Phase Interpolator and Adjuster for Fine Clock Step Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional phase interpolators have limited step size options, which restrict their use in applications requiring smaller step sizes and introduce errors in signal interpolation due to smaller step sizes.
Innovation Solution
A phase interpolator combined with a phase adjuster, where the phase interpolator applies coarse phase adjustments and the phase adjuster applies fine adjustments, allowing for a smaller step size than traditional phase interpolators, achieving better resolution by controlling both components with specific input signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional phase interpolator uses a smaller step size to improve phase adjustment resolution, then phase adjustment precision is improved, but the number of available step size options is limited and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase adjustment function is segmented into two independent components: a phase interpolator that provides coarse phase adjustment with larger step sizes, and a phase adjuster that provides fine phase adjustment with smaller step sizes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high overall precision without requiring the phase interpolator alone to support all step size options.
2Device complexity
If a traditional phase interpolator uses a larger step size to simplify device design, then device complexity is reduced, but phase adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phase adjustment task is divided between two components with different step size characteristics. The phase interpolator can use larger, simpler step sizes for coarse adjustment, while the phase adjuster compensates with smaller step sizes for fine adjustment, achieving high precision without requiring the interpolator to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase adjuster acts as an intermediary component between the phase interpolator output and the final clock signal. It receives the coarsely adjusted clock signal and applies additional fine adjustments, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the interpolator's limited step sizes and the desired high precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a phase interpolator is designed to support multiple step size options to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the phase adjustment functionality into two independent blocks, each optimized for specific step size ranges. The phase interpolator handles larger step sizes while the phase adjuster handles smaller step sizes, providing comprehensive adaptability across multiple step size options without requiring a single complex interpolator to support all options.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined phase interpolator and phase adjuster system provides universal phase adjustment capability across multiple step size options. The phase adjuster can work with various interpolator configurations, making the overall system multi-functional and adaptable to different step size requirements without increasing interpolator complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide for phase interpolators with phase adjusters to provide step resolution, which can be used with a circuit such as a data serializer/deserializer circuit. In particular, for some embodiments, a phase interpolator is coupled to a phase adjuster, where the combination of the phase interpolator and the phase adjuster is configured to interpolate between phases in phase adjustment steps at a phase adjustment step resolution. For such embodiments, the phase adjustment step resolution of the steps is achieved by controlling the phase interpolator and the phase adjuster.