Serializer Clock Generator Layout for Low-Leakage Multi-Phase Clocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock generator circuits for serializer circuits are inefficient due to high current leakage and large footprint, necessitating a more optimized design.
Innovation Solution
A clock generator circuit comprising an input clock buffer, inverter circuits, a clock pulse circuit, and phase splitter circuits, which stabilizes and modifies clock signals to reduce current leakage and footprint by using fewer circuit elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If current clock generator circuits are used, then clock signals can be generated, but current leakage is high and footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit functions into fewer integrated circuit elements. The clock generator circuit integrates buffer, inverter, pulse generation, and phase splitting functions into a compact design that uses fewer discrete components while maintaining all necessary clock signal generation capabilities, thereby reducing both current leakage and footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock generator circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - buffering input clocks, generating pulses, splitting phases, and outputting multiple clock signals - using a unified circuit architecture that minimizes the number of dedicated components for each function, thus reducing overall circuit complexity and power consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If current clock generator circuits are used, then clock signals can be generated, but footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit functions into fewer integrated circuit elements. The clock generator circuit integrates buffer, inverter, pulse generation, and phase splitting functions into a compact design that uses fewer discrete components while maintaining all necessary clock signal generation capabilities, thereby reducing both current leakage and footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit employs a hierarchical structure where complex functions are nested within integrated circuit blocks. The phase splitter circuits and pulse generation logic are implemented as nested functional units within the overall clock generator architecture, allowing compact layout and reduced footprint while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device may include a serializer circuit configured to generate an output clock signal for serialization. The serializer circuit may include a clock generator circuit configured to generate the output clock signal based on an input clock signal. Both the input and output clock signals may be multi-phase clock signals. The clock generator circuit may include an input clock buffer circuit, inverter circuits, a clock pulse circuit (e.g., a plurality of NAND gates in a configuration), and phase splitter circuits arranged in a configuration so as to reduce current leakage and allow for a smaller footprint, among other benefits. The clock generator circuit may provide the output clock signal to a serializer included in the serializer circuit for serialization.