A 3D-IC detector for each layer of a stacked device comprises a pulse generator to receive an initial signal and generate a pulse-in signal to a next stage detector. A latch is coupled to the pulse generator to receive an output signal from the pulse generator and generate a layer identifying signal. A counter is coupled to previous stage detector and the initial signal to perform a counting operation; and an adder coupled to the counter to add a number to a counting output from the counter and input added signal to the pulse generator.