Speculative Periodic Synchronizer Using Reduced Timing Margin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronization techniques fail to effectively synchronize signals between clock domains where at least one clock operates at a variable frequency, leading to increased complexity and area overhead due to the use of asynchronous FIFOs, which incur latency and higher probability of synchronization failure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for speculative periodic synchronization, utilizing a high-resolution phase detector to determine the phase and period values of variable clock signals, allowing for reduced timing margins and generation of a speculatively synchronized output signal, thereby reducing latency and synchronization failure probability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If asynchronous FIFOs are used to synchronize signals between clock domains with variable frequencies, then synchronization reliability is improved, but device complexity and area overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the synchronizer by using variable timing margins that adapt to the actual phase relationship between clocks. Instead of using fixed conservative timing margins, the synchronizer dynamically adjusts the timing margin based on measured phase differences, allowing it to operate reliably with variable frequency clocks while reducing the complexity overhead of traditional asynchronous FIFOs.
2Reliability
If asynchronous FIFOs are used to synchronize signals between clock domains with variable frequencies, then synchronization reliability is improved, but area overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the timing margin parameter based on the measured phase relationship between clock domains. This allows the synchronizer to achieve reliable synchronization with variable frequency clocks using a compact circuit design, avoiding the large area overhead of asynchronous FIFOs while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Reliability
If conservative timing margins are used in synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the timing margin dynamic rather than static. The timing margin is continuously adjusted based on the measured phase relationship between the source and destination clocks. This dynamic adaptation allows the synchronizer to use minimal timing margins when the phase relationship permits, thereby reducing latency while maintaining synchronization reliability.
4Loss of time
If periodic synchronization with reduced timing margin is used, then latency is reduced, but the probability of synchronization failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the phase relationship between clock domains is continuously measured and used to adjust the timing margin. This feedback loop ensures that the reduced timing margin is compensated by accurate phase information, maintaining synchronization reliability while achieving low latency. The system adaptively tunes the timing margin based on real-time phase measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system are provided for speculative periodic synchronization. A phase value representing a measured phase of the second clock signal relative to the first clock signal measured at least one cycle earlier is received. A period value representing a period of the second clock signal relative to the first clock signal measured at least one cycle earlier is also received. A reduced timing margin is determined based on the phase value and the period value. A speculatively synchronized output signal is generated based on the reduced timing margin.