Command Alignment Circuit Using Divided Clock Cycles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As memory devices increase in operating frequencies, propagation delays in logic circuitry cause a speed bottleneck in processing memory operation commands, leading to premature capture or cutoff of commands and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiplexing circuitry and control logic upstream from the command decoder, coupled with a clock divider, to utilize divided clocks in parallel and reduce processing bottlenecks by aligning command inputs with even and odd clock cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If memory devices increase in operating frequencies, then productivity is improved, but propagation delays in logic circuitry cause speed bottleneck and command processing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the command processing path by introducing multiplexing circuitry that separates command capture from command execution. The multiplexer captures commands on one clock edge and releases them on a different clock edge, effectively dividing the processing timeline into distinct phases. This segmentation allows the command decoder to operate independently from the timing-sensitive execution logic, resolving the contradiction between high frequency operation and reliable command processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer performs preliminary action by capturing and buffering commands in advance before they need to be executed. By pre-capturing commands on a clock edge and holding them in the multiplexer output buffer, the system prepares command data ahead of time, allowing the execution logic to process commands without being constrained by immediate timing requirements. This preliminary capture action eliminates the speed bottleneck caused by propagation delays.
2Device complexity
If logic circuitry propagation delays are present, then device complexity is reduced, but setup margins deteriorate and command misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexer acts as an intermediary component between the command input and the command decoder. It mediates the timing relationship by capturing commands on one clock edge and releasing them on a subsequent edge, effectively decoupling the timing-sensitive command capture from the timing-critical execution. This intermediary function maintains timing alignment precision without requiring complex synchronization logic throughout the entire path.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure may involve a memory device that includes a command path. The command path may include a command decoder. The memory device may also include a clock path. The clock path may include a multiplexer coupled to the command path via one or more flip-flops. By including the multiplexer in the clock path, a reduced amount of processing bottleneck may occur in the command decoder.