Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080204093 | Multiphase generator with duty-cycle correction using dual-edge phase detection and method for generating a multiphase signal - Embodiments of a multiphase generator with duty-cycle correction are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multiphase generator comprises controllable delay stages arranged in series and dual-edge phase detector circuitry. The dual-edge phase detector circuitry may generate a control signal to adjust the delay provided by the delay stages based on corresponding rising edges and corresponding falling edges of same-state signals operated on by the delay stages. Other circuits, systems, and methods are described. | 08-28-2008 |
20090002041 | METHOD FOR IMPROVING STABILITY AND LOCK TIME FOR SYNCHRONOUS CIRCUITS - Delay-locked loops, signal locking methods and devices and systems incorporating delay-locked loops are described. A delay-locked loop includes a forward delay path, a feedback delay path, a phase detector and a timer circuit. The forward delay path alternatively couples to an external clock signal and to an internal test signal. The phase detector adjusts a delay line based upon the phase differences of a feedback signal and the external clock signal. The timer circuit switches the internal test signal into the forward delay path and measures the time of traversal of the internal test signal around the forward delay path and the feedback delay path and generates a time constant for configuring the phase detector's update period. The phase detector is thereafter able to stabilize at an improved rate. | 01-01-2009 |
20090021290 | Method and System for Improved Efficiency of Synchronous Mirror Delays and Delay Locked Loops - A plurality of improved memory systems employing a phase detection system in conjunction with either a synchronous mirror delay or a delay-locked loop, and related methods of operation, are disclosed. The memory systems determine timing characteristics among multiple signals and, based upon those timing characteristics, vary which clock-related signal is output. The improvement relates in part to the incorporation of a clock divider that reduces the frequency of the clock signals utilized by the system. Due to the incorporation of the clock divider and an edge recovery device, attenuation, power dissipation and duty cycle distortion associated with propagation of the clock signal(s) are reduced. Further, the reduction in frequency of the clock signals allows for numerous differently-phased clock signals to be generated within the system, which allows for finer timing comparisons to be performed, thus allowing for finer selections to be made in relation to which clock-related signal is output. | 01-22-2009 |
20090058478 | EFFICIENT CLOCKING SCHEME FOR ULTRA HIGH-SPEED SYSTEMS - There is provided a system for comparing the phase characteristics of three generated clock signals, each having a unique phase relationship with an original clock signal, with the original clock signal and to select a signal based on the proximity of the phase characteristic of the three signals to the original signal. The selection of a clock signal that most closely approximates the original significantly reduces lock time when attempting to synchronize an internal clock with an external clock. Additionally, there is provided a method for comparing three clock signals with an original clock signal and selecting from the three clock signals one that is approximately in phase with the original clock signal. | 03-05-2009 |
20090079485 | PHASE DETECTOR FOR REDUCING NOISE - The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for reducing noise. The apparatus includes a phase detector adapted to determine a phase difference between a first and a second signal, a first circuit adapted to generate a control signal based upon the determined phase difference, and a second circuit. The second circuit is adapted to receive a third signal, receive a fourth signal, modify the fourth signal based upon the control signal, and provide the third signal and the modified fourth signal to the phase detector as the first and second signals. | 03-26-2009 |
20090195279 | DELAY LOCKED LOOP CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Delay locked loop circuits and methods are disclosed. In the embodiments, a delay locked loop may include a phase detector to detect a phase difference between a clock signal and a reference clock signal, and a charge pump that receives the detected phase difference. A low pass filter may filter an output from the charge pump. The delay locked loop may further include a delay line having a plurality of delay elements, the plurality of delay elements including a first selectable group and a second selectable group that is larger than the first selectable group. A first clock signal from the first group of delay elements may be provided to the phase detector to first synchronize the delay locked loop, and following the synchronization, a second clock signal from the second group may be employed to synchronize the delay locked loop. | 08-06-2009 |
20090230999 | Clock Divider - There is provided a true single phase logic clock divider that is configured to selectively divide a clock signal by increments of two, three, four, or six. Because the true single phase logic clock divider is based on true single phase logic instead of static logic, the true single phase logic clock divider is able to reliably divide clock signals that could not reliably be divided by clock dividers based on static logic gates. The true single phase logic clock divider is capable of reliably operating at frequencies of greater than or equal to two gigahertz. | 09-17-2009 |
20090240970 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to adjust power received by a clock distribution network at least partially based on operating conditions of an integrated circuit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 09-24-2009 |
20090323441 | Write Latency Tracking Using a Delay Lock Loop in a Synchronous DRAM - A method and circuitry for improved write latency tracking in a SDRAM is disclosed. In one embodiment, a delay locked loop is used in the command portion of the write path, and receives the system clock as its reference input. The DLL includes a modeled delay which models the delay in transmission of the internal Write Valid signal and system clock distribution to the deserializers in the data path portion of the write path, which is otherwise controlled by the intermittently asserted write strobe signal. With the input distribution delay of the system clock (Clk) and the write strobe (WS) matched by design, the distributed system clock and Write Valid signal are synchronized to the WS distribution path by means of the DLL delay with reference to the system clock input to the DLL. By backing the distribution delay out of system clock as sent to the deserializers, the write valid signal is effectively synchronized with the write strobe, with the effect that data will be passed out of the deserializer circuitry to the memory array on time and consistent with the programmed write latency. | 12-31-2009 |
20100026351 | System and Method to Improve the Efficiency of Synchronous Mirror Delays and Delay Locked Loops - A phase detection system for use with a synchronous mirror delay or a delay-locked loop in order to reduce the number of delay stages required, and therefore increase the efficiency, is disclosed. The invention includes taking a clock input signal and a clock delay or feedback signal, each having timing characteristics, and differentiating between four conditions based upon the timing characteristics of the signals. The phase detector and associated circuitry then determines, based upon the timing characteristics of the signals, which of a number of phase conditions the signals are in. Selectors select the signals to be introduced into the synchronous mirror delay or delay-locked loop by the timing characteristics of the phase conditions. The system is able to utilize the falling clock edge of the clock input signal, and the lock time is decreased under specific phase conditions. The invention increases the efficiency of the circuits by reducing the effective delay stages in the SMD or DLL while maintaining the operating range. | 02-04-2010 |
20100045354 | DELAY-LOCK LOOP AND METHOD ADAPTING ITSELF TO OPERATE OVER A WIDE FREQUENCY RANGE - A delay-lock loop receives an input clock signal from the output of a programmable divider that receives a reference clock signal. The delay-lock loop includes a voltage-controlled delay line generating a plurality of delayed clock signals having different phases. A plurality of the delayed clock signals are combined to generate a plurality of output signals. During an initialization period, an initialization circuit sets the delay of the delay line to a minimum delay value and then compares this delay value to the period of the input clock signal. Based on this comparison, the initialization circuit programs the programmable divider and adjusts the number of delayed clock signals combined to generate the output signals. More specifically, as the frequency of the reference clock signal increases, the divider is programmed to divide by a greater number, and a larger number of delay clock signals are combined to generate the output signals. | 02-25-2010 |
20100074037 | CONTROL VOLTAGE TRACKING CIRCUITS, METHODS FOR RECORDING A CONTROL VOLTAGE FOR A CLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION CIRCUIT AND METHODS FOR SETTING A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DELAY - Memories, clock synchronization circuits, clock synchronization controller circuits, and methods for setting a voltage controlled delay of a clock synchronization circuit and tracking and recording the control voltage are disclosed. For example, a clock synchronization controller provides an initial control voltage to the voltage controlled delay during initialization of the synchronization circuit until a phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. The stable phase dependent control voltage is substituted for the initial control voltage. Following stabilization of the phase dependent control voltage, a phase detector of the clock synchronization circuit is activated. A recovery control voltage is provided by the clock synchronization controller to the voltage controlled delay during recovery of the clock synchronization from a power-saving mode until the phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. | 03-25-2010 |
20100201416 | PHASE-GENERATION CIRCUITRY WITH DUTY-CYCLE CORRECTION AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A MULTIPHASE SIGNAL - Embodiments of phase-generation circuitry and methods for generating a multiphase signal with duty-cycle correction are generally described herein. The phase-generation circuitry may include a plurality of controllable delay stages arranged in series and phase detector circuitry. Each delay stage may be configured to phase shift a differential signal based on a control signal. The phase detector circuitry may be configured to generate the control signal based on a first time difference and a second time difference. The first time difference may be a time difference between rising edges of a first component of the differential signal and a second component of a phase-shifted signal. The second time difference may be a time difference between falling edges of the first component of the differential signal and the second component of the phase-shifted signal. Other circuits, systems, and methods are described. | 08-12-2010 |
20100237925 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a clock path with a combination of current-mode logic (CML) based and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) components. | 09-23-2010 |
20100271889 | DELAY LOCKED LOOP CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Delay locked loop circuits and methods are disclosed. In the embodiments, a delay locked loop may include a phase detector to detect a phase difference between a clock signal and a reference clock signal, and a charge pump that receives the detected phase difference. A low pass filter may filter an output from the charge pump. The delay locked loop may further include a delay line having a plurality of delay elements, the plurality of delay elements including a first selectable group and a second selectable group that is larger than the first selectable group. A first clock signal from the first group of delay elements may be provided to the phase detector to first synchronize the delay locked loop, and following the synchronization, a second clock signal from the second group may be employed to synchronize the delay locked loop. | 10-28-2010 |
20110050305 | CENTRALIZING THE LOCK POINT OF A SYNCHRONOUS CIRCUIT - A system and method to establish the lock point of a digital synchronous circuit (e.g., a DLL) at the center of or close to the center of its delay line is disclosed. The synchronous circuit is configured to selectively use either a reference clock or its inverted version as the clock signal input to the delay line based on a relationship among the phases of the reference clock, the inverted reference clock, and a feedback clock may be used during determination of the phase relationship. The selective use of the opposite phase of the reference clock for the input of the delay line results in centralization of the lock point for most cases as well as improvement in the tuning range and the time to establish the initial lock, without requiring an additional delay line. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050307 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CLOCK SIGNAL DUTY-CYCLE CORRECTION - Duty-cycle correction circuits, clock distribution networks, and methods for correcting duty-cycle distortion are disclosed, including methods and apparatus for correcting duty-cycle distortion of differential output clock signals provided from a clock distribution network. In one such method, a single-ended clock signal is generated from differential input clock signals for distribution over a clock distribution network and from which the differential output clock signals are generated. A delay of a model delay path is matched to a propagation delay of the clock distribution network, and the single ended clock signal is adjusted to compensate for duty-cycle distortion. | 03-03-2011 |
20110102036 | PHASE SPLITTER USING DIGITAL DELAY LOCKED LOOPS - A phase splitter uses digital delay locked loop (DLL) to receive complementary input clock signals to generate a plurality of output signals having different phase shifts. When the DLL is locked, the delay resolution of the phase splitter is equal to two delay stages of the DLL. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109358 | CONTROL VOLTAGE TRACKING CIRCUITS, METHODS FOR RECORDING A CONTROL VOLTAGE FOR A CLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION CIRCUIT AND METHODS FOR SETTING A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DELAY - Memories, clock synchronization circuits, clock synchronization controller circuits, and methods for setting a voltage controlled delay of a clock synchronization circuit and tracking and recording the control voltage are disclosed. For example, a clock synchronization controller provides an initial control voltage to the voltage controlled delay during initialization of the synchronization circuit until a phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. The stable phase dependent control voltage is substituted for the initial control voltage. Following stabilization of the phase dependent control voltage, a phase detector of the clock synchronization circuit is activated. A recovery control voltage is provided by the clock synchronization controller to the voltage controlled delay during recovery of the clock synchronization from a power-saving mode until the phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. | 05-12-2011 |
20110133811 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a clock path with a combination of current-mode logic (CML) based and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) components. | 06-09-2011 |
20110221500 | DELAY-LOCK LOOP AND METHOD ADAPTING ITSELF TO OPERATE OVER A WIDE FREQUENCY RANGE - A delay-lock loop receives an input clock signal from the output of a programmable divider that receives a reference clock signal. The delay-lock loop includes a voltage-controlled delay line generating a plurality of delayed clock signals having different phases. A plurality of the delayed clock signals are combined to generate a plurality of output signals. During an initialization period, an initialization circuit sets the delay of the delay line to a minimum delay value and then compares this delay value to the period of the input clock signal. Based on this comparison, the initialization circuit programs the programmable divider and adjusts the number of delayed clock signals combined to generate the output signals. More specifically, as the frequency of the reference clock signal increases, the divider is programmed to divide by a greater number, and a larger number of delay clock signals are combined to generate the output signals. | 09-15-2011 |
20110279159 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CLOCK SIGNAL DUTY-CYCLE CORRECTION - Duty-cycle correction circuits, clock distribution networks, and methods for correcting duty-cycle distortion are disclosed, including methods and apparatus for correcting duty-cycle distortion of differential output clock signals provided from a clock distribution network. In one such method, a single-ended clock signal is generated from differential input clock signals for distribution over a clock distribution network and from which the differential output clock signals are generated. A delay of a model delay path is matched to a propagation delay of the clock distribution network, and the single ended clock signal is adjusted to compensate for duty-cycle distortion. | 11-17-2011 |
20120008439 | DELAY LOCKED LOOP CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Delay locked loop circuits and methods are disclosed. In the embodiments, a delay locked loop may include a phase detector to detect a phase difference between a clock signal and a reference clock signal, and a charge pump that receives the detected phase difference. A low pass filter may filter an output from the charge pump. The delay locked loop may further include a delay line having a plurality of delay elements, the plurality of delay elements including a first selectable group and a second selectable group that is larger than the first selectable group. A first clock signal from the first group of delay elements may be provided to the phase detector to first synchronize the delay locked loop, and following the synchronization, a second clock signal from the second group may be employed to synchronize the delay locked loop. | 01-12-2012 |
20120019295 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to adjust power received by a clock distribution network at least partially based on operating conditions of an integrated circuit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 01-26-2012 |
20120062295 | CONTROL VOLTAGE TRACKING CIRCUITS, METHODS FOR RECORDING A CONTROL VOLTAGE FOR A CLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION CIRCUIT AND METHODS FOR SETTING A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DELAY - Memories, clock synchronization circuits, clock synchronization controller circuits, and methods for setting a voltage controlled delay of a clock synchronization circuit and tracking and recording the control voltage are disclosed. For example, a clock synchronization controller provides an initial control voltage to the voltage controlled delay during initialization of the synchronization circuit until a phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. The stable phase dependent control voltage is substituted for the initial control voltage. Following stabilization of the phase dependent control voltage, a phase detector of the clock synchronization circuit is activated. A recovery control voltage is provided by the clock synchronization controller to the voltage controlled delay during recovery of the clock synchronization from a power-saving mode until the phase dependent control voltage stabilizes. | 03-15-2012 |
20120068753 | ANALOG DELAY LINES AND ADAPTIVE BIASING - Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line. | 03-22-2012 |
20120230135 | DELAY LOCKED LOOP CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Delay locked loop circuits and methods are disclosed. In the embodiments, a delay locked loop may include a phase detector to detect a phase difference between a clock signal and a reference clock signal, and a charge pump that receives the detected phase difference. A low pass filter may filter an output from the charge pump. The delay locked loop may further include a delay line having a plurality of delay elements, the plurality of delay elements including a first selectable group and a second selectable group that is larger than the first selectable group. A first clock signal from the first group of delay elements may be provided to the phase detector to first synchronize the delay locked loop, and following the synchronization, a second clock signal from the second group may be employed to synchronize the delay locked loop. | 09-13-2012 |
20130002324 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CLOCK SIGNAL DUTY-CYCLE CORRECTION - Duty-cycle correction circuits, clock distribution networks, and methods for correcting duty-cycle distortion are disclosed, including methods and apparatus for correcting duty-cycle distortion of differential output clock signals provided from a clock distribution network. In one such method, a single-ended clock signal is generated from differential input clock signals for distribution over a clock distribution network and from which the differential output clock signals are generated. A delay of a model delay path is matched to a propagation delay of the clock distribution network, and the single ended clock signal is adjusted to compensate for duty-cycle distortion. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002344 | ANALOG DELAY LINES AND ADAPTIVE BIASING - Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line. | 01-03-2013 |
20130021080 | CLOCK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a clock path with a combination of current-mode logic (CML) based and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) components. | 01-24-2013 |
20130257489 | APPARATUSES INCLUDING SCALABLE DRIVERS AND METHODS - Apparatuses and methods are described that include a plurality of drivers corresponding to a single via. A number of drivers can be selected to operate individually or together to drive a signal through a single via. Additional apparatus and methods are described. | 10-03-2013 |
20130314140 | ANALOG DELAY LINES AND ADAPTIVE BIASING - Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line. | 11-28-2013 |
20140070860 | APPARATUSES INCLUDING SCALABLE DRIVERS AND METHODS - Apparatuses and methods are described that include a plurality of drivers corresponding to a single via. A number of drivers can be selected to operate individually or together to drive a signal through a single via. Additional apparatus and methods are described. | 03-13-2014 |
20140312952 | ANALOG DELAY LINES AND ADAPTIVE BIASING - Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313844 | FLEXIBLE INPUT/OUTPUT TRANSCEIVER - An I/O transceiver includes a driver with a feedback circuit having a mode select signal input, a serial data signal input, and a driver output signal input. The feedback circuit can provide a feedback control signal that is coupled to a pre-driver circuit. The pre-driver circuit can modify a data signal in response to the feedback control signal and the data signal. A driver circuit is coupled to the pre-driver circuit and can provide a driver output signal responsive to the modified data signal. A receiver can be coupled to the driver to receive the driver output signal. The receiver includes a level shifting circuit that shifts the received signal to a voltage level determined by a selected signaling interface. | 10-23-2014 |
20150055431 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES INCLUDING TRANSMITTER CIRCUITS - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for transmitter circuits. One example apparatus includes a pre-driver circuit configured to provide a transition control signal responsive to received data, and a main driver circuit configured to drive an output node responsive to the transition control signal. The apparatus also includes a feedback circuit configured to provide a feedback control signal responsive to a voltage of the output node reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold, and an equalizer driver circuit configured to assist the main driver circuit in driving the output node responsive to signals from at least one of the pre-driver circuit and the feedback circuit. | 02-26-2015 |