Method for evaluating storage cell design using a wordline timing and cell access detection circuit

Abstract

A method for storage cell design evaluation provides accurate information about state changes in static storage cells. A wordline select pulse is propagated along the wordline select path of the test row to an output driver circuit, in order to test the clock and/or address timing of the row, so that variation of access timing, read stability and writeability with wordline strength/access voltage can be determined. An access detection cell holds the input of the output driver circuit until a simulated access operation activated by the wordline select pulse is complete. Multiple test rows may be cascaded among columns to provide a long delay line or ring oscillator for improved measurement resolution.