Software Based Self-Test of Register Files in RISC Processor Cores using March Algorithms
Matthieu Tuna, Mounir Benabdenbi · 2006
Beside external test and hardware Built-In Self-Test tech-niques, a non-intrusive low-cost strategy has been devel-oped: Software-Based Self-Test. SBST component-oriented approach for microprocessor allows to reach, with small self-test programs, a high fault coverage. In this context, this paper focuses on the test of the Register File of RISC processor cores. This component has the structure of a small memory. Then, using the appropriate March tests, 100 % fault coverage for numerous fault models can be reached. This method was applied to test the Register File of a MIPS microprocessor. Results show that the method al-lows to obtain small-sized self-test programs while the use of March tests ensures a high test quality. 1