Calibrated Delay Line Circuit for Variable Process Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delay line circuits are inflexible, as the fixed number of delay cells can only meet one set of process parameters, limiting their applicability and causing inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A delay line circuit with a calibration function, comprising N delay modules and a calibration module that generates calibration start and stop signals to adjust the delay time based on control signals, allowing the circuit to adapt to different process parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of delay cells is fixed, then the circuit structure is simple, but the adaptability to different process parameters is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability of the delay line circuit by introducing a calibration module that can dynamically select and activate different numbers of delay cells based on process parameters. The calibration module generates calibration start and stop signals to control the enable signals of individual delay cells, allowing the circuit to adapt its delay time to different process conditions while maintaining a relatively simple underlying circuit structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delay time is adjusted to meet different process parameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of delay cells required to achieve the desired delay time for different process parameters. The calibration module determines the optimal number of active delay cells and enables only those specific cells while keeping others disabled. This approach achieves the required adaptability while minimizing power consumption by avoiding the activation of unnecessary delay cells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a calibration function is added to adjust delay time, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration module serves multiple functions: it generates calibration start and stop signals, produces enable signals for different delay cells, and determines the optimal delay configuration based on process parameters. By consolidating these calibration and control functions into a single multi-functional module, the patent achieves delay time adjustability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A delay line circuit with a calibration function, includes N delay modules and a calibration module. The N delay modules are serially coupled to each other. The calibration module generates a calibration start signal and a calibration stop signal according to a calibration signal and a clock signal, and the calibration start signal is outputted to the N delay modules, so that the N delay modules output N delay signals according to N control signals and the calibration start signal. The calibration module calibrates the N control signals according to the N delay signals and the calibration stop signal, so that the N delay modules generate N calibrated delay signals according to the N calibrated control signals and the clock signal. A generation time instant of the calibration stop signal is later than a generation time instant of the calibration start signal.