US Patent:
20110249525, Oct 13, 2011
Inventors:
Benjamin J. Haass - Raleigh NC, US
William J. McAvoy - Raleigh NC, US
Assignee:
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED - San Diego CA
International Classification:
G11C 8/00
H03L 7/00
Abstract:
Circuits, systems, and related methods to measure a performance characteristic(s) associated with a semiconductor die and adjust a clock signal based on the measured performance characteristic(s) are provided. The adjusted clock signal can be used to provide a clock signal to a functional circuit provided in the semiconductor die to assure proper operation of the functional circuit while operating with performance, voltage, temperature (PVT) delay variations. In this regard, a performance monitoring circuit is provided in the semiconductor die that includes the functional circuit. As a result, the performance monitoring circuit may be exposed to similar delay variations as the functional circuit. The performance monitoring circuit is configured to measure a performance characteristic(s) associated with the semiconductor die. The performance characteristic(s) is used to adjust a clock signal to provide an adjusted clock signal to the functional circuit for proper operation based on the performance characteristic(s).