Clock Domain Interface Circuitry with Configurable Delay Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for translating signals between different clock domains introduce significant latency and impose stringent constraints on input and output delays, making it difficult to achieve timing closure, especially when the clock domains have disparate frequencies, leading to increased design complexity and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with interface circuitry that includes a storage element for buffering signals and enable circuitry controlling the output based on specified delay values expressed in terms of the faster clock period, allowing for flexible configuration of input and output delays to minimize latency without constraining them against the faster clock period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clock enable signal mechanism is used to translate signals between clock domains, then signal stability and timing constraints are satisfied, but significant latency is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the delay value configurable and adjustable based on actual signal requirements. Instead of using a fixed one-clock-period delay, the system dynamically selects from multiple delay values (e.g., 0, 1, 2 clock periods) to match the specific input delay characteristics of the receiving component, thereby reducing unnecessary latency while maintaining signal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of delay time from a fixed value to a configurable parameter. By allowing the delay value to be set based on the actual input delay requirements of the receiving component, the system optimizes the balance between signal stability and latency reduction, avoiding the fixed one-clock-period constraint of traditional approaches.
2Reliability
If traditional clock domain translation methods are used, then signal timing is controlled, but design complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a clock domain translation interface that can handle multiple delay requirements using a unified configurable delay mechanism. This single interface structure can accommodate different input delay values (0, 1, 2 clock periods) based on the receiving component's characteristics, reducing the need for multiple specialized translation circuits and simplifying overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its delay behavior based on the receiving component's input delay characteristics. By making the delay value configurable rather than fixed, the interface can be optimized for different scenarios without requiring complex hardwired logic, thereby reducing design complexity while maintaining precise timing control.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed delay values are used in clock domain translation, then implementation is simplified, but flexibility to meet different timing requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic delay selection mechanism where the delay value can be configured based on the receiving component's input delay characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to different timing requirements (0, 1, or 2 clock periods) while maintaining a relatively simple implementation through parameter configuration rather than complex hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delay parameter from fixed to configurable, allowing the same hardware implementation to meet different timing requirements by adjusting the delay value parameter. This approach maintains implementation simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to various clock domain translation scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus includes a first component for generating a signal operating in the first clock domain having a first clock period, and a second component for receiving the signal operating in the second clock domain having a second clock period. The second clock period is synchronous with but slower than the first clock period. Interface circuitry is provided for translating the signal between the first clock domain and the second clock domain, the interface circuitry operating in the first clock domain and comprising a storage element for temporarily buffering the signal generated by the first component before outputting that signal to the second component. Enable circuitry is used to control output of the signal from the storage element having regard to a specified input delay value identifying an input delay time of the second component expressed in terms of the first clock period.