Real-Time Clock Time-to-Digital Conversion Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-time clock devices have limited time-counting accuracy due to the resolution of counters used in time control systems, which restricts the generation of highly accurate time information beyond their time resolution.
Innovation Solution
A real-time clock device incorporating a resonator, a clock signal generation circuit, a time-to-digital conversion circuit, and a time-counting circuit that measures time differences with a resolution higher than the counter's time resolution, allowing for the generation of highly accurate time information by comparing transition timings of external signals with oscillation clock signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a counter is used to detect error between clock signals, then the time control device can adjust the second clock signal, but the accuracy of the second clock signal is limited by the time resolution of the counter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional counter-based time measurement system with a time-to-digital conversion circuit that uses analog signal comparison. Instead of relying on discrete counter ticks limited by clock period, the system compares the phase of external clock signals with internal oscillation signals to achieve continuous, high-resolution time measurement beyond counter limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from discrete counter counts to continuous phase difference measurement. By measuring the phase difference between external and internal clock signals as a continuous parameter rather than discrete time intervals, the system achieves resolution finer than the counter's time resolution.
2Measurement precision
If the RTC performs time-counting based on the second clock signal, then time information can be generated, but time-counting accuracy is limited by the time resolution of the counter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time-to-digital conversion circuit as an intermediary between the clock signals and the time-counting circuit. This intermediary converts the continuous phase difference information into digital time difference data with high resolution, preserving time information that would otherwise be lost in the counter-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to time measurement by introducing phase-based measurement alongside traditional counter-based time counting. This dimensional expansion allows the system to represent time with finer granularity by measuring phase differences continuously rather than in discrete counter increments.
3Measurement precision
If a counter is used for error detection, then clock signal adjustment can be performed, but highly accurate time information with resolution higher than counter resolution cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the counter-based discrete time measurement system with an analog-phase-based continuous measurement system. The time-to-digital conversion circuit measures phase differences continuously, providing reliable high-resolution time information that maintains accuracy even when counter resolution is insufficient.
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
Enables the acquisition of time difference information with higher resolution than the counter's time resolution, improving the accuracy of time measurement and frequency correction, thus enhancing the overall time-counting accuracy of the real-time clock device.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillation circuit causing the resonator to oscillate to generate an oscillation clock signal
Data Source
AI summary
A real-time clock device includes a resonator, a clock signal generation circuit, a time-counting circuit, a terminal, and a time-to-digital conversion circuit. The clock signal generation circuit outputs a time-counting clock signal based on an oscillation clock signal. The time-counting circuit generates time-counting data based on the time-counting clock signal. An external signal is input to the terminal. The time-to-digital conversion circuit measures a time difference between a transition timing of a first signal based on the external signal and a transition timing of a second signal based on the oscillation clock signal or the time-counting clock signal with a resolution higher than a time-counting resolution of the time-counting circuit, and obtains time difference information corresponding to the time difference.