Circuit configuration for processing data, and method for identifying an operating state
US6838917B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/04
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit configuration for processing data, particularly a semiconductor memory chip, has a control circuit for setting a phase or frequency relationship between two signals. A digital counter detects a phase or frequency difference between the two signals, and the counter reading is used for regulating the phase or frequency relationship. Trials have shown that the counter reading indicates an operating state in the circuit configuration and therefore represents a simple signal for assessing the operating state of the circuit configuration. Preferably, the counter reading is taken as a basis for adjusting the speed or power of time-critical or performance-critical circuit parts in the circuit configuration so that an operating state with an intermediate switching speed is obtained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.