Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An integrated circuit die having a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode comprising: functional circuitry; test enable logic circuitry; a first test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a first test mode control signal; a first and a second test enable input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first and a second test enable signal, coupled to the test enable logic circuitry; a power supply input line, coupled to the functional circuitry, for providing a power supply voltage thereto, extending to the edge of the die; a test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a test power supply voltage; and a switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to an output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the first and second test enable input lines receiving the first and the second test enable signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An integrated circuit die having a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode comprising: functional circuitry; test enable logic circuitry; a first test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a first test mode control signal; a first and a second test enable input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first and a second test enable signal, coupled to the test enable logic circuitry; a power supply input line, coupled to the functional circuitry, for providing a power supply voltage thereto, extending to the edge of the die; a test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a test power supply voltage; and a switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to an output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the first and second test enable input lines receiving the first and the second test enable signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a second test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a second test mode control signal; and wherein the switching transistor applies the test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first and the second test mode control inputs receiving the first and the second test mode control signals and to the first and the second test enable input lines receiving the first and the second test enable signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein the test enable logic circuitry comprises: a first, a second and a third logic gate, each logic gate having a first and a second input and an output; and wherein the first input of the first logic gate is connected to the first test mode control input, the second input of the first logic gate is connected to the second test mode control input, and the output of the first logic gate is connected to the first input of the second logic gate; the first input of the third logic gate is connected to the first test enable input line, the second input of the third logic gate is connected to the second test enable input line, and the output of the third logic gate is connected to the second input of the second logic gate; the output of the second logic gate is connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The integrated circuit of claim 3 wherein the first logic gate is a NAND gate, the second logic gate is an AND gate and the third logic gate is an OR gate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 further comprising a third fuse connected between the second test mode control input line and the functional circuitry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein the test mode control input lines, the test enable input lines, the power supply input lines and the test power supply input lines are connected to like input lines of others of a plurality of integrated circuits on the same wafer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the switching transistor is an n-channel MOS transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a first fuse connected in series with the conduction path of the switching transistor between the functional circuitry and the test power supply input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a resistive element connected in series with the conduction path of the switching transistor between the functional circuitry and the test power supply input.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a second fuse connected between the first test mode control input line and the functional circuitry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the first test mode control input line, the test enable input lines, the power supply input lines and the test power supply input lines are connected to like input lines of others of a plurality of integrated circuits on the same wafer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
330 words
An integrated circuit die having a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode comprising: functional circuitry; test enable logic circuitry; a first test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a first test mode control signal; a first and a second test enable input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first and a second test enable signal, coupled to the test enable logic circuitry; a power supply input line, coupled to the functional circuitry, for providing a power supply voltage thereto, extending to the edge of the die; a first test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first test power supply voltage; a second test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a second test power supply voltage; a first switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the first test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to a first output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the first test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the first test enable input line receiving the first test enable signal; and a second switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the second test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to a second output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the second test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the second test enable input line receiving the second test enable signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
330 words
An integrated circuit die having a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode comprising: functional circuitry; test enable logic circuitry; a first test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a first test mode control signal; a first and a second test enable input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first and a second test enable signal, coupled to the test enable logic circuitry; a power supply input line, coupled to the functional circuitry, for providing a power supply voltage thereto, extending to the edge of the die; a first test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a first test power supply voltage; a second test power supply input line extending to the edge of the die, for receiving a second test power supply voltage; a first switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the first test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to a first output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the first test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the first test enable input line receiving the first test enable signal; and a second switching transistor, having a conduction path connected on one end to the second test power supply input and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to a second output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the second test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first test mode control input receiving the first test mode control signal and to the second test enable input line receiving the second test enable signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising a second test mode control input line extending to the edge of the die, coupled to the functional circuitry and to the test enable logic circuitry, for receiving a second test mode control signal; wherein the first switching transistor applies the first test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first and the second test mode control inputs receiving the first and the second test mode control signals and to the first test enable input line receiving the first test enable signal; and wherein the second switching transistor applies the second test power supply voltage to the functional circuitry responsive to the first and the second test mode control inputs receiving the first and the second test mode control signals and to the second test enable input line receiving the second test enable signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
The integrated circuit of claim 13 wherein the test enable logic circuitry comprises: a first, a second and a third logic gate, each logic gate having a first and a second input and an output; and wherein the first input of the first logic gate is connected to the first test mode control input, the second input of the first logic gate is connected to the second test mode control input, and the output of the first logic gate is connected to the first input of the second logic gate and to the first input of the third logic gate; the second input of the second logic gate is connected to the first test enable input line, the second input of the third logic gate is connected to the second test enable input line, the output of the second logic gate is connected to the control terminal of the first switching transistor and the output of the third logic gate is connected to the control terminal of the second switching transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The integrated circuit of claim 14 wherein the first logic gate is a NAND gate and the second and the third logic gates are AND gates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 13 further comprising a third fuse connected between the second test mode control input line and the functional circuitry.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The integrated circuit of claim 13 wherein the test mode control input lines, the test enable input lines, the power supply input lines and the test power supply input lines are connected to like input lines of others of a plurality of integrated circuit dies on the same wafer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
The integrated circuit of claim 13, further comprising a buffer circuit, between the test mode control input lines and the functional circuitry, said buffer circuit comprising a latch circuit and having a first and a second input connected to the first and the second test mode control input lines, a third and a fourth input connected to the first and the second test enable input lines, a reset input for receiving a reset signal, and a first and a second output connected to corresponding inputs of the functional circuitry: and wherein said buffer circuit forces and maintains, by means of the latch circuit, the first and the second test mode control input of the functional circuitry to predetermined logic states.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated circuit of claim 18 wherein the reset signal applied to the reset input of the buffer circuit is generated by properly sequencing the logic states of the two test enable signals present on test enable input lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integrated circuit of claim 18 wherein the buffer circuit is integrated on a portion of silicon substrate separate by the portion on which is integrated the integrated circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12 wherein the first and the second switching transistors are n-channel MOS transistors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising a first fuse connected in series with the conduction path of at least one of the two switching transistors between the functional circuitry and one of the test power supply inputs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising a resistive element connected in series with the conduction path of at least one of the switching transistors between the functional circuitry and one of the test power supply inputs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12 further comprising a second fuse connected between the first test mode control input line and the functional circuitry.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the first test mode control input line, the test enable input lines, the power supply input lines and the test power supply input lines are connected to like input lines of others of a plurality of integrated circuits on the same wafer.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for stress testing a plurality of integrated circuits, integrated on a silicon wafer and arranged in rows and columns, each integrated circuit having a test enable circuit, a power supply input and a first input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a first direction between the integrated circuits, a test power supply input and a second input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a second direction between the integrated circuits, comprising the steps of: monitoring the current consumed by each of the plurality of integrated circuits by monitoring the current flowing in conductive lines used to supply the integrated circuits; disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step; and applying a stress voltage to the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction associated with the power supply input and the test power supply input.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for stress testing a plurality of integrated circuits, integrated on a silicon wafer and arranged in rows and columns, each integrated circuit having a test enable circuit, a power supply input and a first input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a first direction between the integrated circuits, a test power supply input and a second input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a second direction between the integrated circuits, comprising the steps of: monitoring the current consumed by each of the plurality of integrated circuits by monitoring the current flowing in conductive lines used to supply the integrated circuits; disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step; and applying a stress voltage to the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction associated with the power supply input and the test power supply input.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of applying a stress voltage to the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction associated with the power supply input and the test power supply input is performed during the steps of monitoring the current consumed by each of the plurality of integrated circuits and of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step comprises blowing a fuse connected in series with the test power supply input line.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step comprises controlling, from the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction, the first and the second inputs of the test enable circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of integrated circuits includes all integrated circuits integrated on a silicon wafer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of integrated circuits includes part of the integrated circuits integrated on a silicon wafer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for stress testing a plurality of integrated circuits, integrated on a silicon wafer and arranged in rows and columns, each integrated circuit having a test enable circuit, a first and a second test mode input connected to conductive lines running between the integrated circuits, a power supply input, a first test power supply input and a first input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a first direction between the integrated circuits, a second test power supply input and a second input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a second direction between the integrated circuits, comprising the steps of: monitoring the current consumed by each of the plurality of integrated circuits by monitoring the current flowing in conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction connected with the first and the second test power supply inputs; disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step; and applying a stress voltage to the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction associated with the power supply input and the test power supply input.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for stress testing a plurality of integrated circuits, integrated on a silicon wafer and arranged in rows and columns, each integrated circuit having a test enable circuit, a first and a second test mode input connected to conductive lines running between the integrated circuits, a power supply input, a first test power supply input and a first input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a first direction between the integrated circuits, a second test power supply input and a second input of the test enable circuit connected to like inputs of others of the plurality of integrated circuits by way of conductive lines running in a second direction between the integrated circuits, comprising the steps of: monitoring the current consumed by each of the plurality of integrated circuits by monitoring the current flowing in conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction connected with the first and the second test power supply inputs; disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step; and applying a stress voltage to the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction associated with the power supply input and the test power supply input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step comprises blowing a fuse connected in series with the test power supply input line.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step comprises controlling, from the conductive lines running in the first and in the second direction, the first and the second inputs of the test enable circuit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of disabling each integrated circuit on which is detected an abnormal high current in the monitoring step comprises setting a latch circuit coupled between the test mode control inputs and the relative conductive lines to force and maintain the first and the second test mode control input to a predetermined logic state.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 35 further comprising resetting the latch circuit by sequencing signals applied to first and the second inputs of the test enable circuit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the plurality of integrated circuits includes all integrated circuits integrated on a silicon wafer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the plurality of integrated circuits includes part of the integrated circuits integrated on a silicon wafer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
201 words
A silicon wafer including: a plurality of dies arranged in rows and columns on which are integrated a plurality of integrated circuits, each integrated circuit having functional circuitry, test enable logic circuitry, a switching transistor and control inputs extending to the edge of the die, and operable in a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode: control lines running between the dies and connected to corresponding control inputs of some of the plurality of integrated circuits for applying control signals to the integrated circuits for enabling and controlling the at least one special test operation mode; and test power supply lines running between the dies and connected to corresponding control inputs of some of the plurality of integrated circuits, for receiving a test power supply voltage on each test power supply line; wherein each switching transistor has a conduction path connected on one end to one of the test power supply lines and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to an output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the test power supply voltages to the functional circuitry responsive to the corresponding control inputs receiving corresponding control signals.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
201 words
A silicon wafer including: a plurality of dies arranged in rows and columns on which are integrated a plurality of integrated circuits, each integrated circuit having functional circuitry, test enable logic circuitry, a switching transistor and control inputs extending to the edge of the die, and operable in a normal operation mode and at least one special test operation mode: control lines running between the dies and connected to corresponding control inputs of some of the plurality of integrated circuits for applying control signals to the integrated circuits for enabling and controlling the at least one special test operation mode; and test power supply lines running between the dies and connected to corresponding control inputs of some of the plurality of integrated circuits, for receiving a test power supply voltage on each test power supply line; wherein each switching transistor has a conduction path connected on one end to one of the test power supply lines and coupled on another end to the functional circuitry, and having a control terminal coupled to an output of the test enable logic circuitry, for applying the test power supply voltages to the functional circuitry responsive to the corresponding control inputs receiving corresponding control signals.