MemBIST Applet for Learning Principles of Memory Testing and Generating Memory BIST

Abstract

The paper presents a software tool that demonstrates principles of RAM memory testing and of the memory BIST structure. The MemBIST software tool automatically generates built-in self-test blocks for a given memory matrix as a VHDL model of the whole system. As a complement to the BIST structure generator, a module for visualisation of selected RAM memory fault models, March C-test algorithm as well as a memory self-testing architecture principle is a part of the tool. The developed system was implemented as a Java applet what means its good compatibility regarding different hardware and operating system platforms, its safety and accessibility while it is placed on Internet. The presented MemBIST applet is useful as an educational tool and a training tool in built-in selftesting for RAM memories.

A tool for teaching memory testing based on BIST

“…The MemBIST is a software tool that demonstrates principles of RAM testing and memory BIST (MBIST) architectures and generates the memory BIST structure for a given memory [4]. The developed and implemented applet consists of two separate modules -Learning and Generation.…”

“…The march test generation process starts from the definition of the list of faults to be tested. Besides classic models, user defined faults expressed in terms of fault primitives [4] are supported. The March Test Generator is able to deal with: 1. static and dynamic faults 2. linked and unlinked faults 3. single and multiple port memories Given the list of faults to be tested, the March Test Generator is able to generate a non-redundant march test covering the selected faults.…”