Magnetically Coupled Multi-Inductors for Low-Jitter Clock Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-phase clocking systems face challenges in achieving high frequency and phase accuracy, stability, and efficiency due to noise and parasitic capacitance introduced by active coupling methods, which result in increased jitter and reduced tuning range.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetically coupled multi-inductors in a loop configuration, where inductive elements overlap to enable energy transfer and reduce area requirements, replaces active coupling, thereby improving jitter performance and expanding the tuning range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active coupling methods are used to generate multi-phase clock signals, then the system can achieve clock signal generation, but noise and parasitic capacitance are introduced which increases jitter and reduces tuning range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active coupling methods (electronic coupling using active devices) with magnetic coupling using passive inductors. This substitution eliminates the noise and parasitic capacitance generated by active devices while maintaining the multi-phase clock signal generation capability, directly resolving the technical contradiction between reliability and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic coupling as an intermediary mechanism between circuit stages. The magnetic field acts as a mediator to transfer energy and generate phase-shifted clock signals without requiring direct electrical connection through active devices, thereby eliminating noise and parasitic capacitance while maintaining coupling functionality
2Area of stationary object
If inductive elements are overlapped to enable energy transfer, then area requirements are reduced, but magnetic coupling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple inductive elements into an overlapping configuration where they share common physical space. This combining approach reduces the total area occupied by the circuit while the systematic arrangement of the overlapping inductors maintains manageable complexity through regular patterns
3Reliability
If magnetically coupled multi-inductors are used, then tuning range is expanded and jitter is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clock generation function into multiple independent but magnetically coupled oscillator stages. Each stage generates a phase-shifted version of the clock signal, and the segmentation allows for improved phase accuracy and stability through the distributed magnetic coupling architecture
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 configuration reduces jitter and enhances the tuning range of multi-phase oscillators by eliminating noise from active devices and parasitic capacitance, while maintaining phase accuracy and stability.
Implementation Method 1
Each circuit stage includes an inductive element that overlaps with the inductive elements of its adjacent circuit stages, forming a loop of coupled circuit stages. The overlaps between the inductive elements enable energy to be transferred between the circuit stages via inductive coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
Coupled multi-inductors and their applications. An apparatus includes several circuit stages. Each circuit stage includes an inductive element that overlaps with the inductive elements of its adjacent circuit stages, forming a loop of coupled circuit stages. The apparatus may be, for example, a multi-phase oscillator with multiple oscillators that are magnetically coupled to each other for generating oscillation signals at different phases. The apparatus may also be, for example, a phase interpolator for combining input signals.