Delay-Line Pulse Generator for Precise Width Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pulse signal generation methods are inefficient in terms of power and circuit area, as they rely on high-speed clocks or large-area consuming solutions, leading to inaccurate pulse widths and potential errors in digital circuit operations.
Innovation Solution
A width-controllable pulse generator using a delay line with multiple stages, where the per-stage delay is measured and utilized to generate pulses of precise width, independent of the input clock frequency, allowing for accurate small pulse width generation without the need for power-consuming fast clocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional high-speed clock methods are used for pulse generation, then pulse width accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generation function is segmented into multiple delay stages, where each stage contributes a specific delay portion. By selecting and combining outputs from different stages, the desired pulse width is achieved without requiring a high-speed clock, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A delay line is introduced as an intermediary element between the clock signal and the pulse output. The delay line converts the clock signal into delayed versions that can be combined to generate precise pulse widths, eliminating the need for high-speed clock operation and reducing power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If traditional high-speed clock methods are used for pulse generation, then pulse width accuracy is improved, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into multiple delay stages connected in series, forming a delay line. This segmentation allows the use of simple, small-area delay elements rather than requiring a large-area high-speed clock circuit, achieving pulse width accuracy with minimal area overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay line serves multiple functions: it generates delayed clock signals, provides selectable pulse widths through different stage combinations, and eliminates the need for separate high-speed clock generation circuitry. This multi-functionality reduces the overall circuit area while maintaining pulse width accuracy.
3Device complexity
If fixed pulse width generation is used, then circuit complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generation circuit is made dynamic by allowing selection of different delay stage combinations based on the desired pulse width. The system can adapt to different pulse width requirements by selectively activating appropriate stages, providing versatility without significantly increasing circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay line is pre-configured with multiple stages that provide predetermined delay values. This preliminary arrangement of delay stages allows for rapid adaptation to different pulse width requirements without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms, maintaining low circuit complexity while achieving high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for a circuit for generating a pulse output having a controllable pulse width. Systems and methods may include a delay line having a plurality of stages. A delay per stage calculation circuit is configured to determine a per-stage delay of the delay line using a first clock input. A pulse generation circuit is configured to generate the pulse output using the delay line based on the per-stage delay using a second clock input, the second clock input having a lower frequency than the first clock input.