Synchronous Strobe Phase Advance for Data Bus Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Source synchronous systems face errors due to inaccuracies in clock generation circuits and uneven distribution of strobe signals within receiving devices, leading to misalignment of data and strobe signals, which affects reception conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a resistor network, core clock generator, and synchronous strobe driver is used to provide a ratio signal that advances the data strobe clock, ensuring the strobe signal is synchronized with data signals, thereby compensating for misalignment on a synchronous data bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data strobes and data signals are routed along equal propagation paths on the system board, then the phase alignment is improved, but additional propagation lengths within the receiving device cause delay and skew the phase of synchronous transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by advancing the data strobe clock phase before distribution to internal receivers. The core clock generator pre-adjusts the strobe signal timing to compensate for anticipated propagation delays within the receiving device, ensuring that despite varying path lengths, all receivers receive properly aligned strobe signals simultaneously with their corresponding data signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different phase advance adjustments to different groups of data strobes based on their specific propagation characteristics. The resistor network allows independent control of phase alignment for different signal groups, enabling each strobe group to be optimized for its particular routing path and receiver requirements within the device.
2Measurement precision
If clock generation circuits are designed with tight tolerances to improve timing accuracy, then phase alignment is improved, but design complexity and fabrication difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of strobe timing from fixed to adjustable by introducing a resistor network that controls the phase advance of the data strobe clock. This allows the timing characteristics to be tuned after fabrication, eliminating the need for extremely tight fabrication tolerances and reducing design complexity while maintaining high timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the clock generation system adjustable through the resistor network. The phase alignment is no longer static but can be dynamically tuned by changing resistor values, allowing optimization of timing accuracy without requiring complex fixed-design solutions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the strobe signal is distributed to all internal synchronous receivers, then all receivers can access the strobe, but the additional propagation lengths add delay and skew the phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-advancing the phase of the data strobe clock at the source before distribution to multiple receivers. This anticipatory phase adjustment compensates for the varying propagation delays that will occur as signals travel to different receivers, ensuring that all receivers receive properly synchronized strobe signals despite different path lengths.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided that compensates for misalignment on a synchronous data bus. The apparatus includes a resistor network, a core clocks generator, and a synchronous strobe driver. The resistor network is configured to provide a ratio signal that indicates an amount to advance a synchronous data strobe associated with a data group. The core clocks generator is coupled to the ratio signal, and is configured to advance a data strobe clock by the amount. The synchronous strobe driver is configured to receive the data strobe clock, and is configured to employ the data strobe clock to generate the synchronous data strobe, where the synchronous data strobe, when enabled, is advanced also by the amount.