Patent ID: 9435842
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: G01R

Claim Text:
1. A testing circuit for testing an IC connection between an RF chip and external circuitry, the testing circuit comprising: a current source for injecting a DC current towards the connection to be tested; an on-chip ESD protection circuit which provides a path between one side of the connection to be tested and a fixed voltage line; a shunt path coupled to the other side of the connection to be tested; and a testing unit, wherein the testing unit is adapted to determine if the current source current flows through the ESD protection circuit and thereby determine whether the connection to be tested presents a short circuit for DC, wherein the ESD protection circuit is between one side of the connection to be tested and a constant voltage line, and the shunt path is between the other side of the connection to be tested and a second connection, wherein the current source output is coupled to the second connection.