A Control System for Automated Evaluation and Tuning of ASIC Parameters

This paper deals with design of a control system for automated post-fabrication setting/tuning of ASIC parameters. A new computer application that easily and effectively measures and sets the functional parameter values using graphical user interface (GUI) was developed. A non-standard communication protocol has been implemented on-chip, and the microcontroller (MCU) as a communication protocol converter was employed. Transformation of the substandard communication protocol into the standard one closes the communication channel between the computer and the Circuit Under Test (CUT). The whole control system was verified using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), MCU and a Logic analyzer.