# Patent

## Title
Method and apparatus for conditioning of a digital pulse

## Abstract

An integrated circuit includes a first external pin and an input buffer connected to the first external pin. The input buffer includes an output terminal and a first test mode input terminal adapted to disable the output terminal in response to a first test mode signal. A method for testing an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a first external pin and an input buffer, includes providing a first external input signal to the first external pin at a first specified time, and disabling the input buffer at a second specified time after the first specified time.

## Background
PRIOR APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/877,897 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,826), filed Jun. 8, 2001, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/095,673 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,476), filed Jun. 10, 1998, to which priority is claimed.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to testing integrated circuits, and more particularly to verifying minimum setup and hold times on an integrated circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
In the fabrication of integrated circuits, such as semiconductor memory devices, it is common to test the integrated circuit to verify that certain timing parameters can be met by the circuit. In the case of a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) commands and data signals are received synchronous with a clock signal. The signals are typically supplied to the external input pins of the SDRAM within certain timing specifications. For example, signals such as the row address select (RAS), column address select (CAS), external chip select (XCS), address lines, and data lines must be supplied to the input pins a specified time period before the rising clock edge (setup time), and must be held for a specified period of time after the rising clock edge (hold time).
To test an SDRAM to verify that it meets the timing requirements, an external tester is typically connected to the external pins of the SDRAM to supply a predetermined series of level signals and pulses that simulate various commands, operating modes, and data transactions in the memory device. The external pins of the SDRAM that provide output signals are monitored to evaluate proper functioning of the SDRAM.
As the clock speeds of integrated circuits, such as SDRAMs increase, the timing requirements become more stringent. The specification for a 125 MHz or faster SDRAM requires a setup time of 2 nanoseconds (ns) and a hold time of 1 ns. These requirements may become more stringent in the future as clock speeds increase. When testing an SDRAM, it is desirable to verify the setup and hold times for the device concurrently. In the case of the 125 MHz SDRAM, such concurrent testing would require that a 3 ns pulse be supplied as an input signal on a given command, address, or data line. However, current integrated circuit testers, such as a Terradyne 994, cannot supply a 3 nanosecond pulse. Lab results were gathered on a typical 100 MHz Terradyne 994 integrated circuit tester attempting to supply a 3 ns asserted low pulse at various voltage supply levels (VIH). At VIH equal to 3V, the tester provides a 2.7 ns (midpoint to midpoint) pulse that only reaches about 0.3V at its negative peak. At VIH equal to 4V, the tester provides a 2.6 ns pulse that only reaches about 0.3V at its negative peak. At VIH equal to 5V, the tester provides a 2.2 ns pulse that only reaches about 1.2V at its negative peak. These pulses do not have sufficient pulse width or voltage drop to effectively simulate the required timing. As a result of the inability of the tester to provide a sufficient pulse, the setup and hold times must be tested separately. This condition is undesirable because it increases testing time and expense and also does not test worst case conditions on every clock pulse. As a result, not all potential timing problems are readily observable.
It would be desirable to test timing specifications, such as setup and hold times, in integrated circuits under worst case conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the invention is seen in an integrated circuit including a first external pin and an input buffer connected to the first external pin. The input buffer includes an output terminal and a first test mode input terminal adapted to disable the output terminal in response to a first test mode signal.
Another aspect of the invention is seen in a method for testing an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first external pin and an input buffer. The method includes providing a first external input signal to the first external pin at a first specified time and disabling the input buffer at a second specified time after the first specified time.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit diagram for testing timing specifications of an integrated circuit;
FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of an input buffer used in the circuit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a timing diagram of the input and output signals of the circuit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4A illustrates a circuit diagram in which the test mode signal used in FIG. 2 is generated from an external source;
FIG. 4B illustrates a circuit diagram in which the test mode signal used in FIG. 2 is generated from an internal self-timed source;
FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit diagram of an alternative input buffer used in the circuit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 illustrates a timing diagram of the input and output signals of the circuit of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment that internally produces the delayed TM and TM2* signals of FIG. 6 from the CLK signal.



While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention. However, those skilled in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The specification hereinafter will be directed to testing the setup and hold time specifications of a memory device. However, the invention described herein may be applied to verifying any timing specification. In the illustrative example, the setup and hold times for the external chip select signal of an SDRAM are tested. This example is provided for illustrative purposes and is not to be regarded as limiting the application of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, an integrated circuit 10 having an external input pin 15 is shown. The external input pin 15 receives an asserted low external input signal (XIS*) 20 over a line connected to an external pad 25, such as may be provided by an external integrated circuit tester (e.g., Terradyne 994). An example of an asserted low input signal would be an external chip select signal (XCS). The XIS* signal 20 is received by an input buffer 30. An input buffer 30 typically includes a disable input 32 that is controlled in response to internal or external signals to selectively enable or disable the input buffer 30. During times when the integrated circuit is inactive, for example when neither CAS nor RAS is asserted, the input buffer 30 may be disabled to prevent unnecessary power dissipation in the integrated circuit 10.
When the disable signal is asserted, the output of the input buffer 30 is typically pulled to either a logically high or a logically low state. For purposes of this illustration an input buffer 30 having a low output state when disabled is described. The individual circuit elements of the input buffer 30 are described in greater detail below in reference to FIG. 2.
In FIG. 1, the XIS* signal 20 is inverted by the input buffer 30 to provide an input signal (IS) 22. The input buffer 30 is connected to a delay element 35. The delay element 35 is connected to a series of scaling buffers 40, which increase the power level of the signal to ensure sufficient magnitude for transmitting to the remainder of the integrated circuit 10.
The scaling buffers 40 are connected to a latch 45 that receives a clock (CLK) signal 50 and latches the value of the IS signal 22 when the CLK signal 50 transitions from a logically low state to a logically high state. A multiplexer 55 receives the CLK signal 50 and an inverted clock signal from an inverter 60. The multiplexer 55 is enabled when the CLK signal 50 is in a logically low state, thus passing the IS signal 22 to inverter 65. The output of the inverter 65 is connected to the input of a multiplexer 70 through an inverter 75. The multiplexer 70 receives the CLK signal 50 and the inverted CLK signal from inverter 60, and is enabled when the CLK signal 50 is in a logically high state. When the CLK signal 50 transitions to a logically high state (i.e., signifying a positive edge), the multiplexer 55 is disabled, and the multiplexer 70 is enabled, thus latching the value of the IS signal 22 coincident with the positive edge of the CLK signal 50. The output of the multiplexer 70 is connected to the input of the inverter 65. The IS signal 22 is held by the multiplexer 70 until the CLK signal 50 transitions to a logically low state.
The latched output of the multiplexer 70 may be combined with another latched command 80 (e.g., CAS and RAS low) in a logic gate 85 to issue a command to the integrated circuit 10.
The setup and hold time timing specifications for the integrated circuit 10 ensure that the IS signal 22 is present at the input of the multiplexer 70 before the positive clock edge and is held at the input of the multiplexer 70 for a sufficient time after the positive edge to ensure that the proper value is latched for the current clock cycle. If the value of the IS signal 22 is not stable during the period immediately before and after the positive clock edge, it may not be latched properly by the multiplexer 70, and the integrated circuit 10 may not function as intended.
A detailed circuit diagram of the input buffer 30 is shown in FIG. 2. The input buffer 30 includes p-channel transistors 90, 95 and n-channel transistors 100, 105, 110. The gate inputs of the p-channel transistor 95 and the n-channel transistor 100 are connected to the external input pin 15. The gate input of the n-channel transistor 105 is tied to a logically high voltage level. When the XIS* signal 20 is in a logically high state, the p-channel transistor 95 is disabled and the n-channel transistors 100, 105 are enabled, thus tying the IS signal 22 to a logically low state. When the XIS* signal 20 is in a logically low state, the n-channel transistor 100 is disabled, and the p-channel transistor 95 is enabled. If the gate input of the p-channel transistor 90 is in a logically low state, the IS signal 22 will thus be tied to a logically high voltage level.
The gate inputs of the p-channel transistor 90 and the n-channel transistor 110 enable or disable the input buffer 30. When the input buffer 30 is disabled, the p-channel transistor 90 will be disabled, thus isolating the IS signal 22 from a voltage source, Vcc, and the n-channel transistor 110 will be enabled, thus tying the IS signal 22 to a logically low voltage level. When the input buffer 30 is enabled, the p-channel-transistor 90 will be enabled and the n-channel transistor 110 will be disabled, thus allowing the value of the IS signal 22 to depend on the value of the XIS* signal 20 as described above.
By selectively disabling the input buffer 30, a pulse can be simulated without the limitations discussed above concerning the ability of an external tester to provide a narrow pulse, such as a 3 ns pulse. To test the setup and hold times for the XIS* signal 20, the integrated circuit 10 is first placed in a test mode of operation. In an SDRAM, for example, the device may be placed in test mode by issuing a load special register command with the logic levels of specified address pins during the load special register command controlling the particular test mode being entered. A test mode (TM) signal 115 is used to control the enable input 32 of the input buffer 30.
The XIS* signal 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an asserted low signal, so a logically high to logically low pulse is simulated to test the setup and hold times. The testing parameters are controlled such that a conflict does not occur between the TM signal 115 and a normal disable signal 120 used to disable the input buffer 30 to conserve power. The normal disable signal 120 disables the input buffer 30 during normal use, i.e. non-test mode. Whenever the test mode is active, the disable signal is at ground. The TM signal 115 and the disable signal 120 provide the inputs to a NOR gate 122. The output of the NOR gate 122 is connected to an inverter 124. The output of the inverter 124 is the disable input 32 of the input buffer 30.
The timing relationships between the CLK signal 50, the XIS* signal 20, the TM signal 115, and the IS signal 22 are shown in FIG. 3. For ease of illustration, ideal timing diagrams are shown. Propagation delays and transition times are not shown. It is within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art to coordinate the delay elements throughout the various circuits described herein to ensure that the signals propagate as desired.
The XIS* signal 20 may be provided by an external tester (not shown) and the TM signal 115 may be controlled by an external tester or may be generated as a timed signal from a different signal, as described in greater detail below in reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
To initiate a positive pulse in the IS signal 22, the XIS* signal 20 transitions from a logically high state to a logically low state 2 ns before the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required setup time. Because the TM signal 115 is at a logically low state, the input buffer 30 is not disabled, and the value of the XIS* signal 20 will be inverted. The IS signal 22 will transition from a logically low to a logically high state. The TM signal 115 transitions from a logically low state to a logically high state 1 ns after the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required hold time. When the TM signal 115 transitions to a logically high state, the input buffer 30 is disabled to a logically low state by the n-channel transistor 110, thus tying the IS signal 22 to a logically low state as described above. The level of the XIS* signal 20 after the TM signal 115 has been asserted does not impact the operation of the input buffer 30, because the input buffer 30 is disabled. Thus, the XIS* signal 20 may be transitioned at any time after the assertion of the TM signal 115 to prepare for the next test.
The coordinated transitions of the XIS* signal 20 and the TM signal 115 result in an IS signal 22 having a 3 ns pulse. Accordingly, the setup and hold times for the XIS* signal are tested concurrently.
FIG. 4A shows a circuit diagram wherein the TM signal 115 is generated from an external input signal. The specific pin used to supply the TM signal 115 depends on the pin or pins being tested and the specific test being conducted. For example, unused address pins, or other pins not used during the command being tested (ie., don't care state) may be used to supply the TM signal 115 to the input buffer 30. The connections between various pins of the integrated circuit 10 and the various input buffers 30 would be planned during the design of the integrated circuit 10 in light of the desired tests to be conducted.
An external pad 130 is connected to an input pin 135 of the integrated circuit 10. The input pin 135 is connected to an input buffer 140, which is in turn connected to an input of a NAND gate 145. The NAND gate 145 also receives an enable test mode signal 150. The enable test mode signal 150 indicates that the test mode has been enabled for the integrated circuit 10 as described above. The output of the NAND gate 145 is connected to an inverter 155. The output of the inverter 155 provides the TM signal 115 to the input buffer 30. When the enable test mode signal 150 is high (i.e., in test mode), an input signal provided at the external pad 130 is provided as the TM signal 115. When the enable test mode signal is in a logically low state (ie., not in test mode), the TM signal 115 is held in a logically low state by the NAND gate 145 and the inverter 155.
FIG. 4B shows an alternative embodiment of a circuit for generating the TM signal 115. In FIG. 4B, the TM signal 115 is generated as a timed offset from an external clock signal 160. The external clock signal 160 is supplied to an input buffer 165. The output of the input buffer 165 is connected to a delay element 170. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the delay element is connected to a NAND gate 175 that receives the enable test mode signal 150. The output of the NAND gate 175 is connected to an inverter 180. The output of the inverter 180 represents the TM signal 115. To reproduce the timing diagram of FIG. 3, the delay element 170 introduces a delay of 1 ns between the TM signal 115 and the CLK signal 50.
An alternative embodiment of the circuit of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 5. The circuit of FIG. 5 can be configured to disable the input buffer 30 in a logically high state or a logically low state depending on the desired condition. A second test mode (TM2*) signal 185 is connected to the gate input of n-channel transistor 105 for disabling the path to ground when the TM2* signal 185 is in a logically low state. The TM2* signal 185 is also connected to the gate input of a p-channel transistor 190 for tying the IS signal 22 to a logically high voltage level when the TM2* signal 185 is in a logically low state. The TM signal 115 and the TM2* signal 185 may be supplied externally from separate external pads 130 similar to FIG. 4A, or from a self-timed signal similar to FIG. 4B.
FIG. 6 shows the timing relationships between the CLK signal 50, the XIS* signal 20, the TM signal 115, the TM2* signal 185, and the IS signal 22 for simulating asserted high pulses and asserted low pulses. Again, for ease of illustration, ideal timing diagrams are shown. Propagation delays and transition times are not shown. It is within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art to coordinate the delay elements throughout the various circuits described herein to ensure that the signals propagate as desired.
The level of the XIS* signal 20 after the TM signal 115 or the TM2* signal 185 have been asserted does not impact the operation of the input buffer 30. Thus, the XIS* signal 20 may be transitioned at any time after the assertion of the TM signal 115 or the TM2* signal 185 to prepare for the next test. Again, the XIS* signal 20 may be provided by an external tester (not shown) and the TM signal 115 and TM2* signal 185 may be controlled by an external tester or may be generated as a timed signal from a different signal, as described above in reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
To produce a positive pulse in the IS signal 22, the XIS* signal 20 transitions from a logically high state to a logically low state 2 ns before the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required setup time. Because the TM signal 115 is at a logically low state, the input buffer 30 is not disabled, and the value of the XIS* signal 20 will be inverted. The IS signal 22 will transition from a logically low to a logically high state. The TM signal 115 transitions from a logically low state to a logically high state 1 ns after the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required hold time. When the TM signal 115 transitions to a logically high state, the input buffer 30 is disabled to a logically low state by the n-channel transistor 110, thus tying the IS signal 22 to a logically low state as described above. The level of the XIS* signal 20 after the TM signal 115 has been asserted does not impact the operation of the input buffer 30. Thus, the XIS* signal 20 may be transitioned at any time after the assertion of the TM signal 115 to prepare for the next test.
In FIG. 6, the XIS* signal 20 was left at a logically low state after the assertion of the TM signal 115 to provide the initial state for the subsequent pulse created by the assertion of the TM2* signal 185.
To produce a negative pulse in the IS signal 22, the XIS* signal 20 transitions from a logically low state to a logically high state 2 ns before the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required setup time. Because the TM2* signal 185 is at a logically high state, the input buffer 30 is not disabled, and the value of the XIS* signal 20 will be inverted. The IS signal 22 will transition from a logically high to a logically low state. The TM2* signal 185 transitions from a logically high state to a logically low state 1 ns after the positive edge of the CLK signal 50 to establish the required hold time. When the TM2* signal 185 transitions to a logically low state, the input buffer 30 is disabled to a logically high state by the n-channel transistor 190, thus tying the IS signal 22 to a logically high state as described above. The level of the XIS* signal 20 after the TM2* signal 185 has been asserted does not impact the operation of the input buffer 30. Thus, the XIS* signal 20 may be transitioned at any time after the assertion of the TM2* signal 185 to prepare for the next test.
The coordinated transitions of the XMS* signal 20, the TM signal 115, and the TM2* signal 185 result in an IS signal 22 having either a 3 ns positive or negative pulse. Accordingly, the setup and hold times for the XIS* signal are tested concurrently.
FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment that internally produces the delayed TM and TM2* signals 115, 185 of FIG. 6 from the CLK signal 50. An input buffer 200 increases the output power level of the external clock pad 160 before sending the CLK signal 50 to a delay element 202. The delay element 202 introduces a delay with respect to the CLK signal 50, e.g., the 1 ns delay of FIG. 6, and sends the delayed signal to first and second NAND gates 204, 206. The output signal of the first NAND gate 204 produces the TM2* signal 185. The output signal of the second NAND gate 206 produces the TM signal 115 after being inverted by the inverter 208. The embodiment of FIG. 7 produces the TM2* signal 185 and the TM signal 115, properly delayed with respect to the CLK signal 50 of FIG. 6, in response to activation by logically high Hold_High and Hold_Low signals 210, 212, respectively.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure that numerous variations from the foregoing illustrations will be possible without departing from the inventive concept described herein. Accordingly, it is the claims set forth below, and not merely the foregoing illustration, which are intended to define the exclusive rights claimed in this application.

## Claims

1. A circuit for conditioning a digital pulse applied to an input thereof, said digital pulse characterized by having a predetermined minimum duration, said circuit comprising:
an input buffer responsive to initiation of said digital pulse to initiate an output pulse on a buffer output terminal;
said input buffer having a control terminal for receiving a control signal;
control circuitry, coupled to said input buffer control terminal, for asserting said control signal in a predetermined timed relationship following initiation of said digital pulse;
said input buffer being responsive to assertion of said control signal to terminate said output pulse on said buffer output terminal;
wherein said output pulse has a duration shorter than said predetermined minimum duration of said digital pulse.

2. A circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said output pulse has a duration of approximately three nanoseconds.

3. A circuit in accordance with claim 1, implemented on a single integrated circuit.

4. A circuit in accordance with claim 3, wherein said control signal is generated as a timed offset from an external clock signal.

5. A circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input buffer is implemented on a single integrated circuit, and said control circuit is disposed external of said integrated circuit.

6. A circuit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a disable circuit, coupled to said control circuit and to said input buffer control terminal, said disable circuit being responsive to assertion of an enable signal to prevent assertion of said control signal.

7. A method for conditioning a digital pulse, said digital pulse characterized by having a predetermined minimum duration, said method comprising:
(a) initiating said digital pulse to the input of an input buffer, said input buffer being responsive to initiation of said digital pulse to initiate an output pulse on a buffer output terminal;
(b) asserting a control signal on a control input of said input buffer at a time relative to and subsequent to said initiation of said digital pulse;
(c) responsive to said assertion of said control signal, terminating said output pulse on said buffer terminal output terminal;
wherein said output pulse has a duration shorter than said predetermined minimum duration of said digital pulse.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said output pulse has a duration of approximately three nanoseconds.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said implemented on a single integrated circuit.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising generating said control signal as a timed offset from an external clock signal.

11. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said input buffer is implemented on a single integrated circuit, and said control circuit is disposed external of said integrated circuit.

12. A method in accordance with claim 7, further comprising responding to assertion of an enable signal to prevent assertion of said control signal.