Patent attributes
An electronic device includes a combinational logic circuit, one or more functional state-sampling components, one or more protection state-sampling components, and protection logic. The combinational logic circuit has one or more outputs. The functional state-sampling components are configured to sample the respective outputs of the combinational logic circuit. The protection state-sampling components are associated respectively with the functional state-sampling components, each protection state-sampling component configured to sample a same output of the combinational logic circuit as the corresponding functional state-sampling component, but with a predefined time offset relative to the functional state-sampling component. The protection logic is configured to detect a discrepancy between the outputs sampled by the functional state-sampling components and the respective outputs sampled by the protection state-sampling components, and to initiate a responsive action in response to the discrepancy.