Duty Cycle Corrector With Overshoot Prevention Latch Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor devices experience errors due to undesirable changes in duty cycle of clock signals, leading to potential damage from overshoots or undershoots in transistors within duty cycle correctors (DCCs).

Innovation Solution

A DCC design incorporating first and second duty cycle correction circuits with AC coupling capacitors and inverters, along with an overshoot prevention circuit using cross-coupled latches, to stabilize voltage levels at nodes and prevent overvoltage damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a DCC is used to adjust the duty cycle of clock signals, then the duty cycle accuracy is improved, but the risk of overshoot or undershoot damaging transistors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduty cycle accuracyVSAvoidtransistor reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overshoot prevention circuit applies preliminary anti-action by detecting voltage changes at the first and third nodes and activating switches to counteract overshoot or undershoot conditions before they can damage transistors. The circuit proactively prevents harmful voltage excursions by opposing the harmful effect as it begins to develop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The overshoot prevention circuit acts as an intermediary between the duty cycle correction circuits and the transistors, monitoring voltage levels and intervening when necessary to prevent damage. This mediator circuit allows the DCC to function while protecting vulnerable components from its potentially harmful side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional protection circuits are added to prevent overshoot or undershoot, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransistor protectionVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overshoot prevention circuit is merged with the existing duty cycle correction circuit structure, sharing common nodes and integrating seamlessly into the differential signal path. This combining approach adds protection functionality while minimizing the increase in overall circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The overshoot prevention circuit performs multiple functions: it protects against both overshoot and undershoot conditions, works with differential signal pairs, and integrates with the existing DCC architecture. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive protection with a single integrated circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12615041B2Duty cycle corrector, semiconductor device including the same, and operating method of duty cycle corrector

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A duty cycle corrector (DCC) includes a first duty cycle correction circuit, a second duty cycle correction circuit, and overshoot prevention circuit connected between the first duty cycle correction circuit and the second duty cycle correction circuit. Each of the duty cycle correction circuits include a capacitor, two inverters, a resister, and two switches.