Enhanced signal observability for circuit analysis
US7446550B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/311
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and arrangements to enhance photon emissions responsive to a signal within an integrated circuit (IC) for observability of signal states utilizing, e.g., picosecond imaging circuit analysis (PICA), are disclosed. Embodiments attach a beacon to the signal of interest and apply a voltage across the beacon to enhance photon emissions responsive to the signal of interest. The voltage is greater than the operable circuit voltage, Vdd, to enhance photon emissions with respect to intensity and energy. Thus, the photon emissions are more distinguishable from noise. In many embodiments, the beacon includes a transistor and, in several embodiments, the beacon includes an enablement device to enable and disable photon emissions from the beacon. Further, a PICA detector may capture photon emissions from the beacon and process the photons to generate time traces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.