Ratio Clock Divider Circuit for Half-Integer Frequency Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock dividers in electronic circuits lack the ability to provide finer granularity in frequency division, limiting their reuse and performance in applications like phase-locked loops.
Innovation Solution
A ratio clock divider is introduced, which combines signal modifier circuitry and integral clock divider to enable division by non-integer values, utilizing differential clock signals and state machines to achieve half-ratio granularity, allowing for more precise frequency control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional integral clock dividers are used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the granularity of frequency division is limited to integer values only
Solution Approach 1:
The clock divider is segmented into two independent functional blocks: an integral clock divider that handles integer division, and a signal modifier circuit that adds half-cycle delay capability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve half-integer granularity (e.g., 2.5, 3.5, 4.5) while keeping each block relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to the frequency division by introducing half-cycle delay capability. Instead of only dividing by integers in the time domain, the signal modifier extends the division granularity by controlling the phase relationship between input and output signals, effectively adding a half-cycle dimension to the division ratio control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clock dividers provide greater granularity in divisor choice, then component reuse ability improves, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal modifier circuit serves multiple functions: it can pass signals unchanged for integer division, or introduce half-cycle delay for half-integer division. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit implementation to handle both integer and half-integer divisors, improving adaptability and component reuse without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit dynamically switches between two operating modes through the signal modifier: direct signal passing for integer division and half-cycle delayed signal for half-integer division. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware to adapt to different division requirements, enhancing versatility while maintaining reasonable complexity through mode switching rather than separate dedicated circuits.
3Measurement precision
If half-ratio granularity is implemented using differential clock signals and state machines, then frequency control precision improves, but the risk of introducing glitches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal modifier circuit acts as an intermediary between the integral clock divider and the output, carefully managing the half-cycle delay transition. It uses controlled signal routing and phase management to introduce the half-cycle delay without creating abrupt transitions or glitches, thus maintaining signal stability while achieving precise half-integer frequency control.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit design anticipates potential glitch issues by implementing smooth transition mechanisms in the signal modifier. The state machine controls the switching between different signal paths in a predetermined sequence that avoids abrupt changes, cushioning against potential signal instability before it can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a ratio clock divider comprises circuitry for producing an input signal from a differential clock signal, part of which includes circuitry for extending a clock phase of the differential clock signal every Ith cycle to produce the input signal, I being an integer. The ratio clock divider also includes circuitry for dividing the frequency of the input signal by I to produce a divided clock signal. The divided clock signal has a frequency that equals the frequency of the differential clock signal divided by N, N being equal to I plus a fraction F.