Skip to main content
Log in

Efficient March Tests for a Reduced 3-Coupling and 4-Coupling Faults in Random-Access Memories

  • Published:
Journal of Electronic Testing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents two new march test algorithms, MT-R3CF and MT-R4CF, for detecting reduced 3-coupling and 4-coupling faults, respectively, in n × 1 random-access memories (RAMs). To reduce the length of the tests, only the coupling faults between physically adjacent memory cells have been considered. The tests assume that the storage cells are arranged in a rectangular grid and that the mapping from logical addresses to physical cell locations is known completely. The march tests need 30n and 41n operations, respectively. In this paper any memory fault is modelled by a set of primitive memory faults called simple faults. We prove, using an Eulerian graph model, the ability of the test algorithms to detect all simple coupling faults. This paper also includes a study regarding the ability of the test MT-R3CF to detect interacting linked 3-coupling faults. This work improves the results presented in [1] where a similar model of reduced 3-coupling faults has been considered and a march test with 38n operations has been proposed. To compare these new march tests with other published tests, simulation results are presented in this paper.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. P. Caşcaval and S. Bennett, “Efficient March Test for 3-Coupling Faults in Random Access Memories,” J. Microprocessors and Microsystems, vol. 24, no. 10, pp. 501-509, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  2. B.F. Cockburn, “Deterministic Tests for Detecting Single VCoupling Faults in RAMs,” J. Electronic Testing, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 91-113, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  3. B.F. Cockburn, “Deterministic Test for Detecting Scrambled Pattern-Sensitive Faults in RAMs,” IEEE Workshop on Memory Technology, Design and Testing, 1995, pp. 117-122.

  4. M. Marinescu, “Simple and Efficient Algorithms for Functional RAM Testing,” in Digest of Papers, 1982 Int'l Test Conf., Philadelphia, PA, Nov. 1982, pp. 236-239.

  5. R. Nair, S. Thatte, and J. Abraham, “Efficient Algorithms for Testing Semiconductor Random-Access Memories,” IEEE Trans. Comput., vol. C-27, no. 6, pp. 572-576, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  6. C. Papachristou and N. Sahgal, “An Improved Method for Detecting Functional Faults in Semiconductor Random Access Memories,” IEEE Trans. Comput., vol. C-34, no. 2, pp. 110-116, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  7. J.P. Roth, “Diagnosis of Automata Failures: A Calculus and a Method,” IMB J. Research and Development, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 278-291, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. Suk and S. Reddy, “Test Procedures for a Class of Pattern-Sensitive Faults in Semiconductor Random-Access Memories,” IEEE Trans. Comput., vol. C-29, no. 6, pp. 419-429, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  9. D. Suk and S. Reddy, “A March Test for Functional Faults in Semiconductor Random Access Memories,” IEEE Trans. Comput., vol. C-30, no. 12, pp. 982-985, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  10. A.J. van de Goor, Testing Semiconductor Memories, Theory and Practice, Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  11. A.J. van de Goor, “Using March Tests to Test SRAMs,” IEEE Design and Test of Computers, pp. 8-14, 1993.

  12. V.N. Yarmolik, A.J. van de Goor, G.N. Gaydadjiev, and V.G. Mikitjuk, “March LR: A Test for Realistic Linked Faults,” Proc. VLSI Test Symp., March 1996, pp. 272-280.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caşcaval, P., Bennett, S. & Huţanu, C. Efficient March Tests for a Reduced 3-Coupling and 4-Coupling Faults in Random-Access Memories. Journal of Electronic Testing 20, 227–243 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JETT.0000029457.21312.23

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JETT.0000029457.21312.23

Navigation