Phase Control Block for Variable Multi-Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern digital systems require precise synchronization of multiple clock domains to handle high-speed data transmission, but existing technologies struggle to manage variable phase offsets and synchronize three or more clock domains effectively.
Innovation Solution
A second-order clock recovery circuit with feedback mechanisms, including phase detectors and accumulators, allows for selectively variable phase offsets between clock domains, using phase shifters and samplers to adjust clock signals and minimize phase errors, enabling synchronization of multiple clock domains with a transmitter clock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple clock domains are synchronized using fixed phase offsets, then synchronization stability is improved, but adaptability to frequency offsets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic phase offset adjustment by making the phase offsets between clock domains variable rather than fixed. The phase detector continuously monitors phase differences and the feedback mechanism adjusts phase offsets in real-time to adapt to frequency offsets between the first and second clock domains, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback loop where the phase detector detects phase differences between clock domains and feeds this information back to adjust phase offsets. This closed-loop control system enables the synchronization mechanism to automatically adapt to frequency offsets while maintaining stable synchronization, directly addressing the technical contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If phase offsets between clock domains are made variable, then adaptability to frequency offsets is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clock synchronization system into distinct functional modules: a phase detector for monitoring phase differences, separate phase shifters for each clock domain to provide individual phase control, and a feedback mechanism. This segmentation allows variable phase offsets to be implemented in a structured manner, managing complexity through modular design while achieving adaptability.
3Speed
If data intervals are made shorter for high-speed transmission, then transmission speed is improved, but synchronization precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses continuous feedback from the phase detector to maintain precise synchronization between clock domains. By constantly monitoring and adjusting phase offsets based on real-time phase difference measurements, the system achieves the high synchronization precision required for short data intervals, enabling high-speed transmission without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous phase monitoring and adjustment through the feedback loop, ensuring that synchronization precision is maintained constantly rather than periodically. This continuous action allows the system to handle the stringent precision requirements of high-speed transmission with short data intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for performing clock recovery according to a received digital signal. The circuit includes at least an edge sampler and a data sampler for sampling the digital signal, and a clock signal supply circuit. The clock signal supply circuit provides edge clock and data clock signals offset in phase from one another to the respective clock inputs of the edge sampler and the data sampler. A digital phase detector determines if the data clock is early, late or synchronized with respect to data value transitions in the digital signal, and based on that determination provides a phase adjustment signal to the clock signal supply circuit, which is operable to vary phases of the data and edge clock signals accordingly.