Testing Embedded-Core-Based System Chips

  • Authors:
  • Yervant Zorian;Erik Jan Marinissen;Sujit Dey

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-

  • Venue:
  • Computer
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

Recently, designers have been embedding reusable modules to build on-chip systems that form rich libraries of predesigned, preverified building blocks. These embedded cores make it easier to import technology to a new system and differentiate the corresponding product by leveraging intellectual property advantages. Most importantly, design reuse shortens the time-to-market for new systems.The attributes that make system chips built with embedded IP cores an attractive methodology--design reuse, heterogeneity, reconfigurability, and customizability--also make testing and debugging these chips a complex challenge.The authors review the various alternatives for testing embedded cores and describe solutions and proposed standards that are expected to play a key role in developing the core-based design paradigm.