Body bias circuits and methods
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
- an operational section comprising transistors formed in first and second body regions, and configured to provide predetermined functions;
at least one first body bias circuit coupled to drive first body regions to a first bias voltage in response to at least first bias values;
at least one second body bias circuit coupled to drive second body regions to a second bias voltage in response to at least second bias values;
a plurality of monitoring sections formed in a same substrate as the operational section, each configured to output a monitor value reflecting a different process variation effect on circuit performance, at least one monitoring section including a drive monitoring circuit havingat least one transistor under test (TUT) having a source coupled to a first power supply node, a gate coupled to receive a start indication, and a drain coupled to a monitor node,at least one monitor capacitance coupled to the monitor node, anda timing circuit configured to generate a monitor value corresponding to a rate at which the TUT can transfer current between the monitor node and the first power supply node; and
a combination logic section configured to generate the first and second bias values by weighting and combining the monitor values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated circuit can include a plurality of drive monitoring sections, each including at least one transistor under test (TUT) having a source coupled to a first power supply node, a gate coupled to receive a start indication, and a drain coupled to a monitor node, at least one monitor capacitor coupled to the monitor node, and a timing circuit configured to generate a monitor value corresponding to a rate at which the TUT can transfer current between the monitor node and the first power supply node; and a body bias circuit configured to apply a body bias voltage to at least one body region in which at least one transistor is formed; wherein the body bias voltage is generated in response to at least a plurality of the monitor values.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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an operational section comprising transistors formed in first and second body regions, and configured to provide predetermined functions; at least one first body bias circuit coupled to drive first body regions to a first bias voltage in response to at least first bias values; at least one second body bias circuit coupled to drive second body regions to a second bias voltage in response to at least second bias values; a plurality of monitoring sections formed in a same substrate as the operational section, each configured to output a monitor value reflecting a different process variation effect on circuit performance, at least one monitoring section including a drive monitoring circuit having at least one transistor under test (TUT) having a source coupled to a first power supply node, a gate coupled to receive a start indication, and a drain coupled to a monitor node, at least one monitor capacitance coupled to the monitor node, and a timing circuit configured to generate a monitor value corresponding to a rate at which the TUT can transfer current between the monitor node and the first power supply node; and a combination logic section configured to generate the first and second bias values by weighting and combining the monitor values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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a plurality of drive monitoring sections, each including at least one transistor under test (TUT) having a source coupled to a first power supply node, a gate coupled to receive a start indication, and a drain coupled to a monitor node, at least one monitor capacitor coupled to the monitor node, and a timing circuit configured to generate a monitor value corresponding to a rate at which the TUT can transfer current between the monitor node and the first power supply node; and a body bias circuit configured to apply a body bias voltage to at least one body region in which at least one transistor is formed;
whereinthe body bias voltage is generated in response to at least a plurality of the monitor values. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification