Clock Distribution Network Wake-Up Sequencing for Fast Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The internal clock generation circuit in semiconductor devices takes a long time to stabilize after being activated from a low power mode, making it difficult to deactivate in low power modes and increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A clock distribution network comprising a wake-up control circuit, a global clock tree, and a local clock tree, which generates global and local enable signals to buffer input clock signals and set output clock signals to a common mode voltage level, allowing for rapid stabilization and switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the internal clock generation circuit is deactivated in low power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the circuit takes a long time to stabilize when reactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output nodes of the clock distribution network to a common mode voltage level before full activation. The wake-up control circuit sequentially enables different stages: first setting output nodes to common mode voltage, then enabling local clock trees, and finally enabling the global clock tree. This staged approach prepares the circuit in advance, reducing the stabilization time when fully activated from low power mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a dynamic wake-up sequence that adapts the activation process. The wake-up control circuit generates staged enable signals (first wake-up signal, second wake-up signal) that dynamically control the progression from low power mode to full operation. The circuit transitions through intermediate states rather than abrupt switching, optimizing both power consumption and wake-up time based on operational requirements.
2Loss of time
If the internal clock generation circuit remains activated, then wake-up time is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output nodes to common mode voltage level before full clock signal activation. This preparation step is controlled by the wake-up control circuit which sequences the activation: first setting up the voltage level, then enabling local clock trees, and finally enabling the global clock tree. This allows the circuit to remain in a low-power prepared state rather than fully activated, reducing continuous power consumption while maintaining fast wake-up capability.
3Device complexity
If the clock distribution network uses traditional activation method, then the circuit structure is simple, but the stabilization time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the clock distribution network into distinct functional stages: a wake-up control circuit, local clock trees, and a global clock tree. Each stage can be independently controlled and activated. The wake-up control circuit generates staged enable signals that activate different portions of the network in sequence, allowing complex stabilization procedures to be implemented without overwhelming circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by introducing a wake-up control circuit that dynamically manages the activation sequence. The circuit transitions from a static on/off state to a dynamic multi-stage activation process. The wake-up control circuit responds to activation requests by sequentially enabling different clock distribution stages, optimizing stabilization time while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through controlled dynamism.
Data Source
AI summary
A clock distribution network includes a global clock tree and a local clock tree. When the clock distribution network is activated, the local clock tree is first activated, and the voltage levels of first and second output clock signals are set as a common mode voltage level. When the global clock tree is activated, the global clock tree generates first and second global clock signals from first and second input clock signals. The local clock tree generates the first and second output clock signals from the first and second global clock signals.