Re: Microprocessor question

From: Tom Seim (soar2morrow_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 10/27/04 

Date: 26 Oct 2004 20:13:23 -0700

gary s <gary_s@REMexcite.com> wrote in message news:<qfetn0tohn45q767g4okh70obnol7g9a1f@4ax.com>...
> I have a question that I hope someone on here can answer, or give me
> an insight:
>
> 1. Is there any way to do a quick check on a microprocessor to
> determine if it's "alive"? I realize manufacturers use million-dollar
> testers for functional testing, but is there a way to "generically" do
> a quick check on the bench using standard test equipment?
>
> 2. Ditto for speed? How can one determine if a microprocessor will run
> at its marked speed on a bench?
>
> 3. If there is a "generic" feature set that is common to most
> microprocessors, and what might that be?
>
> 4. How can one check for this - as far as hardware and software
> requirements?
>
> I guess I am looking for a "generic" test setup that can do something
> like a bare-bones electrical QC on different microprocessor families.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Gary

Do you have a known "good" board?

If so, you can probe around with an oscope and you will get some
repeatible waveforms. Now go to your "bad" board and do an A-B
comparison. With some trial and error you will find some waveforms
(pins) that will give you a "state-of-health". And this without
knowing anything about the processor or application.

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