Built-In Self-Test of embedded memory cores in Virtex-5 Field Programmable Gate Arrays

This paper introduces and details a Built-In Self-Test (BIST) approach designed for the embedded Block Random Access Memories (BRAMs) found within Xilinx Virtex-5 Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The BIST is designed to test the BRAMs in all configurable modes of operation including single-port, dual-port, first-in first-out (FIFO), first-in first-out with error correcting code (FIFOECC), and error correcting code (ECC) modes. The BIST architecture and implementation in actual Virtex-5 FPGAs will be discussed along with fault detection and timing analysis data taken from those implementations.