Claims
- 1. A method of checking the operation of memory cells, which comprises:providing a first group of memory cells and a second group of memory cells; testing the first group of memory cells and obtaining a first set of test results; storing the first set of test results in the second group of memory cells; reading the first set of test results from the second group of memory cells; testing the second group of memory cells and obtaining a second set of test results; storing the second set of test results in the first group of memory cells; defining a chosen set of test results selected from the first set of test results and the second set of test results; storing a duplicate set of the chosen set of test results; and comparing the duplicate set of test results with the chosen set of test results.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the storing steps is performed using an error correction code.
- 3. An electronic circuit comprising:a first group of memory cells and a second group of memory cells; and a test device programmed to: test the first group of memory cells and obtain a first set of test results; store the first set of test results in the second group of memory cells; read the first set of test results from the second group of memory cells and output the read first set of test results to a device that is disposed external from the electronic circuit; test the second group of memory cells and obtain a second set of test results; store the second set of test results in the first group of memory cells; define a chosen set of test results selected from the first set of test results and the second set of test results; store a duplicate set of the chosen set of test results; and compare the duplicate set of test results with the chosen set of test results.
- 4. The electronic circuit according to claim 3, wherein said test device is programmed to store at least one of the first group of memory cells and the second set of memory cells using an error correction code.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation of copending International Application PCT/DE98/01457, filed May 27, 1998, which designated the United States.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3728521A1 |
Mar 1989 |
DE |
4034167A1 |
May 1991 |
DE |
0378538B1 |
Jan 1992 |
EP |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/DE98/01457 |
May 1998 |
US |
Child |
09/465726 |
|
US |