Gated Ring Oscillator TDC for Dead-Zone-Free Phase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time-to-digital converters (TDCs) face challenges in simultaneously achieving accurate phase measurement, reducing layout area, and minimizing power consumption, while also dealing with dead zones in phase measurement due to limitations in pulse width detection and clock signal counting.
Innovation Solution
A time-to-digital converter design incorporating a phase frequency detector, gated ring oscillators, and counting modules that select control signals based on pulse width differences to generate phase differences, thereby eliminating dead zones and improving measurement accuracy and range, while reducing power consumption and layout area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional TDC structures (PI-based, Vernier, Multi-phases OSC) are used, then the device can perform phase measurement, but the layout area and power consumption are large while measurement accuracy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The TDC is divided into multiple independent TDC units, each handling a specific phase difference range. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple units to achieve both high accuracy and extended measurement range without proportionally increasing total area
Solution Approach 2:
Each TDC unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle different phase difference scenarios. The units can be selectively activated based on the input signal characteristics, making the overall system adaptable to various measurement requirements while optimizing resource utilization
2Measurement precision
If conventional TDC structures are used, then phase measurement can be performed, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and activates only the necessary TDC units based on the actual phase difference input. This dynamic operation mode ensures that power consumption is proportional to the measurement requirements rather than always operating at full capacity, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining accuracy
3Measurement precision
If pulse width detection is used in TDC, then phase difference can be detected, but dead zones appear in measurement due to detection limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple TDC units with overlapping measurement ranges. By having units that extend beyond the minimum required range, the system ensures continuous coverage without dead zones, as at least one unit is always operational for any given phase difference input
4Area of stationary object
If single TDC unit is used, then layout area is reduced, but phase measurement range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple TDC units, each optimized for specific ranges. This allows the system to maintain a compact layout by only activating the necessary units for each measurement task, while the overall system capability covers a wide phase measurement range through the combination of all units
Data Source
AI summary
A time-to-digital convertor comprises a phase frequency detector, a first conversion module, a gated ring oscillator and a counting module. The phase frequency detector outputs a first detection signal and a second detection signal according to a first clock signal and a second clock signal. The first conversion module receives the first detection signal and the second detection signal to generate a first control signal and a second control signal. The gated ring oscillator receives the first and second control signals and outputs a plurality of clock signals according to the pulse width difference between the first and second control signals. The counting module counts the plurality of clock signals to generate the phase difference between the first and second clock signals.