Asynchronous Clock Domain Synchronizer with State-Driven Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems with multiple asynchronous clock domains, existing synchronizers struggle to prevent metastability and reconvergence violations, especially when dealing with extreme frequency relationships, slow clock signals, and multiple synchronization requests, leading to potential chip failures and data corruption.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a data holding module, a data output module, and a synchronization process module, which generate load signals based on the state of the data output module to synchronize data across asynchronous clock domains, using a multiplexer-based synchronizer to ensure all outputs transition simultaneously and prevent data corruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional synchronizers are used to transfer data across asynchronous clock domains, then data transfer is enabled, but metastability and reconvergence violations occur leading to potential chip failures
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronizer uses dynamic load signals that are generated based on the state of the data output module. The load signal is selectively asserted to load data into the configuration register only when the data output module is in a stable state, preventing metastability propagation while maintaining simple circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization process module monitors the state of the data output module and uses this feedback to control the loading of configuration registers. The load signal is generated based on feedback from the data output module's state, ensuring that data is only loaded when stable and preventing reconvergence violations.
2Productivity
If multiple configuration registers are loaded simultaneously from asynchronous clock domains, then data transfer speed is improved, but reconvergence violations and metastability propagation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking of the data output module's state before allowing data to be loaded into configuration registers. The synchronization process module ensures that data is stable and ready before asserting load signals, preventing metastability while enabling efficient data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The load signals are generated periodically based on the state of the data output module. The synchronization process module uses periodic load signals that are asserted only when the data output module is in a stable state, preventing metastability propagation while maintaining efficient data transfer.
3Productivity
If configuration registers are loaded without state verification, then loading speed is improved, but data corruption and chip failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization process module performs preliminary verification of the data output module's state before asserting load signals. This ensures that data is stable and ready for loading, preventing data corruption while maintaining efficient loading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The data output module inherently provides state information that the synchronization process module uses to control loading. The system uses the existing state information from the data output module to self-regulate the loading process, ensuring data integrity without requiring complex external verification circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a data holding module that at least one of stores and receives data based on a first clock signal of a first clock domain. A data output module receives the data from the data holding module and selectively outputs the data based on a load signal and a second clock signal of a second clock domain which is asynchronous to the first clock domain. A synchronization process module generates the load signal based on a state of the data output module.