A circuit and related method of monitoring performance of an integrated
circuit is provided comprising: using a variable oscillator that has an
oscillation time period that varies within an expected range with
variations in one or more of process, voltage or temperature to provide a
signal that causes a count of a first counter to change at rate
proportional to an oscillation frequency of the variable oscillator;
using a clock source that has a frequency that substantially does not
vary with variations in one or more of process, time or voltage to cause
a count of a second counter to change at rate proportional to an
oscillation frequency of the clock source; setting the second counter to
start a count from a start; determining when the first counter has
counted a reference count; and providing as a circuit speed, a value
indicative of a count value produced by the second counter at about the
moment when first counter finishes counting the count interval.