A probabilistic test instrument is proposed for mixed-signal embedded test applications. The system architecture of the instrument and its implementation is presented. The instrument can be used to inject and extract the timing and voltage information associated with signals in high-speed transceiver circuits that are commonly found in data communication applications. Using statistical methods, the probability distributions associated with these signals can be extracted using a simple circuit called a probability extraction unit, consisting of a few simple digital logic gates. At the core of this work is the use of ΣΔ phase-encoding technique to generate both the voltage and timing (phase) references, or strobes used for high-speed sampling. This technique is also used for generating the test stimulant for the device-under-test, or DUT as a shorthand notation. Experimental results reveal the sampling time strobe can be programmed over a phase range of 45 degrees with a phase step of 1 degree at a fixed voltage reference. The DUT stimulant and the timing and voltage references are all programmable in software. This provides additional flexibility and versatility when conducting a test. A prototype of the proposed test instrument was implemented using discrete components assembled on a printed-circuit board and shown to be capable of measuring the output jitter distribution associated with a clock and data signal of a DUT. It was further extended to measure the phase and frequency response of various analog channels associated with the DUT. The performance of the instrument was evaluated by comparing the test results with those obtain using other test techniques, independent of the instrument.
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