6 research outputs found
Memory built-in self-repair and correction for improving yield: a review
Nanometer memories are highly prone to defects due to dense structure, necessitating memory built-in self-repair as a must-have feature to improve yield. Today’s system-on-chips contain memories occupying an area as high as 90% of the chip area. Shrinking technology uses stricter design rules for memories, making them more prone to manufacturing defects. Further, using 3D-stacked memories makes the system vulnerable to newer defects such as those coming from through-silicon-vias (TSV) and micro bumps. The increased memory size is also resulting in an increase in soft errors during system operation. Multiple memory repair techniques based on redundancy and correction codes have been presented to recover from such defects and prevent system failures. This paper reviews recently published memory repair methodologies, including various built-in self-repair (BISR) architectures, repair analysis algorithms, in-system repair, and soft repair handling using error correcting codes (ECC). It provides a classification of these techniques based on method and usage. Finally, it reviews evaluation methods used to determine the effectiveness of the repair algorithms. The paper aims to present a survey of these methodologies and prepare a platform for developing repair methods for upcoming-generation memories
A survey of scan-capture power reduction techniques
With the advent of sub-nanometer geometries, integrated circuits (ICs) are required to be checked for newer defects. While scan-based architectures help detect these defects using newer fault models, test data inflation happens, increasing test time and test cost. An automatic test pattern generator (ATPG) exercise’s multiple fault sites simultaneously to reduce test data which causes elevated switching activity during the capture cycle. The switching activity results in an IR drop exceeding the devices under test (DUT) specification. An increase in IR-drop leads to failure of the patterns and may cause good DUTs to fail the test. The problem is severe during at-speed scan testing, which uses a functional rated clock with a high frequency for the capture operation. Researchers have proposed several techniques to reduce capture power. They used various methods, including the reduction of switching activity. This paper reviews the recently proposed techniques. The principle, algorithm, and architecture used in them are discussed, along with key advantages and limitations. In addition, it provides a classification of the techniques based on the method used and its application. The goal is to present a survey of the techniques and prepare a platform for future development in capture power reduction during scan testing
Pre and post-interventional pattern of self medication in three common illnesses in staff of a tertiary hospital
Objective: To find the pattern of self medication in three common
illnesses (diarrhea, sore throat, common cold) in nonmedical staff of a
tertiary care teaching hospital and to study the effect of IEC.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out in
100 randomly selected nonmedical staff members. Participants were
interviewed by a semi structured questionnaire to obtain information
about practice of self medication in the three illnesses. In the second
phase participants were educated about proper self medication using
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) intervention. In post
test the same information was obtained from the participants using the
same questionnaire. Pre and post intervention data was compared to see
whether intervention has resulted in any change in the pattern of self
medication. Results: For all the three diseases the use of medicines
including anti microbials did not decrease significantly after
intervention. During post test significantly more number of
participants were aware about warning symptoms of the disease and
precautions to be taken in children and pregnant women. Even during pre
intervention many participants were aware about non-pharmacological
measures to be adopted in the treatment of these diseases which
increased after intervention, though not significantly. Conclusion: It
is possible to improve self medication practices for the treatment of
common illnesses if appropriate IEC intervention is adopted. This
requires that all related stakeholders should intensify efforts to
educate the general public and ensure appropriate use of OTC medicines
Effect of information, education and communication intervention on awareness about rational pharmacy practice in pharmacy students
Background: There is a growing indifference among the pharmacy
practitioners towards their duty as information providers to the
patients. The patients do not always get enough desired information
about proper use of medicines from the prescribers also. This
contributes to improper use of medicines by the patients. Objectives:
To bring about awareness about rational pharmacy practice in pharmacy
students for better service to the patients. Material and Methods: The
final year students of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) from four
colleges of Nagpur were enrolled for the study after informed consent.
Their base knowledge was assessed through a written test which
comprised of 27 objective questions related to rational pharmacy
practice. This was followed by a series of seven articles on rational
medicine use, published in leading local English news daily. The
participants were reminded to read them on the day of publication of
each article. As a backup, the articles were displayed on the notice
board of respective colleges. Second intervention was a half day
interactive session where series of six lectures were delivered to the
participants on the right and wrong approaches in pharmacy practice.
Posters about the do′s and dont′s of rational pharmacy
practice were also displayed at the venue. The session was followed by
a repeat test using the same pre-test to assess the change. Pre and
post intervention data was compared using Fisher′s Exact test.
Results: It was observed that the intervention did bring about a
positive change in the attitude and knowledge of the final year
Pharmacy students about rational pharmacy practice. Discussion: The
role of a pharmacist in health care provision is usually overlooked in
India. Hence there is strong need for reinforcement in final year B.
Pharm when most of the students go in for community service. Such
interventions will be helpful in bringing about a positive change
towards rational practice of pharmacy. Conclusion: This study showed
that a properly timed and meticulously implemented intervention brings
about a positive change in the attitude and knowledge of pharmacy
students