For a number of years Moortec has produced PVT sensors that are in use in multiple generations of TSMC foundry processes where they are used to control of system clock frequencies and voltage levels within supply domains. They sense die temperature, logic speed and voltage supply levels while the device is in-service. A key function is to protect chips from damage due to overheating.
Integrating UltraSoC's digital monitoring and optimization capabilities allows improved PVT subsystems that can further improve SoC performance and reliability with more sophisticated control. It will allow ICs to be equipped with preventive maintenance, load balancing features to reduce failures, and better control of power consumption for longer battery life, the two companies asserted.
"Too often people believe that SoCs are ideal digital devices, making assumptions about perfect implementations. But in reality they are far more complex physical, quasi-analog, systems," said Rupert Baines, UltraSoC CEO.
The enhanced PVT IP is available now through both Moortec and UltraSoC, a spokesperson said.
Related links and articles:
News articles:
Moortec temperature monitor now on TSMC 16FF+ and 16FFC
Ultrasoc, Sondrel team up on debug IP