An analysis of the delay defect detection capability of the ECR test method
Seonki Kim, S. Chakravarty, Bapi Vinnakota · 2002
An analysis of the energy consumption ratio (ECR) test method, based on simulation study of resistive bridges and resistive opens, is presented. These defect classes comprise a very significant percentage of the defects causing speed failures. We show: (i) bridges causing delay failures and detectable by the difference I/sub DDQ/ method is detected by the ECR test method; and (ii) bridges and opens causing delay failures but not detectable by the difference I/sub DDQ/ method are also detected by the ECR test method. This highlights a very significant advantage of the ECR test method over I/sub DDQ/ test methods. The underlying reason as to why the ECR test method is good at detecting delay defects is presented. Based on that we develop a new test method called the ECR-VDD test. The usefulness of the new method in detecting delay defects is validated using simulation results.