Clock Buffer Fine Delay Control for Precise Clock Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock buffer integrated circuits face challenges in achieving precise alignment between input and output clocks, particularly in minimizing timing differences between the two.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a clock buffer integrated circuit that utilizes a phase-locked loop or delay locked loop for coarse alignment, accompanied by a latch receiver circuit to indicate delay errors. A control circuit or state machine then adjusts the fine delay to minimize the timing difference between the input and output clock signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a phase-locked loop or delay locked loop is used for coarse alignment, then the clock alignment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock alignment function is divided into two independent segments: a coarse alignment stage using phase-locked loop or delay locked loop, and a fine alignment stage using controllable delay elements. This segmentation allows each stage to operate independently, achieving high precision without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between coarse and fine alignment modes. The coarse alignment provides initial clock synchronization, and then the fine alignment dynamically adjusts timing using controllable delay elements based on feedback from delay error indicators, achieving adaptive precision.
2Measurement precision
If delay error indication circuits are added to measure timing differences, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Delay error indicator circuits act as intermediary components that measure the timing difference between input and output clocks without directly controlling the alignment. These indicators provide measurement data to the control logic, which then adjusts the delay elements, separating the measurement function from the control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay error indicators provide feedback information about timing differences to the control logic. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust the fine delay to minimize timing errors, creating a closed-loop control system that improves precision through continuous measurement and correction.
3Manufacturing precision
If fine delay adjustment is implemented to minimize timing differences, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fine delay adjustment is applied locally at specific points in the clock buffer circuit where timing correction is most needed. Controllable delay elements are strategically placed to provide precise timing adjustment for individual clock paths, rather than requiring global system-wide complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delay parameter of controllable delay elements based on feedback from delay error indicators. By dynamically adjusting the delay parameter to minimize timing differences between input and output clocks, the system achieves high manufacturing precision through parameter optimization rather than complex structural design.
Data Source
AI summary
A phase-locked loop or delay locked loop provides a coarse alignment between an input clock and an output clock. A latch receiver circuit provides an indicator of a delay error between the input clock and the output clock. The delay error is used by a control circuit or state machine to adjust a fine delay that affects the output clock signal timing relative to the input clock signal. The fine delay is adjusted to minimize the timing difference between the output clock signal and the input clock signal.