An IC including skew-programmable clock buffers, fixed skew logic circuit,
an external interface and a skew controller. Each skew-programmable clock
buffer receives a distributed clock signal and provides a corresponding
local clock signal having a programmed skew. The fixed logic circuit
enables permanent programming of static skew values and the external
interface enables programming of dynamic skew values. The skew controller
selects between the static and dynamic skew values and programs the
skew-programmable clock buffers based on selected skew values. In one
embodiment, the skew controller is operative to detect a skew over-ride
command upon reset of the IC and to select between the static and dynamic
skew values based on the skew over-ride command. The programmable memory
may be integrated on the IC or externally coupled via the external
interface. The fixed skew logic circuit is implemented as any type of
permanent programmable block, such as laser-blown fuses, an EPROM, etc.