Utilizing clock shield as defect monitor
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJohn Cohn, Leah Pastel, Thomas Sopchak, David Vallett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a shielded clock tree that has one or more clock signal buffers and clock signal splitters, with clock signal wiring connecting the clock signal buffers to the clock signal splitters. Shielding is adjacent the clock signal wiring, where ground wiring connects the shielding to ground. The shielding comprises shield wires positioned adjacent and parallel to the clock signal wiring. The invention provides switches in the ground wiring, and these switches are connected to, and controlled by, a test controller.
Claims20
An integrated circuit having a shielded clock tree comprising:
- at least one clock signal buffer;
- clock signal wiring connected to said clock signal buffer;
- shielding adjacent said clock signal wiring;
- ground wiring connecting said shielding to a predetermined voltage;
- and
- switches in said ground wiring.
A shielded clock tree within an integrated circuit, said shielded clock tree comprising:
- at least one clock signal buffer;
- at least one clock signal splitter connected to said clock signal buffer;
- clock signal wiring connecting said clock signal buffer to said clock signal splitter;
- shielding adjacent said clock signal wiring;
- ground wiring connecting said shielding to ground;
- and
- switches in said ground wiring, wherein said switches are connected to a test controller.
An integrated circuit having a shielded clock tree comprising:
- at least one clock signal buffer;
- clock signal wiring connected to said clock signal buffer;
- shielding adjacent said clock signal wiring;
- ground wiring connecting said shielding to a predetermined voltage;
- and
- switches in said ground wiring, wherein said switches are connected to a test controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.