Communication cell for an integrated circuit, chip comprising the communication cell, electronic system including the chip, and test apparatus

摘要

A communication cell (20, 60) for enabling data communication between an integrated circuit (7) and an electronic unit (5) distinct from the integrated circuit, comprising a contact pad unit (53; 73), configured for capacitively coupling, in a first operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving an input signal (S IN ) from said electronic unit, and for ohmically coupling, in a second operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving the input signal; a receiver device (22), including signal-amplifying means (32, 34), connected between said contact pad unit and said integrated circuit, configured for receiving the input signal and generating an intermediate signal (S C ) correlated to the input signal; signal-selection means (24) receiving the intermediate signal (S C ), the input signal (S IN ), and providing an output signal (S IN ; S C ) which is the intermediate signal (S C ) during the first operating condition, and the input signal (S IN ) during the second operating condition; and an input stage (6), connectable between the integrated circuit and the output terminal (24d) of the signal-selection means, configured for receiving the output signal (S IN ; S C ) and providing the output signal to the integrated circuit.