As we approach 100nm technology the interconnect issues are becoming one of the main concerns in the testing of gigahertz system-onchips. Voltage distortion (noise) and delay violations (skew) contribute to the signal integrity loss and ultimately functional error, performance degradation and reliability problems. In this paper, we first define a model for integrity faults on the high-speed int...

Self-explaining is a domain-independent learning strategy that generally leads to a robust understanding of the domain material. However, there are two potential explanations for its effectiveness. First, self-explanation generates additional content that does not exist in the instructional materials. Second, when compared to comprehension, generation of content increases understanding and reca...

High Speed Serializer Deserializers (serdes) are traditionally tested using functional BIST. This paper presents an improved BIST for testing the digital part of a serdes using circular BIST.

A BIST method enabling two-pattern testing at-speed without violating thermal constraints by introducing cool down periods is proposed. The application of the method is demonstrated based on a scalable BIST architecture. Applicability on IP cores is given since only a two-pattern test set is required as input.

We present a methodology to detect and measure the signal overshoots occurring on the interconnects of high-speed system-on-chips. Overshoots are known to inject hot-carriers into the gate oxide which cause permanent degradation of MOSFET transistors’ performance over time. We propose a built-in chip mechanism to detect overshoots, collect the occurrence information and scan them out efficientl...

This technical report contains the text of Nur Touba's thesis "Synthesis Techniques for Pseudo-Random Built-In Self-Test." The thesis appendices have appeared as CRC Technical Reports, and are not included here.

Self-explaining has been repeatedly shown to result in positive learning outcomes for students in a wide variety of disciplines. However, there are two potential accounts for why self-explaining works. First, those who self-explain experience more content than those who do not. Second, there are differences in the activity of generating the explanations versus merely comprehending them. To comp...