Data Recovery Circuit Calibration for Clock Phase and Voltage Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in accurately calibrating clock phases and voltage offsets, which are crucial for high-speed data communication, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and circuit size, and affecting operational stability.
Innovation Solution
A method and circuit design that independently calibrate clock phases and voltage offsets using up and down signals generated from input data signals and reference voltages, allowing for simultaneous detection of optimal phases and offset levels without additional circuitry, thereby reducing power consumption and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate calibration circuits are used for clock phase and voltage offset calibration, then calibration accuracy is improved, but circuit size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clock phase calibration circuit and voltage offset calibration circuit into a single integrated calibration unit. Both calibration functions share common components including the same lookup tables, control logic, and signal processing paths, allowing simultaneous calibration of both parameters without requiring separate independent circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration circuit is designed with multi-functional components that can perform both clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration using the same hardware resources. The lookup tables and control mechanisms serve dual purposes, enabling the circuit to adaptively calibrate different parameters based on operating conditions without requiring dedicated separate circuits for each function.
2Measurement precision
If separate calibration circuits are used for clock phase and voltage offset calibration, then calibration accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power consumption of two separate calibration circuits into a single shared calibration unit. By combining the clock phase and voltage offset calibration functions, the patent reduces redundant power consumption from duplicate circuit operations, while maintaining the accuracy benefits of comprehensive calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration circuit operates continuously and adaptively, performing both clock phase and voltage offset calibration in an integrated manner rather than as separate sequential operations. This continuous adaptive calibration maintains accuracy while optimizing power usage by avoiding repeated full-calibration cycles that would consume excessive energy.
3Reliability
If simultaneous calibration of clock phase and voltage offset is performed, then operational stability is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calibration process into distinct functional stages within a unified circuit architecture. The clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration are handled as separate functional modules that operate simultaneously but independently, with each module processing specific signals and parameters before combining results in the control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary control signals and shared lookup tables that mediate between the clock phase and voltage offset calibration functions. These intermediary elements coordinate the simultaneous operation of both calibration processes, managing the complexity by providing standardized interfaces and shared resources rather than direct complex interactions between the two calibration functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating a clock phase and a voltage offset includes receiving an input data signal that is periodically toggled. A clock phase calibration operation is performed based on an up signal and a down signal, such that phases of a plurality of clock signals are adjusted. The up signal and the down signal are generated based on the input data signal, a reference voltage and the plurality of clock signals. A voltage offset calibration operation is performed based on the up signal, the down signal and a first sample data signal, such that a voltage level of the reference voltage is adjusted. The first sample data signal is generated by sampling the input data signal based on one of the plurality of clock signals. The clock phase calibration operation and the voltage offset calibration operation are performed independently of each other and not to overlap with each other.