Integration of the Characterization Test in the Design Flow

The present paper presents a new approach for bridging the gap between design and test of mixed signal cores. The proposed methodology allows the direct application of the testbench input stimuli and output results used during the design validation to perform the automatic configuration of the test equipment and Device Under Test interconnections, to control data acquisition and to convert test data into a format compatible with the simulation interface tools. The main goal is to offer to the designer the possibility to interact directly with the test process through the use of the same type of interfaces employed during design simulation: SPICE netlists and waveform viewers. Additionally, the software is based on Virtual Instrumentation allowing instruments interchangeability. This methodology contributes to the reduction of test cost and inserts the test process in the design flow which can operate an important quality improvement.