Configurable Inverting Difference Oscillator for Delay Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing difference oscillators are limited to measuring delays in non-inverting circuit elements and cannot effectively determine the delay of inverting circuit elements, as they require an odd number of inversions to function as a ring oscillator.
Innovation Solution
A configurable inverting difference oscillator (IDO) circuit is introduced, which includes N stages with inverting circuit elements, bypass paths, and selection circuits, allowing the circuit to be configured as a ring oscillator with an odd number of inverting elements by forwarding outputs from certain stages and bypassing others, enabling the measurement of inverting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a difference oscillator uses an odd number of inverting elements to function as a ring oscillator, then the oscillator can operate properly, but it cannot measure the delay of inverting circuit elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the oscillator circuit by using multiplexers to switch between different circuit paths. The same physical circuit can be dynamically transformed into different logical configurations: when measuring non-inverting elements, it uses reference and test paths with appropriate inversion counts; when measuring inverting elements, it reconfigures the path selection to maintain the required odd number of inversions while including the inverting device under test. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between reliable operation and measurement versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal difference oscillator that can measure both non-inverting and inverting circuit elements through a single integrated design. By incorporating control logic and multiplexing mechanisms, the oscillator serves multiple functions: it can operate in reference mode, test mode, and various hybrid configurations to accommodate different device types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement systems for inverting and non-inverting elements, thereby resolving the versatility limitation.
2Measurement precision
If a difference oscillator is configured to measure non-inverting devices, then it can determine delay accurately, but it is limited and cannot measure inverting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic path reconfiguration using multiplexers controlled by mode selection signals. When measuring non-inverting devices, the circuit configures reference and test paths with the appropriate number of inversions to maintain oscillation. When measuring inverting devices, the control logic switches the multiplexer settings to create a different configuration that includes the inverting device while maintaining the required odd number of total inversions. This dynamic adaptability preserves measurement precision across different device types while expanding versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the oscillator circuit into distinct reference paths and test paths, each with configurable inversion elements. By dividing the circuit into modular segments that can be independently configured through multiplexer selection, the system can assemble different logical configurations to suit the measurement requirements. This segmentation allows the same physical components to serve multiple measurement purposes, resolving the contradiction between precision for specific device types and versatility across device types.
Data Source
AI summary
The described embodiments provide a configurable pulse generator circuit. More specifically, the described embodiments include a pulse generator circuit; an inverting difference oscillator (IDO) enabling circuit coupled to the pulse generator circuit; and a disable signal coupled to the IDO enabling circuit. When the disable signal is asserted, the IDO enabling circuit is disabled and the pulse generator circuit is configured as a pulse generator. In contrast, when the disable signal is deasserted, the IDO enabling circuit is enabled and the pulse generator circuit is configured as part of an IDO.