Shared LC Oscillator Clocking for Wide Frequency Range in Small IC Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

LC oscillators require a large area for implementation, making it challenging to integrate multiple oscillators on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip while maintaining a wide frequency range and low noise.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves fabricating multiple LC oscillator circuits in a small area by sharing inductors and other elements, with only one oscillator circuit active at a time to avoid impacting inactive circuits. This approach allows for a wide operational frequency range without increasing the area requirement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LC oscillator circuits are implemented to achieve wide frequency range, then frequency range is improved, but area consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency rangeVSAvoidarea

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LC oscillator circuits share common inductors and other circuit elements, merging physical components to serve multiple oscillation frequencies. This combining approach allows the system to achieve wide frequency range coverage without proportionally increasing the total area, as the same inductor structure supports multiple oscillation modes through different circuit configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as the inductive element for multiple different oscillator circuits that operate at different frequencies. This multi-functionality allows a single physical component to enable wide frequency range operation across multiple oscillators, resolving the contradiction between frequency range and area consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LC oscillator circuits are implemented to achieve wide frequency range, then frequency range is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates with only one oscillator circuit active at a time, using periodic switching between different oscillator configurations. This periodic activation ensures that while multiple oscillators are available for wide frequency range, only one consumes significant power at any given moment, thereby maintaining low overall power consumption while preserving wide frequency coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different oscillator circuits based on the required frequency, rather than having all oscillators continuously active. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to different frequency requirements while minimizing power consumption by keeping inactive oscillators in a low-power or standby state, thus resolving the contradiction between frequency range and power usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LC oscillator circuits are implemented independently, then frequency range is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency rangeVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple oscillator circuits share common inductors and other circuit elements, merging physical components to serve multiple oscillation frequencies. This combining approach allows the system to achieve wide frequency range coverage without proportionally increasing the total area, as the same inductor structure supports multiple oscillation modes through different circuit configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design achieves a wide frequency range similar to a single oscillator circuit, reducing power consumption and allowing for low-power operation while maintaining a compact footprint on the IC chip.

Implementation Method 1

Inductance/Capacitance (LC) oscillators are preferred for generating clocks with low noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLC Oscillation: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12212308B2Low-area, wide range clocking scheme using inductance/capacitance oscillators

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 SYNOPSYS INC

AI summary

An oscillator comprising a first oscillator circuit having a first inductive portion, a plurality of shared switches for selectively connecting a shared oscillator tuning circuit and a second oscillator circuit having a second inductive portion, the plurality of shared switches and the shared oscillator tuning circuit. In some embodiments, when the first oscillator circuit is active, the second oscillator circuit is inactive to allow the sharing of the shared oscillator tuning circuit.