Memory Write Clock Duty Adjustment for Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices face challenges in efficiently managing duty errors of write and read clocks, leading to degraded data reception performance due to duty distortion during data transfer operations.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a clock receiver, duty monitor, and duty adjuster that receives a write clock, monitors its duty cycle, and adjusts it in response to a control signal, while also generating monitoring information for the memory controller to optimize clock duty cycles and minimize errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory device uses a fixed duty cycle for the write clock, then the circuit design is simple, but duty errors accumulate and degrade data reception performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the memory device monitors its own clock duty cycle and reports duty monitoring information to the memory controller. The memory controller then generates duty control signals based on this information and sends them back to the memory device, creating a closed-loop system that automatically corrects duty errors and improves data reception performance
Solution Approach 2:
The memory device performs self-monitoring of its clock duty cycle through the duty monitor circuit, generating duty monitoring information that reflects its own operational status. This self-service approach enables the device to identify and report its own duty errors without external intervention, facilitating automatic correction
2Manufacturing precision
If the memory device monitors and adjusts clock duty cycle, then duty errors are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the duty cycle adjustment functionality into separate modular components: a duty monitor circuit that measures duty cycle, a control signal generator in the memory controller that processes monitoring information, and a duty adjuster that applies corrections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently and simplifies the overall design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces duty monitoring information as an intermediary data structure that carries duty cycle status from the memory device to the memory controller, and duty control signals as another intermediary that carries correction commands back. These intermediaries enable precise communication and control without requiring complex direct integration
3Reliability
If the memory controller generates duty control signals based on monitoring information, then duty errors are corrected, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory controller implements a feedback control mechanism where it receives duty monitoring information from the memory device, compares the monitored duty cycle against target values, and generates appropriate duty control signals to correct any deviations. This closed-loop control automatically maintains accurate clock duty cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the duty cycle parameter of the write clock dynamically based on monitored conditions. The memory controller modifies this parameter by generating duty control signals that change the clock signal characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and maintain optimal performance
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device includes a clock receiver configured to receive, from a memory controller, a write clock that is used to receive write data during a data write operation, a duty monitor configured to generate first monitoring information by monitoring a duty of the write clock, and a duty adjuster configured to adjust the duty of the write clock in response to a duty control signal and output an adjusted write clock. The memory device provides the first monitoring information to the memory controller, and receives the duty control signal, generated using the first monitoring information, from the memory controller.