In this paper, we propose a novel test method to effectively detect hard and soft faults in CMOS 2-stage op-amps. The proposed method uses a very high frequency sinusoidal signal that exceeds unit gain bandwidth to maximize the fault effects. Since the proposed test method doesn't require any complex algorithms to generate the test pattern and uses only a single test pattern to detect all target faults, therefore test costs can be much reduced. The area overhead is also very small because the CUT is converted to a unit gain amplifier. Using HSPICE simulation, the results indicated a high degree of fault coverage for hard and soft faults in CMOS 2-stage op-amps. To verify this proposed method, we fabricated a CMOS op-amp that contained various short and open faults through the Hyundai 0.65-um 2-poly 2-metal CMOS process. Experimental results for the fabricated chip have shown that the proposed test method can effectively detect hard and soft faults in CMOS op-amps.
['Kang Chul Kim', 'Seok Bung Han']
A High-Frequency Signal Test Method for Embedded CMOS Op-amps