1. An integrated circuit comprising: a comparator comprising a first input, a second input, and an output for providing a comparison result, the first input being connected to a readable component having a predefined value, the second input being connected to a reference component, the comparison result corresponding to a comparison of the predefined value and a reference value that is based on the reference component; a control unit in a circuit path at the output of the comparator, the control unit for controlling at least one function block based on the comparison result; a first pin between the readable component and the first input; a second pin between the reference component and the second input; and a signal source for generating a reference signal, the signal source being coupled between the first input and the second input.