Patent Abstract:
Methods of testing a semiconductor device are provided in which a test pattern is generated for the semiconductor device that is based on the semiconductor device operating under a first CAS latency number. Then, the semiconductor device is tested using this test pattern where, at least part of the test is performed when the semiconductor device is operating under a second CAS latency number that is different from the first CAS latency number. This may be accomplished, for example, by increasing the number of clock cycles in the timing clock signal during a CAS latency-variable interval in situations where the CAS latency is changed after generation of the test pattern.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2003-95135, filed on Dec. 23, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to semiconductor test devices and, more particularly, to methods of testing semiconductor devices using adjustable timing clock signals and related semiconductor test devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Semiconductor device manufacturers often perform systematic tests to determine whether or not the semiconductor devices that they manufacture satisfy certain design parameters. The tests performed may include, for example, device parameter tests (DC testing), device logic function tests and/or device timing tests (AC testing). The semiconductor device being tested is sometimes called the Device Under Test or “DUT.” The test system used to perform the tests on the DUT is often referred to as Automatic Test Equipment or “ATE.” 
   Typically, the ATE is controlled by a computer that may provide voltage, current, timing, functional status and/or other information to and from the DUT. The computer may also execute a test program that monitors the response of the DUT to the respective tests. The results of the tests may, for example, be compared with predetermined thresholds to make decisions as to whether or not the DUT passed or failed a test at issue. The ATE may include, for example, a power supply, a counter, a signal generator, and a pattern generator. A Pin Electronics or “PE” circuit may be used as an interface between the ATE and the DUT to provide input signals to the DUT and receive output signals from the DUT. For example, during a device parameter test, the PE circuit might apply an input voltage to the DUT and receive an output current from the DUT, or might apply an input current to the DUT and receive an output voltage from the DUT. 
   A semiconductor test device is disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 2003/052767. This test device may be used to test a plurality of semiconductor devices simultaneously. The test device may input the same test data pattern waveform to the same pin of a plurality of semiconductor devices to perform the testing. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic of a conventional semiconductor test device that may be used to test a semiconductor memory device. The memory device may comprise, for example, a dynamic random access memory device (“DRAM”). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device may include a clock signal generator  10  for generating a timing clock signal CLK. The device further includes a pattern generator  12 , such as an algorithmic pattern generator, that transmits a clock signal generation start signal T 1  to the clock signal generator  10 , receives the clock signal CLK from the clock signal generator  10  and generates an address pattern, a data pattern, and/or a control pattern. The device further includes a pattern data selector  14  that allocates channels to the address pattern, the data pattern and/or the control pattern that are received from the pattern generator  12 . A signal generator  16  such as a timing generator format controller may be provided that generates the actual test data in synchronization with the timing clock signal CLK based on the pattern data output from the pattern data selector  14 . A buffer driver  18  is provided that generates a buffer driving signal, and a plurality of buffers  20  are used to buffer the test data generated by the signal generator  16 . A plurality of switches  22  are provided that switch the data output from the plurality of buffers  22  to the DUT  30 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  are exemplary diagrams of a conventional test pattern. In particular,  FIG. 2  shows an Xmarch CL4 pattern, and  FIG. 3  shows an Xmarch CL5 pattern. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , AWRA refers to an “active read command”, and LAL is a “second command.”  FIG. 4  is a timing diagram illustrating the generation of timing clock signals according to the conventional Xmarch CL4 pattern of  FIG. 2 . 
   Aspects of the present invention relate to semiconductor memory devices that use Column Address Strobe or “CAS” techniques. As will be understood by persons of skill in the art, CAS latency involves the period of time (or number of clock cycles) that must pass before the data that is output in a read operation appears on the output pins. As used herein, the term “CAS latency number” refers to the number of clock cycles of a clock signal that is synchronized with an external command that must pass after application of a read or write command before the input/output data can be presumed valid. 
   Operations for outputting test pattern data using the conventional test device of  FIG. 1  will now be described with reference  FIGS. 1-4 . Operations may begin with the clock signal generator  10  receiving a clock signal generation start signal T 1  from the pattern generator  12 . The clock signal generator  10  generates a timing clock signal CLK in response to the start signal T 1 . The pattern generator  12  receives the clock signal CLK from the clock signal generator  10  and generates a test pattern that comprises an address pattern, a data pattern and a control pattern. These patterns are output to the pattern data selector  14 . The test pattern may be designed, for example, to generate commands to read or write data to/from the DUT after four or five cycles of a clock signal. In particular, the test pattern may be generated according to the CAS latency number. The pattern data selector  14  allocates channels to the address pattern, the data pattern and the control pattern and outputs the channel-allocated patterns to the signal generator  16 . The signal generator  16  generates actual test data based on the pattern data allocated by the pattern data selector  14  in synchronization with the timing clock signal CLK, and outputs the generated data to the respective buffers  20 . The buffer driver  18  generates a buffer driving signal and applies it to the respective buffers  20 . The plurality of buffers  20  buffer the actual test data according to the buffer driving signal output from the buffer driver  18  and apply the buffered data to the respective switches  22 . The plurality of switches  22  switch on to output the data in the buffers  20  to the DUT  30 . 
   Thus, the pattern generator  12  of the above-described conventional semiconductor test device generates a test pattern that has a CAS latency number that, for example, corresponds to the test pattern of  FIG. 2  or  3 , and the signal generator  16  generates actual test data based on the test pattern and transmits the generated test data to the DUT  30 . 
   When the test pattern is formed with a four-cycle clock signal  4 CLK as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 , the conventional semiconductor test device generates an active read command for reading data after the generation of four cycles of the clock signal CLK (see  FIG. 4 ). However, if the CAS latency number of the semiconductor device is changed, for example, from four to five, a whole new set of test patterns is required. Accordingly, an increase or decrease of one in the CAS latency number requires a doubling in the number of test patterns required. Larger increases (or decreases) in the CAS latency number require a corresponding increase in the number of test patterns to twice the change in the CAS latency number. As the number of test patterns increases, the likelihood human errors in programming and/or verification of the test patterns increases. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, methods of testing a semiconductor device are provided in which a test pattern is generated for the semiconductor device that is based on the semiconductor device operating under a first CAS latency number. Then, the semiconductor device is tested using this test pattern where, at least part of the test is performed when the semiconductor device is operating under a second CAS latency number that is different from the first CAS latency number. The second CAS latency number may be greater than the first CAS latency number. 
   The method may further include increasing the number of clock pulses in a clock signal that is provided to the semiconductor device during the part of the test when the semiconductor device is operating under the second CAS latency number. This may be done, for example, by selectively providing a first clock signal or a second clock signal to the semiconductor device, where the first clock signal comprises a clock signal that is used to control the operation of a test device and the second clock signal comprises a latency increasing time signal. The second clock signal may be selectively provided to the semiconductor device for periods of at least two clock cycles of the first clock signal. Moreover, the second clock signal may be generated in embodiments of the present invention by performing a logical-OR operation on the first clock signal and a CAS-latency increasing signal. A multiplexer may be used to selectively provide the first clock signal and the second clock signal to the semiconductor device. 
   Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, methods of testing a semiconductor memory device are provided in which a test pattern is generated that is associated with a first CAS latency number. A change in the CAS latency number may then be received. A clock signal that is provided to the semiconductor device may be modified in response to the change in the CAS latency number. The semiconductor device may then be tested using the test pattern and the modified clock signal. 
   The clock signal that is provided to the semiconductor device in response to the change in the CAS latency number may be modified by inserting at least one additional clock pulse into the clock signal pattern during each of a plurality of read or write operations. This may be done, for example, by selectively providing a first clock signal or a second clock signal to the semiconductor device, where the second clock signal is used to selectively replace a pulse of the first clock signal with at least two pulses. The second clock signal may be a latency increasing clock signal that is generated by a signal generator. 
   Pursuant to still further embodiments of the present invention, semiconductor test devices are provided which include an automatic test device that is configured to output a clock signal and a plurality of data signals and a clock pulse insertion circuit that is configured to selectively insert clock pulses into the clock signal output by the automatic test device. The clock pulse insertion circuit may be configured to selectively insert clock pulses into the clock signal in response to an increase in a CAS latency number. The clock pulse insertion circuit may include a multiplexer that is configured to selectively outputs the clock signal from the automatic test device and a second clock signal. The clock pulse insertion circuit may also include an OR gate that is configured to receive both the clock signal from the automatic test device and a latency changing timing signal. In such embodiments, the inputs to the multiplexer may comprise the clock signal from the automatic test device and the output of the OR gate. 
   Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, semiconductor test devices are provided which include a clock signal generator, a pattern generator, a pattern data selector, a signal generator, a buffer driver, a buffer section and a clock signal inserter. The clock signal inserted may be configured to receive a timing clock signal CLK and a latency-increasing timing signal output from the buffer section to generate a latency-increased timing clock signal CLK 1 . In certain embodiments, the clock signal inserter may comprise a logic gate that performs a logical OR operation on the timing clock signal CLK and the CAS latency-increasing signal to generate the clock signal inserted to increase the CAS latency and a multiplexer for that outputs the timing clock signal CLK and the clock signal inserted to increase the CAS latency during a CAS latency-increasing interval of the timing clock signal CLK according to a timing control signal Tx. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain embodiment(s) of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a conventional semiconductor test device; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are diagrams illustrating conventional test patterns; 
       FIG. 4  is a timing diagram showing generation of timing clock signals according to a conventional Xmarch CL4 pattern; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a semiconductor test device according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  are diagrams of test patterns according to embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of a clock signal inserter according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating generation of timing clock signals for an Xmarch CL5 pattern according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating generation of timing clock signals for an Xmarch CL6 pattern according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
   It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
   It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.). 
   The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
   Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a semiconductor test device  100  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the semiconductor test device  100  includes a clock signal generator  102  that generates a timing clock signal CLK in response to a timing control signal Tx. The timing control signal Tx is generated by a pattern generator  104 . The pattern generator further receives the clock signal CLK from the clock signal generator  102 , and generates an address pattern, a data pattern, a control pattern and an insertion clock signal generation control signal in response thereto. A pattern data selector  106  is responsive to the pattern generator  104 . The pattern data selector  106  allocates channels to the address pattern, the data pattern, the control pattern and the insertion clock signal generation control signal. A signal generator  108  is further provided that may be used to generate both the actual test data and a latency-increasing timing signal based on the pattern data allocated from the pattern data selector  106  in synchronization with the timing clock signal CLK. A buffer driver  110  is provided that generates a buffer driving signal that controls a plurality of buffers  112  that buffer the actual test data and the latency-increasing timing signal. A clock signal inserter  114  receives the timing clock signal CLK and the latency-increasing timing signal output from one of the buffers  112  and outputs a timing clock signal CLK 1  under the control of the pattern generator  104 . A switching section  116  is provided, and a DUT  200  is connected to the semiconductor test device  100  via the switching section  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the buffer section  112  includes buffers B 1  through B 8 , and the switching section  116  includes switches SW 1  through SW 8 . 
     FIGS. 6 to 8  are diagrams of exemplary test patterns according to certain embodiments of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 6  depicts a portion of an Xmarch 1Bank CL4 pattern,  FIG. 7  depicts a portion of an Xmarch CL5 pattern, and  FIG. 8  depicts a portion of an Xmarch CL6 pattern. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, in  FIGS. 6-8 , Xmarch refers to a test pattern that operates in the row (word line) direction, and Ymarch (not shown) refers to a test pattern that operates in the column (bit line) direction. AWRA refers to an “Active Read Command”, and LAL is a “Second Command.”  FIG. 9  is a timing diagram of the operation of the clock signal inserter  114  according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating generation of timing clock signals for the Xmarch CL5 pattern according to certain embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating generation of timing clock signals for the Xmarch CL6 pattern according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
   Operations for outputting test pattern data according to certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5-11 . Operations may start with the clock signal generator  102  generating a timing clock signal CLK in response to a defined timing control signal Tx from the pattern generator  104 . The pattern generator  104  receives the timing clock signal CLK and generates an address pattern, a data pattern, a control pattern and an insertion clock signal generation control signal, each of which may be provided to the pattern data selector  106 . The test pattern generated by the pattern generator  104  is based on a CAS latency number. For example, if the CAS latency number is four, the test pattern may be designed such that data is read from or written to the DUT after four cycles of the clock signal. With conventional semiconductor test devices, if the test pattern needs to be changed (due, for example, to a change in the CAS latency number) such that data is read from or written to the DUT after, for example, generation of five or six cycles of the clock signal CLK, additional test patterns are formed by a program and generated from the pattern generator  104 . 
   According to embodiments of the present invention, the pattern generator  104  may be used to generate, for example, a test pattern for reading/writing data after generation of four cycles of the clock signal CLK (i.e., a CAS latency number of four). If, thereafter, the CAS latency number is changed to five or six, the pattern generator  104  may (1) apply a timing control signal (e.g., signal Tx) to a selection terminal S of a multiplexer (“MUX”)  120  and (2) receive the timing clock signal CLK from the clock signal generator  102  to generate a CAS latency-increasing timing control signal and an insertion clock signal generation control signal, each of which are provided to the pattern data selector  106 . The pattern data selector  106  may then allocate two of the channels, such as, for example, first and second channels CH 1  and CH 2 , to the insertion clock signal generation control signal generated from the pattern generator  104 , and allocate the remaining channels (e.g., third through ninth channels CH 3  to CH 9 ) to output an address pattern, a data pattern, and a control pattern to the signal generator  108 . The signal generator  108  generates actual test data, a timing clock signal CLK and a CAS latency-increasing signal based on the pattern data and the insertion clock signal generation control signal generated from the pattern data selector  106  in synchronization with the timing clock signal CLK, and outputs them to first and second buffers B 1  and B 2  of the plurality of buffers  112 . The buffer driver  110  generates a buffer driving signal and applies the generated buffer driving signal to the plurality of buffers  112 . The plurality of buffers  112  buffer the actual test data, the timing clock signal CLK and the CAS latency-increasing signal generated from the signal generator  108  according to the buffer driving signal output from the buffer driver  110 . The timing clock signal CLK and the CAS latency-increasing signal buffered in the first and second buffers B 1  and B 2 , respectively, are then applied to an OR gate  118 . The OR gate  118  performs a logical OR operation on the timing clock signal CLK and the CAS latency-increasing signal and outputs clock signals which are inserted to increase the CAS latency. 
   By way of example, the pattern generator  104  may be used to generate the test pattern of  FIG. 6  for reading/writing data after generation of four cycles of the clock signal CLK. When the test pattern of  FIG. 6  is changed to a test pattern of  FIG. 7  for reading/writing data after generation of five timing clock signals CLK, the signal generator  108  outputs a timing clock signal CLK to the first buffer B 1  and a CAS latency-increasing signal to the second buffer B 2 . The timing clock signal CLK is illustrated as waveform “A” of  FIG. 9 , and the CAS latency-increasing signal is illustrated as waveform “B” of  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the timing clock signal CLK output from the first buffer B 1  is input to a first input of the MUX  120 . Additionally, the OR gate  118  performs a logical OR operation on the timing clock signal CLK output from the first buffer B 1  and the CAS latency-increasing signal output from the second buffer B 2  to produce a CAS latency-increasing clock signal to the other input of the MUX  120 . This CAS latency-increasing clock signal is illustrated as waveform “C” in  FIG. 9  The MUX  120  selectively outputs a portion of the timing clock signal CLK from the first buffer B 1  (i.e., waveform “A” of  FIG. 9 ) and the CAS latency-increasing clock signal (i.e., waveform “C” of  FIG. 9 ). In particular, the MUX  120  outputs the first three cycles of the timing clock signal CLK and then the CAS latency-increasing clock signal is output according to the timing of the control signal Tx output from the pattern generator  104 . Namely, the MUX  120  outputs the first three cycles of the waveform designated “A” in  FIG. 9  then outputs the CAS latency-increasing clock signal that is designated as waveform “C” in  FIG. 9  (which is the same as two cycles of the timing clock signal CLK) during the fourth cycle of the timing clock signal CLK. Thereafter, the MUX  120  selectively outputs the timing clock signal CLK. The first cycle of the timing clock signal CLK is an active read command AWRA, and the second cycle is a second command LAL. The timing clock signal CLK 1  selected by the MUX  120  is transmitted to the DUT  200  via the plurality of the switches  116 . This operation is iteratively performed to insert the CAS latency-increasing clock signal of  FIG. 10  every second-cycle interval after generation of the timing clock signal synchronized with the AWRA and read data, thereby testing the semiconductor device. 
   As another example, again assume that the pattern generator  104  generates the test pattern of  FIG. 6  for reading/writing data after generation of four cycles of the timing clock signal CLK. When the test pattern thereafter is changed to, for example, the test pattern of  FIG. 8  for reading/writing data after generation of six cycles of the timing clock signal CLK, the signal generator  108  outputs the timing clock signal CLK (waveform “A” in  FIG. 9 ) to the first buffer B 1  and the CAS latency-increasing signal (waveform “B” in  FIG. 9 ) to the second buffer B 2 . The timing clock signal CLK output from the first buffer B 1  is input to a first input of the MUX  120 . Additionally, the OR gate  118  performs a logical OR operation on the third cycle of the timing clock signal CLK output from the first buffer B 1  and the CAS latency-increasing signal output from the second buffer B 2 , and outputs a clock signal that is inserted to increase the CAS latency (see signal “C” in  FIG. 9 ) to the other input the MUX  120 . The MUX  120  selectively outputs the timing clock signal CLK output from the first buffer B 1  and, after generation of the second clock signal LAL, the CAS latency-increasing clock signal that is fed into the other input of the MUX  120  according to the timing control signal Tx output from the pattern generator  104 . Namely, the MUX  120  outputs the timing clock signal CLK (waveform “A” of  FIG. 9 ) up to the second cycle and then selects the CAS latency-increasing clock signal (waveform “C” of  FIG. 9 ) in the third cycle of the timing clock signal CLK. Thereafter, the MUX  120  selects the clock signal inserted to increase the latency (waveform “C” of  FIG. 9 ) output from the OR gate  118  again in the fourth cycle of the timing clock signal CLK. The timing clock signal CLK 1  generated by the MUX  120  is transmitted to the DUT  200  via the first switch SW 1  of the switching section  116 . This operation is iteratively performed to insert the CAS latency-increasing clock signal of  FIG. 11  every second- and third-cycle interval after generation of the timing clock signal synchronized with the AWRA and read data, thereby testing the semiconductor device. 
   As described above, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the burden for programming and verification by generating more timing clock signals in a CAS latency-increasing interval without the need to develop a separate program for a test pattern when the latency of the test pattern for testing a semiconductor device changes. 
   In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6