System and method for signal delay in an adaptive voltage scaling slack detector
First Claim
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1. A system for signal delay in an adaptive voltage scaling slack detector comprising:
- an adjustable voltage supply;
a resetable delay loop circuit comprising a launch input and a first reset input, said launch input for receiving a launch pulse waveform, wherein said resetable delay loop circuit circulates a pulse in response to receiving said launch pulse waveform; and
a resetable counter/latch circuit comprising a second reset input, an output, an input coupled to an output of said resetable delay loop circuit, and a sample input, said counter/latch circuit for counting the number of times said pulse circulates in said resetable delay loop circuit, said sample input for receiving a sample pulse waveform, wherein said sample pulse waveform causes said resetable counter/latch to latch a pulse circulation count, wherein said adjustable voltage supply is adjusted based on said pulse circulation count.
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Abstract
A system and method for slack determination in a logic integrated circuit. A launch pulse is input to a circular delay loop circuit. The leading edge of the launch pulse causes a pulse to circulate around the circular delay loop. The number of passes made through the loop by the circulating pulse is counted by a latch/counter circuit. A sample pulse is input to the latch/counter circuit to latch the number of pulse circulations at the leading edge of the sample pulse. The pulse circulation count provides delay information in the circuit that may subsequently be used to adjust a supply voltage in the integrated circuit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for signal delay in an adaptive voltage scaling slack detector comprising:
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an adjustable voltage supply; a resetable delay loop circuit comprising a launch input and a first reset input, said launch input for receiving a launch pulse waveform, wherein said resetable delay loop circuit circulates a pulse in response to receiving said launch pulse waveform; and a resetable counter/latch circuit comprising a second reset input, an output, an input coupled to an output of said resetable delay loop circuit, and a sample input, said counter/latch circuit for counting the number of times said pulse circulates in said resetable delay loop circuit, said sample input for receiving a sample pulse waveform, wherein said sample pulse waveform causes said resetable counter/latch to latch a pulse circulation count, wherein said adjustable voltage supply is adjusted based on said pulse circulation count. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A logic integrated circuit comprising:
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an adjustable voltage supply; an adjustable timing clock; control logic for adjusting said adjustable voltage supply and said adjustable timing clock; a delay loop circuit for circulating a pulse in response to receiving a launch pulse waveform; and a counting and latching circuit coupled to said control logic and an output of said delay loop circuit, said counting and latching circuit for counting the number of times said pulse circulates in said delay loop circuit, wherein said counting and latching circuit latches a pulse circulation count upon receiving a sample pulse waveform, wherein said control logic adjusts said adjustable voltage supply based on said pulse circulation count. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for adaptive voltage scaling in an integrated circuit comprising an adjustable voltage supply with a value VDD in response to a frequency change of a master clock, comprising:
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applying a launch pulse waveform to a circular delay loop circuit, thereby causing a pulse to circulate in said delay loop circuit; counting the number of times said pulse circulates in said delay loop circuit with a counter/latch circuit; applying a sample pulse waveform to said counter/latch circuit to latch a pulse circulation count in said counter/latch circuit; and adjusting said adjustable voltage supply based on said pulse circulation count. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification