Integrated Circuit Idle Logic Switching for Uniform Aging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern semiconductor integrated circuits face uneven aging due to processes like hot carrier injection, negative-bias temperature instability, and electro-migration, which lead to degradation in transistor performance, as these effects are not uniformly distributed across the circuit due to varying electrical activity.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves generating switching activity in unused circuit resources within an integrated circuit using ring oscillator circuits and low-frequency signals to simulate the effects of aging processes, thereby distributing the degradation effects more evenly across the circuit, reducing the performance impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If unused circuit resources are left inactive to maintain functional efficiency, then productivity is improved, but uneven aging occurs causing reliability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating unused circuit resources before they experience significant aging. Ring oscillator circuits are configured to generate switching activity in idle logic elements, creating controlled stress that simulates normal operational aging patterns. This preliminary activation ensures uniform aging distribution across all circuit resources before they are needed for actual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the integrated circuit's own internal resources to generate aging stress. Configuration circuitry automatically activates unused logic elements and routes signals through them, allowing the circuit to self-manage its aging process without external intervention. The circuit serves itself by utilizing its spare capacity to create controlled degradation patterns.
2Reliability
If switching activity is generated in unused circuits to promote uniform aging, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only a subset of unused circuit resources rather than all available circuits. Configuration circuitry selectively enables logic elements that will benefit from aging stress while leaving others inactive. This partial activation achieves sufficient aging uniformity without proportionally increasing energy consumption across the entire circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by intermittently activating ring oscillator circuits to generate switching activity in unused resources. Rather than continuous activation, the system periodically applies stress patterns to idle circuits, allowing energy savings during inactive periods while still achieving uniform aging over time. The periodic stimulation creates adequate aging effects without sustained energy expenditure.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes first circuits that are configured to implement a user design for the integrated circuit, second circuits that are unused by the user design, and configuration circuitry that couples the second circuits together through a network of conductors. Transistors in the second circuits turn on and off in response to a varying signal that propagates through the second circuits and through the network of conductors while the first circuits implement the user design.