On-Chip Spread Spectrum Clock Synchronization Without Shared TOD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face challenges in synchronizing spread spectrum sources without a shared Time Of Day (TOD) clock, as existing methods require routing and timing a TOD clock to ensure synchrony across all sources, which is inefficient and complex.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using delay lines and sticky latches in a skitter circuit to determine the spread spectrum amplitude and width of a reference clock, identifying a delay line corresponding to a falling edge, and synchronizing a slave clock with the reference clock based on this information, eliminating the need for a shared TOD clock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shared Time Of Day (TOD) clock is used to synchronize spread spectrum sources, then synchrony across all sources is ensured, but device complexity and routing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the shared TOD clock and implements it locally at each spread spectrum source using individual TOD counters and phase detectors. This eliminates the need for routing a shared TOD clock to all sources while maintaining synchrony through independent local synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase detectors and TOD counters as intermediary components that mediate between the local clock sources and the spread spectrum generation. These intermediaries enable each source to independently determine phase relationships and achieve synchrony without direct connection to a shared TOD clock.
2Reliability
If a shared Time Of Day (TOD) clock is routed to all spread spectrum sources, then synchrony is achieved, but routing and timing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized TOD clock function into individual TOD counters at each spread spectrum source. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex routing of a shared TOD clock while maintaining synchronization through distributed, independent TOD counting mechanisms at each source.
Solution Approach 2:
Each spread spectrum source performs self-synchronization using its own TOD counter and phase detector, eliminating the need for external routing and timing control from a central TOD clock. The system achieves synchrony through self-service mechanisms at each source rather than centralized control.
3Reliability
If traditional TOD clock routing is used for synchronization, then clock synchrony is maintained, but the system requires complex routing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the TOD clock routing function and replaces it with local TOD counters at each spread spectrum source. This eliminates the physical routing infrastructure while maintaining clock synchrony through independent local TOD counting and phase detection mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
On-chip spread spectrum synchronization between spread spectrum sources is provided. A spread spectrum amplitude of a signal of a spread spectrum reference clock is obtained using one or more delay lines of one or more delay elements in a skitter circuit. A spread width of the spread spectrum amplitude of the signal is determined, using one or more sticky latches in the skitter circuit, based on one or more edges of the signal. A delay line of the one or more delay elements corresponding to a falling edge of the spread width of the signal is identified using combinational circuitry of the skitter circuit. A spread spectrum signal of a spread spectrum slave clock is synchronized with the signal of the spread spectrum reference clock based on the delay line.