Receiver Calibration Circuit for Clock Phase and Voltage Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in accurately calibrating clock phases and voltage offsets, which are crucial for high-speed data communication, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and circuit size, and affecting operational stability.
Innovation Solution
A method and circuit design that independently calibrate clock phases and voltage offsets using up and down signals generated from input data signals and reference voltages, allowing for simultaneous detection of optimal phases and offset levels without additional circuit configurations, thereby reducing power consumption and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional separate calibration methods are used for clock phase and voltage offset, then calibration accuracy can be maintained, but power consumption increases and circuit size expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration into a single integrated calibration process. The same calibration circuit performs both calibration functions sequentially, sharing common hardware resources including the phase detector, charge pump, and control logic. This merging eliminates the need for separate calibration circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall power consumption and circuit area while maintaining calibration accuracy through sequential execution of both calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration circuit is designed with multi-functionality to perform both clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration using the same hardware components. The phase detector and charge pump circuitry serve dual purposes: first for phase calibration by adjusting clock phases, then for voltage offset calibration by adjusting reference voltage levels. This universal design reduces the total number of components required, directly addressing the power consumption and circuit size concerns.
2Measurement precision
If traditional separate calibration methods are used for clock phase and voltage offset, then calibration accuracy can be maintained, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration into a single integrated calibration block. Both calibration functions share common hardware resources including the phase detector, charge pump, and control logic, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each calibration type. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall circuit area occupied by calibration functionality while preserving the accuracy of both calibration operations through sequential execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration circuit employs universal multi-functional components that can perform both phase calibration and voltage offset calibration. The same phase detector and charge pump infrastructure is reused for both calibration purposes, maximizing hardware utilization and minimizing the total circuit footprint. This multi-functional approach directly addresses the circuit size reduction goal while maintaining comprehensive calibration capability.
3Productivity
If clock phase and voltage offset calibrations are performed simultaneously, then calibration speed improves, but operational stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sequential calibration where clock phase calibration and voltage offset calibration are performed in alternating time slots rather than simultaneously. The calibration process is divided into distinct periodic phases: first phase calibration is executed to completion, then voltage offset calibration is executed to completion, with each calibration type receiving dedicated time intervals. This periodic sequential approach prevents interference between the two calibration operations, maintaining operational stability while achieving comprehensive calibration coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is segmented into distinct sequential operations: clock phase calibration is divided as one independent segment, and voltage offset calibration is divided as another independent segment. Each segment is executed completely before the next segment begins, with clear temporal separation between them. This segmentation prevents mutual interference between the calibration operations, ensuring that each calibration can proceed without destabilizing the other, thereby maintaining overall system stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating a clock phase and a voltage offset includes receiving an input data signal that is periodically toggled. A clock phase calibration operation is performed based on an up signal and a down signal, such that phases of a plurality of clock signals are adjusted. The up signal and the down signal are generated based on the input data signal, a reference voltage and the plurality of clock signals. A voltage offset calibration operation is performed based on the up signal, the down signal and a first sample data signal, such that a voltage level of the reference voltage is adjusted. The first sample data signal is generated by sampling the input data signal based on one of the plurality of clock signals. The clock phase calibration operation and the voltage offset calibration operation are performed independently of each other and not to overlap with each other.