Clock Duty-Cycle Correction Circuit With Matched Delay Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock signal distribution networks face challenges in maintaining the duty-cycle quality of internal clock signals, leading to distortion and potential incorrect functioning of integrated circuits due to process-induced variations, with existing solutions consuming significant power and space.
Innovation Solution
A duty-cycle correction circuit that uses a differential-to-single-ended clock driver with adjustable output drive strength and propagation delay to generate and distribute duty-cycle corrected clock signals, compensating for phase differences and process-induced distortions through a multi-level clock tree distribution network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If differential clock paths are used to distribute internal differential clock signals, then duty-cycle distortion is reduced, but power consumption increases significantly and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a duty-cycle correction circuit that adjusts the drive strength of clock signal outputs dynamically. By changing the drive strength parameter, the circuit compensates for duty-cycle distortion without requiring separate differential clock paths, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining signal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The duty-cycle correction circuit acts as an intermediary between the clock signal source and the distribution network. It corrects duty-cycle distortion at the source before signals are distributed, eliminating the need for complex differential paths while maintaining signal quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If differential clock paths are used to distribute internal differential clock signals, then duty-cycle distortion is reduced, but the space required for parallel clock paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the drive strength parameter of clock outputs to compensate for duty-cycle distortion. This approach corrects signal quality issues without requiring additional physical space for parallel differential paths, thereby reducing the overall area occupied by the clock distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The duty-cycle correction circuit serves as an intermediary that resolves duty-cycle distortion at the source. This eliminates the need for space-consuming differential clock paths while maintaining signal integrity throughout the distribution network.
3Use of energy by moving object
If single-ended clock signal distribution is used, then power consumption and space requirements are reduced, but duty-cycle distortion increases due to process-induced variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic duty-cycle correction mechanism that adjusts the drive strength of clock signals in real-time. This dynamic adjustment compensates for process-induced variations that cause duty-cycle distortion, maintaining signal quality while using power-efficient single-ended distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The duty-cycle correction circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor and adjust clock signal characteristics. This feedback loop compensates for process variations and duty-cycle distortion, ensuring consistent signal quality across the distribution network while maintaining low power consumption.
4Manufacturing precision
If adjustable output drive strength is used to compensate for process-induced distortion, then duty-cycle correction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the drive strength parameter of clock outputs to compensate for process-induced distortion. By modifying this single parameter dynamically, the system achieves duty-cycle correction without requiring complex additional circuitry, thus balancing correction effectiveness with device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Duty-cycle correction circuits, clock distribution networks, and methods for correcting duty-cycle distortion are disclosed, including methods and apparatus for correcting duty-cycle distortion of differential output clock signals provided from a clock distribution network. In one such method, a single-ended clock signal is generated from differential input clock signals for distribution over a clock distribution network and from which the differential output clock signals are generated. A delay of a model delay path is matched to a propagation delay of the clock distribution network, and the single ended clock signal is adjusted to compensate for duty-cycle distortion.