Pulsed local clock buffer (LCB) characterization ring oscillator

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a local clock buffer (LCB) fabricated in a semiconductor receives a global clock signal as input. The LCB implements a pulse width controller that is operationally coupled to the LCB and an output driver forming a ring oscillator. The output driver outputs a pulse width adjusted signal. The pulse width of the pulse width adjusted signal is adjustable by way of the pulse width controller and is related in frequency to the global clock signal. A second ring oscillator (also referred to as the nclk loop) can also be implemented to server as the global clock signal. The pulse width controller can be used to precisely adjust the pulse width of the pulse width adjusted signal. A pulse width multiplier can be implemented to allow direct observation and measurement of the pulse width of the pulse width adjusted signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.