Time to Digital Converter Synchronization for Parallel Channel Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time of flight imaging systems face challenges in managing data from flip-flops with different clock domains, leading to manual intensive implementation, difficulty in arranging logic, and congestion in timing critical routing, which complicates the placement of multiple TDC channels in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A time to digital converter (TDC) is designed with a sampling stage that samples input signals based on multiple timing signals with different phases, followed by synchronization stages to align outputs within a single clock domain, allowing for easier data management and reducing the risk of timing violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple TDC channels are placed in parallel using different clock domains, then timing resolution is improved, but device complexity and routing congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple clock domains into a single unified clock domain by synchronizing all flip-flop outputs to a common reference clock. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex multi-clock domain management while preserving the timing resolution benefits of multiple sampling phases, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synchronization stage as an intermediary between the sampling stage and output stage. This mediator synchronizes outputs from multiple clock domains to a single reference clock, enabling parallel TDC channels to operate with high timing resolution while avoiding routing congestion and complexity associated with multiple clock domains
2Productivity
If multiple TDC channels are placed in parallel, then productivity is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple TDC channel outputs into a single synchronized clock domain, enabling parallel processing and high productivity while simplifying the detection and measurement process. The unified clock domain allows standard digital logic to process all channels without complex timing analysis across multiple clock domains
3Measurement precision
If manual arrangement of logic is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal synchronization stage that can be replicated for multiple TDC channels, enabling automated design and manufacturing while maintaining measurement precision. The standardized synchronization architecture allows precision timing to be achieved without manual logic arrangement, improving ease of manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A time to digital converter (TDC) may include a sampling stage configured to sample an input signal based upon a plurality of timing signals having different respective phases, and provide a respective output for each of the different timing signals. A first synchronization stage may be configured to receive the outputs from the sampling stage, synchronize a first subset of the outputs to a first one of the plurality of timing signals, and synchronize a second subset of the outputs to a second one of the plurality of timing signals. A second synchronization stage may be configured to receive the synchronized outputs from the first synchronization stage, and synchronize all of the synchronized outputs from the first synchronization stage to the first one of the plurality of timing signals.