Abstract
A Build-In Self-Test (BiST) circuit suitable for embedded RF Mixers in System-on-Chip applications is presented in this paper. This is a defect-oriented test scheme that dynamically sets the Mixer to operate in homodyne mode. The DC level generated at its output is used to control the oscillation frequency of a simple voltage controlled oscillator. Deviations of the oscillation frequency from the expected range of values indicate a defective Mixer. The proposed BiST technique has been applied to a typical receiver's differential RF Mixer using a 0.35μm CMOS technology. Simulation results validated the efficiency of the BiST circuit which was capable to provide a high fault coverage of catastrophic faults (which exceeds 91%) and a small test application time (1μs), at a silicon area cost approximately 16% of the Mixer area.