Event-Driven Clock Switching for Telecom Spur and Noise Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunication systems face issues with noise and spurs due to shared voltage rails with clock-operated circuitry, leading to power inefficiency and signal distortion, particularly in 5G communications.

Innovation Solution

A clock system with adjustable frequency modes and multiplexing to provide high and low frequency clock signals based on circuit operations, reducing noise and spurs by optimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a single high-frequency clock signal is continuously provided to the telecommunication circuit, then the circuit can operate at high speed, but noise and spurs increase due to shared voltage rails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclock signal frequencyVSAvoidnoise and spurs

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic clock frequency switching by providing both a first clock signal at a first frequency and a second clock signal at a second frequency, where the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The system dynamically selects which clock signal to provide based on operational requirements, rather than continuously operating at a fixed high frequency. This dynamic adjustment reduces noise and spurs generated by clock-operated circuitry while maintaining the ability to operate at high speeds when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The event detector monitors for specific events in the telecommunication circuit and triggers clock frequency changes periodically or event-driven. When an event is detected, the system switches to the higher frequency clock signal; when no event is present, it switches to the lower frequency clock signal. This periodic or event-driven action pattern allows the system to maintain high performance during active operations while reducing noise during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If clock frequency is increased to improve processing speed, then productivity increases, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic clock frequency switching by providing both a first clock signal at a first frequency and a second clock signal at a second frequency, where the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The system dynamically selects which clock signal to provide based on operational requirements, rather than continuously operating at a fixed high frequency. This dynamic adjustment reduces noise and spurs generated by clock-operated circuitry while maintaining the ability to operate at high speeds when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the frequency parameter of the clock signal based on detected events and operational modes. The clock circuit is configured to provide different frequency signals (first frequency vs. second frequency) depending on the operational state of the telecommunication circuit. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between processing speed and power consumption by matching clock frequency to actual operational demands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high-frequency clock signals are used during all operations, then processing efficiency is maintained, but noise interference with RF signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidnoise interference with RF signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic clock frequency switching by providing both a first clock signal at a first frequency and a second clock signal at a second frequency, where the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The system dynamically selects which clock signal to provide based on operational requirements, rather than continuously operating at a fixed high frequency. This dynamic adjustment reduces noise and spurs generated by clock-operated circuitry while maintaining the ability to operate at high speeds when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different clock frequencies to different operational contexts within the telecommunication circuit. Instead of using a uniform high frequency for all operations, the event detector identifies specific operational states and applies appropriate clock frequencies locally to those states. This allows high-frequency operation where processing efficiency is critical while using low-frequency operation where noise interference would be problematic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260031969A1Spur and noise reduction for telecommunication systems

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A system for providing a clock signal to a telecommunications is presented. The system has a clock circuit configured to provide a first clock signal having a first frequency and a second clock signal having a second frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency, and an event detector. The event detector is configured to detect a plurality of events in the telecommunications circuit, the plurality of events corresponding to operations performed by components of the telecommunications circuit, control the clock circuit to provide the second clock signal in response to detecting an event of the plurality of events for at least a duration of the event, and control the clock circuit to provide the first clock signal and to stop providing the second clock signal after at least the duration of the event.