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Embedded high-resolution delay measurement system using time amplification

Embedded high-resolution delay measurement system using time amplification

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The rapid pace of change in IC technology, specifically in the speed of operation, demands sophisticated design solutions for IC testing methodologies. Moreover, the current technology of System-on-Chip makes great demands on the accurate testing of internal timing parameters as access to internal nodes through input/output pins becomes more difficult. This work presents two high-resolution time measurement schemes for digital Built-in Self-Test (BIST) applications, namely: Two-Delay Interpolation Method and the Time Amplifier. The two schemes are subsequently combined to produce a novel design for BIST time measurement which offers two main advantages: a small time interval measurement capability which advances the state of the art and a small footprint, occupying 0.2 mm2 or equivalent to 3020 transistors, compared with a recent design which has the equivalent of 4800 transistors.

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