Home page
Memory Tester Products
    RAMCHECK
    SIMCHECK II

Tech Support
Introduction
Manuals
Software Downloads
FAQ

Calibration & Upgrades
SIMCHECK II Upgrade to        RAMCHECK
Application Notes
Development Logs
Service & RMA Policy

News Releases
Links
Site Map

Home


Contact us at
(281) 879-6226

sales@innoventions.com
RAMCHECK Application Note

Interpreting the RAMCHECK
Test Log on SDRAM Devices

INN-8668-APN14

--Created 3-29-2005

One of the more useful features of the RAMCHECK is the test log that is automatically generated each time you start the Basic test. This information is automatically stored in the RAMCHECK's internal memory and remains in its memory until you run the test again or you turn the unit off. This application note focuses on the test log information recorded for SDRAM devices only.

The RAMCHECK test log can be seen in 4 different ways.
  1. The test log will be automatically displayed after the Basic test ends unless you press the "ESC" key to terminate the test.
  2. You can press "F5" anytime during the Basic Test to view the test log.
  3. The test log can be viewed anytime after you start the Basic test by simply pressing the "ESC" key after the Basic Test has been completed. Once in standby mode press "F4" then "F1" for "View Test Log", use "F4" to go forward through the screens and "F3" to go back. Once finished simply press the "ESC" key to go back to standby mode.
  4. By installing the Ramcheck PC Communications program that was included with your Ramcheck on your PC and connecting your RAMCHECK to your computer via the serial cable you can view, save or print out the complete test log for future reference.
The screen shots below were taking from the RAMCHECK's test log of a working PC-133 SDRAM Module using step 3 from above.

Below is a breakdown of the above examples and how to interpret the information (items displayed on RAMCHECK also highlighted in blue).

RAMCHECK Display Description

SDRAM DUT DETECTED
Describes the type of DUT (Device Under Test) that is being tested. In this case, SDRAM.


BANK BITS DETECTED: BANK 1: CB DQ63-32 DQ31-0 00 FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF
BANK 2: CB DQ63-32 DQ31-0 00 FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF

A new feature added to firmware version 2.21 and higher for SDRAM devices only. It gives you a brief description of the structure of the SDRAM device by mapping the DQ and CB (Parity) bits by the module's individual banks. This feature is very useful in troubleshooting SDRAM Modules with severe or multiple errors. For more information on this feature please read: http://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/rc_ap1.htm
BASIC TEST
The test phase use by the RAMCHECK.
TEST AT 3.3V
The SDRAM device is being tested at 3.3 volts.
SIZE: 16Mx64=128M
Shows the size of the SDRAM device in both JEDEC notation and overall size.
CHIP SIZE: 4x2Mx16
Shows the size of the individual SDRAM chips of the SDRAM module in JEDEC notation.
12 ROW/9 COL ADDR.
Shows the number of rows and columns detected by the RAMCHECK.

REFRESH: AUTO
Shows that the refresh rate is in Auto mode which will use the RAMCHECK's default value of 50ms.
BANKS: 2 -S:0+1+2+3 DQMB:0+1+2+3+4+5+6+7
Shows a brief description of the structure of the SDRAM device. Similar to the "BANKS BITS DETECTED" shown above, but by displaying the number of banks and individual control lines that were detected by the RAMCHECK.

SPD=JEDEC PC133 SPD=NO 100MHz @ CL2
Anytime you see "SPD=" in the test log, it always refers to the information read directly from the SPD chip on the SDRAM module. This is programmed by the module's manufacturer. In this case the SPD claims that the module is a PC-133 and the CAS Latency 2 is not supported. For more information on the PC133 and CAS Latency 2 SPD determination please read the following information: http://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/rc_ap4.htm http://www.memorytesters.com/sim2/s2_ap12.htm
You can also view the "ACCESS TIME FROM CLK", "CL2@100MHz=" and "SPEED TEST RESULT" described below to see if the SPD information compares with the RAMCHECK's test results.
SDRAM 168P DIMM
Shows the form factor of the SDRAM device. In this instance a 168-pin DIMM.

TEST TABLE #17 CODE=0067
The "TEST TABLE" and "CODE" indications are used as part of our factory development to identify certain characteristics of the SDRAM module. This identifications can also be used as a form of comparison to other SDRAM modules.

TYPE: UNBUFFERED
The RAMCHECK detected the SDRAM module type as conforming to the JEDEC standard for Unbuffered configurations. Other types may include Registered, etc.
ECC=N
The RAMCHECK detected that this SDRAM module does not have (ECC) Error Correction Code wiring. If "ECC=Y" was displayed then ECC was detected.

CLOCKS:4
The RAMCHECK detected the use of all four clock inputs.

SINGLE WRITE OK
Refers to one of the burst operation modes of the SDRAM device. The burst lengths applied only to the read cycles. All write cycles are single write operations only.

PAGE BURST=144MHz
Indicates the maximum frequency page burst of the SDRAM module, in this case 144MHZ.
ACCESS TIME FROM CLK Tac (CL=3): 4.5nS Tac (CL=2): 4.5nS Tac RANGE:
Shows the measurements of tAC (access time from clock) for CAS Latency 2 & 3. For more information on the tAC measurements and the tAC range please read the following: http://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/rc_ap13.htm
CL2@100MHz=Y
Shows that the RAMCHECK passed this function. More details are available at: http://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/rc_ap4.htm

SPEED TEST RESULT: TEST=PC133 RANGE FINAL SPEED:133MHz
The Ramcheck has determined that this SDRAM module is within PC133 specifications with its ending Basic Test speed as being 133MHZ.
BASIC TEST OK TIME: 00:17.2
Shows the SDRAM module passed the Basic Test along with the test time.

CONTACTING OUR TECH SUPPORT DEPT.

For more information, please call us at (281) 879-6226 M-F 9:00-5:00 CST, or send your E-mail to support@innoventions.com, or fax your message to (281) 879-6415. Please remember to include your phone and e-mail.


Products |  What's New  |  Sales  |  Tech Support |  Downloads  |  Employment  |  Company  |  Contact Us
INNOVENTIONS® Inc. "INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FROM INVENTIVE MINDS"  
©1995, 2010 INNOVENTIONS, INC.  All rights reserved.