Data Receiver Strobe Delay Alignment Under PVT Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit chips face challenges in maintaining the alignment of data and strobe signals over time due to variations in process, voltage, and temperature, which affects the stability of data transfer and reception.
Innovation Solution
A data receiving circuit is designed with a variable delay circuit, phase shift circuit, phase comparison circuit, and delay adjusting circuit to generate and synchronize delayed strobe signals, aligning them with data signals by adjusting delay values based on phase comparison results, ensuring optimal synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed delay value is used for strobe signal alignment, then the initial alignment during training process is achieved, but the alignment becomes distorted over time due to PVT variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed delay value into a variable delay value that can be dynamically adjusted. The delay adjusting circuit modifies the delay value of the variable delay circuit based on phase comparison results, enabling the strobe signal alignment to adapt to PVT variations over time while maintaining reliable data reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the delay value parameter of the strobe signal based on phase comparison results. The delay adjusting circuit changes the delay parameter dynamically to compensate for alignment distortion caused by PVT variations, ensuring continuous optimal alignment between data and strobe signals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delay value is adjusted frequently to maintain alignment, then adaptability to PVT variations is improved, but the complexity of the control circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback principle through the phase comparison circuit that continuously compares the phase of received data with the strobe signal and provides feedback to the delay adjusting circuit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of the delay value to maintain alignment without requiring complex external control, achieving adaptability with moderate circuit complexity.
3Device complexity
If a simple delay circuit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of alignment correction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the alignment correction function into multiple independent circuits: variable delay circuit for delay adjustment, phase shift circuit for phase modification, phase comparison circuit for phase difference detection, and delay adjusting circuit for control. This segmentation achieves high alignment precision through coordinated operation of specialized circuits while keeping each individual circuit relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A data receiving circuit may include: a variable delay circuit suitable for generating a delayed strobe signal by delaying a strobe signal; a receiving circuit suitable for sampling data in synchronization with the delayed strobe signal; a phase shift circuit suitable for generating a shifted strobe signal by shifting a phase of the delayed strobe signal; a phase comparison circuit suitable for comparing phases of the data and the shifted strobe signal; and a delay adjusting circuit suitable for adjusting a delay value of the variable delay circuit in response to the phase comparison result of the phase comparison circuit.