Semiconductor Clock Synchronization with Variable-Frequency Preamble
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data communication in semiconductor apparatuses requires precise synchronization of clock signals, but existing technologies face challenges in maintaining phase alignment between clock signals of different frequencies, leading to potential out-of-phase issues during data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system where a semiconductor apparatus receives a first clock signal with a lower frequency during an initial preamble period and transitions to a second clock signal with a higher frequency, allowing for sufficient amplitude detection and precise frequency division to ensure phase alignment between the two signals, using a clock generation circuit with a frequency divider and phase detector to adjust the phase of the first clock signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the clock signal frequency is increased for high-speed data communication, then the data transfer rate is improved, but the phase alignment between clock signals becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting a preamble signal at a lower frequency before the main data transmission. This preamble allows the receiver to accurately detect and lock onto the clock signal frequency and phase beforehand. The clock generation circuit uses this preliminary period to synchronize its internal clock with the incoming clock signal, ensuring accurate phase alignment is established before high-speed data transmission begins, thus resolving the contradiction between high data rates and phase alignment reliability
2Speed
If the clock signal frequency is increased to achieve faster operation speed, then the operation speed is improved, but the amplitude detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by transmitting a preamble signal at a lower frequency before main data transmission. During this preliminary period, the clock generation circuit can accurately detect the amplitude and phase of the clock signal without the challenges of high-frequency operation. This preliminary detection establishes accurate synchronization parameters that enable reliable high-speed communication afterward, resolving the contradiction between operation speed and amplitude detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the frequency at which the preamble signal is transmitted. The controller selectively changes the frequency of the preamble signal to optimize detection accuracy under different operating conditions. By varying the preamble frequency parameter, the system can perform accurate amplitude and phase detection even when the main data transmission occurs at higher frequencies, thus resolving the contradiction between operation speed and measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include an external apparatus and a semiconductor apparatus. The semiconductor apparatus may be configured to communicate with the external apparatus by receiving a frequency-varying first clock signal provided from the external apparatus.