Digital Circuit Signal Synchronization via Phase Shift Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed parallel interfaces face synchronization challenges due to signal timing variations and the need for expensive measuring devices, leading to reduced data rates and throughput in digital circuits.
Innovation Solution
A method for synchronizing signals across multiple sites in a digital circuit by determining phase shifts between signals at each site and adjusting delays to align them, using a network of lines and detector devices to calculate and apply individual delays for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive measuring devices are used to synchronize signals, then synchronization precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing digital circuit itself to perform synchronization measurements by detecting phase shifts between signals at different sites, eliminating the need for external expensive measuring devices. The circuit's own signals are used as reference for synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates virtual copies of signal paths by routing signals through multiple lines (first line and second line) that contact each site just once, allowing phase shift measurements to be performed using the circuit's existing infrastructure rather than external equipment.
2Reliability
If clock rate is reduced to avoid synchronization errors, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary phase shift measurements and delay calculations before actual data transmission. By pre-determining the phase shifts between signals at different sites and calculating appropriate delays, the system ensures synchronization is established before high-speed operation begins, allowing reliable high-throughput transmission without errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where phase shifts are measured between signals at different sites, and delay values are adjusted based on these measurements. This closed-loop approach ensures signals are properly synchronized before enabling high clock rate operation, maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If signal paths are extended to cover all sites, then measurement coverage is improved, but signal delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into discrete phase shift measurements at each site between two reference signals. By measuring phase shifts locally at each site rather than transmitting signals through the entire circuit, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without incurring cumulative transmission delays across all sites.
Solution Approach 2:
Two reference signals (first signal and second signal) are used as intermediaries to measure phase shifts at all sites. These reference signals traverse the circuit once in each direction, serving as mediators that enable phase shift measurements at all intermediate sites without requiring signals to be extended beyond the necessary paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of synchronization of a digital circuit includes selecting a first site and a second site from a plurality of different sites of the digital circuit where a signal to be synchronized occurs; passing a first signal, which is the signal to be synchronized of the first site, via a first line that starts at the first site, ends at the second site, and contacts each of the sites just once, to the second site; passing a second signal, which is the signal to be synchronized of the second site, via a second line that starts at the second site, ends at the first site, and contacts each of the sites just once, to the first site; determining, for each site, a first phase shift between the signal to be synchronized of this site and the first signal, and a second phase shift between the signal to be synchronized of this site and the second signal; and determining, from the first and second phase shifts of each site, a delay for each site, with which the signal to be synchronized of the respective site is delayed for the synchronization.