Tbulk-BICS : a Built-in current sensor robust to process and temperature variations for soft error detection

Abstract

This paper presents a parameterized current sensor able to detect transient ionization in the silicon substrate. Each sensor is controlled by a set of trimming bits that can be used to attune the sensitivity of the sensor compensating process and temperature variations. By choosing different configurations in the trimming bits, it is possible to adjust the performance of the sensor, which can increase the number of transistors monitored by a single sensor reducing the area overhead. Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the sensor behavior. Results from a case-study circuit with embedded Tbulk-BICS confirm the efficiency of the technique.