Patent ID: 8258806
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A method of testing functional circuit blocks of an integrated circuit, the functional circuit blocks having circuit components fabricated in surface layers of a semiconductor substrate and metal interconnects fabricated in layers above the substrate; the method comprising: providing IC functional circuit blocks in modified form with respective continuity paths of conductive elements having first elements and last elements, such that passing electrical current from the first element to the last element will result in current flowing through every element in the continuity path; and also including respective isolation features which separate the conductive elements of the interconnects; and providing a test structure having: measuring electrical resistance between ends of the continuity chain to provide an assessment of a level of open circuit defects that can be expected to occur in the functional circuit blocks in the integrated circuit; and measuring electrical isolation between terminals of the first parallel isolation bus conductor and the second parallel isolation bus conductor to provide an assessment of a level of short circuit defects that can be expected to occur in the functional circuit blocks in the integrated circuit.