Physical parameter balancing of circuit islands in integrated circuit

Abstract

Balancing values of physical parameters such as temperature between used and unused circuit islands, in a fault bypass wafer circuit module, is done by mandating circuit exercise within each island considered critical. Within individual exercise islands, thermostats control heaters, or other physical parameter reporting means control transducers to return the physical parameter to nominal values. Heavily exercised operational islands and unexercised faulty or good redundant islands, which could develop destructive thermal gradients and resulting operational or connection failures. To eliminate such physical gradients, circuit exercise is mandated in all circuit islands which receive no ordinary circuit exercise, simply to maintain physical balance. Temperature is the physical parameter of primary concern, but physical parameters include piezoelectric effects, capacitance, inductance, magnetism, radiation effects and voltage, as well as other physical parameters which may be related or derivative. Each island of concern as a critical exercise island is equipped with physical parameter balancing means, comprising a physical parameter sensor and transducer controlled by the sensor to alter that physical parameter. The physical parameter may be measured, may be detected at a threshold, or may be calculated by interference from exercise event counts. The counts may be taken externally in a computer, or internally by configuring an event counter within the electronics of the island. An interposer and a conductive liquid for combined electrical and heat distribution are options.