Injection-Locked Oscillator Clock Deskew for Full-Range Phase Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit phase adjustment circuits using injection-locked oscillators (ILOs) require significant complex circuitry to adjust clock signal phases, which can be inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An ILO-based clock deskew circuit that calibrates its free-running frequency to achieve a target phase by varying the difference between the injection clock signal frequency and the ILO's free-running frequency, using detection circuitry to adjust the phase of the output clock signal, and switching between in-phase and quadrature-phase injection points to achieve a full 360° phase range adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional phase adjustment circuits are used, then phase adjustment capability is achieved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase adjustment function with the clock signal generation function by using an injection-locked oscillator. The ILO circuit integrates the oscillator core, injection mechanism, and phase control functionality into a single unified circuit block, eliminating the need for separate phase adjustment circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full phase adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The injection-locked oscillator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the clock signal, adjusts the phase, and provides frequency multiplication. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate circuits, directly addressing the contradiction by reducing device complexity while preserving ease of operation for phase adjustment
2Measurement precision
If injection-locked oscillator is used for phase adjustment, then phase control precision is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection-locked oscillator automatically locks to the injection signal frequency and self-adjusts its output phase based on the injection timing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external phase detection and adjustment circuits, achieving high phase control precision through the oscillator's inherent locking behavior rather than through complex control circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The ILO circuit incorporates implicit feedback through its locking mechanism, where the output signal feeds back to the injection point and automatically adjusts the phase relationship. This natural feedback loop provides precise phase control without requiring additional complex feedback circuits, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity
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 allows for precise and efficient phase adjustment of clock signals, reducing the complexity of circuitry and enabling accurate phase control within the ILO-based clock deskew circuit, making it applicable to various integrated circuit devices.
Implementation Method 1
the ILO locks onto an input clock signal if the frequency of the input clock signal is relatively close to the free-running frequency of the ILO
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses featuring an injection-locked oscillator (ILO) are described. In some embodiments, an ILO can have multiple injection points and a free-running frequency that is capable of being adjusted based on a control signal. In some embodiments, each injection point of an ILO can correspond to a phase tuning range. In some embodiments, a circuit can include circuitry to detect a phase boundary between two adjacent phase tuning ranges. In some embodiments, a circuit can use the detected phase boundary to switch between the two adjacent phase tuning ranges.