Voltage Regulator for Temperature-Independent Delay in Integrated Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature variations cause significant delays in delay elements within integrated circuits, leading to jitter and instability in clock signals, which are undesirable for proper timing and synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensing stage is used to provide temperature information to a voltage regulator, which adjusts the power supply voltage of the delay element to compensate for temperature-dependent delays, making the delay independent of temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the delay element operates at higher temperatures, then the delay increases, but the timing precision and signal synchronization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply voltage parameter of the delay element dynamically based on temperature sensing. When temperature increases causing delay increase, the power supply voltage is adjusted to compensate and restore the original delay value, thereby maintaining timing precision across temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the temperature of the delay element and feeds this information to a control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the power supply voltage accordingly to compensate for temperature-induced delay variations, creating a closed-loop system that maintains stable timing
2Loss of time
If the power supply voltage is increased to reduce delay, then the delay decreases, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power supply voltage dynamic rather than static. The voltage is adjusted in real-time based on temperature conditions - increased only when temperature rises and delay increases - rather than maintaining a constantly high voltage. This dynamic adjustment reduces average power consumption while still compensating for temperature effects when needed
3Stability of the object's composition
If a temperature sensor and voltage regulator are added to compensate for temperature effects, then the timing stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage regulator as an intermediary component between the temperature sensor and the delay element. This regulator acts as a mediator that translates temperature information into appropriate voltage adjustments, simplifying the control logic while achieving temperature compensation and maintaining timing stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces temperature-dependent delays to negligible amounts, ensuring stable and consistent signal timing across temperature extremes.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensing stage is used to provide temperature information to a voltage regulator
Implementation Method 2
a voltage regulator, which adjusts the power supply voltage of the delay element to compensate for temperature-dependent delays
Data Source
AI summary
A method and circuitry for adjusting the delay of a variable delay line (VDL) in a delay locked loop (DLL) or other delay element or subcircuit on an integrated circuit is disclosed. Such delay circuitry will inherently have a delay which is a function of temperature. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, such temperature-dependent delays are compensated for by adjusting the power supply voltage of the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit. Specifically, a temperature sensing stage is used to sense the temperature of the integrated circuit, and hence the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit. Information concerning the sensed temperature is sent to a regulator which derives the local power supply voltage from the master power supply voltage, Vcc, of the integrated circuit. If the temperature sensed is relatively high, which otherwise would increase the delay though the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit, the regulator increases the local power supply voltage, thus decreasing the delay and offsetting the increase in delay due to temperature. Through this scheme, and assuming the temperature sensing stage is properly tuned, temperature-dependent delays can be reduced to approximately zero.