Output Timing Control Circuit for Wide-Band Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing the output timing of data due to varying clock signals, which can lead to deteriorated timing margins and incorrect data sampling by the receiver.
Innovation Solution
An output timing control circuit and semiconductor apparatus that includes a delay amount counter block, operation block, and phase control block to control the output timing of data by counting the delay amount of an external clock signal and adjusting the phase of a read command signal using a DLL clock signal, enabling stable output timing across a wide frequency band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clock signal is used to control output timing, then synchronization is achieved, but timing margin deteriorates when clock frequency varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the output timing control circuit's operation based on detected clock frequency. The circuit adapts its counting and phase control operations to maintain accurate timing across varying frequencies, transforming a static timing control system into a dynamic one that responds to frequency changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the timing control circuit based on the detected clock frequency. By adjusting counting values and phase control parameters according to frequency measurements, the system maintains timing accuracy across a wide frequency range without sacrificing stability.
2Ease of operation
If data is transmitted without an adjusted clock, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but data sampling accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary timing control mechanism that operates between the transmitted data and the receiver's sampling clock. This intermediary circuit generates adjusted timing signals that account for frequency variations, enabling accurate data sampling without requiring complex clock adjustment protocols or reducing transmission simplicity.
3Device complexity
If output timing is controlled without frequency compensation, then circuit complexity is reduced, but timing precision deteriorates under frequency variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operating frequency is detected and used to adjust the timing control circuit's operation. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically compensate for frequency variations, maintaining high timing precision without requiring overly complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing control circuit performs self-adjustment based on its own detected operating frequency. By incorporating frequency detection and adaptive control within the same circuit, the system achieves high timing precision autonomously without requiring complex external calibration or adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An output timing control circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a delay amount counter block configured to count a delay amount of an output reset pulse signal based on an external clock signal and output a first counting code, wherein the delay amount counter block is configured to control the delay amount of the output reset pulse signal depending upon a frequency of the external clock signal; an operation block configured to subtract a code value of the first counting code from a code value of a data output delay code, and output a delay control code; and a phase control block configured to control a phase of a read command signal by the number of clocks of a DLL clock signal corresponding to a code value of the delay control code, and output an output enable flag signal.