PVT Compensation Circuit Using Lookup Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional PVT compensation circuits in spread-spectrum clock generators face challenges such as implementation in slower process technologies and continuous real-time operation, which prevents power saving modes and wider technology compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A PVT compensation circuit using arithmetic subtraction calculations and register-based look-up tables, allowing for periodic power saving and broader technology compatibility by storing and updating compensation values in two look-up tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional PVT compensation circuits use long digital combinational circuits for continuous real-time operation, then compensation accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases and power-saving modes are prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompensation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates PVT compensation values using arithmetic subtraction before runtime and stores them in lookup tables. During operation, the circuit only needs to access pre-computed values rather than performing continuous complex calculations, enabling periodic updates and power-saving modes while maintaining compensation accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention updates compensation values periodically by clearing the lookup table after a predetermined number of cycles and re-loading new compensation values. This periodic update mechanism allows the circuit to enter low-power states between updates while maintaining effective PVT compensation, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and power saving

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional PVT compensation circuits are implemented in slower process technologies, then manufacturing flexibility increases, but circuit complexity and implementation difficulty increase due to long digital combinational circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex digital combinational circuits with a simpler architecture using arithmetic subtraction operations and lookup tables. This substitution reduces circuit complexity and makes implementation feasible in slower process technologies while maintaining compensation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses lookup tables to store pre-computed compensation values, effectively copying results of complex calculations into accessible memory structures. This approach avoids implementing the full complex calculation logic in hardware, reducing circuit complexity while enabling implementation in various process technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9207693B1Method and apparatus for compensating PVT variations

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A method and device for compensating PVT (process, voltage temperature) variations are disclosed. In some embodiments an integrated circuit includes a buffer circuit and a PVT (process, temperature, voltage) compensation circuit configured to compensate a PVT variation of the buffer circuit, wherein the PVT compensation circuit includes adders and subtractors.