Patent Publication Number: US-8120379-B2

Title: Operating characteristic measurement device and methods thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/134,748, entitled “Operating Characteristic Measurement Device and Methods Thereof” and filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to devices having an integrated circuit device for measuring the operating characteristics of the integrated circuit device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Failure of an integrated circuit device can result from exposure of the device to one of a number of operating characteristics outside a specified range. Further, combinations of operating circuit conditions can lead to device failure, even when the operating characteristics individually are within specified tolerances. Accordingly, determining the cause of integrated circuit device failure can demand a detailed analysis of the failed device, but such an analysis can be undesirably time-consuming and expensive. A device and methods for measuring the operating characteristics of an integrated circuit device would therefore be useful. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an integrated circuit device in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a combined block and circuit diagram of a particular embodiment of a trigger module of the integrated circuit device of claim  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an analysis system for an integrated circuit device. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a method of measuring operating characteristics of an integrated circuit device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method of measuring operating characteristics of an integrated circuit device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A device includes an integrated circuit device having a sensor to measure an operating characteristic of the device. The sensor provides information based on the measured operating characteristic to a trigger module. In response to the information indicating the measured operating characteristic meets a threshold associated with a device failure, the trigger module provides an indication to a storage element, which stores information indicating the threshold has been met. In the event of a failure of the integrated circuit device, the storage element can be accessed by a device analyzer to retrieve the stored information to determine the cause of the device failure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an integrated circuit device  100  is illustrated. The integrated circuit device includes sensors  102  and  104 , threshold storage modules  110  and  112 , trigger modules  120  and  122 , a control information module  114 , a sensor selection module  118 , a storage element controller  140 , and a storage element  150 . The sensor  102  includes an output to provide a signal labeled “S 1 .” The threshold storage module  110  includes an output to provide a signal labeled “TH 1 ” and an input to receive a control signal labeled “C 3 .” The trigger module  120  includes an input to receive the signal S 1 , an input to receive the signal TH 1 , an input to receive a signal labeled “C 1 .”, and an output to provide a signal labeled “T 1 .” In addition, the trigger module  120  includes a timer  121 . 
     The sensor  104  includes an output to provide a signal labeled “S 2 .” The threshold storage module  112  includes an output to provide a signal labeled “TH 2 ” and an input to receive a control signal labeled “C 4 .” The trigger module  122  includes an input to receive the signal S 2 , an input to receive the signal TH 2 , an input to receive a signal labeled “C 5 ”, and an output to provide a signal labeled “T 2 .” In addition, the trigger module  122  includes a timer  123 . 
     The sensor selection module  118  includes an input to receive the signal T 1 , an input to receive the signal T 2 , an input to receive a signal labeled “C 2 ”, and an output. The storage element controller  140  includes an input connected to the output of the sensor selection module  118  and an output. The storage element  150  includes an input connected to the output of the sensor selection module  118 . 
     The sensors  102  and  104  are each configured to sense an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit device  100 . As used herein, an operating characteristic refers to a device parameter that affects operation of the integrated circuit device  100  and can lead to device failure. Examples of types of operating characteristics include environmental characteristics, such as device temperature, pressure, humidity, and the like, electrical characteristics such as voltage levels, current levels, clock frequency, and the like, and operating characteristics controlled external to the integrated circuit device  100 , such as a power supply voltage or frequency of an external clock signal applied to an external pin or other external input of the integrated circuit device  100 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the sensors  102  and  104  are each associated with a different operating characteristic type. For example, the sensor  102  can sense a voltage of the integrated circuit device  100 , and the sensor  104  can sense a temperature of the device. Each of the sensors  102  and  104  is configured to provide information indicating the sensed operating characteristic via an associated output signal. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the sensor  102  is configured to indicate the sensed operating characteristic by providing information via the signal S 1 , and the sensor  104  is configured to indicate the sensed operating characteristic by providing information via the signal S 2 . In an embodiment, the signals S 1  and S 2  are voltage signals, whereby a voltage of each signal is indicative of the sensed operating characteristic. Thus, if the sensor  104  is a temperature sensor, a voltage of the signal S 2  can be based on the sensed temperature. In other embodiments, the signals S 1  and S 2  can be one or more digital signals indicative of the sensed operating characteristic. In still another embodiment, the signals S 1  and S 2  can be current signals, whereby a current of each signal is indicative of the sensed operating characteristic. 
     The threshold storage modules  110  and  112  are each configured to store information indicative of an operating characteristic threshold, whereby the operating characteristic thresholds are based on control information provided via the signals C 3  and C 4 , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the threshold storage modules  110  and  112  are each associated with a different operating characteristic type. Thus, for example, the threshold information stored at the threshold storage module  110  can be indicative of a voltage threshold, while the threshold storage information stored at the threshold storage module  112  is indicative of a temperature threshold. In an embodiment, the threshold information stored at the modules  110  and  112  can each be indicative of a threshold level associated with a failure of the integrated circuit device  100 . As used herein, failure of an integrated circuit device refers to a portion of the device being rendered inoperable due to physical damage of the device, such that the integrated circuit device cannot be restored to operability via a device reset or restart. It will be appreciated that, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the threshold storage modules  110  and  112  are programmable in that the information stored at each module can be set based on the associated control signal. In other embodiments, the information stored at one or both of the threshold storage modules  110  and  112  can be based on the design of the module, such that the information is fixed or hard-wired in the design. 
     Failure of the integrated circuit device  100  can result if an operating characteristic meets its associated operating characteristic threshold, either instantaneously or for a particular amount of time. For purposes of discussion, an occurrence of one or more operating characteristics exceeding a threshold that can lead to failure of the integrated circuit device  100  is referred to herein as a failure event. Thus, if the operating temperature of the integrated circuit device  100  meets a temperature threshold for the device for a designated amount of time, the integrated circuit device is likely to experience a failure event associated with temperature. 
     The trigger module  120  is configured to receive operating characteristic information via the signal S 1  and operating characteristic threshold information via the signal TH 1 . The trigger module  120  is configured to compare the received information and, in response to determining an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit device  100  has met or exceeded an associated threshold, provide information via the signal T 1  indicating the threshold has been met. For purposes of discussion, the information provided by a trigger in response to an operating characteristic meeting a threshold is referred to herein as trigger information. Thus, the provision of trigger information by the trigger module  120  indicates that the operating characteristic associated with the signal S 1  has met the operating characteristic threshold associated with the signal TH 1 , and therefore indicates that a failure event has occurred. 
     The trigger module  120  can be configured to provide trigger information in response to an operating characteristic threshold being met for a specified period of time. In particular, the timer  121  can be configured to indicate when a designated period of time has elapsed. In response to the S 1  signal indicating the operating characteristic has met the threshold indicated by the TH 1  signal, the trigger module  120  can initiate the timer  121 . In response to determining the operating characteristic meets the operating characteristic threshold for the designated period of time, as indicated by the timer  121 , the trigger module  120  can provide the trigger information. 
     In one embodiment, the trigger module  120  can reset the timer  121  each time the operating characteristic does not meet the operating characteristic threshold. Accordingly, in this embodiment trigger information will only be provided by the trigger module  120  in response to the operating characteristic meeting the operating characteristic threshold continuously for the period of time indicated by the timer  121 . In another embodiment, the trigger module  120  can suspend adjustment of the value stored at the timer  121 , without resetting the stored value, each time the operating characteristic does not meet the operating characteristic threshold. In this embodiment, trigger information is provided by the trigger module  120  in response to the operating characteristic meeting the operating characteristic threshold for the designated period of time in the aggregate. In the illustrated embodiment, the designated period of time indicated by the timer  121  is programmable based on control information provided by the signal C 1 . 
     The trigger module  122  is configured similarly to the trigger module  120 , and is configured to provide trigger information via the signal T 2  based on a comparison of operating characteristic information received via the signal S 2  and operating characteristic threshold information received via the signal TH 2 . In addition, the trigger module  122  can be configured to employ timer  123  in order to provide trigger information based on the operating characteristic associated with the signal S 2  meeting the operating characteristic threshold associated with the signal TH 2  for a designated period of time, in similar fashion to that described above with respect to trigger module  120 . 
     The sensor selection module  118  is configured to receive trigger information via the signals T 1  and T 2 . Based on the received trigger information, and control information received via the signal C 2 , the sensor module  118  provides storage information at its output to indicate one or more operating characteristics of the integrated circuit device  100  has been met. The storage information can be provided based on individual operating characteristic thresholds being met, or based on a combination of operating characteristic thresholds being met. For example, the sensor selection module  118  can provide the storage information in response to a voltage threshold being met, in response to a temperature threshold being met, or in response to a combination of both the voltage and temperature thresholds being met at the same time, over the same period of time, or at disparate points in time. The sensor selection module  118  determines which operating characteristics can result in provision of storage information based on control information received via the signal C 2 . In addition, the sensor selection module  118  can determine other information, such as a date or time that a particular failure event or combination of failure events occurred. 
     The storage element controller  140  is configured to receive storage information and store it at the storage element  150 . In an embodiment, the storage element  150  is configured to maintain stored information in the absence of power being provided to the integrated circuit device  100 . Thus, the storage element  150  can be non-volatile memory, such as flash memory or a hard disk, a set of programmable fuses, and the like. The storage element  150  includes a number of storage locations, such as storage locations  150  and  151 , whereby each storage location is associated with an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit device  100 . In response to receiving storage information indicating a failure event associated with an operating characteristic has occurred, the storage element controller  140  stores the information at the storage location associated with the operating characteristic. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the storage location  151  is associated with a voltage of the integrated circuit device  100 . Accordingly, in response to receiving storage information indicating the voltage threshold for the integrated circuit device has been met, the storage element controller  140  stores the information at the storage location  151 . The storage element controller  140  can also store other information at the storage element  150 , such as information indicating when (e.g. a date, time, or combination thereof) that a particular failure event or combination of failure events occurred. 
     In an embodiment, each of the storage locations of the storage element  150  represents a single bit of information. Accordingly, by setting a storage location to a specified state, the memory controller  140  indicates the operating characteristic associated with the storage location has resulted in a failure event for the integrated circuit device  100 . 
     The control information storage module  114  is configured to store control information for the integrated circuit device  100 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the control information storage module  114  can store control information designating which operating characteristics of the device are to be measured, the associated operating characteristic thresholds, specified timing periods for the timers  121  and  123 , and the like. In an embodiment, the control information is programmable. In another embodiment, the control information is established by the design of the integrated circuit device  100 . For example, the control information can be fixed or hard-wired by design. 
     The operation of the integrated circuit device  100  can be better understood with reference to an example. In this example, the sensor  102  is configured to sense a temperature of the integrated circuit device  100 , and the threshold storage module  110  stores information indicative of a temperature threshold. The trigger module  120  compares the sensed temperature, as indicated by the signal S 1 , to the temperature threshold, as indicated by the signal TH 1 . In response to the sensed temperature meeting the temperature threshold for a designated period of time (as indicated by the timer  121 ), the trigger module  120  provides trigger information via the signal T 1 . In response to the trigger information, the sensor selection module  118  determines, based on the control information provided via the signal C 2 , whether a failure event associated with temperature is designated to be recorded at the storage element  150 . If so, the sensor selection module  118  provides storage information to the storage element controller  150 . In response, the storage element controller  150  stores an indication of the failure event at the storage location  152 . 
     Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the occurrence of designated types of failure events are recorded at the storage element  150 . In the event of failure of the integrated circuit device  100 , the storage element  150  can be accessed and the recorded failure events analyzed to determine a likely cause of failure of the device. Thus, the need for expensive and time-consuming analyses to determine a cause of failure for the integrated circuit device  100  is reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a combined block and circuit diagram of a particular embodiment of a trigger module  220 , corresponding to the trigger module  120  of  FIG. 1 , is illustrated. The trigger module  220  includes a timer  221 , a comparator  205 , and an AND gate  207 . The timer  221  includes a time threshold module  229 , a compare module  225 , a counter  218 , AND gates  211  and  235 , inverter  231 , and clock module  215 . The comparator  205  includes an input to receive the signal S 1 , an input to receive the signal TH 1 , and an output to provide a signal labeled “T 1 _RAW.” The clock module  215  includes an output to provide a signal labeled “CLK.” The AND gate  211  includes an input to receive the signal T 1 _RAW, an input to receive the clock signal CLK, and an output. The inverter  231  includes an input to receive the signal T 1 _RAW and an output. The AND gate  235  includes an input to receive the signal CLK, and an output. 
     The counter  218  includes an input labeled “ADJ” connected to the output of the AND gate  211 , an input labeled “RESET” connected to the output of the AND gate  235 , and an output. The time threshold module  229  includes an input to receive the signal C 1  and an output. The compare module  225  includes an input connected to the output of the time threshold module  229 , an input connected to the output of the counter, and an output. The AND gate  207  includes an input to receive the signal T 1 _RAW, an input connected to the output of the compare module  225 , and an output to provide the signal T 1 . 
     The clock module  215  is configured to provide a periodic clock signal via CLK. It will be appreciated that although for purposes of illustration the clock module is illustrated as internal to the trigger module  220 , in other embodiments the clock signal CLK can be generated external to the trigger module  220 , and can be based on a common system clock of the integrated circuit device  100 . 
     The time threshold module  229  is configured to indicate a value representative of a specified amount of time. In one embodiment, the time threshold module  229  is configured to store the representative value in a register or other storage location. In the illustrated embodiment, the specified amount of time can be indicated by control information provided via the control signal C 1 . The compare module  225  is configured to compare time information provided at each of its inputs and provide information at the output indicating whether the specified amount of time has been met. 
     The counter  218  is configured to set a value stored at the counter to a specified initial value in response to assertion of a signal at the RESET input. The counter  218  is further configured to adjust its stored value in response to assertion of a signal at the ADJ input. In one embodiment, assertion of the signal causes the stored value to be incremented, while in another embodiment assertion of the signal at the ADJ input causes a reduction in the stored value. In a particular embodiment, the value stored at the counter  218  is a Gray code value, such that each adjustment of the counter causes a change in a single bit of the stored value. 
     In operation, the comparator  205  compares the voltage levels of the signals  51  and TH 1 , representing a measured operating characteristic and operating characteristic threshold, respectively. In response to determining the voltage level of  51  does not meet the voltage level of TH 1  (indicating the measured operating characteristic does not meet the operating characteristic threshold), the comparator  205  negates the signal T 1 _RAW. This causes a reset of the value stored at the counter  218  at the next rising edge of the clock signal CLK. In response to determining the voltage level of S 1  does meet the voltage level of TH 1  (indicating a potential failure event at the integrated circuit device  100 ), the comparator  205  asserts the signal T 1 _RAW. This causes the value stored at counter  218  to be adjusted at each rising edge of the clock signal CLK. 
     The compare module  225  compares the value stored at the counter  218  to information provided by the time threshold module  229 . The comparison indicates whether the measured operating characteristic has met the operating characteristic threshold for a specified amount of time, thereby indicating whether a failure event has occurred. In response to the comparison indicating a failure event, the compare module  225  asserts a signal at the output. The AND gate  207  performs a logical AND operation on the asserted signal and the signal T 1 _RAW, resulting in assertion of the signal T 1 . Thus, in response to a failure event, the trigger module  220  indicates the event by asserting signal T 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a particular embodiment of an analysis system  301  is illustrated. The system  301  includes an integrated circuit device  300 , corresponding to the integrated circuit device  100  of  FIG. 1 . The system  301  further includes a device analyzer  360  and an analyzer interface  365 . The integrated circuit device  300  includes pins  381 ,  382 , and  383 , and storage element  350 . The device analyzer includes an output connected to pin  381 , an output connected to pin  382 , and a bi-directional connection to pin  382 . The device analyzer  360  further includes a bi-directional connection to the analyzer interface  365 . 
     The storage element  350  is includes storage locations, such as storage location  351 , that indicate the occurrence of failure events at the integrated circuit device  300  in similar fashion to that described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . In response to application of supply voltages at the pins  381  and  383 , the storage element  350  is configured to be placed in an accessible state. In an embodiment, the pins  381  and  383  are independent of other supply voltage pins of the integrated circuit device  300 , permitting the storage element  350  to be placed in the accessible state without placing other portions of the integrated circuit device  300  in an operational mode. This allows the storage element  350  to be accessible even in the event of a failure of the integrated circuit device  300 . 
     In the accessible state, the storage element  350  is configured to indicate, in response to requests received via pin  182 , the information stored at one or more storage locations. The stored information is indicated via signals provided to pin  382 . 
     The device analyzer  360  is configured to provide supply voltages to pins  381  and  383  of the integrated circuit device  300 . Further, in response to requests from the analyzer interface  365 , the device analyzer is configured to request the status of storage locations at the storage element  350  via pin  382 , to receive status information in response to the request, and indicate the status information to the analyzer interface  365 . The analyzer interface  365  is a user interface, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), that is configured to request status information for the integrated circuit device  300  in response to user interactions with the interface, and to display information indicative of responses to the request. 
     The operation of the analysis system  301  can be better understood with reference to an example. In the example, it is assumed that the integrated circuit device  300  has failed due to a supply voltage meeting a specified level. The failure event causing failure of the integrated circuit device  300  has been detected and recorded, as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . In particular, the voltage failure of the integrated circuit device  300  has been recorded at storage location  351  of the storage element  350 . 
     A user has connected the integrated circuit device  300  to the device analyzer  360  for analysis. The device analyzer  360  provides supply voltages to the integrated circuit device  300  via pins  381  and  383 , thereby placing the storage element  350  in an accessible state. At the analyzer interface  350 , the user requests failure information for the integrated circuit device  300 . In response, the device analyzer  360  requests status information for the storage locations of the storage element  350  via pin  382 . The storage element  350  provides the requested information, including the status of storage element  351 , via pin  382  in response to the request. The device analyzer  360  analyzes the provided status information, and determines that the status of storage location  351  indicates a supply voltage failure. Accordingly, the device analyzer displays information via the analyzer interface  365  indicating the integrated circuit device  300  failed due to the supply voltage being met. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a user can access failure information stored at an integrated circuit device, allowing the user to identify potential causes of device failure without an expensive and time-consuming analysis of the device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method of measuring an operating characteristic of an integrated circuit device is illustrated. At block  402 , an operating characteristic of the integrated circuit device is sensed. At block  404 , it is determines whether the sensed operating characteristic meets an associated operating characteristic threshold. If not, the method flow moves to block  406  and a value stored at a timer associated with the sensed operating characteristic is reset. The method flow returns to block  402  to again sense the operating characteristic. 
     If, at block  404 , it is determined that the sensed operating characteristic threshold does meet the operating characteristic threshold, the method flow proceeds to block  408  and the value stored at the timer is adjusted. At block  410 , it is determined whether the value stored at the timer indicates that a specified amount of time has expired. If not, the method flow returns to block  402 . If the specified amount of time has expired, the method flow moves to block  412  and information is stored indicating that a failure event associated with the sensed operating characteristic is stored at a storage element of the integrated circuit device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of a method of measuring an operating characteristic of an integrated circuit device is illustrated. At block  502 , a first operating characteristic of an integrated circuit device is sensed at the device. At block  504 , a second operating characteristic of the integrated circuit device is sensed. In an embodiment, the first and second operating characteristics are of different operating characteristic types. 
     At block  506 , it is determines whether the sensed first and second operating characteristics each meet an operating characteristic threshold associated with the sensed characteristic. For example, if the first operating characteristic is a supply voltage, it is determined whether the sensed characteristic meets a specified supply voltage threshold. If one of the sensed first and second operating characteristics does not meet the associated threshold, the method flow returns to block  502 . If both sensed operating characteristics meet their associated thresholds, the method flow proceeds to block  508  and information is stored indicating a failure event associated with the first and second operating characteristics is stored at a storage element of the integrated circuit device. Accordingly, the method illustrated at  FIG. 5  allows failure events resulting from more than one operating characteristic to be stored. For example, the first operating characteristic can be a supply voltage and the second operating characteristic can be a temperature of the integrated circuit device. The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5  provides for recording of a failure event resulting from a combination of supply voltage and temperature conditions. 
     Other embodiments, uses, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It will be appreciated that, as used herein, an operating characteristic threshold has been meeted when the operating characteristic falls outside of an operating range indicated by the threshold. For example, an operating characteristic threshold associated with a lower boundary of an operating temperature range will be met if the operating characteristic falls below the threshold. In contrast, an operating characteristic threshold associated with the upper boundary of the operating temperature range will be met if the operating characteristic falls above the threshold. It will further be appreciated that, although some circuit elements and modules are depicted and described as connected to other circuit elements, the illustrated elements may also be coupled via additional circuit elements, such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, and the like. The specification and drawings should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the disclosure is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.