Patent ID: 8315117

Claim:
A method comprising: testing, using a first test, a plurality of static random access memory elements to determine a lowest power supply voltage at which all the plurality of memory elements will operate; determining a weak memory element of the plurality of static random access memory elements; substituting a portion of a plurality of redundant static random access memory elements for a portion of the plurality of static random access memory elements that includes the weak memory element; designating the weak memory element to be a test element; supplying the plurality of static random access memory elements with a first power supply voltage; receiving a request for a change of the first power supply voltage to a second power supply voltage; in response to receiving the request, testing, using a second test, the test element to determine if the test element will function correctly at the second power supply voltage, if the test element passes the second test, accessing the plurality of static random access memory elements at the second power supply voltage, and if the test element fails the second test, accessing the plurality of static random access memory elements using an access assist operation.