Manipulating an integrated circuit clock in response to early detection of an operation known to trigger an internal disturbance

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed which provide an integrated circuit having a clock signal that is dynamically manipulated in response to detected events within the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the chip includes event detection circuitry that monitors the operation of the chip and detects events that lead to a power disturbance therein. Circuitry may be included for detecting anticipated operation known to trigger an event, as well as for detecting unanticipated events. Additionally, clock manipulator circuitry is included to manipulate the chip's clock signal responsive detection of an event to enable the chip to cope with such event. In response to an event being detected, the clock manipulator circuitry may dynamically manipulate the clock signal in various manners, such as by altering the clock signal's duty cycle, delaying the occurrence of a transition of the clock signal, or altering the clock signal's frequency, as examples.