Detecting Sneak Paths in Transistor Networks

In an MOS transistor network information can propagate through transistors and connections in both directions. Sometimes, however, it is intended to propagate in one direction only. Propagation in the wrong direction, causing a so called sneak path, could result in a functional error. We present an almost linear algorithm for detecting such sneak paths. Only consistent sneak paths, i.e., only paths that can possibly conduct, can cause a functional error; therefore, the algorithm allows inconsistent sneak paths to be left in the network. It does so without actually examining any paths, which would be too inefficient.