Transition Detection Circuitry With Dynamic Pulse Width Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Transition detection circuits in data processing systems face challenges in energy efficiency and area overhead due to the need for wide pulse generation to account for PVT variations, leading to unnecessary error signaling and limited signal monitoring capacity.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of pulse control circuitry that adjusts the pulse signal's properties based on a timing window indication signal, generating a wide pulse only when necessary to ensure detection within the timing window, thereby reducing area and power consumption by using smaller components and minimizing unnecessary error signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wide pulse generation is used to account for PVT variations, then robust error detection is achieved, but area overhead and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection robustnessVSAvoidcircuit area overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse width is made dynamic rather than fixed. The pulse control circuitry adjusts the pulse width based on whether a transition occurs within the timing window. When a transition is detected within the window, a wide pulse is generated to ensure robust error detection. When no transition occurs within the window, a narrow pulse is generated, reducing area overhead and power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pulse width parameter is changed based on operating conditions. The pulse control circuitry modifies the pulse width parameter dynamically - using a first pulse width for transitions within the timing window and a second, narrower pulse width for transitions outside the window. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both reliability and area efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wide pulse generation is used to account for PVT variations, then robust error detection is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection robustnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse width is made dynamic rather than fixed. The pulse control circuitry adjusts the pulse width based on whether a transition occurs within the timing window. When a transition is detected within the window, a wide pulse is generated to ensure robust error detection. When no transition occurs within the window, a narrow pulse is generated, reducing area overhead and power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pulse width parameter is changed based on operating conditions. The pulse control circuitry modifies the pulse width parameter dynamically - using a first pulse width for transitions within the timing window and a second, narrower pulse width for transitions outside the window. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both reliability and area efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If wide pulse generation is used, then detection robustness under pessimistic conditions is improved, but false error signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection robustness under PVT variationsVSAvoidfalse error signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse width is made dynamic rather than fixed. The pulse control circuitry adjusts the pulse width based on whether a transition occurs within the timing window. When a transition is detected within the window, a wide pulse is generated to ensure robust error detection. When no transition occurs within the window, a narrow pulse is generated, reducing area overhead and power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different pulse widths are applied locally based on the specific condition - transitions within the timing window receive wide pulses for robust detection, while transitions outside the window receive narrow pulses that prevent false error signaling. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction between detection robustness and false error signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10382027B2Transition detection circuitry and method of detecting a transition of a signal occurring within a timing window

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 ARM LTD

AI summary

A transition detection circuit and method of operation of such a circuit are provided, the transition detection circuit having pulse generation circuitry to receive an input signal and to generate a pulse signal in response to a transition in the input signal, and pulse detection circuitry to assert an error signal on detection of the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuitry. The pulse generation circuitry has pulse control circuitry to control a property of the pulse signal dependent on a timing window indication signal. In particular, when the pulse signal is generated at least partly while the timing window indication signal is set, the pulse control circuitry controls the property of the pulse signal such that generated pulse signal is detected by the pulse detection circuitry. In contrast, when the pulse signal is entirely generated while the timing window indication signal is cleared, the pulse control circuitry controls the property of the pulse signal such that the generated pulse signal is undetected by the pulse detection circuitry. This gives rise to significant area and energy consumption savings, while still allowing reliable detection of timing errors.