Sequential Ring Oscillator for Process Variation Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring oscillators used for power supply voltage scaling in electronic devices primarily utilize combinational logic, which fail to accurately characterize the effects of process variations on sequential logic circuits, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a ring oscillator that incorporates sequential logic, specifically edge-triggered storage devices and feedback paths, to better reflect process variations and optimize power supply voltages for circuits with both combinational and sequential logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If combinational logic is used in ring oscillators, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of process variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sequential logic elements (flip-flops) with the ring oscillator structure, merging previously separate combinational logic and sequential logic domains to create a unified circuit that accurately characterizes process variations while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ring oscillator circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: generating clock signals and simultaneously characterizing process variations in both combinational and sequential logic, making it a universal monitoring tool for the entire digital circuit
2Productivity
If sequential logic is accurately characterized, then power supply voltage scaling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback paths that feed oscillator output signals back to the sequential logic inputs, creating a closed-loop system that enables accurate process variation characterization and informed power supply voltage scaling decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The ring oscillator uses dynamic switching of sequential logic elements through feedback mechanisms, allowing the circuit to adaptively characterize process variations and enable dynamic power supply voltage scaling for optimized performance
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first edge-triggered storage device that has a first clock input, a first data input, and a first data output. The apparatus also includes a first feedback path from the first data output to the first clock input. The apparatus further includes a second edge-triggered storage device that has a second clock input, a second data input, and a second data output. The second clock input is coupled to the first data output. The apparatus additionally includes a second feedback path from the second data output to the second clock input, as well as a third feedback path from the second data output to the first clock input.