METASTABLE BEHAVIOR IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS

Lindsay Kleeman, Antonio Cantoni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The authors consider fault-free digital circuits that can malfunction when asynchronous inputs have critical timing combinations resulting in metastable operation. This mode of failure is often overlooked in digital system design and reliability analysis. They survey developments in the study of metastable behavior and identify their relevance to digital system design and reliability. They describe and evaluate a number of techniques for reducing the probability of metastable failure, including the use of fast devices, extended decision time, a pausable clock, a Schmitt synchronizer, and redundancy and masking. They show that the use of extended decision time is the best technique for lowering the probability of synchronization failure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4-19
Number of pages16
JournalIEEE Design and Test of Computers
Volume4
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1987
Externally publishedYes

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