Clock Delay Comparison Circuit for Low-Power Device Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synchronizing devices, such as media players, require continuous monitoring of clock differences, which consumes power and involves time-consuming stabilization processes for clock sources like phase lock loops.
Innovation Solution
A circuit and method for estimating time differences between signals using a delay unit to create multiple delayed versions of a signal, a comparison unit to identify the closest matching signal, and a difference estimator to calculate the time difference, allowing for efficient synchronization without continuous power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of clock differences is used to synchronize devices, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of clock differences instead of continuous monitoring. The system takes measurements at specific intervals (periodic action) rather than continuously, which reduces power consumption while still maintaining synchronization accuracy. The processor can enter low-power states between sampling intervals, directly addressing the contradiction between continuous monitoring accuracy and power consumption.
2Reliability
If phase lock loop is used to update clock sources, then clock synchronization is achieved, but stabilization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of clock differences and calculates required adjustments before actually applying them to the phase lock loop. By preparing the correction values in advance and having them ready, the system minimizes the time the phase lock loop needs to stabilize after adjustments are applied. This preliminary calculation phase allows for faster overall synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a method that rushes through the stabilization process by using pre-calculated correction values and applying them efficiently. The system skips unnecessary intermediate steps and directly applies the computed time difference corrections, reducing the overall stabilization time while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software-based monitoring is used to track time differences, then flexibility is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based monitoring with a hardware-based measurement system. The time difference measurement is performed using dedicated hardware circuits that directly measure clock differences, eliminating the need for software polling and processing. This substitution reduces processing overhead significantly while maintaining the flexibility needed for synchronization through hardware-level adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for estimating a time difference between a first signal and a second signal includes a first signal line for receiving the first signal; a delay unit configured to receive the second signal and delay the second signal so as to provide a plurality of delayed versions of the second signal, each delayed version being delayed by a different amount of delay to the other delayed versions; a comparison unit configured to compare each of the delayed versions of the second signal with the first signal so as to identify which of the delayed versions of the second signal is the closest temporally matching signal to the first signal; and a difference estimator configured to estimate the time difference between the first and second signals in dependence on the identified delayed version.