Single-Ended to Differential Converter With Delay-Compensating Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-to-differential converters suffer from deviations in duty cycle and undesirably long delays between complementary output signals due to the use of inverters with longer signal propagation delays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of routing circuits with shorter signal propagation delays, such as field-effect transistors in source-follower structures, to compensate for the delays caused by inverters, ensuring simultaneous arrival of differential output signals and maintaining a 50% duty cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If inverters are used in the single-to-differential converter, then the circuit can be implemented with standard components, but the signal propagation delay increases and duty cycle accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the type of circuit components from inverters to routing circuits with different propagation delay characteristics. By selecting routing circuits with shorter delay times, the patent optimizes the timing parameters while maintaining the converter functionality, thereby reducing signal propagation delay and improving duty cycle accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces routing circuits as intermediary elements between the differential output signals generation stage and the final output stage. These routing circuits act as mediators that compensate for timing delays and ensure synchronized arrival of complementary signals, thus reducing overall propagation delay and improving timing accuracy.
2Device complexity
If inverters with longer propagation delays are used, then circuit implementation is simplified, but duty cycle distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criteria from using standard inverters to using routing circuits with optimized propagation delay parameters. This parameter change enables achieving both simple circuit implementation and high duty cycle accuracy by selecting routing circuits whose delay characteristics match the required timing specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs delay compensation techniques where the routing circuits are selected and configured based on feedback regarding the required timing accuracy. The system compensates for timing errors by adjusting the routing circuit selection to achieve the desired duty cycle precision, thereby maintaining both simplicity and accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard inverter-based conversion is used, then the design is straightforward, but the delay between complementary output signal edges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design approach from fixed inverter-based conversion to flexible routing circuit selection based on delay parameters. By choosing routing circuits with shorter propagation delays, the patent reduces edge delay while keeping the design process straightforward through systematic selection criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary selection of routing circuits with appropriate delay characteristics before final circuit assembly. By pre-selecting routing circuits that meet the timing requirements, the patent ensures minimal edge delay is achieved from the outset, eliminating the need for complex post-design adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a converting circuit, a buffering circuit, and a routing circuit. The converting circuit is configured to transform a single-ended input signal into differential output signals. The buffering circuit is configured to amplify the differential output signals. The routing circuit is configured to route the single-ended input signal to an output of the converting circuit and has a shorter signal propagation delay than the converting circuit.