Virtual critical path (VCP) system and associated methods

US9825638B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Sandisk Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Yan Dumchin · Beer Sheva, IL
• Yair Baram · Meitar, IL
• Michael Tomashev · Ashdod, IL
• Leonid Minz · Beer Sheva, IL
• Yevgeny Kaplan · Beer Sheva, IL
• Suzanna Zilberman · Beer Sheva, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 5, 2014
• Grant date: Nov 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02D10/00
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A virtual critical path (VCP) circuit is defined separate from an actual critical path circuit. The VCP operates in accordance with a special clock signal. The actual critical path circuit operates in accordance with a system clock signal. The VCP circuit has a signal timing characteristic substantially equal to that of the actual critical path circuit. The VCP circuit includes computational circuitry defined to compute an output value based on an input value, and comparison circuitry defined to compare the output value with an expected result value. A match between the output value computed by the VCP circuit and the expected result value indicates that a frequency of the special clock signal is acceptable. The VCP circuit is used to determine a maximum acceptable frequency of the special clock signal. A frequency of the system clock signal is then set to the maximum acceptable frequency of the special clock signal.