TESTING MICROPROCESSOR CHIPS: A LARGE-SCALE CHALLENGE.

Microprocessors are the latest evolutionary step in semiconductor technology, and testing can be performed either by testing the individual components on the chip or by testing the entire chip as a problem-solving system. The self-diagnostic method forces the chip to perform a sequence of worse-case instructions. Another method, known as the comparison method, compares the output of the device with a known-good device. Other methods include algorithmic pattern generation and the more advanced method known as stored response. Details of these methods are outlined.