Apparatus and method for measuring characteristics of dynamic electrical signals in integrated circuits
First Claim
1. A method for measuring characteristics of an electrical signal inside of an integrated circuit under test, the method comprising:
- applying the electrical signal to a signal analysis circuit disposed within the integrated circuit under test, the signal analysis circuit operable to analyze the applied electrical signal and change its condition based on the analyzed electrical signal;
detecting the change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit; and
determining the characteristics of the electrical signal inside the integrated circuit based on the detected change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit,wherein the electrical signal is a voltage signal and the signal analysis circuit comprises a comparator, andwherein a reference voltage level is applied to the comparator;
the comparator changing its state when the electrical signal reached the reference voltage level.
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Abstract
Systems and methods consistent with principles of the present invention allow contactless measurements of voltage characteristics of dynamic electrical signals in integrated circuits. The invention utilizes a signal analysis circuit, such as a voltage comparator, disposed with the circuit under test, which is optically coupled with the external timing measurement equipment. The signal analysis circuit changes its state depending on the characteristics of the measured electrical signal applied thereto. The changes in the condition of the signal analysis circuit are sensed by the external timing measurement equipment provided outside the circuit under test. To this end, the signal analysis circuit is optically coupled with the external measurement equipment registering specific changes in the condition of the signal analysis circuit. The information on the condition of the signal analysis circuit registered by the external measurement equipment is used to study the characteristics of the dynamic electrical signals within the circuit.
30 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for measuring characteristics of an electrical signal inside of an integrated circuit under test, the method comprising:
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applying the electrical signal to a signal analysis circuit disposed within the integrated circuit under test, the signal analysis circuit operable to analyze the applied electrical signal and change its condition based on the analyzed electrical signal; detecting the change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit; and determining the characteristics of the electrical signal inside the integrated circuit based on the detected change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit, wherein the electrical signal is a voltage signal and the signal analysis circuit comprises a comparator, and wherein a reference voltage level is applied to the comparator;
the comparator changing its state when the electrical signal reached the reference voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for measuring characteristics of an electrical signal inside of an integrated circuit under test, the apparatus comprising:
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a signal analysis circuit disposed within the integrated circuit under test, the signal analysis circuit operable to analyze the electrical signal and change its condition based on the analyzed electrical signal; and a detector for detecting the change in the condition of the signal analysis circuit; wherein the characteristics of the electrical signal inside the integrated circuit under test are determined based on the detected condition change, wherein the electrical signal is a voltage signal and wherein signal analysis circuit comprises a comparator, and wherein a reference voltage level is applied to the comparator;
the comparator changing its state when the voltage signal reached the reference voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An integrated circuit comprising a signal analysis circuit disposed within the integrated circuit, the signal analysis circuit operable to analyze an electrical signal applied to the signal analysis circuit and change its condition based on the analyzed electrical signal;
- wherein the signal analysis circuit comprises a photon emitting structure for transmitting information on the change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit to an external measuring equipment, wherein the electrical signal is a voltage signal and wherein the signal analysis circuit comprises a comparator and wherein a reference voltage level is applied to the comparator;
the comparator changing its state when the voltage signal reaches the reference voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
- wherein the signal analysis circuit comprises a photon emitting structure for transmitting information on the change of the condition of the signal analysis circuit to an external measuring equipment, wherein the electrical signal is a voltage signal and wherein the signal analysis circuit comprises a comparator and wherein a reference voltage level is applied to the comparator;
Specification