API-based pattern-controlled test on an ATE

Method and apparatus for performing Pattern-Controlled tests on an automatic test equipment (ATE). The ATE includes a diagnostic instrument and a control device. An application programming interface (API) is installed in the control device and operates to interact with a test program and thereby automatically controls the diagnostic instrument to perform a test. The test program is coded in a high-level programming language and defines a plurality of operation events for the test based on user input. The API identifies the operational events and determines respective operational types associated therewith. Events of an operational type are assigned to a respective pattern label. The pattern labels are then aggregated into a pattern burst which is downloaded to the diagnostic instrument.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to and benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410152088.9, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, titled “API BASED PATTERN CONTROLLED MEASUREMENT ON ATE,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of automatic testing equipment (ATE), and in particular to automatic control mechanisms of ATE.

BACKGROUND

In semiconductor manufacturing, automatic test equipment (ATE) is used to test integrated circuit (IC) devices, e.g., to characterize electrical properties, detect abnormalities, and evaluate product quality. During testing operations, stimulus signals are generated and provided to devices under test (DUTs) and the resultant output signals generated from the DUTs are evaluated against the expectated values.

A test on modern electronic devices may involve a complex sequence of operations. For example, to verify if a radio frequency (RF) transceiver chip in a global system for mobile communication (e.g., GSM) can respond properly to a stimulation signal, a test on the chip may include the following operations, for instance:sending a −20 dBm, 850 MHz, GSM signal to the “LNA” pin of the chip;waiting for 2 ms;capturing 1024 points with a sampling frequency (FS) of 1 MHz at the “BB” pin of the chip;supplying a DC (direct current) voltage of 3V in “VDD” pin of the chip;measuring a voltage at “Vref” pins of the chip; andcapturing 100 samples in the “DPO” pin of the chip.

Traditionally, two approaches can be used to control the diagnostic instruments on an ATE and implement such a test. In the so-called “CPU-Controlled test” approach, as illustrated inFIG. 1, an engineer or another type of user generates code (e.g., a script or a software program) using an high-level language Application Programming Interface (API) based on the debug tool and the operating environment running on a work station. The code is interpreted as commands to be executed by the ATE to carry out the sequence of operations above. The commands are then transmitted via a bus between the work station and the ATE in real-time during a test procedure. Thus, the ATE (through one or more of its diagnostic instruments) performs the sequence of test operations based on the commands.

In the so-called “Pattern-Controlled test” approach, as illustrated inFIG. 2, a user generates a list of commands on the work station, typically through a graphical user interface (GUI), for configuring various components of the ATE. The commands are then downloaded to a pattern controller in the ATE prior to a test. The pattern controller aligns the commands so that the various ATE components involved in the tests can operate in proper timing as specified in the commands. During the test, the aligned commands will be implemented by a test processor in each of the test instruments.

The CPU-Controlled test approach allows a user to easily program and debug a test. However, because commands have to be transmitted to the ATE via a bus during a test, the limited bandwidth of the bus may cause data traffic congestion and negatively impact test time and reliability.

By comparison, the Pattern-Controlled test approach is faster and more reliable. However, a user has to use a software tool to configure a test, typically through multiple graphical user interfaces (GUI) windows that are respectively directed to different aspects of the test. The user has to be well versed in miscellaneous lower level subsystem commands and provides input through various GUI windows, which makes the setup and debug of the test very difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a test configuration mechanism offering reduced configuration complexity and improved test reliability and efficiency.

Embodiments of the present disclosure employ an application programming interface (API) installed in a controller of an ATE to interact with a test program and thereby generate a test pattern burst. The test program is programmed in a high-level language and defines a plurality of operation events for a test based on user input. The API identifies the operational events and determines respective operational types associated therewith. Events of an operational type are assigned to a respective pattern label. The pattern labels are then aggregated into a pattern burst which is downloaded to the diagnostic instrument and used to automatically configure the diagnostic instrument for a test.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer implemented method of testing an electronic device using an automatic testing equipment (ATE) comprises: accessing a test program coded in a high level programming language; and identifying a plurality of operational events defined in the test program. Based on the test program, the plurality of operational events are classified into one or more operational types. A respective pattern label is assigned to each of the one or more operational types. The operational events are inserted to corresponding pattern labels, respectively. The pattern labels are then aggregated into a pattern burst. The pattern burst may be downloaded to a diagnostic instrument in the ATE and used to automatically configure the instrument for a test. The operational types may be selected from a direct-current (DC) operation type, an analog operation type, a digital operation type, an radio frequency (RF) operation type, a protocol operation type.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an automatic testing equipment comprises: a diagnostic instrument; and a pattern controller coupled to diagnostic instrument and configured to automatically control the diagnostic instruments. The pattern controller comprises: a processor; and memory coupled to the processor and comprising instructions, when executed by the processor, that implement an application programming interface (API) for controlling the diagnostic instrument. The API, when invoked in a software application executed on a processor, is configured to perform a method of: (1) accessing the software application configured to control the ATE to perform a test process, wherein the software application is coded in a high level language; (2) identifying a plurality of operational events defined in the test process based on the software application; (3) determining respective operational types of the plurality of events; (4) generating pattern labels for the respective operational types; (5) associating each of the plurality of operational events to a corresponding pattern label; and (6) generating a pattern burst comprising the pattern labels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. The drawings showing embodiments of the invention are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing Figures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for the ease of description generally show similar orientations, this depiction in the Figures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can be operated in any orientation.

Notation and Nomenclature

API-Based Pattern-Controlled Test on an Ate

FIG. 3shows an exemplary test system10used to configure and perform a test according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The test system10includes a test control device20and an automatic testing equipment (ATE)30coupled to each other. The test control device20may be any computing device, e.g. a general purpose computer or a work station. The ATE30includes a pattern controller40coupled to the test control device20and test instruments, e.g.,51,52,53. . . , coupled to the pattern controller40. Though three instruments are shown inFIG. 1, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any number of test instruments may be utilized depending on test requirements and capabilities of the ATE.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing the configuration an exemplary test control device including an API according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pattern controller40may include same or similar components shown inFIG. 4. The test control device20includes a bus410coupling various components as described below. The test control device20includes a processor420, which may be one or more central processing unit(s) each having one or more processing cores, graphical processing unit(s) or other processing element(s), e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA). The test control device20may include a cache422coupled to the processor420or integrated as a part of the processor420. The test control device20includes a system memory, for example read only memory (ROM)440and random access memory (RAM)450. The test control device20may further include a storage device430, which may be a non-volatile computer-readable medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk (e.g. hard disk or floppy disk), an opto-magnetic disk, a flash memory, and the like. According to the present disclosure, instructions that implement a set of APIs (e.g., a SmartRDI as described in greater detail below) may be stored in the storage device430and, when executed by the processor420, cause the processor to perform a method as described with reference toFIG. 5-7. Test data may be copied to the cache422from storage430, ROM440or RAM450to avoid delay in the processor420waiting for data and thereby improve the overall performance.

The test control device20may include at least one input device490for interaction between a user and the test control device20. The input device490may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a motion input, an image capturing element, a gravity sensor, a voice receiving element, or a touch screen, and so on. The test control device20may include at least one output device470, which may be common output mechanisms as well known to those skilled in the art, e.g. a speaker, a beeper, a flash light, an image projecting element, a vibration output element, a display, screen, or a touch screen, etc. The test control device20may include a communication interface480for data communication in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the communication interface480may include an antenna for transmitting and receiving data based on various cellular protocols, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, or Near Field Communication (NFC), and/or include a hardware connection based on TCP/IP, SCSI, IDE (including E-IDE), USB (including micro-USB, mini-USB, etc.), FireWire, HDMI, Lightning, and the like. The interface480may also include a bus coupled between the test control device20and the ATE30or, more specifically, the pattern controller40in the ATE30.

FIG. 5is a flowchart showing an exemplary computer implemented process500of configuring a pattern-controlled test according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process500can be implemented as an API installed in the test control device20inFIG. 3or in the pattern controller40inFIG. 4, or a combination thereof, for example. As shown inFIG. 5, the process500starts at510. At520, the user-generated code (or test program) is received. The code may be generated using a high level language (e.g. C, C++, Java, .NET, etc.). The code may be input by a user from the input device490ofFIG. 4, or accessed from the storage device430or remotely from an external source via the communication interface480. The code represents instructions that, once executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to generate operational commands. The operational commands are recognizable by the ATE30and instruct the ATE to perform the test by carrying out a sequence of operations. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the code defines a plurality of operational events of one or more types.

At530, the operational events defined in the code are identified and classified into types, which may be performed according to the exemplary process shown inFIG. 6.FIG. 6shows an exemplary process of determining types of events that are defined in a test program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At610, it is determined whether the code defines any direct-current (DC) event for the test. If so, at620, one or more DC events are generated based on the code. For example, a DC event may correspond to applying a DC voltage or a DC current to a pin of the DUT, measuring a voltage or current at a pin, or the like. If no DC event is indicated in the code,620is skipped.

At630, it is determined whether the code defines any analog event for the test. If so, at640, one or more analog events are generated based on the code. For example, an analog event may correspond to setting digital hardware parameter, setting a sequence program, setting the sampling frequency (FS) and system clock, setting a hardware trigger, setting a sampling parameter, or the like.

At650, it is determined whether the code defines any digital event for the test. If so, at660, one or more digital events are generated based on the code. For example, a digital event may correspond to a drive or compare event, a digital capture event, or the like.

Although the determinations of various types of events are illustrated as being made in a particular order inFIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the order is illustrative only and not limiting. Instead, the determination process may be made in any suitable order. In some embodiments, respective types of events can be identified in parallel. Moreover, depending on the specific test to be performed, various other types of events may be defined in the code and thus generated, e.g. RF events or protocol events. Various events are well known to those skilled in the art and so are not described in detailed herein.

Referring back toFIG. 5. At540, a label (or pattern) is assigned each type of event involved in the test program. For example, if it is determined that the test involves DC events and analog events, two labels representing DC type and analog type respectively are defined. At550, the events are inserted to (or associated with) the labels based on their types. For example, the DC events are inserted into the DC label, and the analog events are inserted into the analog label. Each label corresponds to a pattern. Herein, the terms of “label,” “pattern” and “pattern label” are used interchangeably unless specified otherwise.

It should be noted that the processes at540and550are not necessarily performed after the types of events are identified at530. In some embodiments, labels of all the available types are first generated, and the events defined in the code are identified and inserted to their corresponding labels. Alternatively, determination of event types and generation of labels may be performed in parallel. For example, during event generation, if it is determined that an event is of a type different from the events that have been labeled, a new label is generated for this type.

At560, the labels with the inserted events are defined as a burst. At570, the process500ends. As used herein, a “burst” refers to a sequence of patterns, each pattern including one or more events. The burst may then be downloaded to the respective test instruments (e.g.,51-53inFIG. 3) in the ATE so that firmware in the instruments can be configured according to the downloaded burst and proper timing corresponding to the burst. As a result, the instruments can generate test signals provided to a DUT.

As an example, considering the test for an RF transceiver chip in a GSM as described previously. In a test program configured for a conventional Pattern-Controlled test according to the prior art, although only six operations are to be performed in the test, a user may have to manually configure the test and provide input via several GUI windows that are respectively directed to DC, analog, digital, RF types of events. For instance, a configuration process includes the following actions that require user input:generating analog settingsetting digitizer hardware settingsetting sequence programsetting the sampling frequency FS and check main clockadding digitizer trigger to patternputting dummy repeat for allowing the digitizer to finish data capturegenerating frequency listgenerating stimulation setsetting sequence blockadding RF trigger in patternadding arbitrary wave generator (AWG) trigger in patternchecking the periodcalculate the repeat numberadding the wait repeat in patternadding DC test point in patternadding dummy lines (e.g. 32)generating sub labelcalling the sub label in patternusing PPMU API to generate the measurementusing Pattern Controller API to set sub labelsetting digital capture vector in patterngenerating digital capture settinggenerating digital capture variable.

In this approach, the user has to be well versed in lower level subsystem commands and configure the test through a variety of GUI windows. A user often has to repeatedly align the timing of the DC events, analogy events, etc. Thus, it is very time-consuming and cumbersome to implement and debug a test.

In contrast, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the same test can be automatically configured by executing the commands derived from the following code that is programmed in a high-level language:

FIG. 7illustrates exemplary automatic pattern generation and test setup process for a test based on high-level language code according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 7, the code is processed by the methods described with reference toFIGS. 5-6, and results in the generation of a corresponding pattern burst which is used to automatically configure the ATE or the instruments thereof for the test.

Embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously allow a user to define a test by developing an integrated program in high level language. Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize TEST-oriented programming rather than the conventional TESTER-oriented programming, which frees a user from directly dealing with software/hardware specifics. Rather, the user can conveniently define a test by generating code through a common user-interface, including defining various types of events related to DC, analogy, digital, RF, and the like. This eliminates the need to manually set up the test through a variety of GUI windows and iteratively align the commands.

According to the present disclosure, a pattern-controlled test can be automatically configured based on a high-level language test program (as opposed to manually according to the prior art), which effectively improves test throughput and productivity. In addition, code generated according to the present disclosure allows easy switching between a single step execution (e.g. for debug purpose) and a burst pattern execution (e.g. for a real test).

Although an exemplary test for an RF transceiver chip response in a GSM system, upon receiving stimulation, is described above, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific test or DUT.

As another example, the following codes may be used for testing a power management IC (PMIC) item:

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a set of APIs are provided, which are referred to as Smart Rapid Development Interface (SmartRDI) herein. With SmartRDI, the user can conveniently generate code by invoking the functions provided by the APIs similar to the above. The code is processed by the test control device20according to the method described above in connection withFIG. 5to configure the ATE30for the test. The SmartRDI provides a simplified programming interface for a user to program a test, and allows automated generation and configuration of a pattern-based burst that includes various types of events, e.g. DC, analog, RF, digital, protocol, etc. SmartRDI thus enables faster time-to-market with competitive throughput. SmartRDI can be installed in any Pattern-Controlled ATE or on a work station without introducing hardware modifications. The SmartRDI can be stored in a non-volatile computer readable medium, e.g. the storage430inFIG. 4.