Induction-Coupled Clock Distribution for IC Skew Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits (ICs) face performance reductions due to the clock skew phenomenon, where clocking signals do not reach all electronic circuits simultaneously, leading to unstable outputs and potential performance failures, especially in larger ICs where significant power consumption and die area are required to manage clock distribution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an induction-coupled clock distribution system using inductors or capacitors to inductively and capacitively distribute clocking signals, reducing clock skew by generating magnetic and electrical fields that induce currents and voltages simultaneously across multiple clock reception modules, eliminating the need for numerous buffers and transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clock distribution paths are used to distribute clocking signals to multiple electronic circuits, then the clocking signal can reach all circuits, but clock skew occurs causing different arrival times and reducing IC performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical signal transmission through transmission lines and buffers with electromagnetic induction coupling. The clocking signal is converted to a magnetic field by the transmission coil, which then induces current in reception coils at different locations. This substitution of electromagnetic field coupling for electrical signal transmission eliminates the clock skew caused by varying path lengths and buffer delays, allowing simultaneous clock arrival at all circuits while maintaining high clock frequencies.
2Area of stationary object
If numerous buffers and transmission lines are added to manage clock distribution in larger ICs, then clock signal can be distributed更广, but power consumption and die area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional clock distribution infrastructure consisting of numerous buffers and transmission lines from the IC design. By using electromagnetic induction coupling between transmission and reception coils, the system achieves clock signal distribution without requiring these intermediate components. This extraction eliminates the significant die area and power consumption that would be required to support traditional clock distribution in larger ICs, while still enabling widespread clock signal distribution.
3Reliability
If differences in clock distribution path length and number of buffers are reduced, then clock skew is minimized, but device complexity and design difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex traditional clock distribution system with electromagnetic induction coupling. Instead of carefully matching transmission line lengths and buffer counts to minimize clock skew, the system uses magnetic field coupling where the transmission coil generates a magnetic field that simultaneously induces current in all reception coils regardless of their spatial positions. This substitution fundamentally eliminates the need for complex path length matching and buffer synchronization, greatly reducing design difficulty while maintaining excellent clock skew control.
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 approach significantly reduces clock skew, allows for higher clock frequencies, and decreases power consumption and semiconductor die area usage, enabling more efficient and stable clock signal distribution to multiple electronic circuits within the IC.
Implementation Method 1
A transmission (TX) coil, disposed within the IC clock distribution system, is inductively coupled to a plurality of reception (RX) coils, disposed within the IC clock distribution system
Implementation Method 2
The master clocking signal causes a magnetic field to emanate from the TX coil. The magnetic field induces a current and/or a voltage onto one or more second clock reception (RX) modules, including a RX coil
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit package including an induction-coupled clock distribution system is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure includes a transmission module coupled to a main clock line, a clock reception module coupled to the transmission module, the clock reception module including a clock output line, and an electronic circuit coupled to the clock output line of the clock reception module, the electronic circuit including at least one clocked element and configured to operate synchronously with a clocking signal received through the clock output line of the clock reception module. The transmission module may be disposed on the supporting case of the IC package, and the electronic circuit and the clock reception module may be disposed on the semiconductor die of the IC package.