The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1996
Anthony C Miller, Gilbert, AZ (US);
Wayne M Needham, Gilbert, AZ (US);
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for detecting open circuits in a semiconductor device, more specifically in a static CMOS device. A device to be tested is powered-up and the clock on the device is stopped so that the device enters a quiescent state. Once the device has reached a quiescent state a first current is measured and after a specified period of time a second current is also measured. The first current and the second current are then compared to determine if there is a defect, i.e. an open circuit, in the device. The determination as to whether or not a device is defective is based upon the difference between the first and second current measurements.