Slave Signal Timing Calibration for TSV Package Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacked semiconductor packages using metallic wires face issues with low signal exchange speed, electrical characteristic degradation, increased package size, and height due to wire bonding, while TSV-based packages suffer from signal delay due to RLC components in communication channels, leading to timing variations in signal transmission between master and slave devices.
Innovation Solution
A system with a slave device equipped with a transmission unit, calibration unit, and transmission delay unit that measures flight time and adjusts signal delay to equalize communication timing across slave devices, using calibration channels to synchronize signal transmission with the master device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If TSVs are used to replace metallic wires for electrical coupling, then signal exchange speed is improved, but signal transmission delay increases due to RLC components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the flight time of calibration signals before actual data transmission occurs. The calibration unit measures the time for calibration signals to travel through the TSV channels, and this measured flight time is stored as initial delay values. These pre-measured values are then used to configure transmission delay units that compensate for the inherent RLC component delays, ensuring synchronous signal exchange without requiring real-time adjustments during data transmission.
2Quantity of substance
If different slave devices are stacked at different positions, then device density is improved, but timing variation between devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different initial delay values to different slave devices based on their specific positions and measured flight times. Each slave device receives a customized delay value that compensates for its unique distance from the master device, rather than using a uniform delay for all devices. This localized compensation ensures that each device synchronizes properly with the master device despite variations in stacking positions, thereby maintaining high device density while controlling timing variations.
3Measurement precision
If calibration channels are added to measure flight time, then timing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the calibration channel to serve multiple functions. The same calibration channel used for measuring flight time can also be used for normal data transmission after calibration is complete. The calibration unit and transmission delay unit are configured to operate in different modes: during calibration mode, the channel measures flight time; during data transmission mode, the channel carries actual data signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated calibration infrastructure, thereby improving timing precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A slave device communicating with a master device includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the master device through a communication channel, a calibration unit configured to measure a flight time of a calibration signal which is transmitted to the master device and fed back through a calibration channel coupled to the master device, and a transmission delay unit configured to delay the signal transmitted from an internal circuit of the slave device to the transmission unit by a delay value determined according to the measurement result of the calibration unit.