Clock Oscillator Circuit Using Critical-Path Delay Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits often operate below their capable frequency or with excessive supply voltage due to worst-case scenario design, leading to suboptimal performance and power consumption, and existing solutions like performance detection circuitry suffer from delays in correcting supply voltage, which can cause errors.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with oscillator circuitry that generates a clock signal based on the worst-case propagation through multiple propagation paths, dynamically adapting the frequency to match the performance characteristics of critical paths and adjusting to supply voltage variations, ensuring correct operation without delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system is designed for worst-case scenario performance, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates as circuits operate below their capable frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adjustment by measuring the actual propagation delay of signals through the circuit and automatically adjusting the clock frequency to match the measured performance. This allows the system to transition from static worst-case design to dynamic adaptation, maximizing operating frequency while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor signal propagation characteristics and use this information to adjust the operating frequency. The measured propagation delay feeds back to the frequency control logic, which adjusts the clock signal to optimize performance based on actual circuit behavior rather than worst-case assumptions.
2Productivity
If performance detection circuitry is used to adjust supply voltage, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to delay in correcting supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frequency measurement and adjustment in advance of critical operations, ensuring that the correct operating frequency is established before signals that are sensitive to timing variations are processed. This preliminary adjustment prevents timing errors rather than correcting them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces voltage-based performance adjustment with frequency-based adjustment. Instead of modifying supply voltage to compensate for performance variations, the system directly adjusts the clock frequency to match the measured propagation characteristics, eliminating the delay inherent in voltage adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit comprising oscillator circuitry is arranged to generate a clock signal for functional logic module of the integrated circuit. The oscillator circuitry comprises a plurality of propagation paths, and is arranged to apply a transition signal to inputs of the plurality of propagation paths, and to cause the output clock signal to transition based on a propagation of the transition signal through a determined set of the propagation paths.