Duty Cycle Distortion Generator With Feedback-Controlled Clock Skew
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting or introducing duty cycle distortion in signals are inadequate, particularly at high signal speeds, as they require expensive and complex test equipment and add unnecessary complexity, power consumption, and cost to circuits.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising input and output buffers with a feedback loop that introduces and controls duty cycle distortion in signals by comparing the distorted signal to a duty cycle distortion control signal, using linear buffers and a digital to analog converter to generate an error signal and adjust the distortion accordingly, allowing for precise control of duty cycle distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed test equipment is used to test downstream components, then testing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the duty cycle distortion effect using basic circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, buffers) instead of requiring complex high-speed test equipment. The distortion generator circuit replicates the distortion that would normally be measured by expensive equipment, enabling testing through software control rather than sophisticated hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical complexity of high-speed test equipment with a software-controlled circuit model. Instead of using complex physical test equipment to generate and measure distortion, the system uses software to control a simple distortion generator circuit, substituting computational control for mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If redriving circuit is added to correct duty cycle distortion, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic correction system where the distortion generator actively adjusts its output based on feedback from the distorted signal. The circuit continuously monitors the duty cycle distortion and dynamically modifies its correction action, allowing effective signal quality improvement without requiring multiple static redriving stages that would consume more power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback loop that measures the actual duty cycle of the distorted signal and uses this information to control the distortion generator. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate correction of duty cycle distortion with minimal power consumption, as the system only applies correction when and where needed based on actual signal conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively corrects duty cycle distortion and allows for controlled introduction of distortion, improving circuit operation and testing capabilities while reducing complexity and cost, and enhancing the resilience of downstream components to handle distorted signals.
Implementation Method 1
a filter configured to transform the square wave input signal into a signal with sloped transitions
Implementation Method 2
presented to a digital to analog converter which converts the duty cycle distortion control signal to an analog signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling duty cycle distortion in a signal. The system includes an input configured to receive a square wave input signal and a filter configured to transform the square wave input signal into a signal with sloped transitions. One or more linear buffers introduce duty cycle distortion into the signal based on a duty cycle distortion signal to create a duty cycle distorted signal. One or more output buffers receive and transform the duty cycle distorted signal into a distorted square wave signal. A feedback loop receives the distorted square wave signal and compares it to a duty cycle distortion control signal to generate an error signal, which indicates the difference between the square wave signal and the desired output duty cycle. The error signal is converted to the duty cycle distortion signal and presented to the one or more linear buffers.