The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 2019
Filed:
Jan. 24, 2017
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, Hsinchu, TW;
Nan-Hsin Tseng, Tainan, TW;
Ping-Han Tsai, New Taipei, TW;
Po-Yu Chen, Hsinchu County, TW;
Wei-Hao Kao, Hsinchu, TW;
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, Hsinchu, TW;
Abstract
An integrated circuit includes a circuit unit and an oscillating signal-generating assembly. The circuit unit includes a plurality of first cells. The oscillating signal-generating assembly is configured to generate different oscillating signals and includes a ring oscillator, a signal line, and a switching unit. The ring oscillator includes a plurality of second cells, each of which has an output terminal. The second cells are of the same type as the first cells. The signal line is configured to receive the different oscillating signals. The switching unit is coupled between the ring oscillator and the signal line and is configured to selectively couple the output terminals of the second cells to the signal line. A timing characteristic of a cell of the same type as the first cells can be estimated from the different oscillating signals.