Method and apparatus for configurable build-in self-repairing of ASIC memories design
First Claim
1. A method for on-chip testing and repairing configurable ASIC memories in a system that contains a test circuit, a repair circuit, a memory array, and a plurality of redundant lines within the memory array, the method comprising the steps of:
- testing the memory array;
determining an original address of a line in the memory array that includes a fault; and
repairing the faulty line with a redundant line by using the repair circuit to redirect the original address to an address of the redundant line.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A logic circuit and a technique for repairing faulty memory cells internally by employing on-chip testing and repairing circuits in an ASIC system. The test circuit detects column line faults, row faults, and data retention faults in a memory array. The repair circuit redirects the original address locations of the faulty memory lines to the mapped address locations of the redundant column or row lines. This repair scheme includes redundant column lines attached to each of the I/O arrays in the memory array and redundant row lines to replace detected memory faults. These testing and repairing procedures are performed within the chip without the aid of any external equipment.
149 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for on-chip testing and repairing configurable ASIC memories in a system that contains a test circuit, a repair circuit, a memory array, and a plurality of redundant lines within the memory array, the method comprising the steps of:
-
testing the memory array; determining an original address of a line in the memory array that includes a fault; and repairing the faulty line with a redundant line by using the repair circuit to redirect the original address to an address of the redundant line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
-
-
11. A process for on-chip testing and repairing configurable ASIC memories in a system that contains a test circuit, a repair circuit, a memory array, and a plurality of redundant lines within the memory array, the test circuit including a test pattern generator, the process comprising the steps of:
-
supplying a test pattern by the test pattern generator for testing a plurality of memory cells in the memory array; detecting at least one fault in the memory array by the test circuit; transferring the original address location of the at least one faulty line from the test circuit to the repair circuit; storing an original address location of the at least one faulty memory line; translating the original address location of the at least one faulty line to a mapped address location of at least one redundant line; and redirecting the original address location of the at least one faulty line to the mapped address location of the at least one redundant line. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
-
13. An on-chip system for testing and repairing faulty ASIC memories comprising:
-
a memory array including a matrix of memory cells formed by intersecting a plurality of column lines with a plurality of row lines; a redundant line, coupled to the memory array, for replacing faulty lines; a testing circuit, coupled to the memory array, for testing the memory array and determining an original address of a line in the memory array that includes a fault; and a repair circuit, coupled to the memory array and the testing circuit, for repairing the faulty line with a redundant line by redirecting the original address to an address of the redundant line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification