In this paper we present a new architecture for audio Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) that includes a Built-In Self-Test (BIST) technique for the test of the Signal-to-Noise and Distortion Ratio (SNDR). A periodical binary stream is generated in the chip in order to stimulate the converter. The reuse of the bandgap circuit already existing in the converter allows us to generate the test stimulus with a very small analog area overhead. The output response analysis is performed by means of a sinewave fitting algorithm. The reuse of the digital filter already existing in the converter allows us to generate a synchronized reference signal necessary for the fitting algorithm. The BIST technique is equivalent to a standard test carried out with a sinusoidal signal at -12 decibels Full-Scale (dBFS). The total test time is 60 ms and the estimated BIST overhead area is 7.5% of the whole stereo converter area in a 0.13 µm CMOS technology. Experimental results show that the correlation between the embedded self-test and a sinusoidal standard test is excellent, with a SNDR error smaller than 1 dB. IntroductionIn order to satisfy the rising demand for high quality audio devices, the performances of Sigma-Delta Analog-toDigital Converters (Σ∆ ADCs) are continuously improving with larger modulator bandwidths and higher dynamic ranges. As the performances of these circuits increase, its test is in turn more difficult and costly. Built-In Self-Test (BIST) techniques can reduce this cost by integrating the test approach in the design phase.In the last years, an intense research effort has been carried out in order to find BIST solutions for ADCs. The Oscillation-based Built-In Self-Test (OBIST) was proposed in [1] for the calculation of the input transition voltages and non-linearity errors. The main advantage of this method is that we do not need to generate an analog input stimulus for the test. However, it does not measure dynamic parameters and it takes a long test time for high-resolution converters. The oscillation-based BIST has also been applied to the test of Σ∆ modulators [2], where the modulator is reconfigured to be an oscillator. Both the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillation are measured in order to separate faulty-circuits from faultfree ones. The need to modify the circuit and the sensibility to process variations can deteriorate the quality of this BIST approach.Other authors [3,4,5,6] have proposed the estimation of the leakage in the modulator integrators, which is directly related to the quantization noise present in the bandwidth of the modulator at its output. Additionally, the same approach is used in [6] for the estimation of the settlingtime. These approaches do not allow for a complete validation of the modulator and additional tests may be necessary. Furthermore, in [3] and [4] large digital resources are required.The histogram-based technique has also been applied to the BIST of ADCs in [7]. However, only static information is obtained and long test times are necessary when the number of ...

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Recommended by Bozena KaminskaWith the growing complexity of wireless systems on chip integrating hundreds-of-millions of transistors, electronic design methods need to be upgraded to reduce time-to-market. In this paper, the test benches defined for design validation or characterization of AMS & RF SoCs are optimized and reused for production testing. Although the original validation test set allows the verification of both design functionalities and performances, this test set is not well adapted to manufacturing test due to its high execution time and high test equipment costs requirement. The optimization of this validation test set is based on the evaluation of each test vector. This evaluation relies on high-level fault modeling and fault simulation. Hence, a fault model based on the variations of the parameters of high abstraction level descriptions and its related qualification metric are presented. The choice of functional or behavioral abstraction levels is discussed by comparing their impact on structural fault coverage. Experiments are performed on the receiver part of a WCDMA transceiver. Results show that for this SoC, using behavioral abstraction level is justified for the generation of manufacturing test benches.

ISBN: 0780386566This paper is aimed at studying defect-oriented test techniques for RF components in order to optimize production test sets. This study is mandatory for the definition of an efficient test flow strategy. We have carried out a fault simulation campaign for a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for reducing a test set while maintaining high fault coverage. The set of production test measurements should include low-cost structural tests such as simple current consumption and only a few more sophisticated tests dedicated to functional specifications such as S parameters, noise figure (NF) or IP3