Self-timed circuit having critical path timing detection

US5870404A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Frank D. Ferraiolo · New Windsor, US
• John E. Gersbach · Burlington, US
• Charles J. Masenas · South Burlington, US
• Norman J. Rohrer · Underhill, US
• Bruce W. Singer · South Burlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 8, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Aug 8, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F1/08
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A self-timed circuit for use a clocked logic system is disclosed that comprises a timing detection device for detecting a timing margin of a critical path, the critical path being a path that limits the speed of the system. The circuit further comprises increase logic for increasing the speed of the system clock if the timing margin allows it, and decrease logic for decreasing the speed of the system clock if the timing margin indicates such a need. The increase and decrease logic comprise threshold generator and reset logic, and clock control logic.