Empirical data based test optimization method
First Claim
1. A method for optimized testing of integrated circuits (ICs), comprising:
- executing a first test sequence comprising a plurality of tests to test a first plurality of integrated circuit (ICs) and to generate a statistically significant test result comprising one or more test failures, wherein executing the first test sequence does not stop as the one or more test failures of the first plurality of ICs are generated during execution of the first test sequence;
analyzing the one or more test failures to identify one or more redundant and inefficient tests (RITs) in the plurality of tests of the first test sequence; and
generating a second test sequence that is optimized with respect to the first test sequence by performing at least one of removing and reordering at least one of the one or more identified RITs.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A test method for the detection of redundant tests and inefficient tests (RITs) used for testing integrated circuits (ICs) and a subsequent optimization of test complexity and test time duration. Empirical data from an execution of all tests of interest in a test plan, flow or suite of tests is collected. The empirical data is collected without stopping at errors. This empirical data is then used to determine the identity of one or more redundant and/or inefficient tests in the test plan. In order to reduce testing time and optimize the test flow, one of more of the following occurs. Redundant tests may be selectively removed, inefficient tests may be re-ordered to allow more efficient tests to be executed earlier in the test flow of the ICs, or some combination of this. RIT information is thus used to optimize the test flow, resulting in a reduction in test complexity and in test duration.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for optimized testing of integrated circuits (ICs), comprising:
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executing a first test sequence comprising a plurality of tests to test a first plurality of integrated circuit (ICs) and to generate a statistically significant test result comprising one or more test failures, wherein executing the first test sequence does not stop as the one or more test failures of the first plurality of ICs are generated during execution of the first test sequence;
analyzing the one or more test failures to identify one or more redundant and inefficient tests (RITs) in the plurality of tests of the first test sequence; and
generating a second test sequence that is optimized with respect to the first test sequence by performing at least one of removing and reordering at least one of the one or more identified RITs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of carrying out a computer assisted function on a general-purpose computer for optimized testing of integrated circuits (ICs) in accordance with a set of instructions, comprising:
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instructions for executing a first test sequence comprising a plurality of tests to test a first plurality of integrated circuit (ICs) and to generate a statistically significant test result comprising one or more test failures, wherein executing the first test sequence does not stop as the one or more test failures of the first plurality of ICs are generated during execution of the first test sequence;
instructions for analyzing the one or more test failures to identify one or more redundant and inefficient tests (RITs) in the plurality of tests of the first test sequence; and
instructions for generating a second test sequence that is optimized with respect to the first test sequence by performing at least one of removing and reordering at least one of the one or more identified RITs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for optimized testing of integrated circuits (ICs), comprising:
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executing a first test sequence comprising a plurality of tests to test a first plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) and to generate a statistically significant test result comprising one or more test failures, wherein executing the first test sequence does not stop as the one or more test failures of the first plurality of ICs are generated during execution of the first test sequence;
analyzing the one or more test failures to identify one or more redundant tests and one or more inefficient tests in the plurality of tests of the first test sequence; and
generating a second test sequence that is optimized with respect to the first test sequence by removing one or more of the redundant tests from the first test sequence and reordering one or more of the inefficient tests in the first test sequence. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of carrying out a computer assisted function on a general-purpose computer for optimized testing of integrated circuits (ICs) in accordance with a set of instructions, comprising:
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instructions for executing a first test sequence comprising a plurality of tests to test a first plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) and to generate a statistically significant test result comprising one or more test failures, wherein executing the first test sequence does not stop as the one or more test failures of the first plurality of ICs are generated during execution of the first test sequence;
instructions for analyzing the one or more test failures to identify one or more redundant tests and one or more inefficient tests in the plurality of tests of the first test sequence; and
instructions for generating a second test sequence that is optimized with respect to the first test sequence by removing one or more of the redundant tests from the first test sequence and reordering one or more of the inefficient tests in the first test sequence. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification