Multi-Phase Clock Buffer Phase Averaging for Skew Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor circuits, particularly those using multi-phase clock signals, face performance degradation due to phase skew among the signals, which affects data reliability.
Innovation Solution
A phase correction circuit is introduced, comprising multiple signal paths and a loop circuit that synthesizes signals from different paths to average phases, thereby correcting phase skew among multi-phase signals. The loop circuit's operation is controlled based on the operation frequency, enabling or disabling the phase correction and adjusting drivability accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase correction circuit is added to correct phase skew, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a phase correction circuit that uses feedback mechanisms to detect and correct phase skew in multi-phase clock signals. The circuit monitors the phase relationships between clock signals and automatically adjusts timing deviations, ensuring reliable data processing while managing circuit complexity through systematic feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a phase correction circuit as an intermediary component between the clock buffer and the data processing circuitry. This intermediary circuit specifically targets phase skew correction without disrupting the overall system architecture, allowing reliability improvement while containing the increase in device complexity to a specific functional block.
2Manufacturing precision
If loop circuit is enabled for phase correction, then phase skew is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic phase correction mechanism where the loop circuit is selectively enabled or disabled based on operating conditions. The circuit can adjust its operation mode according to frequency requirements, enabling phase correction only when high precision is needed, thus balancing phase accuracy with power consumption dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the phase correction circuit based on system requirements. The loop circuit's drivability is adjusted according to operation frequency, allowing the circuit to operate at different performance levels - full correction mode for high-frequency operations requiring phase accuracy, and reduced mode for lower-frequency operations to minimize power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A phase correction circuit includes a plurality of signal paths configured to transmit multi-phase signals. The phase correction circuit further includes a loop circuit coupled to the plurality of signal paths, the loop circuit configured to correct phase skew among the multi-phase signals by averaging the phases of two signals which are obtained by synthesizing a signal of each of the signal paths with another signal of a signal path different from the corresponding signal path.