Multi-Destination Clock Synchronization With Shared Delay Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization methods in semiconductor devices face challenges in synchronizing multiple destinations efficiently due to differences in distance, materials, and components, leading to inadequate synchronization and increased circuit area, cost, and power consumption when using independent synchronization circuits for each device.
Innovation Solution
A multi-destination clock synchronization circuit comprising an independent synchronization circuit and a dependent synchronization circuit, where the independent circuit generates a synchronized clock signal for a first destination, and the dependent circuit modifies this signal to synchronize a second destination, using variable and fixed delay lines to adjust for differences in delay, reducing the need for additional circuitry and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a common synchronization circuit is used for multiple destinations, then circuit area is reduced, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to differences in distance, materials, and components
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system is segmented into a common synchronization circuit for shared destinations and individual synchronization circuits for specific destinations. This segmentation allows the common circuit to serve multiple destinations efficiently while individual circuits provide precise synchronization adjustment for destinations with unique timing requirements, resolving the contradiction between circuit area reduction and synchronization accuracy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable delay elements that allow the synchronization circuit to dynamically adapt delay times for different destinations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same synchronization circuit to maintain accurate synchronization across multiple destinations with different path characteristics, preventing synchronization accuracy deterioration while keeping circuit area reduced.
2Manufacturing precision
If independent synchronization circuits are used for each destination, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but circuit area, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a synchronization circuit that can serve multiple destinations universally. The common synchronization circuit provides baseline synchronization for multiple destinations simultaneously, while individual synchronization circuits are only added when specifically needed for destinations with unique timing requirements. This multi-functionality approach maintains synchronization accuracy without requiring independent circuits for every destination, thus avoiding excessive circuit area, cost, and power consumption increases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices are positioned at different distances from the synchronization circuit, then device placement flexibility is improved, but synchronization difficulty increases due to varying delay paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable delay elements that can be configured to match the specific delay characteristics of each destination's transmission path. This dynamic delay adjustment compensates for variations caused by different device positions, materials, and components, allowing devices to be placed flexibly throughout the semiconductor device without increasing synchronization difficulty. The delay adjustment mechanism adapts to each destination's unique characteristics, maintaining synchronization accuracy regardless of placement variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits, methods and systems are disclosed providing clock synchronization circuits for synchronized clock distribution for a plurality of devices in a semiconductor device. The clock synchronization apparatus includes an independent synchronization circuit and a dependent synchronization circuit. The independent synchronization circuit may provide synchronized clock distribution for a first destination while the dependent synchronization circuit may provide synchronized clock distribution to a second destination. A method for synchronized clock distribution to a plurality of destinations is also described.