"Actel RTAX4000S Generic Burn-In Test Feature"
Solomon Wolday, Minal Sawant, Dan Elftmann, and Don Kinell
Actel CorporationAbstract
This paper will cover a new feature implemented by Actel on its latest and largest 0.15µm product RTAX4000S called the “Generic Burn-In test”. This Generic Burn-In test feature enables any user to exercise the device during Burn-In independent of the design programmed. A Burn-In testing mechanism has been built into the RTAX4000S die which allows all programmed nets and their associated antifuses to be exercised thoroughly during Burn-In regardless of user design. All the building blocks of the RTAX-S such as core logic modules, I/O modules, RAM modules, TX modules, RX modules, and Buffys are all exercised by means of this Burn-In scheme. Functional operation of each device is monitored as well during the entire duration of the Burn-Bn.
Furthermore, the advantages of having such a “Generic Burn-In Testing” mechanism built-in on chip are:
Design specific test vectors from the user are not required
Generic Burn-In test vector set developed by Actel can be used
Specific Burn-In boards need not to be built to accommodate custom user designs
Programmed parts with multiple designs can be Burned-In simultaneously using the “Actel Generic Burn-In boards”