Abstract:
Through addressing circuitry, a sampling circuit can choose a unique internal node/signal on an encapsulated/packaged chip to be output to one or more drivers. The chosen signals available at the target node are directed either through a select circuit to an output pin, or directly to an output pin. In a preferred mode, decode circuits used to select a unique node are serially connected, allowing for a large number of signals to be made available for analyzing without a large impact on circuit layout. Because of the rules related to abstracts, this abstract should not be used in the construction of the claims.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/109,535 filed on Apr. 19, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,251,762, and entitled On-Chip Sampling Circuit and Method. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed generally to circuit testing and, more particularly, to the testing of circuits constructed using solid state fabrication techniques. 
   After the fabrication of a chip containing one or more solid state circuits, it is common in the industry to require that the chip pass certain tests before being identified as a good part. For example, after the fabrication of a memory device, the memory device is connected to a tester which automatically performs a series of preprogrammed tests on the part. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,333 entitled Automated Multi-Chip Module Handier and Testing System. 
   Often during the fabrication of parts, particularly new parts, the signals available at the output pins of the part are insufficient to provide the designer with the information necessary to understand how the part is performing. In those situations, diagnostic systems are available such as the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,991. In such diagnostic systems, probes are brought into contact with various nodes on the circuit to sample and analyze the signals available at those nodes. For that to be performed, the nodes of the circuit must be available to the probe of the diagnostic system. Thus, the part must be tested before fabrication is complete at which time the circuits of the part are accessible only through the part&#39;s output pins. 
   There is a need to be able to access various nodes within a circuit even after a device has been completely fabricated. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sampling circuit is comprised of a plurality of probe circuits, with each probe circuit connected to a unique node within an encapsulated and/or packaged circuit to be tested. A decode circuit selects one of the probe circuits to enable the signal available at the unique node to which the probe circuit is connected to be transmitted. 
   According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a sampling circuit is comprised of a first plurality of probe circuits, with each probe circuit connected to a unique node within an encapsulated and/or packaged circuit to be tested. A first decode circuit selects one of the first plurality of probe circuits. A second plurality of probe circuits is provided with each of the probe circuits connected to a unique node within the circuit to be tested. A second decode circuit selects one of the second plurality of probe circuits. An output select circuit is provided for selecting between the first plurality of probe circuits and the second plurality of probe circuits so that a unique signal may be output for review and analysis. 
   Multiple pluralities of probe circuits and decode circuits may be provided. The manner of signal output may vary depending on the number of pins available. For example, if one pin is available, the multiple pluralities of probe circuits will compete with one another via the output select circuit. If two pins are available, one pin may be responsive to one plurality of probe circuits while the other pin is responsive to the other pluralities of probe circuits via a select circuit. Numerous output combinations and permutations are possible. 
   When the probe circuit of the present disclosure is implemented in the context of a solid state memory device, the various decode circuits and output select circuit(s) may be responsive to address signals or some portion of an address signal. A method of operating such a sampling circuit as well as systems embodying sampling circuits are also disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present invention will now be described, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a sampling circuit of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a sampling circuit of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a memory device in which the sampling circuit of the present disclosure may be implemented; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate various exemplary circuitry for implementing the block diagram of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates circuits, within a device to be tested, connected to the sampling circuit of the present disclosure; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a system using one or more devices incorporating the sampling circuit of the present disclosure. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a sampling circuit  8  constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosure. A circuit  10  to be tested has discrete nodes or tap points  12 ,  14 ,  16  identified within the circuit  10 . The circuit  10  has been, for example, encapsulated such that the circuit  10  communicates via a plurality of pins (not shown). The nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  are identified as points of interest such that the signals available at those nodes will help engineers, designers, etc. to understand how the circuit  10  is functioning. Each of the nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  is connected to a probe circuit  22 ,  24 ,  26 , respectively. The probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26  are serially connected. Each of the probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26  is responsive to a decode circuit  28  which is responsive to control signals. 
   In operation, signals available at nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  are received by their respective probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The decode circuit  28 , in response to the control signals, selects one of the probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26  such that the signal available at the selected probe circuit&#39;s node is transmitted as shown by the arrow  30 . The transmitted signal may be transmitted to more probe circuits (not shown) or connected to an output pin (not shown). In this example, the signals available at nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  are all capable of being analyzed externally of the circuit  10 , although only one at a time. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26  together with the decode circuit  28  comprise the sampling circuit  8 . 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a sampling circuit of the present disclosure. The upper half of  FIG. 2  is identical to  FIG. 1 . However, in  FIG. 2  additional nodes or tap points  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′ have been identified within circuit  10  to be analyzed. The nodes  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′ are connected to probe circuits  22 ′,  24 ′,  26 ′, respectively. In addition, an output  31  of probe circuit  26  is connected to an output select circuit  32  while an output  31 ′ of probe circuit  26 ′ is also connected to output select circuit  32 . 
   In operation, control signals are input to the decode circuit  28  to select one of the signals available at nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  to be output at output terminal  31 . Similarly, control signals input to decode circuit  28 ′, which may be the same or different from the control signals input to decode circuit  28 , select one of the signals available at nodes  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′ to be output at output terminal  31 ′. A plurality of such strings of probe circuits, with each string of probe circuits responsive to various nodes or tap points, may be provided. The output of each of those strings of probe circuits is input to output select circuit  32 . Output select circuit  32 , in response to control signals input thereto, selects one of the various signals input thereto to be output, preferably to an output pin of the circuit  10  to be tested. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number of serially connected probe circuits is limited by the capabilities of the decode circuit. That is, the decode circuit must be able to select one of the probe circuits so that the signal connected thereto is selected for transmission. Similarly, the number of serially connected strings of probe circuits is limited by the ability of the output select circuit  32  to uniquely identify each of the signals input thereto so that any one of the input signals can be selected as the output signal. 
   The location of the probe circuits, location of the decode circuits, and location of the output select circuit, if needed, is dependent upon available space within circuit  10  to be tested. It is anticipated that early in part life, i.e. when a part is first designed and first fabricated, the number and position of the probe circuits will depend upon various factors such as a need to know how a certain portion of the circuit  10  is operating, what manufacturing defects are being encountered in various hard to manufacture components or portions of the circuit  10 , etc. As the circuit  10  proceeds through its normal life, and various problems are solved, subsequent generations of circuit  10  may be designed with fewer probe circuits with the space used to provide other features or functions for the circuit  10 . It is anticipated that the present invention will be most useful in the context of circuits  10  which are fabricated using solid state fabrication techniques. When that is the case, it is anticipated that the various probe circuits, decode circuits, and output select circuit (if needed) will be fabricated along with the fabrication of circuit  10 . 
   It is anticipated that the sampling circuit  8  of the present invention may be implemented in a wide variety of devices. One type of device, a memory device  34 , is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The memory device  34  may be part of a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) or a printed circuit board (PCB) containing many such memory devices  34 . The memory device  34  may include a plurality of pins  36  located outside of memory device  34  for electrically connecting the memory device  34  to other devices. Some of those pins  36  may constitute memory address pins or an address bus  38 , data (DQ) pins or a data bus  40 , and control pins or a control bus  42 . It is evident that each of the reference numerals  38 ,  40 ,  42  designates more than one pin in the corresponding bus. Further, it is understood that the block diagram in  FIG. 3  is for illustration purposes only. That is, the pin arrangement or configuration in other types of memory devices  34  may not be as shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, in some types of memory devices  34  there is a single bus which is time multiplexed. At certain points of time, the common bus carries address information, at other points data information, and at other times control information. Thus, references to, for example, an address bus refers to both a dedicated address bus as well as a time multiplexed bus. 
   Continuing with the description of  FIG. 3 , a processor or memory controller (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) may communicate with device  34  to perform memory read/write operations. The processor and the memory device  34  may communicate using address signals on address lines or address bus  38 , data signals on data lines or data bus  40 , and control signals (e.g. row address select (RAS) signal, column address select (CAS) signal, chip select (CS) signal etc. (not shown)) on control lines or control bus  42 . The width, i.e. number of pins, of the address, data and control buses may differ from one memory configuration to another. 
   The device  34  may include a plurality of memory cells  44  generally arranged in an array of rows and columns. A row decode circuit  46  and a column decode circuit  48  may select the rows and columns, respectively, in the array  44  in response to decoding an address provided on the address bus  38 . Data to/from the array of memory cells  44  are then transferred to the data bus  40  via sense amplifiers and a data output path, shown generally as input/output (I/O) circuit  50 . A memory controller (not shown) may provide relevant control signals (not shown) on the control bus  42  to control data communication to/from the memory device  34  via the input output circuit  50 . The I/O circuit  50  may include the aforementioned sense amplifiers and data output path including a number of data output buffers or output drivers to receive the data bits from the memory cells comprising the array of cells  44  and provide those data bits or data signals to the corresponding data lines in the data bus  40 . The I/O circuit  50  may also include various memory input buffers and control circuits that interact with the row and column decoders  46 ,  48 , respectively, to select the memory cells for data read/write operations. 
   The memory controller (not shown) may determine the modes of operation of memory device  34 . Some examples of the input signals or control signals not shown in  FIG. 1 , but which may be available on control bus  42  include an external clock (CLK) signal, a chip select (CS) signal, a row address strobe (RAS) signal, a column address strobe (CAS) signal, a write enable (WE) signal, etc. The encapsulated/packaged memory device  34  communicates with other devices connected thereto via the pins  36 . One or more of the pins  36 , not being used for address, data, or control signals, may be used as the output pin for the sampling circuit. More than one output pin may be provided assuming unused pins are present. 
   In addition to the pads previously described (address, data, etc.), extra pads may be added for the express purpose of providing outputs for various embodiments. Such extra pads would likely not be made available to the customer. That is, such extra pads would not be routed to external pins on packages destined for the consumer. However, such extra pads may or may not be routed to pins on packages created for the sole purpose of engineering analysis, such as special test packages. In cases where these pads are not routed to package pins, all analysis would be performed at the wafer or pre-packaged die level. Thus, data from circuits of the present disclosure may be output in at least four ways: (1) from pads already existing for normal chip operation (address pins, data pins, etc.); (2) from package pins/balls existing for normal chip operation; (3) from pads created for the specific purpose of providing specific outputs (available or unavailable to the customer); and (4) from package pins/balls created for the specific purpose of providing outputs. These pins/balls would be connected to pads from number 3 above, and would likely be unavailable to the customer. 
   Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the memory device  34  of  FIG. 3  is simplified to illustrate one embodiment of a memory device and is not intended to be a detailed illustration of all of the features of a typical memory device. Numerous peripheral devices or circuits are typically provided for writing data to and reading data from the array of memory cells  44 . However, those peripheral devices are not shown in  FIG. 3  for the sake of clarity. 
     FIG. 4A  illustrates various exemplary circuitry for implementing the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 4A , nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16  receive the signals phLock, CLK DLL, and PDR, respectively. A fourth node  58  receives the signal dll REF. The probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26  are illustrated along with a fourth probe circuit  60 . Each of the probe circuits is comprised in this exemplary embodiment of an inverter  62  receiving the signal from that probe circuit&#39;s node. A first logic gate  64  is responsive to the inverter  62  and a signal from the decode circuit  28 . A second logic gate  66  is responsive to the first logic gate  64  and the previous probe signal or, in the case of the first probe circuit in a series of probe circuits, a predetermined voltage source, e.g. Vdd (high). An inverter  68 , responsive to the second logic gate  66 , provides the output of the probe circuit. Each of the probe circuits  24 ,  26 ,  60  is similar in construction and operation to the probe circuit  22 . The series connected probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  60  is referred to in  FIG. 4A  as the group  0  probe circuits. As shown in  FIG. 4A , there are seven (7) other groups of probe circuits, each with the same logic as group  0  but with different signals connected thereto. The decode circuit  28  enables selection of any one of the probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  60  within each of the groups  0 - 7 . Each of the groups of serially connected probe circuits is connected to the output select circuit  32 . The output select circuit  32  is, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a group of logic gates responsive to control signals to enable one of the signals output from one of the groups  0 - 7  to be selected as the output of the sampling circuit  8 . The signal selected for output by the output select circuit  32  is input to output logic  70  which may comprise a normal output path for the device in which the sampling circuit is located. For example, in the context of a memory device  34 , output logic  70  may include latches and drivers, or other appropriate circuitry, for driving the output signal on to one of the output pads of the device, which is ultimately connected to the output pin. 
   Circuits that mix or compare signals before sending a signal to an output may be included. Mixing and comparing type circuits would have more than one tapped node going into the same circuit, and would provide useful relative timing information. For example, in  FIG. 4B , two separate signals are input to a NAND gate  72  that may be used to provide relative timing information as shown by the simple timing diagram for the signals A, B and Y. 
   The figures that have been discussed so far imply that all nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16 , etc. are related in some way, i.e. nodes  12  and  14  are separated by the “circuit to be analyzed”. That need not necessarily be true. Nodes  12 ,  14 ,  16 , etc. can be from completely separate and disjoint circuits.  FIG. 5  illustrates that one node to be analyzed is located in a first circuit and provides the signal A (of  FIG. 4B ) while another node in another circuit to be analyzed provides the signal B (of  FIG. 4B ) which are input to the probe circuit which produces the output signal Y. The probe circuit in  FIG. 5  could be responsive to a decode circuit as previously discussed. 
   The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  assumes that only one output pin is available on the device such that the output select circuit  32  is required to enable one signal at a time to be output. However, should two output pins be available, two output select circuits  32  may be provided with each of the output select circuits handling some number of the groups  0 - 7  so that two signals may be simultaneously output. Alternatively, if one of the groups is determined to be more important than the other groups of serially connected probe circuits, one of the groups, for example group  0 , could be connected to an output pin through its own output logic  70 , and the remainder of the groups, group  1 - 7 , could be connected to their own output logic  70  through an output select circuit  32 . Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many output combinations are possible depending upon the number of pins available for the signals. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates various sections, i.e. circuits, within the circuit  10  to be tested connected to the probe circuits  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  60  of group  0  illustrated in  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 6  illustrates how the sampling circuit  8  of the present invention may be integrated within a circuit to be tested such as a memory device  34 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the location of the tap points  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  58  within the circuit  10  to be tested. The illustrated tap points are provided for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Clearly, the number and location of tap points will depend upon the circuit to be tested and the maturity of the circuit. 
     FIG. 7  is a block diagram depicting a system  100  in which one or more memory chips  34  illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be used. The system  100  may include a data processing unit or computing unit  102  that includes a processor  104  for performing various computing functions, such as executing specific software to perform specific calculations or data processing tasks. The computing unit  102  also includes a memory controller  108  that is in communication with the processor  104  through a bus  106 . The bus  106  may include an address bus (not shown), a data bus (not shown), and a control bus (not shown), or a single, time multiplexed bus. The memory controller  108  is also in communication with a set of memory devices  34  (i.e., multiple memory chips  34  of the type shown in  FIG. 3 ) through another bus  110 . Each memory device  34  may include appropriate data storage and retrieval circuitry as shown in  FIG. 3 . The processor  104  can perform a plurality of functions based on information and data stored in the memories  34 . 
   The memory controller  108  can be a microprocessor, digital signal processor, embedded processor, micro-controller, dedicated memory test chip, a tester platform, or the like. The memory controller  108  may control routine data transfer operations to/from the memories  34 , for example, when the memory devices  34  are part of an operational computing system  102 . The memory controller  108  may reside on the same motherboard (not shown) as that carrying the memory chips  34 . Various other configurations between the memory chips  34  and the memory controller  108  may be possible. For example, the memory controller  108  may be a remote entity communicating with the memory chips  34  via a data transfer or communications network (e.g., a LAN (local area network) of computing devices). 
   The system  100  may include one or more input devices  112  (e.g., a keyboard or a mouse) connected to the computing unit  102  to allow a user to manually input data, instructions, etc., to operate the computing unit  102 . One or more output devices  114  connected to the computing unit  102  may also be provided as part of the system  100  to display or otherwise output data generated by the processor  104 . Examples of output devices  114  include printers, video terminals or video display units (VDUs). In one embodiment, the system  100  also includes one or more data storage devices  116  connected to the data processing unit  102  to allow the processor  104  to store data in or retrieve data from internal or external storage media (not shown). Examples of typical data storage devices  116  include drives that accept hard and floppy disks, CD-ROMs (compact disk read-only memories), and tape cassettes. 
   While the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible. The present invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims and not by the foregoing description which is intended to set forth the presently preferred embodiments.