Shared-Branch Phase Rotator for Linear Clock Phase Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase rotators suffer from reduced linearity due to mismatched interpolation branches caused by manufacturer variations, asymmetric layout designs, and mechanical stress, leading to inaccuracies in phase adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A phase rotator design that adjusts the phase of the output signal by switching input signals across a shared set of active interpolation branches, rather than using different sets for each output phase, thereby minimizing the impact of branch mismatches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different sets of interpolation branches are used for each output phase in conventional phase rotators, then phase adjustment capability is achieved, but linearity is reduced due to branch mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single shared set of interpolation branches to serve multiple output phases. Instead of dedicating separate interpolation branches to each phase (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), the same interpolation branches are dynamically reused across all phases through switching circuitry. This eliminates manufacturing mismatches between different branch sets while maintaining full phase adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically switching the connection between clock signals and interpolation branches based on the desired output phase. The switching circuitry dynamically reconfigures which clock signals are fed to which interpolation branches, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different phase requirements without physical reconfiguration or additional matched components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated interpolation branches are used for each phase, then phase rotation functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by making interpolation branches universal - each branch can handle multiple phase outputs through dynamic switching. This eliminates the need for redundant interpolation branch sets for each phase, reducing the total component count while preserving full phase rotation functionality across all four quadrants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated interpolation branch sets into a single shared set. By combining the resources and using switching to time-multiplex their usage across different phases, the system achieves the same functional capability with fewer physical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes connecting inputs of a first plurality of interpolation branches to a first clock signal, connecting inputs of a second plurality of interpolation branches to a second clock signal, and connecting inputs of a third plurality of interpolation branches to a third clock signal. The method also includes combining outputs of the first plurality of interpolation branches, the second plurality of interpolation branches, and the third plurality of interpolation branches to produce an output clock signal and adjusting a phase of the output clock signal by connecting an input of an interpolation branch of the third plurality of interpolation branches to the second clock signal.