On-chip fault-tolerance utilizing BIST resources

Abstract:- Widespread reliability challenges are expected for 65nm and below VLSI fabrication technologies. Effective and efficient on-chip fault-tolerance solutions are required to counter reliability challenges. A new postfabrication reconfigurable and scalable approach of achieving on-chip fault-tolerance, using built-in-self-test (BIST) resources, has been proposed. This paper describes the approach and issues pertaining to its efficient and effective realization. A methodology of using the proposed approach for desired design objectives is also provided. The proposed approach reduces production cost, implementation overhead and time-to-market; increases reusability, post-fabrication reconfigurability and productivity; and is scalable across multiple VLSI processes and feature sizes. This will result in obvious advantages of yield enhancement and prolonged lifetime of VLSI chips as well. Key words:- On-chip fault-tolerance, reliability, multi-core, system-on-chip, built-in-self-test (BIST)