Circuit and method for real-time monitoring of process, temperature, and voltage variations

摘要

The present disclosure provides a monitoring system for monitoring the operation of an integrated circuit, the monitoring system comprising: a reference circuit comprising a reference signal delay path and an output for outputting a reference signal; a monitoring circuit, the monitoring circuit comprising: a programmable delay line for providing a controllably selectable delay path; and an output for outputting a delayed signal; a comparison circuit, for comparing the reference signal to the delayed signal and determining whether the error has occurred based on the comparison.

主权项

1. A monitoring system for monitoring the operation of an integrated circuit, the monitoring system comprising:
a reference circuit comprising a first register and a first inverter coupled in a first feedback loop to provide a reference signal delay path having a first setup margin, and an output for outputting a reference signal; a monitoring circuit, the monitoring circuit comprising:
a second register;a second inverter;a programmable delay line;wherein the second register, the programmable delay line, and the second inverter are coupled in a feedback loop to provide a controllably selectable delay path having a controllably selectable second setup margin; andan output for outputting a delayed signal; and a comparison circuit, for comparing the output reference signal to the output delayed signal and determining whether a time setup error has occurred based on the comparison.