Clock Duty Cycle Adjuster Setting with Monitor Offset Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memories face issues with duty cycle distortion in clock timing, leading to erroneous operations, as existing duty cycle adjuster circuits require accurate settings to effectively improve duty cycle, but may not suffice unless set precisely.
Innovation Solution
A duty cycle monitor (DCM) and duty cycle adjuster (DCA) feature is implemented, allowing for precise monitoring and adjustment of internal clock duty cycles through a mode register, enabling accurate timing compensation for duty cycle errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If duty cycle adjuster circuits are used to adjust duty cycle of internal clocks, then duty cycle distortion is reduced, but the adjuster circuits require accurate settings to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the memory device monitors its own clock duty cycle performance and automatically adjusts the duty cycle adjuster circuit settings based on measured deviations. The memory device sends feedback information to the controller indicating the current duty cycle status, and the controller modifies the adjuster settings accordingly to maintain optimal duty cycle without requiring manual intervention or complex external setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment of its clock duty cycle by incorporating monitoring circuits within the memory device itself. The device autonomously detects duty cycle distortion and adjusts its internal clock timing without requiring external test equipment or complex external control circuits, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining timing accuracy.
2Productivity
If duty cycle adjuster circuits are set accurately, then operational performance is improved, but setup and configuration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors clock duty cycle performance and automatically adjusts adjuster settings based on real-time feedback. The memory device measures its own duty cycle accuracy and communicates status to the controller, which automatically modifies adjuster parameters to optimize performance, eliminating the need for manual setup and ensuring peak productivity without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration procedures where the memory device performs initial duty cycle measurements and self-adjustment during power-up or initialization before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures the adjuster circuits are pre-configured to optimal settings, allowing immediate high-performance operation without requiring subsequent manual adjustment or configuration steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for setting a duty cycler adjuster for improving clock duty cycle are disclosed. The duty cycle adjuster may be adjusted by different amounts, at least one smaller than another. Determining when to use the smaller adjustment may be based on duty cycle results. A duty cycle monitor may have an offset. A duty cycle code for the duty cycle adjuster may be set to an intermediate value of a duty cycle monitor offset. The duty cycle monitor offset may be determined by identifying duty cycle codes for an upper and for a lower boundary of the duty cycle monitor offset.


