News Release from: Mentor Graphics UK
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 30 January 2004

Embedded deterministic test speeds to signoff

Motorola used the TestKompress embedded deterministic test tool for the manufacturing test of its new MRC6011 reconfigurable compute fabric device.

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Motorola used the Mentor Graphics TestKompress embedded deterministic test tool for the manufacturing test, and the Calibre DRC (design rule checking) and LVS (layout versus schematic) physical verification tools for the process technology signoff of its new MRC6011 reconfigurable compute fabric (RCF) device. Motorola selected the TestKompress tool to reduce both test data volume and test time for the design and for the tool's at-speed test capabilities. The Calibre tool was selected for its performance and sign-off process for the 130nm technology used.

The MRC6011 RCF device is one of the most complex integrated circuit designs developed by Motorola.

It is a highly integrated system on a chip (SoC) that combines six reconfigurable compute fabric (RCF) cores into a homogeneous compute node.

The MRC6011 device is an efficient solution for computationally intensive applications, such as Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) baseband signal processing, including chip rate, symbol rate, and advanced 3G functions such as adaptive antenna (AA) and multi-user detection (MUD).

The MRC6011 device is capable of performing 48 billion complex correlations per second.

With more than 62 million transistors and six clock domains, Motorola required a manufacturing test solution with advanced at-speed test and compression capabilities and one that would allow them to apply the at-speed tests using the device's on-chip phase lock loop (PLL).

The TestKompress tool's user-defined capture procedures enabled Motorola to define the complex clocking sequences for the design.

This ensured that all at-speed tests followed only the legal clock sequences during pattern generation, creating a more accurate test that could be delivered using the device's internal clocks.

The TestKompress compression technology reduced the test data volume and test time, providing flexibility for the manufacturing test process.

Thorough at-speed testing capabilities were critical to ensure quality production test vectors for the MRC6011 design.

Without the patented compression technology offered by the TestKompress tool, the test data volume would have exceeded the memory capacity of the test equipment used to test the MRC6011.

The reduction in data volume also enabled Motorola to apply more tests to thoroughly test the design and ensure high end-product quality as well as reduce test cost and extend the life of their existing test equipment.

Motorola intends to target more dramatic reductions in test data volume for the next version of the design.

The Calibre DRC and LVS physical verification tools also were imperative to the success of the design and the design schedule.

Motorola recognised that they could not meet its aggressive time-scale and goals using their previous verification methodology.

The Calibre tool's performance, ease of debug and proven capability on foundry process technology provided Motorola with a successful route to meet its objectives.

The Mentor Graphics technical team worked closely with Motorola to ensure they successfully transitioned to the Calibre tool and supported Motorola engineers in meeting their tape-out goals.

"At-speed testing is imperative for high quality IC nanometre manufacturing test, so it's important for us to work directly with customers like Motorola to understand their requirements and deliver the test solutions they need to make them and their products successful", said Robert Hum, Vice President and General Manager of the design verification and Test division for Mentor Graphics.

"The combination of Mentor Graphics Calibre verification products and the TestKompress manufacturing test solution provide proven solutions for addressing the challenges of nanometre design and manufacturing".

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