Logic-Based Ring Oscillator Coupling for Zero Static Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling circuits for ring oscillators face challenges in scaling due to high power consumption, particularly static power consumption, and are not robust against process-voltage-temperature variations, making them inefficient for large-scale integrated circuit designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logic-based coupling circuits using modified tri-state inverters and fully digital delay shifting gates, which eliminate static power consumption and signal margin issues, while allowing for programmable coupling strengths and robustness against variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If traditional coupling circuits are used to connect ring oscillators, then coupling functionality is achieved, but static power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the static power consumption component from the coupling circuit by using transmission gates that only consume dynamic power during switching events. The coupling circuit is redesigned to remove continuous DC power paths, keeping only the essential coupling functionality while discarding the harmful static power dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the coupling circuit by using controlled switching signals to activate coupling only when needed. The transmission gates are enabled/disabled based on the desired coupling strength, transforming the circuit from a continuously powered state to a dynamically controlled state, thereby eliminating static power consumption.
2Reliability
If coupling strength is increased to improve phase locking, then oscillation synchronization improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the coupling circuit through programmable coupling strength parameters. The coupling intensity can be adjusted in real-time based on the oscillation synchronization requirements, allowing the system to use minimal power during stable operation and increase coupling only when phase locking is needed, rather than maintaining constant high coupling strength.
3Reliability
If process-voltage-temperature variations occur, then circuit performance degrades, but increasing circuit robustness increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex analog compensation circuits with a digital control mechanism. Instead of using continuous analog components to compensate for PVT variations, the system uses programmable digital control signals to adjust the coupling transmission gates, achieving robustness through software-controlled parameter adjustment rather than complex hardware compensation.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupled ring oscillator circuit includes a first ring oscillator, a second ring oscillator and a coupling circuit. The first ring oscillator includes a series of delay stages, each delay stage including an inverter gate. The second ring oscillator includes a series of delay stages, each delay stage including an inverter gate. The coupling circuit includes a coupling cell having a first modified tri-state inverter connected in parallel with one of the inverter gates of the first ring oscillator, and a second modified tri-state inverter connected in parallel with one of the inverter gates of the second ring oscillator.