Patent ID: 7046094
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: G01R,H03K

Abstract:
1. A ring oscillator for determining characteristics of circuit performance, said ring oscillator comprising: a pulse generator for producing a pulse of predetermined duration in response to a transition of a single predetermined polarity at an input of said pulse generator, and wherein said pulse generator generates both edges of said pulse solely in response to said transition; and a circuit under test for which said characteristics are determined, and having an input coupled to an output of said pulse generator and an output coupled to said input of said pulse generator, whereby said circuit under test is placed in a predetermined state when said pulse is active and a time interval associated with a delay of said circuit under test in a state opposite from said predetermined state may be determined from a frequency of an output of said pulse generator, and wherein a next pulse of said pulse generator is triggered by a next transition of said output of said circuit under test occurring in response to said circuit under test entering said opposite state.