Ring Oscillator Startup Timing to Minimize Short-Through Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low power ring oscillators face excessive startup current peaks, which can collapse systems or cause malfunctions due to their limited power supply loading capability, necessitating a reduction in startup current to ensure efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a timer that coordinates the activation of a control circuit to avoid short-through currents during the startup phase of a ring oscillator core, disabling the control circuit when not oscillating and releasing it only after the oscillator has stabilized, thereby minimizing startup current and operational power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a low power ring oscillator is used to reduce power consumption, then operational power is reduced, but startup current peaks excessively causing system collapse or malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The timer circuit performs preliminary action by disabling the control circuit during the startup phase before the oscillator core begins oscillating. This prevents the control circuit from being activated too early, which would otherwise cause excessive short-through current. The timer ensures the control circuit is only enabled after the oscillator has stabilized, thus resolving the contradiction between low operational power and startup stability.
2Productivity
If the control circuit is enabled during startup to provide immediate output, then operational functionality is achieved, but excessive short-through current is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The timer circuit implements periodic action by controlling the enable signal to the control circuit in a time-dependent manner. During the startup period, the control circuit remains disabled. After the timer expires (indicating oscillator stabilization), the control circuit is enabled. This time-based periodic control resolves the contradiction by delaying activation until the appropriate moment, avoiding excessive current while ensuring eventual functionality.
3Loss of energy
If a timer circuit is added to coordinate control circuit timing, then startup current is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timer circuit serves as an intermediary between the oscillator core and the control circuit. It mediates the timing relationship by monitoring the startup phase and controlling when the control circuit should be enabled. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing a simple time-based control mechanism that reduces startup current without requiring complex control logic or multiple additional circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an oscillator and a method of operating an oscillator are disclosed. In an embodiment, an oscillator can include a ring oscillator core, a control circuit, and a timer that coordinates timing of the control circuit to avoid a current resulting from a voltage level associated with an output of the ring oscillator core during a startup and to allow the ring oscillator core to operate with a low startup current and a low operational power.