Clock Insertion Delay in PLDs for Clock-Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable logic devices (PLDs) face challenges in synchronizing clock and data signals due to mismatches caused by varying delays across different components, leading to hold-time violations and increased costs from the need for additional hardware delay elements.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves intentionally delaying clock signals provided to low complexity components to compensate for delays in high complexity components, synchronizing clock and data signals without requiring additional hardware delay elements, by configuring an intellectual property (IP) block and a programmable logic cell (PLC) with an adjustable delay element to apply a delay period to the clock signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional hardware delay elements are added to synchronize clock and data signals, then timing synchronization is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the delay function from separate hardware delay elements and integrates it into the clock distribution network itself. The clock insertion delay is built into the clock signal path through programmable logic cells, eliminating the need for standalone delay elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining timing synchronization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clock distribution network is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only distributes clock signals but also provides programmable delay adjustment and timing synchronization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated delay elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to synchronize clock and data signals across different component types
2Reliability
If additional hardware delay elements are added to synchronize clock and data signals, then timing synchronization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay functionality is extracted from separate manufacturable components and integrated into the existing clock distribution infrastructure. This reduces the bill of materials and assembly complexity, directly lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the timing synchronization function through programmable delay adjustment in the clock network
Solution Approach 2:
The clock distribution network is enhanced to provide both clock signal distribution and programmable delay adjustment in a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate delay elements that would increase manufacturing cost, while the programmable nature allows the same hardware to adapt to different timing requirements across various component types
3Reliability
If delay elements are added to slow processing for synchronization, then timing mismatch is reduced, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies delay adjustment locally and selectively to specific clock signal paths only where timing mismatches occur, rather than uniformly slowing down the entire clock distribution system. Different clock channels can have different delay settings, allowing fast paths to remain fast while slow paths receive additional delay to achieve synchronization, thus maintaining overall processing speed while controlling timing mismatch
4Reliability
If trimming and gate delays are used to eliminate mismatches, then timing synchronization is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay adjustment functionality is extracted from separate physical delay elements and integrated into the clock distribution network's routing and switching infrastructure. This utilizes existing hardware resources for their dual purpose of clock distribution and delay adjustment, eliminating the need for additional dedicated delay components that would consume PLD area
Data Source
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AI summary
Various techniques are provided to efficiently synchronize clock and data signals in programmable logic devices, PLDs. In one example, a method comprises configuring an intellectual property, IP, block of the PLD to receive a first clock signal and a first data signal at a first component of the IP block, determining a delay associated with the first clock signal between a first input and the first component, configuring a programmable logic cell, PLC, to receive a second clock signal and output the first data signal to the IP block, determining a delay period to synchronize the first clock signal and the first data signal at the first component of the IP block, and configuring an adjustable delay element to apply the delay period to the second clock signal to synchronize the first clock signal and the first data signal at the first component of the IP block. Additional systems and methods are also provided.