Variable Delay Clock Transfer Circuit for Supply Voltage Fluctuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock distribution circuits face challenges in maintaining optimal clock signal transitions due to power supply voltage fluctuations, leading to increased jitter and deterioration of eye characteristics, particularly in high-speed clock signal transmission across long channels, where existing solutions like DLL circuits consume significant power and occupy large areas.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a delay compensation circuit that includes a variable delay circuit and a bias control circuit, which adjusts bias currents based on power supply voltage fluctuations to compensate for delay variations, enabling effective conversion between CML and CMOS levels and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DLL circuit is used to compensate for delay fluctuation, then delay compensation is achieved, but the area occupied and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a variable delay circuit that adjusts its delay characteristic based on power supply voltage levels. Instead of using a complex DLL circuit, the invention modifies the delay parameter directly through voltage-dependent control, achieving delay compensation with significantly reduced power consumption and area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential delay compensation function from the complex DLL circuit architecture. By implementing a simplified variable delay circuit that performs specifically the delay adjustment function based on voltage detection, the invention removes unnecessary components while retaining the core compensation capability
2Reliability
If a DLL circuit is used to compensate for delay fluctuation, then delay compensation is achieved, but the area occupied increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a variable delay circuit that adjusts its delay characteristic based on power supply voltage levels. Instead of using a complex DLL circuit, the invention modifies the delay parameter directly through voltage-dependent control, achieving delay compensation with significantly reduced power consumption and area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential delay compensation function from the complex DLL circuit architecture. By implementing a simplified variable delay circuit that performs specifically the delay adjustment function based on voltage detection, the invention removes unnecessary components while retaining the core compensation capability
3Speed
If power supply voltage fluctuates, then clock signal transmission occurs, but delay fluctuation increases causing jitter and eye characteristic deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the variable delay circuit continuously monitors the power supply voltage level and automatically adjusts its delay characteristic in response to voltage fluctuations. This closed-loop control compensates for delay variations caused by voltage changes, maintaining stable clock signal transitions and preserving eye characteristics during high-speed transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the delay characteristic dynamic by using a variable delay circuit that can adjust its delay amount in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the circuit to adapt to power supply voltage fluctuations and maintain optimal performance during clock signal transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a delay compensation circuit and a bias control circuit. The delay compensation circuit includes a variable delay circuit configured to generate an output signal by delaying an input signal and configured to compensate, according to a first bias control signal, for delay fluctuation caused by fluctuation of a power supply voltage between a first power source and a second power source. The bias control circuit is configured to generate the first bias control signal to compensate for the delay fluctuation.