Analog boundary scanning based on stray capacitance
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit capable of performing a boundary scan, comprising:
- a plurality of pins; and
an interface circuit connected to a pin that is one of the plurality of pins, and configured to operate in;
a boundary scan mode to obtain a signal indicative of a stray capacitance present at the pin, the stray capacitance representative of a connection state of one or more external elements in relation to the pin, andan ordinary operation mode to perform functions related to an ordinary operation of the integrated circuit, said functions being distinct from any boundary scan operations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to performing boundary scanning without using a pin which is exclusively dedicated for that purpose. The boundary scan can be performed by an integrated circuit by utilizing a pin which has an alternative use during ordinary operation of the integrated circuit and the device. This pin can be connected to an analog circuit configured to sense capacitance outside of the pin. The analog circuit may also have an alternative function in normal operation of the device. During a testing mode, the analog circuit can sense a stray capacitance present at the pin. The sensed capacitance can be compared to one or more stored expected capacitance values to determine an interconnection state of the system.
53 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit capable of performing a boundary scan, comprising:
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a plurality of pins; and an interface circuit connected to a pin that is one of the plurality of pins, and configured to operate in; a boundary scan mode to obtain a signal indicative of a stray capacitance present at the pin, the stray capacitance representative of a connection state of one or more external elements in relation to the pin, and an ordinary operation mode to perform functions related to an ordinary operation of the integrated circuit, said functions being distinct from any boundary scan operations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for operating an integrated circuit having a pin and an interface circuit connected thereto, the method comprising:
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placing the interface circuit in boundary scan mode; sensing by the interface circuit a stray capacitance present at the pin, the stray capacitance indicative of a state of connection of the integrated circuit; placing the interface circuit in an ordinary operation mode; and performing a first function related to an ordinary operation of the integrated circuit by the interface circuit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A device comprising:
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an integrated circuit comprising a connection means, and a multimode means connected to the connection means; and one or more external elements configurable to form different states of connection in relation to the connection means, wherein the multi mode means is configured to operate in an ordinary operation and boundary scan modes, the multi mode means being further configured to; in boundary scan mode, obtain a signal indicative of a stray capacitance representative of the connection state of the one or more external elements in relation to the connection means, and in ordinary operation mode, perform functions related to the ordinary operation of the device, said functions being distinct from any boundary scan operations.
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Specification