International Business Machines Corporation

John E Dickol

Algirdas J Gruodis

Dale E Hoffman

Dinh L Do

A method, and apparatus for accomplishing the method, for controlling an operation of a test pin of a per-pin semiconductor device test system. The method includes the steps of, during a test cycle, generating a plurality of timing signals, providing a test pattern comprised of M-bits, and decoding the M-bits into one of 2.sup.M first multi-bit control words. In accordance with logical states of bits of the first control word, the method selects specified ones of the timing signals and generates a stimulus signal at a test pin in accordance with the selected specified ones of the timing signals. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the step of providing provides test patterns at a rate of (x) test patterns per second, the step of generating generates test pin stimulus signals at a rate of (y) stimulus signals per second, and wherein (y)=n(x), where (n) is an integer greater than one.

Per pin circuit test system having N-bit pin interface providing speed

A programmable pulse generator that uses high resolution programmable delay circuits (HRPDCs) as building blocks, each of which is capable of changing timing 'on-the-fly', i.e., modifying the programmable delay within one tester cycle and without the limitations of existing delay circuits. The pulse generator comprises a timing control array that is subdivided into three components providing coarse delay, fine delay and extra-fine delay; a plurality of timing generators respectively controlled by the timing control array, each generator further comprising a plurality of HRPDCs, programmable delay circuits, and fixed delay blocks appropriately combined to modify pulse delay and pulse edges within each cycle.

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Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America

John E Dickol