Circuit simulator parameter extraction using a configurable ring oscillator
US7675372B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F30/367
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A configurable ring oscillator is operated in a first configuration so that an oscillating signal passes from a first node to a second node through a first signal path. A first measurement of an operational characteristic is made. The ring oscillator is operated in a second configuration where an oscillating signal passes from the first node to the second node through a second signal path. A second measurement is made. The first and second measurements are used to determine a circuit simulator parameter. If the first path has little interconnect and the second path has substantial interconnect, then the effect on circuit operation due to interconnect loading can be isolated from the effects on circuit operation due to variations in transistor performance. If the first and second paths are laid out to be identical, then the first and second measurements are usable to determine a circuit simulator mismatch parameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.