Register-Based De-Skew for Source Synchronous Receivers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latch-based de-skewing techniques in digital electronic systems suffer from variable data duration and increased sampling errors due to signal skew, leading to inefficiencies and complexity in data registration between circuit domains.
Innovation Solution
A register-based de-skew system generates one-hot de-skew strobe signals to stretch input data pulses into spread data pulses, which are then multiplexed and registered using a clock signal associated with the receiver circuit domain, ensuring accurate and efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch-based de-skewing is used, then signal skew is reduced, but data duration becomes variable and sampling errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data registration from latch-based timing to register-based clocked timing. By using registers clocked by a stable clock signal rather than latch-based strobe timing, the system achieves both skew reduction and consistent data duration, eliminating the trade-off between reliability and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If latch-based de-skewing is used, then signal skew is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the de-skewing function from the data path and implements it through a separate register bank clocked by a dedicated de-skew clock signal. This separation allows the de-skewing mechanism to be independently controlled and simplified, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If latch-based de-skewing is used, then signal skew is reduced, but runt pulses are created reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning data in register banks before the actual data transfer completes. The de-skew registers capture data at predetermined timing intervals, ensuring that data is ready and properly timed before being multiplexed and registered, thereby eliminating runt pulses and improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A register-based de-skew system and method for a source synchronous receiver circuit domain. In one embodiment, a de-skew strobe generator operates responsive to at least one incoming strobe signal in order to generate a plurality of one-hot de-skew strobe signals. A plurality of de-skew registers receive the same input data pulses from a transmitter circuit domain. By clocking the de-skew registers with the one-hot de-skew strobe signals, the input data pulses are stretched into spread data pulses having an extended timing window. A plurality of multiplexers multiplex the spread data pulses, whereupon the multiplexed data is registered using a clock signal associated with the receiver circuit domain.