Data Receiver Strobe Delay Control for PVT Timing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining stable alignment between data and strobe signals due to variations in process, voltage, and temperature over time, which affects high-speed data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A data receiver circuit comprising a delay circuit, receiver circuits, phase shift circuit, and control logic that adjusts the delay value of strobe signals to align them with the data, using enable and transition level signals to optimize timing margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a training process is performed during initialization to align data and strobe signals, then alignment is achieved initially, but alignment deteriorates over time due to PVT (process, voltage, temperature) variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver circuit continuously monitors the alignment between data and strobe signals by detecting transition timing. Based on this feedback, the delay circuit dynamically adjusts the strobe signal delay to maintain optimal alignment despite PVT variations over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static alignment approach (fixed after training) to a dynamic approach where the delay circuit continuously adapts the strobe signal delay. The system dynamically adjusts delay values based on real-time detection of data transitions and their alignment with strobe signal edges
2Reliability
If the delay value of strobe signals is adjusted to maintain alignment, then alignment stability is improved, but the circuit complexity increases due to additional control logic and delay circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The delay circuit serves multiple functions: it initially establishes alignment during training, continuously maintains alignment during operation through dynamic adjustment, and adapts to PVT variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver circuit performs self-alignment by detecting its own sampling accuracy and automatically adjusting the delay circuit parameters. The system uses its own operation feedback to maintain optimal alignment without external intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A data receiver circuit may include: a delay circuit suitable for delaying first and second strobe signals and generating delayed first and second strobe signals; a first receiver circuit suitable for sampling data in synchronization with the delayed first strobe signal; a second receiver circuit suitable for sampling the data in synchronization with the delayed second strobe signal; an enable signal generation circuit suitable for generating an enable signal indicating whether the data transitioned; a transition level generation circuit suitable for generating a transition level signal indicating a transition direction of the data; a phase shift circuit suitable for shifting the phase of the delayed first strobe signal by a set degree and generating a shifted first strobe signal; a sampling circuit suitable for sampling the data in synchronization with the shifted first strobe signal and generating a sampling result; and a control logic suitable for changing a delay value of the delay circuit in response to the transition level signal and the sampling result of the sampling circuit, when the enable signal is activated.