Temperature-Tuned Latch Circuit for Stable Frequency Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequency dividers, particularly those using latch circuits and flip-flop devices, experience frequency drift due to temperature changes, leading to inconsistent operation and reduced efficiency over time.
Innovation Solution
A latch circuit design incorporating a tuning arrangement connected to a temperature sensor, which biases currents in the sensing and storage arrangements to asymmetrically control the sense and store periods, thereby stabilizing the self-oscillatory frequency by introducing a temperature-dependent tuning current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch circuit is used in a frequency divider, then the frequency division function is achieved, but the operating frequency drifts over time due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the bias currents in the sensing and storage arrangements based on temperature. A temperature sensor detects temperature changes and controls a current source to modify the bias current, thereby changing the operating parameters of the latch circuit to compensate for temperature-induced frequency drift and maintain stable operation.
2Reliability
If the sense and store periods are made equal, then the circuit operation is simple, but the frequency drift cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by making the sense period and store period different rather than equal. The bias current is adjusted to create asymmetric timing characteristics in the latch circuit, where the sense arrangement and storage arrangement operate with different current levels to achieve frequency compensation while maintaining manageable circuit complexity.
3Speed
If the bias current is increased to speed up switching, then the switching speed improves, but the frequency drift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bias current adjustable rather than fixed. The current source is controlled by a temperature sensor to dynamically modify the bias current based on operating conditions, allowing the circuit to optimize switching speed while compensating for frequency drift through real-time parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to a latch circuit comprising a sensing arrangement with one or more sensing transistors adapted to sense an input signal and to provide a first signal based on the sensed input signal, and a sensing arrangement switch device connected or connectable to a first current source, the sensing arrangement switch device being adapted to switch on or off a current to the one or more sensing transistors based on a first clock signal. The latch circuit further comprises a storage arrangement with one or more storage transistors adapted to store the first signal and to provide a second signal based on the first signal, and a storage arrangement switching device connected or connectable to the first current source or a second current source, the storage arrangement switching device being adapted to switch on or off a current to the storage transistors based on a second clock signal, as well as a tuning arrangement connected or connectable to a temperature sensor, the tuning arrangement being adapted to bias a current of the sensing arrangement and/or the storage arrangement based on a temperature signal provided by the temperature sensor. The invention also pertains to a flip-flop circuit with two or more latch circuits and a frequency divider comprising at least one latch circuit as described.