Built-in self-test for signal integrity

Abstract

Unacceptable loss of signal integrity may harm the functionality of SoCs permanently or intermittently. We propose a systematic approach to model and test signal integrity in deep-submicron highspeed interconnects. Various signal integrity problems occurring on such interconnects (e.g. crosstalk, overshoot, noise, skew, etc.) are considered in a unified model. We also present a test methodology that uses a noise detection circuitry to detect low integrity signals and an inexpensive test architecture to measure and read the statistics for final observation and analysis.