Clock Circuit Selector for Automatic Component Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock systems require manual and individual control of all clock components to change clock signals, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially in terms of power consumption as unused components need to be turned off.
Innovation Solution
A clock circuit with multiple clock generators and a selector that automatically transmits turn-on and turn-off requests to the appropriate components, enabling and disabling them based on selection changes, allowing for seamless switching between clock signals without manual control of each component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of all clock components is implemented, then clock signal switching can be achieved, but operation convenience deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selector automatically generates and transmits turn-on request signals to clock components in the selected clock path and turn-off request signals to clock components in the unselected clock path, enabling the system to self-manage component activation without manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the system self-sufficient in managing power consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The selector proactively sends turn-on request signals to clock components before they are needed and turn-off request signals after they are no longer needed, allowing clock components to be activated or deactivated in advance. This preliminary action optimizes power consumption by ensuring components are only active when required, while maintaining operational convenience through automated timing.
2Reliability
If individual control of clock components is required, then precise clock signal management is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selector performs multiple functions: it selects clock signals, generates turn-on request signals, generates turn-off request signals, and coordinates the activation/deactivation of multiple clock components. By consolidating these diverse control functions into a single multi-functional selector, the system achieves precise clock signal management without increasing overall control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the selection function and the power management function (turn-on/turn-off control) into a single integrated selector unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each clock component, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable and precise clock signal management through the selector's coordinated control.
3Ease of operation
If automatic component control is implemented, then operation convenience improves, but control logic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock components provide feedback to the selector by receiving turn-on request signals and transmitting turn-on acknowledgement signals, and by receiving turn-off request signals and transmitting turn-off acknowledgement signals. This feedback mechanism enables the selector to automatically track the operational state of clock components, improving ease of operation through seamless automated control while managing logic complexity through structured signal exchange protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A clock circuit for generating a clock signal includes a first clock generator configured to generate a first clock signal, a second clock generator configured to generate a second clock signal, and a selector connected to the first clock generator and the second clock generator. The selector is configured to select one of the first and second clock signals as a selected clock signal based on a selection signal. The selector is configured to transmit, if a selection of the selector changes from the second clock signal to the first clock signal, a turn-on request signal to at least one first component to enable the at least one first component. The at least one first component is configured to send a turn-on acknowledgement signal to the selector in response to the turn-on request signal. The first clock generator includes the at least one first component.