Signal distribution networks and related methods
First Claim
1. A clock-distribution network comprising:
- a first input node to receive a clock signal;
a buffer circuit connected to the first input node to receive and transmit the clock signal;
a first transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit to convey the transmitted clock signal to an intermediate node;
a second transmission line coupled to the first transmission line to convey the transmitted clock signal from the intermediate node to an first output node;
an inductor coupled between the intermediate node and a reference, the inductor exhibiting an inductance; and
a variable capacitance circuit coupled between the intermediate node and the reference, the variable capacitance circuit exhibiting a variable capacitance to determine a phase of the transmitted clock signal at the first output node.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A signal distribution network has segments that each have a buffer circuit, a transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit, an inductor coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line, and a variable capacitance circuit coupled to the inductor and coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line. A capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit is set to determine a phase and an amplitude of a signal transmitted through the transmission line. A signal distribution network can include a phase detector, a loop filter circuit, and a resonant delay circuit. The phase detector compares a phase of a first periodic signal to a phase of a second periodic signal. The resonant delay circuit has a variable impedance circuit having an impedance that varies based on changes in an output signal of the loop filter circuit.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A clock-distribution network comprising:
-
a first input node to receive a clock signal; a buffer circuit connected to the first input node to receive and transmit the clock signal; a first transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit to convey the transmitted clock signal to an intermediate node; a second transmission line coupled to the first transmission line to convey the transmitted clock signal from the intermediate node to an first output node; an inductor coupled between the intermediate node and a reference, the inductor exhibiting an inductance; and a variable capacitance circuit coupled between the intermediate node and the reference, the variable capacitance circuit exhibiting a variable capacitance to determine a phase of the transmitted clock signal at the first output node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A clock-distribution network comprising:
-
an input node to receive a clock signal of a clock frequency; a series of segments to convey the clock signal, each segment including; a buffer circuit to amplify the clock signal; a transmission line to convey the clock signal, amplified, from the buffer; and a variable impedance coupled to the transmission line; the transmission line and variable impedance exhibiting a resonant frequency greater than the clock frequency; and a phase detector coupled to one of the buffer circuits and one of the transmission lines to detect a phase offset between instances of the clock signal along the clock-distribution network and to adjust at least one of the variable impedances responsive to the phase offset. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification