Timing Guard Circuits for Adaptive Timing Violation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital circuits face challenges in effectively detecting and managing timing violations due to variations in PVT-RC conditions, leading to inefficient operation and potential loss of functionality, as current methods fail to accurately account for these variations and require large operational margins.
Innovation Solution
A circuit comprising first and second timing guard circuits that detect slack times below specific thresholds, with a timing response circuit adjusting supply voltage or frequency based on flag signals, allowing for localized and timely adjustments to prevent timing violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If static timing analysis is used to determine maximum permitted clock frequency, then the analysis is simple and fast, but PVT-RC variations cannot be considered and large operational margins are required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit performs self-diagnosis by using internal timing monitor circuits that automatically detect timing violations during actual operation. The monitor circuits are integrated within the digital circuit itself, allowing the system to monitor its own timing status without external intervention or complex static analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing monitor circuits generate flag signals that provide real-time feedback about timing violation status. These flag signals are fed back to control circuits that can dynamically adjust operating parameters such as clock frequency or supply voltage to prevent timing violations, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Measurement precision
If in-situ timing monitors are placed in signal propagation paths, then accurate and localized timing violation detection is achieved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is divided into multiple independent timing monitor circuits, each responsible for monitoring specific critical paths within the digital circuit. Each monitor circuit is a modular unit that can be independently designed, analyzed, and implemented, reducing the complexity of the overall monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
Flag signals serve as intermediaries between the timing monitor circuits and the control circuits. Instead of directly complex control logic, the simple flag signals convey timing status information, enabling decoupled and simplified control architecture where monitors and controllers can be independently optimized.
3Reliability
If large operational margins are used to account for PVT-RC variations, then timing violations are prevented, but circuit operation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as clock frequency or supply voltage based on real-time timing status indicated by flag signals. When timing margins are sufficient, the circuit can operate at higher frequencies for maximum efficiency. When timing violations are detected, the system dynamically reduces frequency or adjusts voltage to maintain reliability, optimizing performance across varying conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a circuit comprising: - a first timing guard circuit (200) configured to detect when a slack time of a first data signal arriving at a first synchronous device (202) falls below a first threshold (SLG DELAY); and - a second timing guard circuit (200) configured to detect when a slack time of a second data signal arriving at a second synchronous device (202) falls below a second threshold (SLG DELAY), the first and second thresholds being different from each other.