Integrated circuit failure prediction
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorDeepak K. Singh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated circuit having a frequency generator connected to a constant reference voltage source located on the integrated circuit and a monitor connected to monitor the frequency signal and from the frequency history predicting that an integrated circuit failure will occur. An adaptive power supply is disclosed that includes a frequency generator connected to a bandgap voltage source and is monitored for changes in the frequency generator output. From this change a prediction is made as to that a failure condition will occur.
Claims19
An integrated circuit apparatus comprising:
- a frequency circuit connected to a constant reference voltage source located on the integrated circuit and providing a frequency signal, and
- a monitor circuit connected to monitor said frequency signal and predicting when a circuit failure condition will occur.
A method for predicting a failure condition in an integrated circuit comprising the steps of:
- measuring a frequency signal of a frequency circuit connected to a constant reference voltage source on the integrated circuit;
- comparing the measured frequency signal value with a stored predicted frequency value to determine an amount of change;
- and
- predicting a failure condition in the integrated circuit by determining from the amount when the failure condition will occur.
A method of managing a plurality of individual central processing units (CPUs) where each CPU includes a frequency circuit connected to a constant reference voltage source on an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a frequency signal of each CPU;
- comparing the measured frequency signal value with a previously stored frequency value of that CPU;
- and
- predicting a failure condition for that CPU when the difference between the measured frequency signal value and the previously stored frequency value exceeds a predetermined maximum error value.
A computer program product stored in a computer operable media, the computer operable media containing instructions for execution by a computer, which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to implement a method for predicting a failure condition in an integrated circuit comprising the steps of:
- measuring a frequency signal of a frequency circuit connected to a constant reference voltage source on the integrated circuit;
- comparing the measured frequency signal value with a stored predicted frequency value to determine an amount of change;
- and
- predicting a failure condition in the integrated circuit by determining from the amount of change that the failure condition has occurred.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.