Delay Line Voltage Regulation for PVT Stability and Leakage Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal delay lines face challenges in maintaining accuracy and predictability due to process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations and leakage current, which affect the linearity and stability of delays in various circuits such as phase shifters and time-based converters.
Innovation Solution
A signal delay circuit comprising a ring oscillator, a control circuit, a delay line, and a voltage regulator, where the control circuit maintains a constant voltage-to-current ratio to achieve PVT robustness and linearity, and includes a leakage current compensation mechanism to adjust the delay based on sensed leakage current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional delay line is used without compensation mechanisms, then the circuit is simple, but the delay accuracy deteriorates due to PVT variations and leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through control circuits that continuously monitor and adjust the delay line operation. The control circuit receives feedback about actual delay performance and PVT conditions, then modifies control signals to compensate for deviations, maintaining accurate delay despite environmental variations and leakage current.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a voltage regulator that mediates between power supply and delay line, and control circuits that act as intermediaries between sensing elements and delay elements. These intermediaries buffer and condition signals to protect the delay line from direct exposure to PVT variations and leakage effects.
2Reliability
If the delay line operates without leakage current compensation, then the circuit is simpler, but delay predictability worsens especially in temperature-sensitive technology nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback through leakage current sensing circuits that detect actual leakage current in the delay line. The sensed leakage information is fed back to compensation circuits that adjust delay control signals to counteract the leakage effects, ensuring predictable delay performance even in temperature-sensitive technology nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The delay line circuit performs self-diagnosis and self-correction through integrated sensing elements that monitor its own leakage current. The circuit automatically compensates for its own degradation without external intervention, maintaining reliable operation through self-service compensation mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If PVT compensation mechanisms are added to the delay line, then delay stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional control circuits that simultaneously perform multiple tasks: sensing PVT conditions, detecting leakage current, generating compensation signals, and regulating voltage. This universal approach allows a single integrated control block to handle multiple stability concerns without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate functions (voltage regulation, leakage compensation, PVT sensing) into an integrated control system. By merging these functions into unified control circuits, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent compensation mechanisms for each issue.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect relates to an apparatus, including: a ring oscillator coupled between a first node and a first voltage rail; a control circuit coupled to the first node; a delay line coupled between a second node and the first voltage rail; and a voltage regulator including an input coupled to the first node and an output coupled to the second node.