CodiodeCodiode
Home
Problem Solving
Skill Tracks
My Assignments
Contests
Leaderboard
Community
Settings
Codiode/Problems/Sequential Logic

Mean Time Between Failures Variables

HardLogic CircuitAnalyze

Asynchronous signal crossings inherently risk metastability, and system reliability depends entirely on maximizing the Mean Time Between Failures. The fundamental equation governing this reliability is MTBF = exp(t_r / tau) / (W * f_c * f_d).

A standard two-stage synchronizer is currently deployed between a slow sensor domain and a high-speed processing domain operating at clock clk_dest. The processor architecture is undergoing an upgrade, causing the frequency of clk_dest to exactly double. The silicon technology node remains unchanged.

Evaluate the impact of this frequency scaling on the synchronizer parameters. Determine the necessary architectural adjustments to maintain or exceed the original system reliability.

Constraints

  • Assume setup time and clock-to-q delay are negligible compared to the clock period for theoretical calculations.
  • The parameters tau and W are fixed constants tied to the physical silicon process.
  • A standard two-stage synchronizer provides exactly one clock cycle of resolution time.

Topics

metastabilitysynchronizercdcmtbf

Solve this problem

Place the gates, wire them up and watch the signals settle. Every submission runs on the same simulation engine that grades it.

This problem is part of Codiode Pro. The statement above is free to read.

Sign in to solveSee what Pro unlocks

The circuit builder and code editor need a desktop screen. On a phone, read the problem here and open it on a laptop to solve.

Related problems

  • 3-bit Ripple Counter from Toggle Flip-FlopsEasy
  • D Latch from a 2:1 MUXEasy
  • 2-bit Ring CounterEasy
  • T Flip-Flop from a D Flip-FlopEasy
  • Handshake Deadlock Due to Early ResetHard
  • Reconvergence of Individually Synchronized BitsHard
  • Debug: Asynchronous Clear GlitchHard
  • Clock Gate Enable Crossing DomainsHard

Browse all problems · Learning tracks