Semiconductor De-Skew Control via Integrated Delay Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices require additional circuits and increased area to eliminate signal skews during data transmission and reception, which complicates the design and increases the size of the device.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with two data transmitting/receiving circuits that utilize a de-skew control unit to adjust delay amounts based on phase information of reference clock signals, eliminating the need for additional circuits and reducing the overall area by integrating de-skew control directly into the existing circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional circuits are added to eliminate signal skews during data transmission and reception, then skew elimination performance is improved, but device area increases and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the de-skew control unit with the existing data transmitting/receiving circuits, merging multiple functions into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate additional circuits while maintaining skew elimination capability, thereby reducing device area without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The de-skew control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls delay amounts for both transmission and reception operations, and it can operate with both differential and single-ended signaling modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, optimizing device area
2Reliability
If additional circuits are added to eliminate signal skews during data transmission and reception, then skew elimination performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the de-skew control unit with the existing data transmitting/receiving circuits, the patent reduces the number of separate components and interconnections. This integration simplifies the overall design while maintaining the ability to eliminate skews during both Tx and Rx operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes (delay amounts) controlled by the de-skew control unit to eliminate skews. By adjusting delay parameters rather than adding complex circuitry, the solution achieves skew elimination with minimal increase in design complexity
3Reliability
If delay circuits are added to adjust data delay amounts for each channel, then skew elimination is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delay adjustment function into a centralized de-skew control unit that manages delay amounts for multiple channels. This segmentation allows for more efficient use of circuit area compared to having separate delay circuits for each channel, as the control unit can optimize delay adjustment across all channels
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a first data transmitting/receiving circuit, a second data transmitting/receiving circuit, and a plurality of channels configured to couple the first and second data transmitting/receiving circuits. The first data transmitting/receiving circuit includes a Tx delay unit configured to transmit data to the plurality of channels, an Rx delay unit configured to receive data from the plurality of channels, and a de-skew control unit configured to control delay amounts of the Tx delay unit and the Rx delay unit according to phase information of reference clock signals received through the plurality of channels.