Patent ID: 6795802
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An apparatus for calculating an aging deterioration margin amount of a LSI for calculating an aging deterioration margin amount to be included as a design tolerance with respect to a predetermined property of the LSI so that the LSI can operate even if the property deteriorates, comprising:beginning-of-life property generating means for obtaining a property before deterioration of the property in an initial state of the LSI with respect to at least a part of a plurality of signal paths constituting the LSI; end-of-life property generating means for obtaining a property after deterioration of the property when a predetermined operation period has passed under a predetermined operating condition with respect to at least a part of a plurality of signal paths constituting the LSI; property deterioration degree generating means for obtaining a property deterioration degree which is a ratio of the property after deterioration to the property before deterioration in a signal path having a smallest tolerance of the property after deterioration with respect to a property necessary for the LSI to operate of the plurality of signal paths; and aging deterioration margin amount generating means for substantially obtaining an aging deterioration margin amount based on the property before deterioration and the property deterioration degree.