Clock-Synchronized Signal Generation for Domain Crossing Timing Margins
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Solution Overview
Problem
As semiconductor apparatuses operate at increasingly higher speeds, the frequency of clock signals increases, leading to insufficient time margins for signal processing due to shortened cycles and reduced amplitudes, necessitating a circuit that can generate signals with specific delays and pulse widths to ensure reliable domain crossing operations.
Innovation Solution
A signal generation circuit that includes a clock division circuit generating division clock signals with different phases, a synchronization signal generation circuit, and a retiming circuit, which adjust pulse widths and delays based on control signals to synchronize input signals with clock signals, ensuring adequate time margins for signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the clock signal frequency is increased to operate semiconductor apparatuses at higher speeds, then productivity is improved, but the time margin for signal processing becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clock signal into multiple division clock signals with different phases using a clock division circuit. This segmentation allows different stages of the circuit to operate at optimized timing, effectively increasing the available time margin for signal processing even at high clock frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses on-timing control circuits to advance the timing of pulse signals before they are needed. By generating control signals that anticipate the required timing, the circuit ensures that signals are ready in advance, compensating for the reduced time margin caused by high-frequency operation.
2Productivity
If the clock signal frequency is increased to operate semiconductor apparatuses at higher speeds, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient time margins
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the clock signal into multiple phase-divided signals, the patent creates a more robust timing structure that can accommodate variations and delays, thereby improving reliability while maintaining high operating speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs on-timing and off-timing control circuits that monitor and adjust signal timing based on feedback from the circuit operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that signals maintain proper timing relationships, improving reliability even as clock frequency increases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If division clock signals are used for domain crossing operations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The on-timing control circuit is designed to handle multiple functions: it controls both the on-timing of pulse signals and generates control signals for other circuit stages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Manufacturing precision
If on-timing control circuits are added to adjust pulse timing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the on-timing control functionality with the existing clock division circuit by using the same division clock signals to control both the clocking operation and the pulse timing. This merging of functions achieves precise signal timing control without adding completely separate control circuitry, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal driver includes a first driver, a second driver, an on-timing control circuit, and an off-timing control circuit. The first driver is configured to generate a first driving pulse signal by inverting and driving an input pulse signal. The second driver is configured to generate a second driving pulse signal by inverting and driving the first driving pulse signal. The on-timing control circuit is configured to pull-up drive or pull-down drive the first driving pulse signal based on a first on-timing control signal, a second on-timing control signal, and the input pulse signal. The off-timing control circuit is configured to pull-up drive or pull-down drive the second driving pulse signal based on a first off-timing control signal, a second off-timing control signal, and the first driving pulse signal.