Output Driver Clock Gating to Prevent Signal Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the operation frequency of semiconductor devices increases, clock skew compensation mechanisms can lead to overlapping activation periods of drive control signals, causing interference between data signals and resulting in unstable data output and increased current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a clock generator that produces separate clock signals for rising and falling edges, and a drive control signal generator that restricts activation periods to prevent overlap, ensuring non-interfering data output and minimizing current consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clock skew compensation mechanisms are used to generate separate clock signals for rising and falling edges, then data output timing precision is improved, but activation periods of drive control signals may overlap causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the activation periods of drive control signals based on the clock signals from the DLL. The drive control signal generator dynamically controls the timing and duration of activation signals to ensure they are generated in response to clock edges without overlapping, allowing the system to adapt to different clock frequencies and DLL timing characteristics while preventing signal interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by ensuring that the drive control signal generator is configured to generate activation signals only during valid timing windows defined by the clock signals. The activation period of each drive control signal is predetermined to occur within specific time intervals that prevent overlap, establishing proper timing relationships before potential interference can occur
2Productivity
If activation periods of drive control signals are extended to cover more clock cycles, then productivity is improved, but current consumption increases due to overlapping activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by generating drive control signals that are synchronized with the periodic clock signals from the DLL. Each drive control signal is activated only during its designated periodic window corresponding to specific clock edges (rising or falling), creating a rhythmic pattern of activation that maintains high data throughput while ensuring that activation periods do not overlap, thereby preventing excessive current consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating drive control signals only for the minimum necessary duration required to complete data output operations. Rather than maintaining continuous activation, the system activates signals only during specific periods defined by clock edges, achieving sufficient productivity while minimizing the total activation time and associated current consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Semiconductor device and operation method thereof includes an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clock generator configured to receive an external clock signal to generate a first clock signal corresponding to a rising edge of the external clock and a second clock signal corresponding to a falling edge of the external clock, a drive control signal generator configured to restrict an activation period of the first clock signal within a deactivation period of the second clock signal to generate a first drive control signal, and restrict an activation period of the second clock signal within a deactivation period of the first clock signal to generate a second drive control signal and an output driver configured to receive a drive data in response to the first and second drive control signal to drive an output terminal in response to the drive data.