Abstract
A BIST controller and a separate measurement circuit are used to determine the maximum time period for accessing data stored in an embedded integrated circuit memory. The BIST controller includes a finite state controller for controlling the state of said BIST, a pattern generator for generating a patterned stimulus to be applied to the memory, and a comparator for comparing the response of said memory to said stimulus, to a reference response. The measurement circuit includes a pair of logic circuits for respectively operating on "1's" and "0's" data read from the memory, and a plurality of time delay elements that introduce time delays in the data prior to delivery to the logic circuits.