Memory Clock Domain Phase Adjustment for Lower Read Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for memory operations involving multiple clock domains introduce latency, hindering performance by requiring additional cycles in the slower clock domain to ensure data availability, leading to inefficiencies and errors.
Innovation Solution
Implement a phase adjustment mechanism to align the edges of clock signals between different clock domains using a phase detector and buffer, adjusting latency settings based on detected mismatches to minimize latency and ensure data synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional techniques are used for memory operations involving multiple clock domains, then data availability is ensured, but latency is introduced and performance is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the buffer latency setting adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the latency setting based on detected phase relationships between clock domains, allowing the buffer to adapt its operation to minimize latency while ensuring data availability. This is achieved through phase detection circuits that monitor clock domain alignment and automatically adjust buffer timing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the latency parameter of the buffer based on detected phase relationships between clock domains. By monitoring the phase alignment between different clock domains and adjusting the buffer latency setting accordingly, the system optimizes data transfer timing. This parameter adjustment reduces unnecessary waiting time while maintaining reliable data availability across clock domain boundaries.
2Reliability
If additional cycles are added in the slower clock domain to ensure data availability, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts buffer latency settings based on real-time phase detection between clock domains. Instead of consistently adding extra cycles, the system adapts the latency parameter to match the actual phase relationship, allowing memory operations to proceed with minimal delay when phase alignment permits, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through phase detection circuits that continuously monitor the alignment between clock domains and use this information to adjust buffer latency settings. This closed-loop control ensures that the buffer operates with optimal timing, adding cycles only when phase misalignment requires it, thereby maintaining data availability without unnecessarily reducing productivity.
3Reliability
If latency settings are increased to accommodate clock domain mismatches, then data synchronization is ensured, but read latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the latency parameter of the buffer based on detected phase relationships between clock domains. By monitoring the phase alignment between different clock domains and adjusting the buffer latency parameter accordingly, the system optimizes data transfer timing. This parameter adjustment reduces unnecessary waiting time while maintaining reliable data synchronization across clock domain boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary phase detection and adjustment before data transfer operations. By detecting the phase relationship between clock domains in advance and pre-adjusting the buffer latency setting, the system prepares the data path for optimal timing, eliminating the need for excessive latency during actual read operations and thereby reducing read latency while ensuring synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Clock domain phase adjustment techniques and systems for memory operations are described. In one example, a physical memory is communicatively coupled to a physical layer via a first clock domain and a memory controller is communicatively coupled to the physical layer via a second clock domain that is different than the first clock domain. A buffer is implemented in the physical layer. The buffer is configured to set a phase adjustment for a latency setting between the first and second clock domains. The phase adjustment is based on whether a mismatch has occurred in data output by the buffer to the memory controller based on a comparison to the latency setting.