Resolution programmable dynamic IR-drop sensor with peak IR-drop tracking abilities

US9043620B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Freeescale Semiconductor, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Xiaoxiao Wang · Tangxia, CN
• Nisar Ahmed · Richardson, US
• Anis M. Jarrar · Austin, US
• Dat T. Tran · Round Rock, US
• LeRoy Winemberg · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 13, 2013
• Grant date: May 26, 2015
• Expiry date: Nov 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F1/28
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A data processing system on an integrated circuit includes a core that performs switching operations responsive to a system clock that draws current from the power supply network. An IR-drop detector includes a resistor ladder having outputs representative of an IR-drop caused by the core during the switching operations. The system further includes a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the outputs indicative of the IR-drop, a plurality of flip-flops coupled to the amplifiers, and a variable clock generator. The variable clock generator outputs a sampling clock comprising a group consisting of a variable phase or a variable frequency to the plurality of flip-flops. The flip-flops are triggered by the sampling clock so that the IR-drop at a time during a clock cycle of the system clock can be detected, and the peak IR-drop value for can be tracked.