Dual Duty Cycle Correction in Phase Control Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phase control circuits face challenges in maintaining stable operation across a wide frequency range, particularly failing to ensure stable duty cycle correction for high-frequency input signals using existing duty cycle correction methods.

Innovation Solution

A phase control circuit is designed with a combination of a first and second duty cycle correction circuit, a delay locked loop, and an operating condition determination unit, which selectively activates these components based on frequency information to generate a reference clock signal and perform delay locking, ensuring stable operation across various frequency conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single duty cycle correction circuit is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but it cannot ensure stable operation across wide frequency range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation frequency rangeVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The duty cycle correction function is divided into two separate circuits: a first duty cycle correction circuit for low frequency signals and a second duty cycle correction circuit for high frequency signals. Each circuit is optimized for its specific frequency range, allowing the system to maintain stable operation across a wide frequency spectrum while keeping each individual circuit relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which duty cycle correction circuit to activate based on the input signal frequency. The operating condition determination unit monitors the frequency and switches between the first and second duty cycle correction circuits accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to varying frequency conditions and maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If all correction circuits are always activated, then frequency coverage is complete, but current consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidcurrent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously operating all correction circuits, the system periodically evaluates the input signal frequency and activates only the appropriate circuit for the current frequency range. This periodic activation based on operating conditions significantly reduces average current consumption while ensuring complete frequency coverage is maintained when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the system (first and second duty cycle correction circuits) are activated with different qualities or intensities based on local conditions (frequency range). The operating condition determination unit ensures that only the circuit suitable for the current frequency range is active, optimizing energy usage by avoiding unnecessary operation of circuits outside their optimal range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8674733B2Phase control circuit

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A phase control circuit includes a first duty cycle correction circuit configured to correct a duty cycle of a clock signal; a delay locked loop configured to perform delay locking of an output signal of the first duty cycle correction circuit; and a second duty cycle correction circuit configured to correct a duty cycle of an output signal of the delay locked loop, wherein the first duty cycle correction circuit and the second duty cycle correction circuit are selectively activated depending upon an operating condition.