Re-Configuration of Sub-blocks for Effective Application of Time Domain Tests

AC sensitivities guide most analogue automatic test pattern generator (AATPG) while determining the optimal frequencies of a sinusoidal test stimulus. The optimal frequencies thus determined, normally lie in the close vicinity of the operating frequency of the circuit. Although these frequencies are justifiable by the principles of the circuit, these test frequencies do not bring any added value to the ultimate goal of cheap alternatives (low frequency test signal and cheaper measurement equipment) for the analogue and RF tests. In this paper, we propose to re-configure the circuit blocks, in such a way that the operating frequencies of the respective sub-block are shifted to lower testable frequencies. We have validated our proposal on a sub-block of a satellite receiver circuit that resulted in lowering the test frequencies of the corresponding sub-blocks from 12 GHz to 4MHz, while attaining the same level of defect coverage