Configurable Gain Oscillator for Low-Power Clock Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oscillator circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption during low power modes without compromising the accuracy and speed of clock signals, particularly in applications like real-time clocks and network devices, as they often require separate low power oscillators that increase circuit size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An oscillator circuit with a dynamically configurable gain circuit that selectively enables and disables gain elements based on mode select signals, allowing for reduced power consumption during low power modes without using a separate low-power oscillator, by intermittently pulsing enable signals to maintain clock signal generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional crystal oscillator with a continuously ON current source is used to generate high-accuracy, high-speed clock signals, then timing precision and signal accuracy are improved, but power consumption increases and cannot be reduced during low power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gain element operable in multiple modes (first mode with full operation, second mode with reduced operation) rather than fixed operation. The gain element's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on whether the oscillator core is operating, allowing the system to adapt between high-accuracy mode and low-power mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between timing precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the gain element to operate intermittently rather than continuously. The gain element is activated periodically when the oscillator core needs to generate clock signals and deactivated during low-power periods, creating a rhythmic on-off pattern that maintains timing accuracy when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a separate low power oscillator (LPO) is used during low power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but circuit size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single oscillator circuit that can perform multiple functions: generating high-accuracy clock signals during normal operation and reducing power consumption during low-power modes. The gain element serves dual purposes by operating in different modes rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the high-accuracy oscillator functionality and low-power oscillator functionality into a single integrated circuit. Instead of having separate LPO and main oscillator circuits, the invention combines both capabilities in one oscillator core with a configurable gain element, eliminating the need for additional circuitry and reducing overall system complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the gain element is always ON to sustain oscillations, then oscillation stability is maintained, but power consumption cannot be reduced during inactive periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gain element's operational state variable rather than fixed. The gain element can be dynamically switched between fully operable (first mode) and reduced operation (second mode) states, allowing the system to maintain oscillation stability when needed while reducing power consumption during inactive periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and power usage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables significant power reduction in oscillator circuits during low power modes while maintaining high-accuracy and high-speed clock signals, without the need for additional circuitry, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Many oscillator circuits generating oscillations with precise frequencies use a crystal as an oscillator core to govern their resonating signals
Implementation Method 2
In order to sustain oscillations of a crystal oscillator, a gain element such as a transistor can be used to amplify the resonating signal and feed it back to the oscillator core
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for configuring an oscillator circuit to selectively switch between a low power mode and a normal mode of operation. The oscillator circuit includes an oscillator core in parallel with a dynamically configurable gain circuit. The oscillator core is configured to generate a clock signal. One or more gain elements of the gain circuit can be selectively disabled to reduce the operating power level of the oscillator circuit during a low power mode.