Vector

[Bradford Van Treuren]

This post is about the term "Vector" and how that relates to P2654, P1687.1, 1687, and 1149.1-2013. Qualifying adjectives are also discussed.

From IEEE 1450-1999:
Vector: Every signal’s stimuli/response to be applied/observed in the smallest integral “step” of a device test. Contains a collection of waveforms to be applied to the primary signals. See: T0.

• Note: 1450-1999 associates a vector to a tester cycle
• T0 (pronounced “tee-zero”): A reference to a MASTER clock that synchronizes all events across all signals to a common starting point. Initiates the start of each test vector.

functional vector: A pattern generated to exercise a device’s functional behavior. Generally defined to run the device at system speeds to verify system behavior of a design. Contrast with: structural vectors.
Ian: May not have been a need for this in 1149.1 or 1687 since they talk about tests that are not necessarily “at speed” types of test, but instruments bring a new role to these tests instead of limited to TCK speed

structural vectors: A pattern generated to exercise a device’s structural elements (e.g., scan-based ATPG test generation). Contrast with: functional vectors.

[Bradford Van Treuren]

Jeff Rearick proposed this definition in an email.
Vector: a language-neutral but precisely defined representation of the data for each event in a test.