In an era marked by rapid advancements and emerging challenges, the significance of security has reached unprecedented levels. From airports and borders to organizational settings, the imperative to prioritize safety measures and thwart unauthorized access has become a pressing need. One essential tool in this endeavor is the use of check points. These designated control points play a vital role in enhancing security and streamlining processes across various domains.
What are Check points?
Check points are the primary inputs and fanout branches of a combinational circuit. In a circuit, check points are the basic inputs plus the fanout branches. The checkpoint theorem is simply a condensed form of the equivalent and dominant fault-collapsing theorem. According to the theorem, if a test set is capable of detecting all stuck-at faults at every checkpoint of a combinational circuit, it will also be able to detect every single stuck-at fault in the circuit as a whole.
Example: The circuit has four primary inputs and six fanout branches. As a result, there are 2x(4+6) = 20 stuck-at faults to test. This is a reasonable approximation that we can get without using fault collapsing.
What is the Purpose of Check Points?
The check points serve specific purposes to ensure that the system or design can be effectively tested and verified during the development and manufacturing stages. Some of the main purposes of check points in design for testability in vlsi include:
Testability analysis: Check points help in conducting an analysis of the design’s testability. By identifying critical points or structures where testing can be performed, designers can assess the ease and efficiency of testing various components or functionalities. This analysis aids in identifying potential testability issues early in the design process and allows for modifications to improve the overall testability of the system.
Test point insertion: Check points enable the insertion of test points or access mechanisms that allow for the monitoring and measurement of signals or variables during testing. These test points can be physical access points, such as test pads or dedicated connectors, or they can be virtual access points implemented through design features like scan chains or boundary scan.
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Debugging and fault localization: Check points help in isolating and localizing faults or defects within the system. By strategically placing check points at critical points, it becomes easier to observe and analyze the behavior of the system during testing. These check points provide visibility into the system’s internal state, enabling engineers to narrow down the source of a problem and expedite the debugging process.
Test coverage optimization: Check points aid in optimizing the test coverage of the system. By placing check points at strategic locations, designers can ensure that critical components, interfaces, or functionalities are adequately covered during testing. This helps identify potential faults or failures early on and improves the overall reliability and quality of the system
Design validation and verification: Check points facilitate the validation and verification of the design by allowing for efficient and thorough testing. By providing access to critical points or structures, VLSI engineers can perform various tests, such as functional testing, performance testing, or reliability testing, to ensure that the design meets the required specifications and standards.
Overall, check points in design for testability play a crucial role in ensuring that a system or design can be effectively tested and verified. They enable testability analysis, test point insertion, fault localization, test coverage optimization, and design validation, contributing to improved product quality, reduced development time, and enhanced overall reliability.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced world, where security concerns have become paramount, our VLSI design course in Bangalore emphasizes the significance of equipping professionals with the necessary skills to navigate the complex landscape of electronic design. With our job-oriented courses in Bangalore, including our comprehensive VLSI online course and VLSI design course, we strive to provide students with the knowledge and expertise to contribute to the development of secure and efficient systems. By understanding the multifaceted benefits of check points and integrating this understanding into their skill set, our graduates are well-prepared to address the evolving challenges in the VLSI industry. Contact us to get started.