Proactive automated calibration of integrated circuit interface

Abstract

An integrated circuit device and system of devices in which a device interface incorporates dynamic, elastic calibration facilities. The interface includes a calibration manager and circuitry for monitoring the interface signals to detect the presence of signal skew, delay, or other degradation. If the monitor detects an out-of-calibration interface, the calibration manager initiates a dynamic calibration procedure. The calibration manager can also initiate the dynamic calibration procedure in response to an event such as the detection of a correctable error on the interface. By proactively monitoring the interface for degradation, the calibration manager is responsive to environmental changes as they occur and is efficient in its use of the calibration procedure by invoking it only when calibration is required.