Clock Subsystem Distributing Delay and Validity Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of multiple communication standards in mobile devices often requires unique clocking requirements, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for multiple clock subsystems, with secondary standards like GPS requiring more stable clocks than those synchronized with primary standards, causing performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A single clock subsystem that provides a reference clock signal and accompanying information to adapt the clock signal to meet the specific requirements of each communication standard, using a voltage-controlled temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (VCTCXO) or crystal oscillator, and distributing this information via a circuit to enable dynamic adaptation, thereby reducing the need for multiple clock subsystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple clock subsystems are used to meet different clocking requirements of various communication standards, then each standard can have its dedicated clock signal, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single clock subsystem that serves multiple communication standards (GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) by providing a universal reference clock signal that can be dynamically adapted to meet the specific requirements of each standard, eliminating the need for separate dedicated clock subsystems for each communication protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting clock signal characteristics (frequency, phase, stability) through control signals and delay information to satisfy the different clocking requirements of various communication standards using a single reference clock source
2Device complexity
If a single reference clock is shared among multiple communication standards, then system complexity is reduced, but clock quality degrades for standards requiring higher stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different quality levels of clock signals to different communication standards from a single reference source, where standards requiring high stability (like GPS) receive clock signals with appropriate stability characteristics while other standards receive signals optimized for their specific requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements including delay information, validity information, and control signals that mediate between the single reference clock source and the various communication standards, allowing the clock signal to be dynamically adjusted to maintain required stability and quality for each standard
3Productivity
If clock signals are synchronized to base stations for mobile communication standards, then communication performance improves, but GPS and other secondary standards experience artificial degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clock signal distribution by providing different processed versions of the reference clock to different communication standards, where mobile communication standards receive synchronized clock signals while GPS and other secondary standards receive clock signals with appropriate stability characteristics, preventing mutual interference and degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic clock signal distribution where the characteristics of the clock signal provided to each communication standard can change over time based on operational requirements, allowing the system to optimize clock quality for GPS when needed while maintaining synchronization for mobile communication standards during active calls
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit has a clock subsystem, and a circuit. The clock subsystem is configured to provide a reference clock signal to a first module and a second module. The circuit is configured to distribute information describing characteristics of the reference clock signal to the second module. The information distributed with the circuit enables the second module to adapt the reference clock signal based on the information.