Resonator Rib Thickness Profiling for Uniform Clock Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock distribution systems in computer systems, particularly in CMOS and RQL circuits, face challenges in ensuring uniformity of clock current distribution due to non-uniform inductive coupling, leading to inefficiencies in timing and data synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A clock distribution system utilizing a resonator spine and rib configuration with varying thickness along the length of the resonator ribs, where the thickness controls the inductive coupling of transformer-coupling lines to generate a clock current, mitigating non-uniformity by adjusting the amplitude of the induced clock current across different transformer-coupling lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If uniform thickness resonator ribs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but inductive coupling becomes non-uniform leading to poor timing synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator ribs are designed with non-uniform thickness along their length, where the thickness varies to compensate for position-dependent coupling effects. This local variation in geometric quality ensures that the inductive coupling strength is uniform across all transformer-coupling lines despite their different positions in the clock distribution network.
2Reliability
If varying thickness resonator ribs are used, then inductive coupling uniformity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness parameter of the resonator ribs is deliberately varied along their length according to a designed profile. This parameter change compensates for the non-uniform magnetic field distribution and inductive coupling effects, ensuring uniform clock signal distribution to all circuits while maintaining timing synchronization reliability.
3Productivity
If simple resonator structure is used, then device complexity is lower, but clock current distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator structure is segmented into multiple ribs, each conductively coupled to the resonator spine. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each rib's thickness profile to compensate for position-dependent coupling effects, enabling uniform clock current distribution across the entire clock distribution network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively mitigates non-uniformity of induced clock currents, ensuring consistent timing and synchronization across circuits by varying the thickness of resonator ribs to control inductive coupling, thereby enhancing the efficiency of clock signal distribution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transformer-coupling line, each of the at least one transformer-coupling line being conductively coupled to an associated circuit and being inductively coupled to the at least one resonator rib to inductively generate a clock current corresponding to the clock signal
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment includes a clock distribution system. The system includes at least one resonator spine that propagates a clock signal and at least one resonator rib conductively coupled to the at least one resonator spine and being arranged as a standing wave resonator. At least one of the at least one resonator rib has a thickness that varies along a length of the respective one of the at least one resonator rib. The system also includes at least one transformer-coupling line. Each of the at least one transformer-coupling line can be conductively coupled to an associated circuit and being inductively coupled to the at least one resonator rib to inductively generate a clock current corresponding to the clock signal to provide functions for the associated circuit.