Programmable clock monitor

Abstract

An apparatus (210) can include an interface circuit (305) configured to receive an operating parameter and a control circuit (310) coupled to the interface circuit (305) and configured to store the operating parameter. The apparatus (210) also can include a clock error detection circuit (320) coupled to the control circuit (310). The clock error detection circuit (320) can be configured to detecta clock error condition on a clock signal based upon the operating parameter and, responsive to detecting the clock error condition, generate a signal indicating an occurrence of the clock error condition.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits (ICs), and more particularly to clock monitoring circuits for implementation within ICs. Background technique [0002] Clock monitoring is an important element of modern electronic system design. For example, in the functional safety market, fault tolerance of the system is seen as a requirement. Fault tolerance generally refers to the ability of a system to continue operating normally, or at least in a defined and expected manner, in the event of a failure (eg, error) of one or more components of the system. For a system to be considered "fault tolerant", clock monitoring is often required, along with other elements. [0003] In terms of security, clock monitoring is often seen as a necessity to help a system resist attacks. For example, one type of attack is to cause glitches in a system's clock signal. Clock glitches can cause many problems, such as causing the processor to skip execution of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If a hacker is able to cause the execution of such an instruction to be skipped, the system may be vulnerable to

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