NOISE MODULATION FOR ON-CHIP NOISE MEASUREMENT

摘要

Functionality for estimating characteristics of an on-chip noise signal can be implemented on a processing module. An on-chip noise signal is determined at an on-chip determination point of a computer chip. The on-chip noise signal is converted to a frequency-varying signal using a voltage-controlled oscillator implemented on the computer chip. The frequency-varying signal is measured at an off-chip measurement point and frequency information is extracted from the frequency-varying signal. The frequency information is converted to a voltage level associated with the on-chip noise signal based on the relationship between an input voltage provided to the voltage-controlled oscillator and an output frequency generated by the voltage-controlled oscillator.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
determining an on-chip noise signal at an on-chip determination point on a computer chip; converting, using a voltage-controlled oscillator, the on-chip noise signal to a frequency-varying signal; providing the frequency-varying signal to an off-chip noise estimation unit that is external to the computer chip; extracting frequency information from the frequency-varying signal; and converting the frequency information to a voltage level associated with the on-chip noise signal.