Prime Computer Inc.

Barbara J Farr

Joseph L Ardini, Jr

Brian Lefsky

Methods and apparatus for accurately measuring propagation delay through very high speed VLSI devices with a test instrument having errors comparable to the delays being measured. The VLSI device has a plurality of parallel operational signal paths, each with a very short propagation delay. The VLSI device is fabricated with control circuitry for selectively connecting the parallel operational signal paths in series in a test mode so as to define a test signal path comprising multiple operational signal paths. The test signal path has a relatively long propagation delay which can be measured with acceptable accuracy by the test instrument. The test signal path is defined so that it bypasses clocked circuit elements on the VLSI device. Since the operational signal paths are on the same integrated circuit and have very well correlated operating characteristics, the propagation delay through the test signal path is a good representation of the integrated circuit dynamic operation. When the integrated circuit is not in the test mode, the series connections are disabled and the parallel circuits operate in their normally intended manner. A minimum of circuitry is added to the VLSI device in order to implement the test mode.

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Newton, MA, United States of America

Barbara J Farr