On the transformation of manufacturing test sets into on-line test sets for microprocessors

In software-based self-test (SBST), a microprocessor executes a set of test programs devised for detecting the highest possible percentage of faults. The main advantages of this approach are its high defect fault coverage (being performed at-speed) and the reduced cost (since it does not require any change in the processor hardware). SBST can also be used for online test of a microprocessor-based system. However, some additional constraints exist in this case (e.g. in terms of test length and duration, as well as intrusiveness). This paper faces the issue of automatically transforming a test set devised for manufacturing test in a test set suitable for online test. Experimental results are reported on an Intel 8051 microcontroller.