Characterizing metastability

Abstract

Determining metastability characteristics is challenging. Devising reliable and repeatable experiments and procedures requires time, patience, care and knowledge. This discussion presents practical measurement techniques to accurately determine the Resolving Time Constant (/spl tau/) and Metastability Window (W). Also included is a method for observing the metastability failure rate at a designated time following the clock. By converting this failure rate to observed MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure), a comparison is made to a predicted MTBF.