Patent Abstract:
A system that includes a controller for enabling an enumeration operation. The enumeration operation is performed by a controller ( 110 ) and logic elements ( 120 ) in a system, such that each logic element in the system assigns itself a unique identifier. Each logic element can then be controlled by another source or have a means to communicate with other logic elements in the system. The unique identifier enables greater system flexibility, thereby reducing cost and improving efficiency.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a means of generating unique identifiers using hardware such that multiple hardware resources can possess a means to communicate and/or be controlled by another source. 
   With the proliferation of electronic circuitry comes more complex and intricate systems composed of many different circuits that must work together to accomplish a task. Often such parameters as speed and cost drive the system designs. Reliability, resource usage, and flexibility of the systems are also factors that contribute to design. 
   For example, in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, test systems are a very large component of cost. Testing is typically time consuming, and requires specific equipment, overhead, and resources. Furthermore, testing varies from IC design to IC design, requiring more system flexibility. Current testing systems, formats and infrastructure do not efficiently accommodate such a wide variety of required tests. 
   2. Brief Summary of the Invention 
   An embodiment described herein provides a flexible system, which, for example, reduces power consumption during test, enables modification of test specifications to improve yield, and reduced pin count diagnostic operations, as well as other advantages not listed here but as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
   The system includes a controller for enabling an enumeration operation, and at least one logic element. Multiple circuits under test (CUT) are coupled to logic elements, which execute the testing operations according to test data structures (e.g. files, patterns, etc.). 
   Each logic element has a unique ID that it assigns to itself when given the enumeration command by the controller (generally at power up). Typically the enumeration command is performed only once but is not limited to a single run. The system performs tests on the CUTs by instructing the controller and the logic elements. Tests can be performed by all logic elements, a subset of logic elements, or a single logic element. For example, the system can issue a command to test all of the SRAM CUTs by specifying that the logic elements coupled to SRAM CUTs are to perform the test. Likewise, the system may perform a test operation on a CUT or CUTs controlled by a single logic element. 
   The system provides greater flexibility in the test environment. For example, the system provides: power savings by testing only CUTs that require a given test operation; the ability to adjust margins for specific CUTs that will normally operate at slower speeds; a diagnostic mode such that select logic elements are adjusted to collect diagnostic information such as, for example, bit fail maps. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a test structure in accordance with an embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed block diagram of a controller in accordance with an embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of a logic element in accordance with an embodiment; 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a flow diagram of a method of performing an enumeration operation by the controller in accordance with an embodiment; 
       FIG. 4   b  shows a flow diagram of a method of performing an enumeration operation by the logic element in accordance with an embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  shows a detailed block diagram of a controller in accordance with another embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of a logic element in accordance with another embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of a method of operating the test structure in accordance with an embodiment; and 
       FIG. 8  shows a detailed block diagram of a design flow process for designing integrated circuits. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a system which includes a circuit  100 . Circuit  100  further includes a controller  110  and a logic element  120   a . Circuit  100  may include any number of logic elements  120  (shown in  FIG. 1  as  120   a - 120   n , where ‘n’ represents any whole number of logic elements). Circuits under test (CUTs)  130  are coupled to and tested by logic element  120   a . Any number of CUTs may be coupled to one or more logic elements  120 , for the sake of illustration  FIG. 1  shows CUTs  130   a - 130   n , where ‘n’ is any number of CUTs  130 , coupled to logic element  120   a  and CUTs  140   a - n  are coupled to logic element  120   n . CUTs  130  and  140  represent any type of circuit. For example, circuits may include but are not limited to: SRAM elements, PLLs, DRAM elements, etc. 
   Controller  110  accepts inputs such as a clock signal (CNTLCLK), an instruction signal (SERIAL_IF), an execute signal (BEXE), and a control signal (DONEIN). Controller  110  outputs a pulsed signal (DONEOUT), and a status signal (BSTATUS). The signal names are for illustrative purposes only and are meant to clarify the explanation of the embodiment. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other signals and signal names may be used without deviating from the scope and spirit of the embodiment. A detailed explanation of controller  110  and logic element  120  follows. 
     FIG. 2  shows a more detailed schematic block diagram representative of controller  110 . Controller  110  further includes a register  210 , coupled to a decoder  230 , which is further coupled to an enable element  240 , and a counter  220 . 
   In operation, register  210  receives and stores an instruction on the SERIAL_IF input. Register  210  forwards the instruction to decoder  230 . Decoder  230  determines the instruction type (e.g. enumeration, read, write, or run) and an enable mode (i.e. addressing mode) for execution. If the instruction is an enumeration instruction, decoder  230  asserts a signal to enable element  240  (ENUM_EN) and a signal output onto DONEOUT, which, for example, is held to a logical ‘1’ throughout the execution of the enumeration instruction. One of ordinary skill in that art can appreciate that other signaling schemes may be used to accomplish the same objective without deviating from the embodiment. 
   Once BEXE is asserted by the system, counter  220  begins to increment once every clock cycle (for this example), until DONEIN is asserted. 
   When DONEIN is asserted, counter  220  stops. The value in counter  220  is equal to the number of logic elements  120  in the system, which is useful during various diagnostic operations. When DONEIN is asserted, BSTATUS is also asserted, notifying the system that the enumeration operation is complete. 
     FIG. 3  shows a detailed schematic block diagram of logic element  120 . Logic element  120  includes a register  310  coupled to a decoder  330 , which is further coupled to an enable element  340  and a counter  320 . Register  310  accepts an instruction input from SERIAL_IF, which is decoded in decoder  330 . Logic element  120  further includes a device  350  which accepts an input DONEIN and provides an output DONEOUT. DONEOUT is also coupled to an input of enable element  340 . During an enumeration operation (as specified by the instruction in register  310 ), decoder  330  asserts a signal on the input of enable element  340  and the system asserts BEXE, which instructs counter  320  to begin incrementing. When DONEOUT becomes asserted, enable element  340  stops counter  320 . The count value stored in counter  320  represents an identifier for logic element  120 . The identifier is then used for directed testing purposes and allows the system to instruct that logic element (e.g. logic element  120 ) to perform operations such as reading or writing a control register (see  FIG. 5 ) or performing a test on its respective CUTs (e.g.  130   a - 130   n ) through bus CUTIO. 
     FIG. 4   a  shows an example method  400  of performing an enumeration operation in controller  110  according to an embodiment. 
   In step  410 , the system loads an enumeration instruction in register  210  and decodes the instruction in decoder  230 . In step  411 , the system asserts BEXE. In step  412  counter  220  is enabled by enable logic  240 , BEXE, and DONEOUT, and begins to increment. In decision step  413  method  400  determines whether the DONEIN signal is asserted; if yes method  400  proceeds to step  414 , if no, method  400  returns to step  412 . In step  414 , enable logic  240  disables counter  220 . In step  415 , the value stored in counter  220  represents the total number of logic elements  120  in the system. 
     FIG. 4   b  shows an example method  470  of performing an enumeration operation in any of logic elements  120  according to an embodiment. 
   In step  471  register  310  loads an instruction from SERIAL_IF and decoder  330  decodes the instruction. In decision step  472 , method  470  determines whether BEXE is asserted; if no, method  470  waits until it is asserted, if yes, method  470  proceeds to decision step  473 . In decision step  473 , method  470  determines whether the DONEIN signal is asserted; if yes, method  470  proceeds to step  475 , if no, method  470  proceeds to step  474 . In step  474 , enable logic  340  enables counter  320  and counter  320  begins to increment. At each clock cycle method  470  assesses whether DONEIN is asserted. In step  475 , enable logic  340  disables counter  320 . In step  476 , the final counter value stored in counter  320  becomes the unique identifier value (ID) for that particular logic element  120 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a detailed schematic block diagram of another embodiment of controller  110 . In this embodiment, controller  110  includes a control register  420  coupled to an enable logic  440 , which is further coupled to decoder  230 . In this embodiment, decoder  230  determines whether the instruction from register  210  is directed to all logic elements  120  or a unique logic element  120 . Enable logic  440  compares the identifier value (ID) (shown here to be hard wired for controller  110 ) with ADDRESS if ID_EN is asserted. If equivalent, enable logic  440  enables control register  420 . For example, the instruction may execute a read operation from control register  420  or perform a write operation to control register  420 . Enable logic  440  enables control register  420  for operation if ALL_EN is asserted. 
   Special ID&#39;s may be reserved for controller  110 . For example, the ID “FFF” may be recognized in enable logic  440  as pertaining to controller  110 , thus enabling control register  420 . This ‘reserved address’ as it is referred to in the industry, may be hardwired or provided in software. 
     FIG. 6  shows a detailed schematic block diagram of another embodiment of logic element  120 . In this embodiment, logic element  120  includes an enable logic  540  which is coupled to decoder  330  and a control register  520 . Enable logic  540  further includes both an input from counter  320  which provides the identifier value (ID) of that logic element  120  and a TYPE_ADDR signal which provides an identifier for a subset of logic elements  120 . For example, TYPE_ADDR may represent a value corresponding to logic elements  120  that control SRAM CUTs. In operation decoder  330  decodes an instruction stored in register  310 . Decoder  330  asserts a signal corresponding to the enablement mode. For example, an instruction for all logic elements  120  corresponds to asserting the ALL_EN signal, an instruction for only a certain subset of logic elements  120  corresponds to asserting the TYPE_EN signal, or an instruction for one specific logic element  120  corresponds to asserting the ID_EN signal. Enable logic  540  compares the TYPE_ADDR value with a TYPE value provided by the instruction if the TYPE_EN signal is enabled via the ADDRESS signal. Similarly, if the ID_EN signal is asserted, enable logic  540  compares the ID value from counter  320  with the ID value specified in the instruction via the ADDRESS signal. If there is a match, enable logic  540  enables control register  520 . When control register  520  is enabled, the system can perform, for example, read and/or write operations on control register  520 . Other operations are also possible with this embodiment. Likewise, if the ALL_EN signal is asserted then enable logic  540  asserts the enable signal EN for control register  520 . 
   Reserved IDs (aka reserved addresses) may also be implemented for logic elements  120 . For example, the ID “000” may be recognized in enable logic  540  as pertaining to its logic element  120 , thus enabling control register  520 . Regardless of the ID value stored in counter  320 . The reserved ID may be hardwired or provided in software. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill, the list of reserved addresses and their associated logic elements  120  may be adapted to efficiently accomplish any given function or task. In this embodiment, logic elements  120  need not possess a counter  320  to operate. 
     FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of a method  700 . Method  700  is an example method of operating circuit  100 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are other method which could be implemented to achieve the same or similar results without deviating from the scope or spirit of the example embodiment. 
   In step  710 , an instruction is loaded into registers  210  and  310  of controller  110  and at least one logic element  120 , respectively. Decoders  230  and  330  decode the instruction and assert respective enable signal depending on the enable mode indicated in the instruction. For example, for an instruction directed towards all logic elements  120 , decoders  230  and  330  would assert the ALL_EN signal. Similarly, an instruction intended for a specific logic element  120  or controller  110  results in assertion of the ID_EN signal respectively. 
   In decision step  730 , method  700  determines whether the instruction applies to the particular logic element  120  and/or controller  110  by comparing the ID value from the instruction with the respective ID values or Type values. For instructions that are directed to all logic elements method  700  determines that the instruction applies and proceeds to step  740 . If the instruction does not apply, then method  700  proceeds to step  750 , where method  700  waits for the next instruction. 
   In step  740 , the corresponding logic elements  120  and/or controller  110  execute the instruction. For example, the instruction may be to execute a built-in-self-test (BIST) on a group of SRAM elements on a specific integrated circuit (IC) using a test pattern which was generated from the control registers  420  of respective logic elements  120  via previous instructions. Method  700  then proceeds to step  750 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of an example design flow  800 . Design flow  800  may vary depending on the type of IC being designed. For example, a design flow  800  for building an application specific IC (ASIC) may differ from a design flow  800  for designing a standard component. Design structure  820  is preferably an input to a design process  810  and may come from an IP provider, a core developer, or other design company or may be generated by the operator of the design flow, or from other sources. Design structure  820  comprises circuit  100  in the form of schematics or HDL, a hardware-description language (e.g., Verilog, VHDL, C, etc.). Design structure  820  may be contained on one or more machine readable medium. For example, design structure  820  may be a text file or a graphical representation of circuit  100 . Design process  810  preferably synthesizes (or translates) circuit  100  into a netlist  880 , where netlist  880  is, for example, a list of wires, transistors, logic gates, control circuits, I/O, models, etc. that describes the connections to other elements and circuits in an integrated circuit design and recorded on at least one of machine readable medium. This may be an iterative process in which netlist  880  is resynthesized one or more times depending on design specifications and parameters for the circuit. 
   Design process  810  may include using a variety of inputs; for example, inputs from library elements  830  which may house a set of commonly used elements, circuits, and devices, including models, layouts, and symbolic representations, for a given manufacturing technology (e.g., different technology nodes, 32 nm, 45 nm, 90 nm, etc.), design specifications  840 , characterization data  850 , verification data  860 , design rules  870 , and test data files  885  (which may include test patterns and other testing information). Design process  810  may further include, for example, standard circuit design processes such as timing analysis, verification, design rule checking, place and route operations, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art of integrated circuit design can appreciate the extent of possible electronic design automation tools and applications used in design process  810  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. The design structure of the invention is not limited to any specific design flow. 
   Ultimately, design process  810  preferably translates circuit  100 , along with the rest of the integrated circuit design (if applicable), into a final design structure  890  (e.g., information stored in a GDS storage medium). Final design structure  890  may comprise information such as, for example, test data files, test data structures, design content files, manufacturing data, layout parameters, wires, levels of metal, vias, shapes, test data, data for routing through the manufacturing line, and any other data required by a semiconductor manufacturer to produce circuit  100 . Final design structure  890  may then proceed to a stage  895  where, for example, final design structure  890 : proceeds to tape-out, is released to manufacturing, is sent to another design house or is sent back to the customer. 
   The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments, which achieve the features and advantages of the invention. The embodiments are not limited to circuitry but can be implemented where it would be useful to have any type of hardware generate its own identification for other functional purposes and operations. For example, the invention could be implemented on medical devices, provide self-identification for satellites, or even provide unique identifiers for processors in an automobile. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that modification and substitutions to specific logic elements, test methods, addressing methods, modes of operation, enabling schemes, and functional utility can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6