Integrated circuit testing methods using well bias modification

Electricity: measuring and testing – Fault detecting in electric circuits and of electric components – Of individual circuit component or element

Reexamination Certificate

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C324S1540PB

Reexamination Certificate

active

07400162

ABSTRACT:
Methods for testing a semiconductor circuit (10) including testing the circuit and modifying a well bias (14, 18) of the circuit during testing. The methods improve the resolution of voltage-based and IDDQ testing and diagnosis by modifying well bias during testing. In addition, the methods provide more efficient stresses during stress testing. The methods apply to ICs where the semiconductor well (wells and/or substrates) are wired separately from the chip VDD and GND, allowing for external control (40) of the well potentials during test. In general, the methods rely on using the well bias to change transistor threshold voltages.

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