Shared Code Counter Layout for Quadrature Phase Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quadrature phase correction circuits require a large number of code counters, which occupy significant area and pose challenges in semiconductor device fabrication, necessitating a reduction in layout size.
Innovation Solution
A quadrature phase correction circuit that shares an N-bit code counter and storage to generate and store code values, utilizing a storage control circuit to manage code values across multiple phase detectors and correction circuits, thereby reducing the number of physical code counters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple code counters are used in each phase detector and correction circuit, then phase detection and correction accuracy is improved, but layout area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple code counters into a single shared code counter that is time-multiplexed across different phase detectors and correction circuits. Instead of having separate code counters in each I-IB phase detector, Q-QB phase detector, and I-Q phase detector, one code counter is shared among all of them through sequential operation controlled by control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The single code counter is designed to perform multiple functions by being shared across different operational modes. It sequentially serves as the code counter for I-IB phase detection, Q-QB phase detection, and I-Q phase detection, as well as for duty cycle correction and phase error correction operations, thereby replacing multiple dedicated counters.
2Reliability
If multiple code counters are implemented for different phase detectors, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple code counters are merged into a single code counter unit that is time-shared across different phase detection and correction functions. The control circuit generates appropriate control signals to switch the code counter between different operational modes, maintaining reliability through systematic control while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A control circuit acts as an intermediary between the single code counter and multiple phase detectors/correction circuits. This control circuit manages the sequential operation and data routing, ensuring that the single code counter can reliably serve multiple functions without direct complex interconnections between all components.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate code counters are used in duty cycle correction and phase error correction circuits, then correction precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The code counters in duty cycle correction circuits and phase error correction circuits are merged into a single shared code counter. The system sequentially allocates the code counter to different correction functions based on operational requirements, achieving the necessary precision for each correction type while using a unified hardware resource.
Data Source
AI summary
A quadrature phase correction circuit includes an N-bit code counter configured to generate an N-bit code value according to a detected phase difference when a quadrature phase correction is carried out, N-bit code values are stored according to a plurality of detected phase differences. A controller shares the N-bit code counter, controls the generation of the N-bit code values according to the plurality of detected phase differences, and controls the storing of the N-bit code values in an allocated space of the storage by use of a multiplexer configured to provide the plurality of detected phase differences to the N-bit code counter, and a demultiplexer configured to store the N-bit code values in the allocated space of the storage.