Adaptive De-Skew Circuit for Wide-Range Fine Edge Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed IC interfaces face challenges in achieving a wide correction range for data lane-to-lane skew while maintaining fine resolution, leading to increased power and area costs and inter-symbol interference (ISI) issues.
Innovation Solution
A de-skew circuit design incorporating multiple stages with inverters, headers, footers, capacitors, and switch circuits, utilizing supply voltage adjustments and PVT calibration to achieve adaptive de-skew capabilities, enabling efficient tuning range and resolution with reduced power and area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cascaded de-skew stage units are used to achieve wide correction range, then the tuning range is improved, but the power consumption and area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple de-skew stage units into a single integrated circuit block, combining their functions to achieve wide tuning range without proportionally increasing power consumption and area. The merged design shares common resources such as voltage control mechanisms and signal paths, reducing overall resource usage compared to cascaded separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The de-skew stage circuit is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various tuning requirements within a single unit. The circuit can operate across different data rates (e.g., 2.5 Gb/s to 32 Gb/s) and provides both coarse and fine tuning functions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized stages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cascaded de-skew stage units are used to achieve wide correction range, then the tuning range is improved, but the area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple de-skew stage units into a single integrated circuit block, combining their functions to achieve wide tuning range without proportionally increasing area. The merged design shares common resources such as voltage control mechanisms and signal paths, reducing overall area usage compared to cascaded separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The de-skew stage circuit employs a nested structure where functional blocks are organized in a hierarchical manner, with smaller functional units nested within larger integrated structures. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and reduces the overall area footprint while maintaining full functionality.
3Speed
If de-skew circuit is designed for high data rates, then the speed is improved, but inter-symbol interference occurs due to insufficient rise/fall time
Solution Approach 1:
The de-skew stage circuit employs dynamic design elements that can adapt their characteristics based on operating conditions. The circuit includes adjustable delay elements and variable gain amplifiers that can be tuned to optimize rise/fall times for different data rates, ensuring signal integrity is maintained across the full operating range from 2.5 Gb/s to 32 Gb/s.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit utilizes parameter changes in the delay elements and voltage control mechanisms to optimize performance at different data rates. By dynamically adjusting parameters such as delay time, gain, and voltage levels, the circuit maintains adequate rise/fall times even at high data rates, preventing inter-symbol interference while preserving signal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes one or more de-skew stages. Each of the one or more de-skew stages is configured to adjust a transition edge of a signal and includes a single inverter, a header configured to couple a first supply voltage to the single inverter, a footer configured to couple a second supply voltage to the single inverter, a capacitor coupled to an output of the single inverter, and a switch circuit coupled between the output of the single inverter and the capacitor.