Clock-Synchronized Data Conversion for Flexible Bit-Width Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing FPGA technologies face complexity in control signals due to fixed ratios of input and output clock frequencies, leading to potential errors and increased design complexity, especially in high-frequency systems, and require cumbersome data caching and reconversion processes for serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial data conversion.
Innovation Solution
A data conversion apparatus with a conversion module, frequency divider, and clock selection module that dynamically adjusts write and read clock signals based on input and output data bit-widths, allowing flexible conversion between serial and parallel data formats, ensuring in-phase clock signals to prevent errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed ratio clock frequencies are used for data conversion, then data conversion can be achieved, but control signal complexity increases and design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock frequency adjustment by dividing the input clock signal by different integers (N1, N2, N3, N4) based on the data conversion ratio requirements. The frequency divider dynamically selects appropriate division ratios to match the bit-width conversion (m-bit to n-bit), allowing the system to adapt to different conversion scenarios without fixed clock ratios, thereby reducing control signal complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If data is cached in shift register for conversion, then parallel-to-serial and serial-to-parallel conversion can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of data conversion from the traditional shift register caching mechanism. By using frequency division to directly control the timing and rate of data transfer between parallel and serial formats, the invention eliminates the need for complex multi-stage caching and reconversion processes, simplifying the overall data conversion operation while maintaining conversion functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional FPGA technology is used for data conversion, then data can be transmitted, but errors may occur in high-frequency systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output clock signal is derived from dividing the input clock signal, ensuring that the clock signals used for writing and reading data in the conversion module are synchronized and in-phase. This feedback-based clock synchronization prevents timing errors and data corruption that can occur in high-frequency systems, maintaining reliability while supporting high-speed transmission through efficient frequency division rather than fixed ratios.
Data Source
AI summary
A data conversion apparatus includes a conversion module, a frequency divider module electrically connected to the conversion module, and a clock selection module electrically connected to both the conversion module and the frequency divider module. The frequency divider module is configured to divide an input clock signal to obtain an output clock signal according to a bit-width m of input data and a bit-width n of output data. The clock selection module is configured to transmit the input clock signal and the output clock signal to the conversion module as a write clock signal and a read clock signal, respectively. The conversion module is configured to: receive the input data of m-bit-width according to the write clock signal; convert the input data into the output data of n-bit-width; and output the output data according to the read clock signal.