Clock Distribution Network for Multi-Frequency Signal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in efficiently synchronizing command address signals and data signals with different frequency requirements, necessitating improved clock distribution networks for effective communication between semiconductor devices.
Innovation Solution
A clock distribution network incorporating a global clock generation circuit, data clock generation circuit, and phase adjustment circuit to generate and synchronize multiple clock signals with varying frequencies and phases, ensuring synchronized communication between semiconductor devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single clock signal is used for both command address signals and data signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the synchronization precision deteriorates because command address signals and data signals require different frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The clock distribution network is segmented into multiple independent clock generation circuits: a global clock generation circuit for generating first and second division clock signals, and separate data clock generation circuits for generating first and second data clock signals. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate at its optimal frequency band, achieving precise synchronization for both command address signals and data signals while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If multiple clock signals with different frequencies are generated separately, then the synchronization precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple clock generation circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The global clock generation circuit serves multiple functions by generating both first division clock signals (used for command address signals) and second division clock signals (used for data clock generation). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby improving synchronization precision across different signal types while controlling overall device complexity through shared resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock distribution network employs a nested structure where second data clock signals are generated based on both second division clock signals and first data clock signals. This nesting allows lower-level clock signals to be derived from higher-level signals, achieving precise frequency multiplication/division for data operations while reusing existing clock infrastructure, thus improving synchronization without linearly increasing complexity.
3Device complexity
If clock signals are generated without phase adjustment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal latency increases due to phase misalignment between clock signals
Solution Approach 1:
The phase adjustment circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the phase relationships between clock signals and dynamically adjust timing parameters. By continuously detecting phase misalignment and applying corrective delay or advance to specific clock signals, the system minimizes signal latency for both command address and data operations while maintaining manageable complexity through automated closed-loop control rather than complex manual timing design.
Data Source
AI summary
A clock distribution network includes a global clock generation circuit and a data clock generation circuit. The global clock generation circuit generates a first group of division clock signals by dividing a system clock signal, and generates a second group of division clock signals by dividing the first group of division clock signals. The data clock generation circuit generates a first group of data clock signals based on the system clock signal and at least some of the first group of division clock signals, and generates a second group of data clock signals based on at least some of the first group of data clock signals and at least some of the second group of division clock signals.