Motorola Corporation

Robert Han Wu

Richard A Wheelus

Jerome A Gerner

Content testing (302-306) and comparator testing (312-326) of a tag section (24, 26) of a cache tag memory array is performed to confirm that the tag section (24, 26) is functional. For content testing (302-306), each tag location is tested once. Comparator testing (312-326) is performed to determine the functionality of the comparator (240, 260) of the cache tag memory array. The number of tests performed for the comparator testing is 2.times.M+2, where M is the number of bit positions in the tag location. Two of the tests are for testing the comparator's ability to identify correctly hits within the tag section (312-316). The other tests are for testing the comparator's ability to identify correctly misses within the tag section at each bit position of the tag locations (322-326).

Method of testing a cache tag memory array

Logic test vectors, used for testing logic circuitry on a logic tester, are converted to test patterns having a format that is used by a memory tester. This allows an integrated circuit having both logic circuitry and a memory array to be tested on a memory tester. A software tool, or computer program, is used to convert the logic test vectors to test patterns, and also generates the memory test code for applying the test patterns to, for example, a logic intensive integrated circuit memory. The software tool is encoded using a high-level programming language and is executed on a computer system (60). The program allows the logic intensive integrated circuit memory to be tested on a memory tester, as compared to testing the integrated circuit memory on a logic tester, significantly reducing testing costs associated with manufacturing.

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Robert Han Wu