Multi-ADC Master-Slave Clocking for Continuous Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems with multiple analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuits face challenges in maintaining synchronization due to noise and environmental perturbations, leading to misalignment of data output clocks, which complicates data capture and processing, especially in high-speed applications.
Innovation Solution
A master-slave configuration for ADC circuits is implemented, where the converter clock is subdivided into slower data ready clocks, with digital and analog timing adjustments, and a reference input clock signal is used to maintain phase alignment, allowing for resilient synchronization across multiple ADCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ADC circuits operate independently with their own clock signals, then each ADC can function autonomously, but timing alignment between ADCs deteriorates due to noise and environmental perturbations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clock signal generation into a single master clock source that distributes synchronized timing to all ADC circuits. This centralization ensures all ADCs share the same reference timing, eliminating drift and alignment issues that occur with independent clocks, while the master clock's robust design handles environmental perturbations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master clock monitors and adjusts timing signals based on detected drift or misalignment. This continuous feedback loop compensates for environmental perturbations and noise in real-time, maintaining synchronization accuracy without requiring complex manual calibration.
2Reliability
If additional digital processing and overhead circuitry are added to maintain synchronization, then timing alignment improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization by pre-calculating and pre-distributing timing relationships from the master clock to all ADCs before conversion operations begin. This upfront timing establishment eliminates the need for complex real-time digital processing during operation, as the timing framework is already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The master clock acts as an intermediary that mediates timing between all ADC circuits. Instead of requiring complex digital processing between ADCs to achieve alignment, the master clock intermediary provides a unified timing reference that all ADCs follow, simplifying the synchronization mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the converter clock is subdivided into slower data ready clocks, then data capture becomes easier, but timing precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-speed converter clock into multiple slower data ready clocks through a structured subdivision process. The master clock generates the base timing, which is then divided into channel-specific clocks that maintain precise mathematical relationships. This segmentation allows easier data capture at slower rates while preserving timing precision through the defined division ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clock frequency parameter systematically from a single high-speed converter clock to multiple lower-speed data ready clocks. By maintaining fixed mathematical relationships between these clock frequencies (e.g., integer divisions), the system achieves easier data capture while preserving timing precision through controlled parameter transformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method for continuous synchronization of multiple ADC circuits is described. The ADC circuits can be arranged in a master-slave configuration within the system so that the converter clock is subdivided into slower speeds for the data output clock or for the control of de-multiplexing the outputs onto a wider bus, while maintaining ADC-to-ADC synchronization resilient to perturbations from noise and other upset sources. The configuration of the ADCs in the master-slave configuration can be varied according to overall system requirements in any one of a sequential configuration, a parallel configuration or a tree type of configuration, as well as others. Digital and/or analog timing adjustments can be made to each of the ADC circuits. The master clocking signals can be generated by a master clock generator circuit, which is either internally implemented in an ADC circuit, or externally implemented as a separate master clock generator circuit.