The Pros and Cons of Very-Low-Voltage Testing: An Analysis based on Resistive Bridging Faults

  • Authors:
  • Piet Engelke;Ilia Polian;Michel Renovell;Bharath Seshadri;Bernd Becker

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-;-;-

  • Venue:
  • VTS '04 Proceedings of the 22nd IEEE VLSI Test Symposium
  • Year:
  • 2004

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Abstract

Test application at reduced power supply voltage (or VLVtesting) is a cost-effective way to increase the defect coverageof a test set. Resistive short defects are a major contributorto this coverage increase. Using a probabilistic model ofthese defects, we quantify the coverage impact of VLV testingfor different voltages. When considering the coverage increase,we differentiate between defects missed by the test setat nominal voltage and undetectable defects (flaws) detectedby VLV testing. In our analysis, the performance degradationof the device caused by lower power supply voltage isaccounted for. Furthermore, we describe a situation in whichdefects detected by conventional testing are missed by VLVtesting and quantify the resulting coverage loss. We reportthe numbers on the increased defect coverage, flaw coverage,and coverage loss for ISCAS circuits.