Apparatus and method for detecting performance variations
The system contains a circuit apparatus and method for monitoring the status of components within a digital system, the apparatus having a digital device. A power-line is supplied to the digital device. A second signal is rendered from the power-line. At least one mask pulse is generated from a third signal. An extraction device is situated to extract a component of the power-line. A filtering device is situated to receive the extracted component. An extracted signal is output by the filtering device, wherein the extracted signal is a correlated result having characteristics corresponding to the status of components in a digital system.
1. A method of monitoring the status of components within a digital system, the method comprising:
supplying a digital device with a current through a power-line;
rendering a change in the current into a second signal;
generating at least one mask pulse from a third signal;
extracting a component of the changed current using the third signal;
filtering the extracted component to generate a correlated result; and
determining a status of components in a digital system from the correlated result.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of detecting a variation in the correlated result.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering a change in the current includes a device that can measure a high frequency current transient.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power-line supplies an operating current for the device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating at least one mask pulse from the third signal is triggered by an edge of the third signal.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracted component is a load component caused by an electrical load upon a bit stream.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracted component varies as the device characteristics change.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering a change in the current into a second signal involves an impedance connected to the power-line.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering a change in the current into a second signal involves a Hall effect device connected to the power-line.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rendering a change in the current into a second signal involves a transformer connected to the power-line.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of extracting a component of the changed current involves a mixer receiving the second signal.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of extracting a component of the changed current involves a multiplier receiving the second signal.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of extracting a component of the changed current involves a demodulator receiving the second signal.
14. A circuit apparatus for monitoring the status of components within a digital system, the apparatus comprising:
a digital device;
a power-line connected to the digital device;
a second signal, rendered from the power-line;
at least one mask pulse generated from a third signal;
an extraction device, situated to extract a component of the second signal using the third signal;
a filtering device, situated to receive the extracted component; and
a correlated result, output by the filtering device, wherein the correlated result has characteristics corresponding to the status of components in a digital system.