Shared-Error Clock Alignment for Stable High-Speed Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed signal converters face challenges in maintaining accurate duty cycle and data clock recovery due to disturbances from temperature and clock rate variations, affecting the accuracy of signal conversion.
Innovation Solution
A clock processor with a duty cycle stabilizer and data clock aligner that share an error signal to maintain a desired duty cycle and delay, independent of temperature and clock rate variations, using a control loop and delay/phase-locked loops to stabilize the system and data clocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate control loops are used for duty cycle stabilization and data clock alignment, then each function can be optimized independently, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the duty cycle stabilizer and data clock aligner into a single integrated clock processor that shares a common error signal generation mechanism. The duty cycle stabilizer generates an error signal based on duty cycle deviations, and this same error signal is utilized by the data clock aligner to adjust clock phase and timing, thereby eliminating the need for separate control loops while maintaining functional independence and optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The error signal generation mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes the duty cycle of the system clock and aligns the data clock timing. This multi-functional approach allows a single control mechanism to address both duty cycle accuracy and data recovery timing requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize each function independently through shared control logic.
2Reliability
If independent control mechanisms are implemented for system clock and data clock, then each clock can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control mechanisms for system clock and data clock into a unified clock processor architecture. The duty cycle stabilizer and data clock aligner share common components including error signal generation logic and control pathways, reducing the number of independent control mechanisms while maintaining the ability to independently optimize system clock duty cycle and data clock timing for their respective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock processor is designed as a multi-functional unit where a single error signal generation mechanism serves both duty cycle stabilization and data clock alignment functions. This universal approach maintains high reliability by ensuring both clocks are controlled by a coordinated system, while reducing complexity through shared control logic and common error detection pathways.
3Device complexity
If traditional clock control systems are used without error signal sharing, then the structure is simpler, but the system becomes sensitive to temperature and clock rate variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the duty cycle stabilizer that continuously monitors system clock duty cycle deviations and generates error signals. This error signal is shared with the data clock aligner, creating a coordinated feedback mechanism that actively compensates for temperature and clock rate variations. The feedback loop ensures both clocks remain stable and synchronized despite environmental disturbances, transforming a simple but sensitive structure into a robust controlled system.
Data Source
AI summary
Clock processors are provided to economically control system and data clocks in high-speed signal converters. The processors generally include at least one of a delay-locked loop, phase-locked loop or a duty cycle stabilizer which generates an error signal in its operation. In the example of a stabilizer, it is configured to respond to an input clock to initiate a first portion of each cycle of the system clock and to include a control loop to provide an error signal that controls a second portion of the cycle to thereby maintain a selected duty cycle. The processors also include a data clock aligner configured to share the error signal and provide a data clock that is delayed by a selected delay from a selected one of the input and system clocks. In addition to providing effective control that is independent of disturbing effects (e.g., temperature and clock rate), the shared use reduces processor costs.