Multi-Channel Clock Synchronization for Skew-Resistant Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data transmission skew in multi-channel transmission apparatuses leads to significant data transmission delays due to wiring differences, phase differences, and clock domain crossing, especially exacerbated by metastable states.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel transmission apparatus comprising a pre-stage digital circuit and a post-stage analog circuit, where the pre-stage circuit selects a base clock signal to generate middle signals, and the clock signal generator produces first clock signals with a higher frequency second clock signal, allowing the post-stage circuit to reduce data transmission skew by performing operations based on this higher frequency signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-channel transmission apparatus is used to provide high-bandwidth data transmission capacity, then data transmission rate is improved, but data transmission skew increases causing transmission delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by synchronizing flag signals before data transmission occurs. The parallel flag signal synchronization circuit synchronizes flag signals according to a base clock signal in advance, ensuring that subsequent data transmission can proceed without skew-induced delays. This pre-synchronization prevents timing conflicts rather than correcting them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a base clock signal as a reference for synchronizing multiple channels. The clock signal generator generates first clock signals based on a second clock signal, and the base clock signal serves as an intermediary reference that coordinates timing across all channels, reducing skew without requiring direct synchronization between all channel pairs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clock domain crossing occurs between multiple channels, then adaptability is improved, but data transmission skew increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base clock signal acts as an intermediary that mediates between different clock domains. By referencing all channel operations to this common base clock, the system achieves clock domain crossing capability while maintaining synchronization. The base clock serves as a universal reference that translates between different clock frequencies and phases without causing skew.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes clock frequency parameters by generating first clock signals from a second clock signal with a different frequency. The clock signal generator transforms the second clock signal into multiple first clock signals that are phase-aligned to the base clock, allowing the system to adapt to different clock domains while maintaining timing coherence through parameter transformation.
3Device complexity
If flag signals are not synchronized across multiple channels, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission reliability decreases due to metastable states
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel flag signal synchronization circuit performs preliminary synchronization of flag signals before data transmission. By synchronizing flag signals in advance according to the base clock signal, the system prevents metastable states from occurring during actual data transmission, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex continuous synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization function is segmented into a dedicated parallel flag signal synchronization circuit that handles only flag signal synchronization. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable flag synchronization without complicating the entire transmission apparatus, as the synchronization function is isolated to a specific circuit module that operates independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit, a multi-channel transmission apparatus, and a signal transmission method thereof are provided. The multi-channel transmission apparatus includes a pre-stage circuit, a clock signal generator, and a post-stage circuit. The pre-stage circuit receives a plurality of first clock signals and a plurality of data signals, selects one of the first clock signals to be a base clock signal, and transmits the data signals according to the base clock signal to respectively generate a plurality of middle signals. The clock signal generator generates the first clock signals according to a second clock signal, wherein a frequency of the second clock signal is higher than a frequency of the first clock signals. The post-stage circuit transmits the middle signals according to the second clock signal to respectively generate a plurality of output signals. The pre-stage circuit is a digital circuit, and the post-stage circuit is an analog circuit.