Abstract: Reference oscillators are ubiquitous in timing applications generally, and in modern wireless communication devices particularly. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonators are of particular interest due to their small size and potential for integration with other MEMS devices and electrical circuits on the same chip. In order to support their use in high volume low cost applications it would be beneficial for MEMS designers to have MEMS resonator designs and manufacturing processes that whilst employing low cost low resolution semiconductor processing yield improved resonator performance thereby reducing the requirements of the oscillator circuitry. It would be further beneficial for the oscillator circuitry to be able to leverage the improved noise performance of differential TIAs without sacrificing power consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the data propagation time in an integrated circuit at relatively low speed is described herein. The method uses at least two parallel circuits comprising a data circuit and a clock circuit, wherein these parallel circuits are provided with at least one inverter for sensing the feeding current of each circuit so as to obtain current pulses that are transformed into binary signals forwarded to a tester that measures the delay time between these signals.