the reference clock. The test cycle signal transmission circuit 58 is, for example, a plurality of stages in which the clock enable signal output from the cycle generator 38 is continuously connected in synchronization with the test cycle data propagated by the data acquisition unit 48. It may propagate by flip-flops.

6 and 7 show an example of a specific circuit configuration of the transmission circuit 40. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the data acquisition unit 48 and the data switching unit 56. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the detector 50, the clock enable signal transfer circuit 52, the first clock gate unit 54, and the test period signal transfer circuit 58.

The lower bit transfer circuit 60 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the n continuously connected flip-flops 64-1 to 64- that operate in synchronization with a reference clock. n) may be included. The lower bit transfer circuit 60 acquires the lower bit of the test cycle data by the flip-flop 64-1 at the leading end and sequentially propagates to the flip-flop 64 at the rear end in synchronization with the reference clock. And output to the timing generator 24 from the last flip-flop 64-n.

The upper bit transfer circuit 62 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the same number of flip-flops as the flip-flops 64 included in the lower bit transfer circuit 60 (ie, n). (66-1 to 66-n) may be included. This upper bit transfer circuit 62 acquires the upper bits of the test period data by the flip-flop 66-1 at the first stage and propagates to the flip-flop 66 at the next stage in synchronization with the reference clock. And output to the timing generator 24 from the last flip-flop 66-n. In addition, each of the n flip-flops 66 included in the lower bit transfer circuit 60 operates in synchronization with a reference clock given through the first clock gate portion 54 described later.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection unit 50 may include an OR circuit 72 in the detection unit and an AND circuit 74 in the detection unit. The OR circuit 72 in the detection unit receives each of the upper bits of the test period data and outputs the result of ORing the values of the respective bits. The OR circuit 72 in the detection unit outputs a signal indicating invalid when the upper bit of the test period data is 0 and valid when the upper bit of the test period data is 0.

The AND circuit 74 in the detection unit outputs the result of ANDing the output signal of the OR circuit 72 in the detection unit and the test period signal generated by the period generation unit 38. The detection unit 50 then outputs the output signal of the AND circuit 74 in the detection unit as a clock enable signal. As a result, the detection unit 50 generates the test cycle signal when the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating invalidity of the test cycle data (i.e., a cycle in which no test cycle signal is generated) or the cycle generator. When the upper bit of the test period data in which 38 has occurred is 0, a clock enable signal indicating invalidity can be generated. In addition, the detection unit 50 generates a test cycle signal indicating the validity of the test cycle data while the cycle generator 38 generates a test cycle signal indicating that the test cycle data is valid. May generate a clock enable signal indicating validity.

The clock enable signal transmission circuit 52 is, for example, continuously connected to the same number (i.e., n) of flip-flops 66 included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62, as shown in FIG. Flip-flops 76-1 to 76-n may be included. The clock enable signal transmission circuit 52 acquires the clock enable signal output from the detector 50 in synchronization with the reference clock by the flip-flop 76-1 at the leading end, and sequentially flips the rear stage. Propagates to the flop 76.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first clock gate portion 54 includes the same number of gate circuits 78 as the flip-flop 66 included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62 (ie, n). -1 to 78-n). Each of the n gate circuits 78-1 to 78-n corresponds to each of the n flip-flops 66-1 to 66-n included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62. Each of the n gate circuits 78-1 through 78-n receives a reference clock and supplies it to the corresponding flip-flop 66 included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

In addition, each of the n gate circuits 78-1 to 78-n receives a clock enable signal input to the corresponding flip-flop 76 in the clock enable signal transmission circuit 52. Each of the n gate circuits 78-1 to 78-n supplies a reference clock to a corresponding flip-flop 66 included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62 if the received clock enable signal is valid. If the supplied clock enable signal is invalid, the supply of the reference clock to the corresponding flip-flop 66 included in the upper bit transfer circuit 62 is stopped. As a result, the first clock gate unit 54 sequentially propagates the higher bit of the test period data by the n flip-flops 66-1 to 66-n which are continuously connected. In this case, the supply of the reference clock to the flip-flop 66 that propagates the corresponding test period data among the plurality of flip-flops 66-1 to 66-n may be stopped.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the data switching unit 56 may include an AND circuit 68 in one or a plurality of data switching units corresponding to the value of each bit of the test period data. Each of the AND circuits 68 in one or the plurality of data switching sections flips the value of the corresponding bit of the test period data output by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 and the last stage of the clock enable signal transfer circuit 52. A signal obtained by performing an AND operation on the clock enable signal output by the flop 76-n is output.

The data switching unit 56 then outputs the output signal of the AND circuit 68 in the data switching unit to the timing generator 24 as the upper bits of the test period data. As a result, the data switching unit 56 checks that the test cycle data output by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 is valid while the upper bit of the test cycle data is not detected as 0 (that is, the clock enable signal is If valid), the value output by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 can be directly output to the timing generator 24 as the upper bits of the test period data.

In addition, such data switching unit 56 is invalid when the test period data output by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 is invalid or when the upper bit of the test period data is detected as 0 (that is, the clock enable signal is invalid). , 0 may be output to the timing generator 24 as an upper bit of the test period data. As a result, the data switching unit 56 can prohibit the output of unnecessary data to the timing generator 24 when the test period data output by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 is invalid. In addition, when the upper bit of the test period data is detected as 0, the data switching unit 56 can output the correct data to the timing generator 24.

The test period signal transmission circuit 58 is, for example, the same number of flip-flops 66 included in the higher bit transfer circuit 62 as shown in FIG. 7 (ie, n number of continuously connected flips). The flops 80-1 to 80-n may be included. The test cycle signal transmission circuit 58 acquires the test cycle signal output from the cycle generator 38 by the first flip-flop 80-1 in synchronization with the reference clock, and sequentially flips the rear stage. It propagates to the flop 80 and outputs to the timing generator 24 from the flip-flop 80-n of the last stage.

8 shows an example of a timing chart of each signal in the transmission circuit 40. In addition, this example shows a timing chart when the 8-bit test cycle data and the test cycle signal output from the cycle generator 38 are transmitted to the timing generator 24 by three flip-flops continuously connected. An example of this is shown. In addition, the test period data of this example includes four bits of higher bits and four bits of lower bits.

8A shows a reference clock. RATE_IN in FIG. 8B shows a test cycle signal generated by the cycle generator 38. RATEDT [7: 0] _IN in FIG. 8C shows test cycle data generated by the cycle generator 38.

Gckl_1 in FIG. 8D shows a reference clock given by the first clock gate section 54 to the flip-flop 66 of the first stage of the upper bit transfer circuit 62. RATEDT_1 [3: 0] in FIG. 8E shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the flip-flop 64 of the first stage of the lower bit transfer circuit 60. RATEDT_1 [7: 4] in FIG. 8F shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the flip-flop 66 of the first stage of the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

Gckl_2 in FIG. 8G shows a reference clock given by the first clock gate section 54 to the second flip-flop 66 of the upper bit transfer circuit 62. RATEDT_2 [3: 0] in FIG. 8H shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the flip-flop 64 of the second stage of the lower bit transfer circuit 60. RATEDT_2 [7: 4] in FIG. 8I shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the flip-flop 66 of the second stage of the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

Gckl_3 in FIG. 8J shows the reference clock that the first clock gate section 54 gives to the third flip-flop 66 of the upper bit transfer circuit 62. RATEDT_3 [3: 0] in FIG. 8K shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the flip-flop 64 of the third stage of the lower bit transfer circuit 60. RATEDT_3 [7: 4] in FIG. 8L shows the value of the lower bit of the test period data acquired by the third-flop flip-flop 66 of the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

RATE_OUT in FIG. 8M shows a test period signal that the transmission circuit 40 outputs to the timing generator 24. RATEDT [7: 0] _OUT in FIG. 8N shows test cycle data outputted from the transmission circuit 40 to the timing generator 24.

As shown in Fig. 8C, the cycle generator 38 includes the test cycle data RATE1 having a value of "0x0C", the test cycle data RATE2 having a value of "0x23", and the value "0x37". "Test cycle data RATE3", test cycle data RATE4 having value "0x05", and test cycle data RATE5 having value "0xF1" are sequentially generated.

Here, the test cycle data RATE2 having the value "0x23", the test cycle data RATE3 having the value "0x37", and the test cycle data RATE5 having the value "0xF1" are not the upper bit. In this case, the first clock gate section 54 corresponds to each reference in response to these test period data RATE1, RATE3, RATE5, as shown in Figs. The clock is supplied to the upper bit transfer circuit 62.

On the other hand, the test cycle data RATE1 having the value "0x0C" and the test cycle data RATE4 having the value "0x05" have an upper bit of zero. Thus, in the period of the reference clock following this test period data, other test period data RATE2 and RATE5 are generated. In this case, the first clock gate section 54, as shown in (D), (G), (J) of FIG. 8, differs from each reference clock corresponding to these test period data RATE1, RATE4. The supply to the bit transfer circuit 62 is stopped. Thereby, the 1st clock gate part 54 can reduce the power consumed by the upper bit transfer circuit 62, when the upper bit of test period data is zero.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8L and 8M, the data switching unit 56 includes test cycle data RATE1 having a value of “0x0C” and test cycle data RATE4 having a value of “0x05”. ) Is output to the timing generator 24 when the value of the upper bit is replaced with "0". As a result, when the supply of the reference clock to the upper bit transfer circuit 62 is stopped and the upper bit transfer circuit 62 does not transmit the correct value, the data switching unit 56 corrects the last step. The test period data substituted by the value can be output to the timing generator 24.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8B, the test cycle signal from the test cycle data RATE2 having the value "0x23" to the test cycle data RATE3 having the value "0x37" indicates invalidity. have. In addition, the test cycle signal from the test cycle data RATE3 having the value "0x37" to the test cycle data RATE4 having the value "0x05" is also invalid. In this case, the first clock gate section 54, as shown in Fig. 8 (D), (G), (J), in the period in which the test period signal is invalid, the higher bits of each reference clock The supply to the transmission circuit 62 is stopped. As a result, the first clock gate section 54 can reduce the power consumed by the upper bit transfer circuit 62 when the test period data indicates invalidity.

As described above, the transmission circuit 40 according to the present embodiment generates a test cycle signal indicating that the test cycle data output from the cycle generator 38 is invalid or the value of the upper bit of the test cycle data. When it is detected that this coincides with the predetermined value, the supply of the reference clock for acquiring and propagating the higher bits of the test period data to the data acquisition unit 48 is stopped. Then, when it is detected that the value of the upper bit of the test period data coincides with the predetermined value, the transmission circuit 40 replaces the value of the upper bit of the corresponding test period data output by the data acquiring unit 48. The predetermined value is output to the timing generator 24.

As a result, the transmission circuit 40 can propagate the valid test cycle data from the cycle generator 38 to the timing generator 24, and stop and consume the reference clock used for propagation of invalid test cycle data. Power can be reduced. In addition, according to the transmission circuit 40, when the upper bit of valid test period data is a predetermined value, the reference clock used for propagation of the upper bit of the valid test period data can be stopped, and power consumption can be reduced.

In particular, when the upper bit of the test period data is 0, since the valid test period data propagates continuously at the interval of the reference clock, power consumption increases. Therefore, when the upper bit of the test period data is 0, the power consumption can be reduced with good efficiency by stopping the reference clock used for propagation of the upper bit of the valid test period data.

In this transfer circuit 40, the upper bit transfer circuit 62 of the data acquisition unit 48 is connected to the upper bits of the test period data (i.e., the bit portion representing the time in units larger than the period of the reference clock). Instead, a configuration may be used to propagate at least one predetermined bit (hereinafter referred to as a target bit) of the test period data to the timing generator 24. In this case, the lower bit transfer circuit 60 propagates bits other than the target bits in the test period data to the timing generator 24.

In this case, the detection unit 50 detects whether or not the target bit matches a predetermined value. In this case, the first clock gate section 54 is configured to generate a test cycle signal indicating the invalidity of the test cycle data, or the target bit in the test cycle data has a predetermined value. When a match is found, the data acquisition unit 48 stops supplying the reference clock used for the acquisition of the target bit. In this case, the data switching unit 56 replaces the target bit from the data acquisition unit 48 with a predetermined value when it is detected that the target bit in the test period data matches the predetermined value. Is supplied to the timing generator 24. Even in such a configuration, the transmission circuit 40 can reduce the power consumption by stopping the reference clock used for propagation of the target bit of the valid test period data.

In addition, such a transmission circuit 40 may be provided in apparatuses other than the test apparatus 10. That is, the transmission circuit 40 may transmit data and a data enable signal indicating whether or not the data is valid from the transmission circuit to the reception circuit.

In this case, the transmission circuit 40 receives the data and the data enable signal from the transmission circuit instead of receiving the test period data and the test period signal from the period generator 38. The transmission circuit 40 outputs data and data enable signals to the reception circuit instead of outputting the test period data and the test period signal to the timing generator 24. Thereby, according to the transmission circuit 40, even when data and a data enable signal are transmitted from a transmission circuit to a reception circuit, power consumption can be reduced.

9 shows the configuration of the timing generator 24 according to the present embodiment. The timing generator 24 includes a timing data generator 110, a distribution unit 112, a plurality of counter delay units 114 (114-1 to 114-m), a first synthesis unit 116, And a second combining unit 118 and a minute delay unit 120.

The timing data generator 110 provides timing data for specifying the timing of generation of a timing signal indicating a timing of transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the device under test 200, and a timing enable signal indicating whether the timing data is valid. Occurs. The timing data shows the delay time from the timing at which the timing data is received to the timing of generation of the timing signal with a precision smaller than the period of the reference clock.

As an example, the timing data generator 110 may include an adder 132 for adding the test cycle data received from the test cycle generator 22 and the delay data given from the pattern generator 20. The timing data generator 110 may output the addition result by the adder 132 as timing data. Further, the timing data generator 110 may delay the test cycle signal received from the test cycle generator 22 by the time required by the addition process of the test cycle data and the delay data, and output the timing cycle signal as a timing enable signal. do.

The distribution unit 112 distributes the valid timing data and the timing enable signal sequentially output from the timing data generation unit 110 to any one of the plurality of counter delay units 114. Each time the validity timing data and the timing enable signal are output from the timing data generation unit 110, the distribution unit 112 sequentially selects any one of the plurality of counter delay units 114, and selects one selected counter. Valid timing data and a timing enable signal are supplied to the delay unit 114.

Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 receives the timing data and the timing enable signal distributed by the distribution unit 112. Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 includes the upper side data, which is a data portion representing the delay time in units of the period of the reference clock included in the timing data, and the upper side included in the timing data. The data is separated into lower data, which is another data part. The upper data may be, for example, data indicating the delay time from the timing at which the timing data is received to the timing of generation of the timing signal in the accuracy of a cycle unit of the reference clock. The lower data may be data representing components less than the period of the reference clock in the delay time.

Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 counts the reference clock from the timing at which valid timing data is received, as much as the upper data included in a part of the timing data. Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 outputs the timing enable signal after counting the reference clock by the upper data from the timing at which the timing data is received. Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 outputs the lower side data included in the timing data in synchronization with the timing enable signal.

The first synthesizing unit 116 multiplies the timing enable signals output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 and supplies them to the micro delay unit 120 as one signal. As an example, the first combining unit 116 combines the timing enable signal output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 into one signal by OR operation and supplies the synthesized signal to the minute delay unit 120.

The second synthesizing unit 118 multi-synthesizes the lower side data included in the timing data output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 and supplies it to the micro delay unit 120 as one signal. As an example, the second combining unit 118 multi-synthesizes the lower side data output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 by an OR operation and supplies it to the micro delay unit 120 as one signal. In addition, each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 outputs 0 as the lower side data when the other distribution unit 112 outputs valid lower side data.

The minute delay unit 120 delays the timing enable signal received from the first synthesis unit 116 by the time corresponding to the lower data included in the timing data received from the second synthesis unit 118. The minute delay unit 120 may be a variable delay element that delays the received signal by a time corresponding to a given set value. The minute delay unit 120 is a timing signal indicating the timing at which the delayed timing enable signal is transmitted and received between the device under test 200 and the waveform shaping unit 26 or the timing comparator 32. To feed.

According to the timing generator 24 having such a configuration, the plurality of counter delay units 114 can delay the timing enable signal with a period accuracy of the reference clock. In addition, according to the timing generator 24, the timing enable signal delayed by each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 can be further delayed by the minute delay unit 120 with a precision less than a period of the reference clock. have.

10 shows an example of a timing chart of timing enable signals input to the plurality of counter delay units 114. 10A shows a reference clock. FIG. 10B shows the timing enable signal received by the distribution unit 112.

FIG. 10C shows a timing enable signal received by the first counter delay unit 114-1 from the distribution unit 112. FIG. 10D illustrates a timing enable signal received by the second counter delay unit 114-2 from the distribution unit 112. FIG. 10E shows the timing enable signal received by the third counter delay unit 114-3 from the distribution unit 112.

Each time the distribution unit 112 receives the timing enable signal from the timing data generator 110, the distribution unit 112 selects the plurality of counter delay units 114 one by one and distributes the received timing enable signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 10C, the distribution unit 112 distributes the timing enable signal received at the time t21 to the first counter delay unit 114-1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10D, the distribution unit 112 distributes the timing enable signal received at the time t22 after the time t21 to the second counter delay unit 114-2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10E, the distribution unit 112 distributes the timing enable signal received at the time t23 after the time t22 to the third counter delay unit 114-3.

11 shows an example of a timing enable signal output from the plurality of counter delay units 114 and a timing chart of the lower side data.

FIG. 11A illustrates a timing enable signal output from the first counter delay unit 114-1. FIG. 11B shows the lower side data output from the first counter delay unit 114-1. FIG. 11C shows a timing enable signal output from the second counter delay unit 114-2. FIG. 11D shows lower data output from the second counter delay unit 114-2. FIG. 11E shows the timing enable signal output from the third counter delay unit 114-3. Fig. 11F shows the lower side data output from the third counter delay unit 114-3.

FIG. 11E shows a timing enable signal output from the first combining unit 116. FIG. 11F shows the lower side data output from the second combining unit 118.

The first synthesizing unit 116 multi-synthesizes the timing enable signal separately output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 and supplies it to the micro delay unit 120 as one signal. Similarly, the second synthesizing unit 118 multi-synthesizes the lower side data included in the timing data separately output from each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 and supplies it to the micro delay unit 120 as one signal. do.

In this way, the distribution unit 112 sequentially selects the plurality of counter delay units 114 one by one, and interleaves and executes the delay processing for each cycle of the reference clock. As a result, according to the timing generator 24, as a result of generating a timing signal specified in a test period beyond the test period and within the range of the next test period, a plurality of timing signals are generated in the range of the next test period. Even if it is generated, the timing signal can be continuously generated without breaking the operation.

12 shows the configuration of the counter delay unit 114. Each of the plurality of counter delay units 114 has the same configuration. The counter delay unit 114 includes a count unit 140, a state maintaining unit 142, and a second clock gate unit 144.

The counting unit 140 operates in synchronization with the reference clock given from the second clock gate unit 144. The counting unit 140 receives the valid timing data from the timing data generating unit 110, and then counts the reference clock by the number of higher-order data representing the time in units of the period of the reference clock included in the timing data. The lower side data other than the upper side data of the timing data and a timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data are output. As an example, the counting unit 140 holds a state signal indicating that the state maintaining unit 142 is counting, while validating the timing data when the count value becomes a value after counting the upper data count. A timing enable signal indicating? May be output.

The counting unit 140 is, for example, a zero detection unit 150, an inversion circuit 152, a counter 154, a first AND circuit 156, a first flip-flop 158, and a second The AND circuit 160 may also be included. The zero detection unit 150 outputs a signal indicating valid when the count value of the counter 154 is zero, and outputs a signal indicating invalid when the count value of the counter 154 is other than zero. The inversion circuit 152 inverts the logic of the output signal of the zero detection unit 150 and gives it to the DEC terminal of the counter 154.

The counter 154 acquires the upper data of the timing data output from the timing data generation part 110 as a count value, when the timing enable signal given from the distribution part 112 shows valid. The counter 154 decrements the acquired count value one by one in synchronization with the given reference clock when the signal to the DEC terminal indicates valid (i.e., when the count value of the counter 154 is other than 0).

The first AND circuit 156 outputs a timing enable signal indicating valid when the output signal of the zero detection unit 150 is valid while the status signal output by the state maintaining unit 142 is valid. . The first flip-flop 158 acquires the lower data of the timing data output from the timing data generation part 110, when the timing enable signal given from the distribution part 112 shows valid. The second AND circuit 160 indicates that the output signal of the zero detection unit 150 is valid while the lower AND obtained by the first flip-flop 158 when the state signal output from the state maintaining unit 142 is valid. Output side data.

The counting unit 140 having such a configuration receives the valid timing data, counts the reference clock by the value shown in the upper data included in the timing data, and counts the validity of the lower data and the timing data. The timing enable signal which is shown can be output.

The state holding unit 142 holds a state signal indicating whether the counting unit 140 is counting the number of higher data included in the valid timing data. As an example, the state holding unit 142 may output a state signal indicating valid when the counting unit 140 is counting and invalid when the counting unit 140 is not counting.

As an example, the state maintaining unit 142 may include a first OR circuit 162 and a second flip-flop 164. The first OR circuit 162 indicates that the output signal of the zero detection unit 150 of the counting unit 140 is valid (that is, the count value of the counter 154 is 0) or the distribution unit 112. When the timing enable signal given from S indicates valid, a signal indicating valid is output. The second flip-flop 164 operates in synchronization with the reference clock, and acquires a given timing enable signal from the distribution unit 112 when the output signal of the first OR circuit 162 indicates valid. When the timing enable signal indicating validity is given from the distribution unit 112, the first OR circuit 162 starts holding of a value indicating validity. Then, the first OR circuit 162 starts holding the value indicating invalidity as the count value of the counter 154 becomes zero. Thereafter, the first OR circuit 162 continues to hold a value indicating invalid until a timing enable signal indicating valid next is given.

The second clock gate section 144 stops supplying the reference clock to the count section 140 when the count section 140 does not count the number of upper data included in the valid timing data. More specifically, the second clock gate section 144 starts supplying the reference clock to the count section 140 in response to receiving the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data. Then, the second clock gate section 144 stops supplying the reference clock to the count section 140 as the count value of the count section 140 becomes the value after counting the number of upper data.

As an example, the second clock gate unit 144 may include a second OR circuit 166 and a gate circuit 168. When the output signal of the zero detector 150 of the counter 140 is invalid (that is, when the count value of the counter 154 is other than 0), the second OR circuit 166 or the distribution unit ( When the timing enable signal given from 112 indicates valid, a clock enable signal indicating valid is output.

The gate circuit 168 receives the clock enable signal from the second OR circuit 166. When the clock enable signal is valid (that is, when the count value of the counter 154 is other than 0 or when the timing enable signal given from the distribution unit 112 is valid), the gate circuit 168 is valid. The reference clock is supplied to the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158 in the counting unit 140. When the clock enable signal indicates invalid, the gate circuit 168 stops the supply of the reference clock to the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158 in the counting unit 140.

More specifically, the second clock gate unit 144 starts supplying the reference clock to the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158 in response to receiving the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data. do. The second clock gate unit 144 stops supplying the reference clocks to the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158 as the count value of the counter 154 becomes zero.

The counter delay unit 114 supplies a reference clock to the count unit 140 in a period in which the count unit 140 operates effectively, and counts the count in a period in which the count unit 140 does not operate effectively. The supply of the reference clock to the unit 140 is stopped. As a result, the counter delay unit 114 can reduce the current consumption of the count unit 140.

13 shows an example of a timing chart of each signal in the counter delay unit 114. FIG. 13A shows a reference clock. FIG. 13B illustrates a timing enable signal received by the counter delay unit 114. FIG. 13C illustrates a timing enable signal received by the counter delay unit 114. FIG. 13D shows the count value of the counter 154.

FIG. 13E shows a state signal output from the second flip-flop 164. FIG. 13F shows the lower data held by the first flip-flop 158. FIG. 13G shows a reference clock given to the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158. 13H illustrates a timing enable signal output by the counter delay unit 114. FIG. 13I shows the lower side data output by the counter delay unit 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the counter delay unit 114 receives a timing enable signal indicating valid from the distribution unit 112 at time t41. Upon receipt of the timing enable signal indicating valid from the distribution unit 112, the second flip-flop 164 is a value indicating valid from the timing of the next reference clock, as shown in Fig. 13E. Initiate the maintenance of.

In addition, when the timing enable signal indicating validity is received from the distribution unit 112, the gate circuit 168, as shown in Fig. 13G, at the timing of the next reference clock (time t42), The supply of the reference clock gclk is started for the counter 154 and the first flip-flop 158. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13D, the counter 154 acquires, as a count value, upper data (for example, 0x8) of the timing data at the timing when the timing enable signal is received. Then, the count values are decremented one by one. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13F, the first flip-flop 158 acquires lower data (eg, 0xC) of the timing data at the timing at which the timing enable signal is received.

As shown in FIG. 13H, the first AND circuit 156 outputs a timing enable signal at time t43 when the count value of the counter 154 reaches zero. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13I, the second AND circuit 160 has the first flip-flop 158 synchronized with the output of the timing enable signal by the first AND circuit 156. Output the lower data to be held.

As illustrated in FIG. 13G, when the count value of the counter 154 reaches zero, the gate circuit 168 at the timing of the next reference clock (time t44), and the counter 154. And supply of the reference clock gclk to the first flip-flop 158. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13E, when the count value of the counter 154 reaches zero, the second flip-flop 164 holds a value indicating invalid from the timing of the next reference clock. Initiate.

Thus, the counter delay part 114 supplies a reference clock to the said count part 140 in the period in which the count part 140 operates effectively, and in the period in which the count part 140 does not operate effectively. Therefore, the supply of the reference clock to the counter 140 may be stopped. As a result, the counter delay unit 114 can reduce the current consumption of the count unit 140.

In addition, such a counter delay part 114 may be provided as a counter circuit in apparatuses other than the test apparatus 10. In other words, the counter delay unit 114 may function as a counter circuit that counts data given from the transmission circuit.

In this case, the counter delay unit 114 receives the data and the data enable signal from the transmission circuit, instead of receiving the timing data and the timing enable signal from the timing data generator 110. The counter delay section 114 outputs the data enable signal instead of outputting the timing enable signal. As a result, according to the counter delay unit 114, power consumption can be reduced even when counting the number of data represented by the given data from the transmission circuit.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiments. It is clear from description of a claim that the form which added such a change or improvement can also be included in the technical scope of this invention.

The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and steps in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, the specification, and the drawings is not specifically stated as "before", "before", or the like. In addition, it should be noted that the output of the previous process can be used in any order unless the output is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if described using "priority", "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to implement in this order.

10 Tester 20 Pattern Generator
22 Test Cycle Generator 24 Timing Generator
26 Waveform Shaper 28 Driver
30 level comparator 32 timing comparator
34 judgment section 38 cycle generator
40 Transmission circuit 42 Flip-flop for lower bit acquisition
44 Flip-flop for higher bit acquisition 46 Flip-flop for acquisition of test cycle signal
48 Data Acquisition Unit 50 Detection Unit
52 Clock Enable Signal Transmission Circuit 54 First Clock Gate Section
56 Data switch 58 Test cycle signal transmission circuit
60 lower bit transmission circuit 62 upper bit transmission circuit
64 flip-flops 66 flip-flops
68 AND circuit in data switching section 72 OR circuit in detection section
74 AND circuit in the detector 76 Flip-flop
78 gate circuit 80 flip-flop
110 Timing data generator 112 Distribution unit
114 Counter Delay Unit 116 First Synthesis Unit
118 Second Synthesizer 120 Micro Delay Unit
132 Adder 140 Count
142 State maintaining section 144 Second clock gate section
150 zero detector 152 inverting circuit
154 Counter 156 First AND Circuit
158 First Flip-Flop 160 Second AND Circuit
162 First OR Circuit 164 Second Flip-Flop
166 Second OR circuit 168 Gate circuit
200 device under test

Claims (15)

In a test apparatus for testing a device under test,
A test cycle generator for generating a test cycle signal indicative of a timing which becomes a reference for the start timing of a test cycle and test cycle data indicative of a delay amount from the test cycle signal to a start timing of a test cycle in synchronization with a reference clock; And
A timing generator for generating a timing for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the device under test based on the start timing of the test period specified by the test period data.
Including,
The test cycle generator,
A period generator which generates the test period data and the test period signal;
A data acquisition unit that acquires the test period data and outputs the test cycle data to the timing generator in synchronization with the reference clock; And
A clock gate section for stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquisition section in the case where the test period signal is not generated
Including,
tester.
The method of claim 1,
The test cycle generator may further include a detector configured to detect whether at least one predetermined bit in the test cycle data generated by the cycle generator matches a predetermined value,
Wherein the clock gate section is the cycle in which the test period signal is not generated or when it is detected that the at least one bit in the test period data coincides with the predetermined value, the data acquisition section is the at least one To stop the supply of the reference clock used to acquire the bits of
The test period generator is configured to replace the at least one bit from the data acquiring unit when the at least one bit in the test period data matches the predetermined value. Further comprising a data switching unit for supplying to the timing generator,
tester.
The method of claim 2,
The detecting unit detects whether or not an upper bit of a predetermined number of bits as the at least one bit in the test period data generated by the period generating unit coincides with the predetermined value.
tester.
The method of claim 3,
The period generation unit includes the test including the upper bit indicating a time in a unit larger than the period of the reference clock and the lower bit indicating a time in a unit less than the period of the reference clock in the time until the start timing of a test period. Periodic data, and generating the test period signal,
The detection unit detects whether the upper bit is 0,
The clock gate section supplies the reference clock used by the data acquisition unit for acquiring the upper bits when the test period signal is a cycle in which the test period signal is not generated or when the upper bit of the test period data is detected as 0. Stop,
The data switching unit supplies 0 to the timing generator in place of the upper bit from the data acquiring unit when the upper bit of the test period data is detected as zero.
tester.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The data acquisition unit,
In synchronization with the reference clock, the lower bit of the test period data is acquired by a flip-flop at the first stage, sequentially propagated to a flip-flop at a later stage, and output to the timing generator from the flip-flop at the last stage. Transmission circuits; And
Synchronizing with the reference clock, the upper bits of the test period data are acquired by a flip-flop at the first stage, sequentially propagated to a flip-flop at the next stage, and output to the timing generator from the flip-flop at the last stage. Transmission circuit
Including,
The test cycle generator,
A clock enable signal that acquires a clock enable signal indicating whether to supply the reference clock used for acquiring the higher bits in synchronization with the reference clock by a first flip-flop, and sequentially propagates to a subsequent flip-flop Signal transmission circuits; And
In synchronism with the reference clock, a test cycle signal transmission circuit for acquiring the test cycle signal by a flip-flop at the first stage, sequentially propagating to a flip-flop at the next stage, and outputting the flip-flop at the last stage to the timing generator.
Including,
The clock gate portion flips to the next stage in the higher bit transfer circuit when the clock enable signal at either stage propagated by the clock enable signal transfer circuit stops supplying the reference clock. To stop the supply of the reference clock to the flop,
tester.
The method of claim 5,
The data switching section being output from the last stage of the higher bit transfer circuit when receiving the clock enable signal indicating that the supply of the reference clock is stopped from the last stage of the clock enable signal transfer circuit. Outputting 0 to the timing generator in place of the upper bits of the periodic data,
tester.
A transmission circuit for transmitting data and a data enable signal indicating whether the data is valid from a transmission circuit to a reception circuit,
A data acquisition unit that acquires the data from the transmission circuit and outputs the data to the reception circuit in synchronization with a reference clock; And
A clock gate section for stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquisition section when receiving the data enable signal from the transmission circuit indicating that the data is invalid;
Including,
Transmission circuit.
The method of claim 7, wherein
A detector for detecting whether at least one predetermined bit in the data coincides with a predetermined value,
When the clock gate unit receives the data enable signal from the transmitting circuit that the data is invalid, or when it is detected that the at least one bit in the data matches the predetermined value, The data acquiring unit stops supplying the reference clock used for acquiring the at least one bit,
Data for supplying the predetermined value to the receiving circuit in place of the at least one bit from the data acquiring unit, when it is detected that the at least one bit in the data coincides with the predetermined value. Further comprising a switching unit,
Transmission circuit.
In a test apparatus for testing a device under test,
A timing data generator for generating timing data specifying timing of generation of a timing signal indicative of timing of signal exchange with the device under test and a timing enable signal indicating whether the timing data is valid;
Operating in synchronization with a reference clock to receive the timing data valid from the timing data generator, and then counting the reference clock by the number of higher-order data representing time in units of the period of the reference clock included in the timing data. A counting unit which outputs the lower side data other than the upper side data of the timing data and the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data; And
A clock gate section for stopping the supply of the reference clock to the count section when the count section does not count the number of upper data contained in the valid timing data
Including,
tester.
10. The method of claim 9,
The clock gate unit,
In response to receiving the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data, the supply of the reference clock to the counting unit is started so that the count value of the counting unit becomes a value after counting the number of higher-order data. To stop the supply of the reference clock to the counting unit,
tester.
The method of claim 10,
And a state maintaining unit which holds a state signal indicating whether the count unit is counting the number of upper data included in the valid timing data.
The counting unit holds the state signal indicating that the state maintaining unit is counting, while the counting enable indicating the validity of the timing data when a count value becomes a value after counting the upper data count. Outputting a signal,
tester.
The method of claim 11,
A plurality of groups of the counting unit, the clock gate unit, and the state maintaining unit;
And a distribution unit that distributes the valid timing data sequentially output from the timing data generation unit and the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data to each of the plurality of groups.
tester.
In the control method of the test apparatus for testing a device under test,
The test device,
A test cycle generator for generating a test cycle signal indicative of a timing which becomes a reference for the start timing of a test cycle and test cycle data indicative of a delay amount from the test cycle signal to a start timing of a test cycle in synchronization with a reference clock; And
A timing generator for generating a timing for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the device under test based on the start timing of the test period specified by the test period data.
Including,
The test cycle generator,
A period generator which generates the test period data and the test period signal;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the test period data and outputting the test cycle data to the timing generator in synchronization with the reference clock;
Including,
Stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquisition unit when the test period signal is a cycle in which no test cycle signal is generated;
Control method of the test device.
A control method of a transmission circuit for transmitting data and a data enable signal indicating whether the data is valid from a transmission circuit to a reception circuit,
The transmission circuit includes a data acquisition unit that acquires the data from the transmission circuit and outputs the data to the reception circuit in synchronization with a reference clock.
Stopping the supply of the reference clock to the data acquiring unit when the data enable signal is received from the transmission circuit to indicate that the data is invalid;
Control method of the transmission circuit.
In the control method of the test apparatus for testing a device under test,
The test device,
A timing data generator for generating timing data specifying timing of generation of a timing signal indicative of timing of signal exchange with the device under test and a timing enable signal indicating whether the timing data is valid; And
Operating in synchronization with a reference clock to receive the timing data valid from the timing data generator, and then counting the reference clock by the number of higher-order data representing time in units of the period of the reference clock included in the timing data. After that, a counting unit that outputs the lower side data other than the upper side data of the timing data and the timing enable signal indicating the validity of the timing data.
Including,
If the counting unit does not count the number of the upper data contained in the valid timing data, supplying the reference clock to the counting unit is stopped;
Control method of the test device.
KR1020107025468A 2008-06-02 2009-05-25 Testing device, transmission circuit, testing device control method and transmission circuit control method KR101239121B1 (en)

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