Time-Interleaved Clock Synchronization Using Barrel-Shifting Retimers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems and integrated circuit (IC) devices face challenges in designing efficient time-interleaved (TI) networks due to nonlinearities, gain/offset mismatches, and timing errors, leading to increased chip area, production cost, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer TI system is introduced, comprising fine-grain and barrel-shifting propagation devices, with retimers and interface retimers for clock signal synchronization, utilizing negative phase stepping and staggered resampling to produce synchronized clock signals for efficient data processing and conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional time interleaved networks are used to increase data throughput, then operational speed improves, but chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clock distribution function into the existing time interleaved network infrastructure. Instead of adding separate clock distribution hardware, the system uses the TI network's parallel channels to simultaneously distribute both data and clock signals, eliminating redundant components and reducing chip area while maintaining high operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The TI network channels are made multi-functional by using them for both data transmission and clock distribution. Each parallel channel in the TI network serves dual purposes: carrying data signals and distributing synchronized clock signals, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated clock distribution hardware and reducing overall chip area.
2Speed
If conventional time interleaved networks are used to increase data throughput, then operational speed improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines clock distribution with data transmission in the same parallel channels. By merging these functions, the system avoids the power consumption overhead of separate clock distribution hardware and reduces the total number of active components, thereby lowering overall power consumption while maintaining high operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel channels are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - data transmission and clock distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and power consumption, as the same infrastructure serves both purposes without requiring additional power-hungry dedicated clock distribution circuits.
3Productivity
If conventional time interleaved networks are used to increase data throughput, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges clock distribution functionality into the existing time interleaved network, eliminating the need for separate clock management hardware. This integration simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining high data throughput, as the same parallel infrastructure handles both data and clock signals without requiring additional complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The TI network channels are designed to be multi-functional, handling both data transmission and clock distribution simultaneously. This approach reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components and simplifying the system architecture, while still achieving high productivity through parallel processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-layer time-interleaving (TI) device and method of operation therefor. This device includes a plurality of TI layers configured to receive a plurality of input clock signals and to output a plurality of output clock signals, each of which can be configured to drive subsequent devices. The layers include at least a first and second layer including a fine-grain propagation device and a barrel-shifting propagation device configured to retime the plurality of input clock signals to produce divided output clock signals. The device can include additional barrel-shifting propagation devices to time interleave an initial two layers to produce one or more additional layers. Using negative phase stepping, the plurality of output clock signals is produced with optimal timing margin and synchronized on a single clock edge.