Flip-Flop Fault Monitoring Circuit for Signal Toggling Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuits (ICs) face significant availability and reliability issues due to signal toggling faults, which are typically addressed by correction circuitry that requires intermittent testing, leading to halted functional operations and potential faults in the correction circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A signal toggling detection and correction circuit is implemented in the IC, comprising a first flip-flop, checker circuit, and fault monitoring circuit, capable of identifying and correcting faults in the flip-flop or checker circuit within a single clock cycle without disrupting other functional operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If correction circuitry is implemented to address signal toggling faults, then reliability is improved, but functional operations are halted during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring signals for toggling faults in real-time during normal operational modes (first and second modes), rather than waiting for intermittent testing. The third mode serves as a correction mode that can be activated when faults are detected, allowing the system to maintain continuous functional operations in first and second modes while having the capability to correct faults without complete system halt.
2Reliability
If intermittent testing is performed to detect faults, then reliability is improved, but testing time is lost and operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing continuous monitoring of data and control signals for toggling faults across multiple operational modes. The system continuously detects faults during normal operation in first and second modes, eliminating the need for separate intermittent testing periods. The monitoring operates continuously without disrupting functional operations, and correction is performed in a dedicated third mode when needed.
3Reliability
If correction circuitry is added to the IC, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional correction circuit that can operate in multiple modes: monitoring mode (first and second modes) where faults are detected during normal operations, and correction mode (third mode) where faults are corrected. The same correction circuitry serves both detection and correction functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The signal toggling detection and correction circuit includes a flip-flop, a checker circuit, and a fault monitoring circuit that includes a restoration circuit. Based on faults such as soft errors and unintended bit toggles in the flip-flop, a flop output signal toggles. A set of checker signals outputted by the checker circuit may toggle based on toggling of the flop output signal and a restoration signal of the restoration circuit. Based on the toggling of at least one checker signal, the fault monitoring circuit determines whether the flip-flop or the checker circuit is faulty. When the checker circuit is faulty, the fault monitoring circuit corrects the toggling of at least one checker signal. When the flip-flop is faulty, the fault monitoring circuit corrects the toggling of one of the toggled flop output signal or the restoration signal and further corrects the toggled checker signal.