Transition Detection Circuitry for Timing Error Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face challenges in detecting approaching error conditions before they result in actual failures, particularly due to variations in process, voltage, and temperature, which lead to increased power consumption and operating temperatures, and require significant safety margins that reduce performance.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with combinatorial circuitry and sequential storage structures that include transition detection circuitry to identify approaching setup or hold timing errors through dual clock signals, allowing for early detection and corrective action before actual errors occur, thereby eliminating the need for rollback mechanisms and reducing performance losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional margining methods are used to ensure robust operation against timing failures, then reliability is improved, but performance is reduced due to excessive safety margins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting timing violations before they actually occur. The detection mechanism identifies when signals are approaching their setup or hold time limits, allowing the system to take corrective action (such as adjusting clock frequency or voltage) before the actual timing failure happens, thus maintaining both high performance and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring timing parameters and using this information to dynamically adjust system operation. The detection of approaching timing violations provides feedback that triggers corrective actions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to maintain timing margins without permanently reducing performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If voltage is reduced to decrease power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but timing margins are reduced leading to increased error risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback to monitor timing parameters at reduced voltage conditions and dynamically adjust operation to maintain timing margins. When approaching timing violations are detected, the system can adjust clock frequency or activate corrective measures, allowing sustained operation at lower voltages without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the system's timing margins adaptive rather than static. Instead of permanently reducing performance to maintain margins, the system dynamically adjusts parameters based on actual timing conditions, allowing voltage reduction for power savings while maintaining reliability through real-time adaptation
3Productivity
If feature size is reduced to increase performance, then productivity is improved, but variability increases leading to more timing violations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting timing violations in advance, allowing the system to compensate for variability effects before they cause actual failures. This early detection mechanism enables the system to maintain timing consistency despite process variability inherent in scaled technologies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by dynamically adjusting operating parameters such as voltage or clock frequency in response to detected timing conditions. This allows the system to adapt to process variability and maintain timing consistency across different manufacturing variations
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for detecting an approaching error condition within a data processing apparatus and includes a sequential storage structure arranged to latch an output signal generated by combinatorial circuitry dependent on a second clock signal. The sequential storage structure has a main storage element to latch a value of the output signal for provision to subsequent combinatorial circuitry. The sequential storage structure can be operated in either first or second modes of operation where, in the first mode, the predetermined timing window is ahead of a time at which the main storage element latches said value of the output signal enabling an approaching setup timing error to be detected. In the second mode, the predetermined timing window is after the time at which the main storage element latches said value of the output signal where an approaching hold timing error is detected.