Patent ID: 6019501
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: G01R,G11C

Abstract:
An address generating device in a memory tester for testing a semiconductor memory, comprising:an instruction memory including a data area for storing address computation data for generating by logical operation addresses provided to said semiconductor memory and mode control data provided to said semiconductor memory, for controlling an operation mode of said semiconductor memory, respectively, and a control signal area for storing load control signals for controlling both loading of said mode control data and loading of said address computation data, operation control signals for controlling the logical operation of said addresses, and a descramble inhibit signal, respectively, said instruction memory storing a program comprising a sequence of instructions, said sequence of instructions comprising said address computation data and said control signals;sequence control means for controlling the readout sequence of said instruction memory;an address computation part comprising:address computation means, connected to said instruction memory, for sequentially generating by logical operation the addresses applied to said semiconductor memory in response to said address computation data and said operation control signals read out of said instruction memory and for outputting the addresses,mode control data storage means, connected to said instruction memory, for storing said mode control data read out of said data area of said instruction memory and applied to said semiconductor memory, andselective output means having two inputs and one output, one of said two inputs being connected to an output of said address computation means, another input thereof being connected to an output of said mode control data storage means, said selective output means selecting one of outputs supplied from said address computation means and said mode control data storage means in response to an operation control signal supplied from said control signal area of said instruction memory and outputting a selected one of outputs to said semiconductor memory;descramble means, connected to said address computation part, for translating the addresses supplied from said address computation part to respective physical addresses of said semiconductor memory;multiplexer means having two inputs and one output, one of said two inputs being connected to an output of said descramble means, another input thereof being connected to said address computation part, said multiplexer means selecting one of outputs supplied from said descramble means andmultiplexer control means, connected to said instruction memory, for controlling said multiplexer means to select and output the output supplied from the address computation part in response to said descramble inhibit signal read out of said control signal area of said instruction memory and supplied to said multiplexer control means.