Experiences with Layout-Aware Diagnosis—A Case Study

This case study compares the FA success rate and turn-around time of traditional logic-only and true layout-aware scan diagnosis. It discusses the basic process flow, identifies key success factors, and evaluates physical FA and diagnostic test results obtained from six dies randomly selected from a 9.8 M-gate, seven-metal-layer ASIC manufactured in 90 nm technology. As shown, layout-aware diagnosis reduces the defect search area on the die, in some cases, by an order of magnitude, providing the means to diagnosis-driven yield improvements.