On-Chip Clock Generation With Dynamic Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock generation circuits in image processing chips rely on external crystal oscillators, which increase circuit board area, cost, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, and suffer from frequency drift due to temperature variations, leading to errors in image processing.
Innovation Solution
A clock generation circuit with a built-in reference clock generation circuit, temperature sensor, and temperature compensation module that dynamically adjusts the clock frequency to maintain a target value, eliminating the need for external oscillators and compensating for temperature-induced frequency changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external crystal oscillator is used to generate reference clock, then the reference clock is stable and accurate, but the circuit board area increases and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference clock generation function into the chip by integrating a reference clock generation circuit inside the chip. This eliminates the need for an external crystal oscillator, thereby reducing circuit board area while maintaining clock generation capability. The integrated circuit combines multiple functions (reference clock generation, temperature sensing, and compensation) into a single chip-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the reference clock generation function from the external crystal oscillator and relocates it inside the chip. This extraction allows the system to eliminate the external component and its associated wiring, reducing both board area and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference while maintaining the essential clock generation function.
2Measurement precision
If an external crystal oscillator is used to generate reference clock, then the reference clock is accurate, but the winding length increases and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the reference clock generation circuit inside the chip, the patent eliminates the external wiring and components that are susceptible to electromagnetic interference. The integrated solution keeps the clock generation function within the protected chip environment, reducing exposure to external electromagnetic fields while maintaining clock accuracy through temperature compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the clock generation function from the external crystal oscillator and relocates it inside the chip. This extraction removes the long external wiring that acts as an antenna for electromagnetic interference, thereby reducing susceptibility to harmful electromagnetic factors while preserving the essential clock generation capability.
3Reliability
If an external crystal oscillator is used to generate reference clock, then the reference clock is stable, but the overall cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference clock generation function into the chip's integrated circuit, eliminating the need for separate external crystal oscillator components. This integration reduces the total component count and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the stability of clock generation through built-in temperature compensation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the clock generation function from external components and relocates it inside the chip. This extraction eliminates the need to purchase, stock, and assemble external crystal oscillators, reducing overall system cost while maintaining essential functionality through the integrated reference clock generation circuit.
4Area of stationary object
If a built-in reference clock generation circuit is used, then the board area is reduced and cost is reduced, but frequency drift occurs due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by introducing a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the chip temperature and a temperature compensation module that adjusts the reference clock frequency based on temperature readings. This closed-loop feedback system compensates for temperature-induced frequency drift, maintaining clock stability despite the integrated design's susceptibility to thermal variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the reference clock generation circuit dynamically based on temperature conditions. The temperature compensation module adjusts frequency-related parameters (such as capacitor values or oscillator tuning) in response to temperature sensor input, thereby compensating for thermal drift and maintaining stable clock output across varying temperatures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces costs and board area, stabilizes clock frequencies across temperature variations, and ensures accurate image processing by maintaining the frequency of the working clock close to its target value, preventing errors such as blank images.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature to generate temperature information
Implementation Method 2
a temperature compensation module, coupled to the temperature sensor, for generating a temperature compensation coefficient according to the temperature information
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a clock generation circuit and a clock generation method for generating a clock. The clock generation circuit includes a reference clock generation circuit, which is installed in a chip for independently generating a reference clock; a temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature to generate temperature information; a temperature compensation module, coupled to the temperature sensor, for generating a temperature compensation coefficient according to the temperature information; and a clock adjusting circuit, coupled to the clock generation circuit, for generating the clock according to the reference clock and the temperature compensation coefficient. The temperature compensation module generates the temperature compensation coefficient dynamically such that the frequency of the clock approaches a target frequency and does not substantially vary with the temperature.