Clock Calibration with Delayed Reference Replicas for Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock signal calibration methods in microcontrollers and integrated circuits, especially in IoT applications, face challenges due to initial phase errors and synchronization errors, leading to increased power consumption and longer calibration times, which affect the continuity of service.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that uses a delay line to produce a set of delayed clock replicas of a reference clock signal, allowing for the selection of the replica with the minimum phase error, and a comparator circuit to calculate an error signal for precise alignment of the clock signal with the reference clock, reducing calibration time and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional clock calibration methods are used to compensate for phase errors, then measurement precision is improved, but calibration time increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing calibration values in a lookup table during manufacturing or initialization. During runtime, the system simply queries this pre-computed table to obtain correction values, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time iterative calibration while maintaining high precision clock signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the calibration process into discrete, pre-computed steps stored in a lookup table. Instead of continuous iterative adjustment, the calibration space is divided into discrete phases or correction levels that can be quickly selected and applied, significantly reducing calibration time while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional clock calibration methods are used to compensate for phase errors, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing calibration values in a lookup table during manufacturing or initialization. During runtime, the system simply queries this pre-computed table to obtain correction values, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time iterative calibration while maintaining high precision clock signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a lightweight lookup table structure that requires minimal computational resources to query and update. This disposable-style calibration approach replaces complex, power-intensive iterative algorithms with simple table lookups, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining calibration effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If observation time is increased to reduce synchronization error, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing calibration values in a lookup table during manufacturing or initialization. During runtime, the system simply queries this pre-computed table to obtain correction values, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time iterative calibration while maintaining high precision clock signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the lengthy iterative calibration process by using pre-computed lookup tables. Instead of rushing through multiple observation cycles to reduce synchronization error, the system directly jumps to the corrected calibration values stored in the table, achieving high precision calibration instantaneously and maintaining service continuity.
4Measurement precision
If complex calibration procedures are used to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing calibration values in a lookup table during manufacturing or initialization. During runtime, the system simply queries this pre-computed table to obtain correction values, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time iterative calibration while maintaining high precision clock signal accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a lookup table that stores pre-computed calibration data, effectively creating a simplified copy or representation of the complex calibration relationships. This table-based approach replaces complex real-time calculation logic with simple data retrieval, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, comprising: producing (12) a set of delayed replicas (REF_D) of a reference clock signal (REF), wherein delayed replicas in the set of delayed replicas (REF_D) have respective signal edges delayed in time by a mutual time delay therebetween; producing a set of edge detecting signals comprising edge detecting signals indicative of respective distances of edges of delayed replicas in the set of delayed replicas (REF_D) from an edge of a clock signal (CK) having a clock period; selecting (16) based on edge detecting signals in the set of edge detecting signals a delayed replica (REF_Dj) in the set of delayed replicas (REF_D) having a distance from the clock signal edge (CK) that is shorter than the distance from the clock signal edge (CK) of any other delayed replica in the set of delayed replicas (REF_D); performing a comparison (18) of the clock period of the clock signal (CK) and of the selected delayed replica, obtaining as a result of the comparison, an error signal (CK_C) indicative of a difference therebetween, and providing the error signal (CK_C) to user circuitry (U) configured to calibrate the clock signal (CK) based on the error signal (CK_C).