Digital Clock Duty-Cycle Correction Using Selectable Compensation Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency electronic devices, such as those with DDR-SDRAM interfaces, face performance losses due to manufacturing variations causing clock signal deviations, which existing analogue solutions fail to address effectively, leading to drift and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A digital electronic device equipped with a digital clock deviation detecting and correcting mechanism, featuring pre-calibrated compensation paths to adjust clock signals and duty cycles in real-time, with a non-volatile memory for storing correction data, ensuring predictable and repeatable performance insensitive to temperature and power supply fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an analogue duty cycle correction solution is used, then the clock signal deviations can be corrected, but drift between samples occurs causing operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analogue correction mechanism with a digital correction system. The digital clock correction unit uses digital logic circuits to detect and correct duty cycle deviations, eliminating the drift issues inherent in analogue solutions. The system samples the clock signal at multiple points and uses digital comparators and logic gates to generate corrected clock signals with stable duty cycles.
2Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing variations are present, then clock signal deviations occur, but redesign is required to address performance losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the clock signal dynamically. The system detects duty cycle deviations and adjusts the correction factor accordingly by selecting different compensation paths (first compensation path or second compensation path). This allows the system to adapt to manufacturing variations without requiring redesign, as the correction parameters are adjusted in real-time based on actual signal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting its own clock signal deviations and applying appropriate compensation. The digital clock correction unit continuously monitors the duty cycle and autonomously selects the appropriate compensation path, eliminating the need for external intervention or redesign when manufacturing variations occur.
3Measurement precision
If multiple compensation paths are provided, then clock signal corrections can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between different compensation paths based on the detected clock signal characteristics. The digital clock correction unit evaluates the duty cycle deviation and automatically switches between the first compensation path (for certain deviation ranges) and the second compensation path (for other deviation ranges). This dynamic adaptation optimizes correction accuracy while managing complexity through automated selection logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital electronic device is provided which comprises a digital clock deviation detecting means and a digital clock correcting means. The clock deviation detecting means is used to detect a deviation of a first clock signal of the electronic device and/or the duty cycle of the first clock signal. The clock correcting means is used to correct the first clock signal and/or the duty cycle of the first clock signal if the clock deviation detecting means has detected a deviation of the first clock signal and/or the duty cycle of the first clock signal. The clock correcting means comprises at least a first and second compensation path (P1, P2) for compensating deviations in the first clock signal and/or the duty cycle thereof, when the first clock signal passes through the first or second path. The first path (P1) does not induce a compensation and is selected if the clock deviation detecting means has not detected a deviation in the first clock signal. The second path (P2) includes a first compensation and is selected if the clock deviation detecting means has detected a deviation of the first clock signal.