Dynamic Clock Latency Adjustment for PVT Variation Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in manufacturing processes, temperature, and voltage (PVT) cause significant variations in the operational speed of integrated circuit devices, leading to changes in setup and hold times, necessitating costly and complex interfacing devices to accommodate worst-case scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses an operational speed monitor to dynamically adjust the latency of clock signals controlling input and output logic, compensating for PVT variations by introducing delays into clock signals to maintain optimal timing relationships between logic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operational speed of logic components is increased to improve system performance, then productivity improves, but the setup and hold times become more difficult to maintain under PVT variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of clock signal latencies based on monitored operational characteristics. The system continuously adapts timing parameters by adjusting delay elements in clock paths to different logic components, allowing the circuit to maintain timing specifications across varying operational speeds and PVT conditions rather than using fixed worst-case timing margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters (latency values) of clock signals based on measured operational characteristics. By monitoring operational speed and adjusting clock latency parameters dynamically, the system optimizes timing relationships for current operating conditions rather than designing for worst-case scenarios, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the latency of clock signals is increased to accommodate slower operational speeds, then timing specifications are maintained, but the system performance and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts clock latencies based on real-time monitoring of operational characteristics. When the circuit operates at higher speeds, latencies are reduced to maximize performance; when operational speed decreases, latencies are increased to maintain timing specifications. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need to design for worst-case scenarios, improving overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes clock latency parameters adaptively based on measured operational speed. By modifying timing parameters in response to actual circuit behavior rather than using fixed conservative values, the system achieves optimal performance across varying operating conditions while maintaining timing specification compliance.
3Reliability
If interface devices are designed for worst-case timing scenarios to ensure reliability, then timing specification compliance is guaranteed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit device performs self-adjustment of timing parameters by monitoring its own operational characteristics and automatically adjusting clock latencies. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external complex interface devices to compensate for timing variations, as the circuit itself adapts to maintain timing specifications under varying PVT conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring operational characteristics and using this information to adjust clock signal latencies. This closed-loop control allows the circuit to maintain timing specifications without requiring overly complex interface devices designed for worst-case scenarios, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliability.
4Productivity
If clock signal latencies are adjusted dynamically based on operational characteristics, then productivity and power efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts clock latency parameters dynamically based on monitored operational characteristics. By changing timing parameters adaptively rather than using fixed values, the system improves productivity and power efficiency while the added complexity is confined to the timing adjustment mechanism rather than the entire interface system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a first operational characteristic representative of an operational speed of a circuit device at a first time. The method further includes receiving an input signal at an input of a first latch of the circuit device and receiving an output signal at an input of a second latch of the circuit device. The method additionally includes delaying a clock signal by a first delay to provide a first adjusted clock signal and delaying the clock signal by a second delay to provide a second adjusted clock signal. In one embodiment, the first delay and the second delay are based on the first operational characteristic. The method further includes latching the input signal at the first latch responsive to the first adjusted clock signal and latching the output signal at the second latch responsive to the second adjusted clock signal.