Clock Timing Adjust Circuit for Synchronous Semiconductor Data Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clocked semiconductor integrated circuits face timing collisions due to asynchronous events, leading to data collisions and invalid data transmission, especially at varying temperature, manufacturing process, and voltage conditions, which existing technologies fail to adequately address without introducing unnecessary delays.
Innovation Solution
A clock timing adjust circuit that detects the operating frequency of the input clock and adjusts the timing latency of internal control signals by advancing or delaying them by one or more clock cycles, thereby preventing data collisions and ensuring valid data transmission across a wide frequency range without additional silicon area or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If timing latency is increased to prevent data collisions, then data transmission reliability is improved, but system speed and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timing latency adjustment by detecting clock frequency variations and selectively inserting delay stages (additional flip-flops) only when high-frequency operation causes timing collisions. The system transitions between fixed and variable latency modes, adding delay elements conditionally based on real-time frequency detection, thus optimizing both reliability and speed differentially across operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing latency parameter dynamically by detecting clock frequency and adjusting the number of delay stages accordingly. When high frequency is detected, additional flip-flop stages are inserted to increase latency; when low frequency is detected, the original timing is maintained. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and speed
2Reliability
If deep FIFOs and registers are used to prevent timing collisions, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using statically deep FIFOs and large registers, the patent dynamically adjusts timing latency by inserting variable numbers of delay stages based on detected clock frequency. This dynamic approach replaces static over-provisioning with adaptive minimal provisioning, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability across frequency variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the effective timing latency parameter by inserting different numbers of delay stages (zero or more flip-flops) based on clock frequency detection. This parameter adaptation allows the system to achieve collision-free operation with minimal additional circuitry rather than requiring deeply buffered FIFOs and large registers
3Reliability
If timing latency is adjusted for high frequency operation, then data transmission reliability is improved, but signal propagation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements conditional timing adjustment where delay stages are inserted only when high-frequency operation is detected and timing collisions are likely. During low-frequency operation, no additional delays are added, maintaining minimal propagation time. This dynamic conditional approach balances reliability improvement against time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a clocked integrated circuit receiving an input clock signal having a clock frequency and a command signal for accessing a memory element in the clocked integrated circuit. The method detects the input clock signal having a clock frequency above or below a frequency threshold. The method generates a clock detect output signal having a first logical state in response to the clock frequency being below the frequency threshold and generates the clock detect output signal having a second logical state in response to the clock frequency being above the frequency threshold. The method delays the command signal by a first timing latency to generate a timing adjusted control signal where the first timing latency is one or more clock periods of the input clock signal. Finally, the method adjusts the first timing latency in response to the clock detect output signal.