Master-Slave Delay Locked Loop for Precise Signal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delay lock loop circuits in semiconductor devices require substantial circuitry and chip area, leading to increased costs and reduced yield, as they struggle to efficiently synchronize signals by ensuring setup and hold times are met.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a delay lock loop circuit with multiple selectable delay stages and a feedback loop that determines the number of delay elements to achieve the desired signal delay, allowing for programmable delays and efficient synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a delay lock loop circuit is implemented to synchronize signals by ensuring setup and hold times are met, then signal synchronization precision is improved, but circuit complexity and chip area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delay lock loop circuit is divided into multiple independent delay stages (first delay stage, second delay stage, third delay stage) with selectable delay elements. Each stage can be independently configured to provide fine-grained delay control, enabling precise signal synchronization while keeping each individual stage relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit employs a mode signal that dynamically switches between master mode and slave mode, allowing the delay lock loop to adapt its operation. In master mode, the circuit generates delayed clock signals; in slave mode, it synchronizes external clock signals. This dynamic operation enables the circuit to handle different synchronization scenarios with a single configurable architecture.
2Measurement precision
If a delay lock loop circuit with substantial circuitry is used to achieve desired signal delay, then signal synchronization is improved, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay lock loop circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating delayed clock signals in master mode, synchronizing external clock signals in slave mode, and providing programmable delay through selectable delay elements. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate circuits, reducing overall chip area while maintaining precise delay control.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit uses a mode signal parameter to switch between operational modes and selectable delay elements to adjust delay characteristics. By changing these parameters, the same physical circuit can provide different delay values and operational behaviors, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated circuits for different delay requirements.
3Measurement precision
If iterative updates are applied in delay lock loop to achieve desired delay, then delay accuracy is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit incorporates a feedback loop that monitors the phase difference between reference clock signals and delayed clock signals. The phase detector detects phase errors and feeds this information back to the delay control logic, which adjusts the selectable delay elements accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables iterative updates to achieve accurate delay synchronization without requiring overly complex control circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods for delaying a signal relative to another signal are disclosed. As one example, a delay lock loop circuit is disclosed that includes at least two delay stages. Each of the aforementioned delay stages include a plurality of selectable delay elements. Such selectable delay elements may be, but are not limited to, a plurality of single input buffers, and a plurality of multiple input logic gates. Further, a first of the delay stages is selectably driven by one of a first signal and a reference signal, and the stage provides a first stage output. A second of the delay stages is selectably driven by one of a second signal and the first stage output, and the stage provides a second stage output. The circuit further includes a mode signal that has at least two states. One of the two states causes the first signal to drive the first delay stage and the second signal to drive the second delay stage, and the other state causes the reference signal to drive the first delay stage and the first stage output to drive the second delay stage. In some cases, the first state is referred to as a slave state and the second state is referred to as a master state. In addition, the circuit includes a feedback loop.