US6088254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Uniform mesh clock distribution system
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1999-02-12
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2019-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A mesh clock distribution system for reducing errors in synchronous systems caused by clock skew. The mesh clock distribution apparatus includes a mesh and a set of delivery conductors coupling a clock source to the mesh. Tile mesh is formed of a set of signal paths that interconnect at a set of nodes, wherein at least three of the interconnecting signal paths form the sides of a closed equilateral polygon. The set of delivery conductors transmit the clock signal to the nodes and the nodes distribute the clock signal along the length of the signal paths. Clocked elements in the synchronous system are connected to the signal paths and receive the clock signal from the signal paths.
Inventors
- 👤 Bahram Ghaffarzadeh Kermani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:57
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/22; G11C5/00; G11C5/06; G11C5/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for distributing a clock signal generated at a clock source, the apparatus comprising: a mesh formed of a plurality of signal paths that interconnect at a plurality of nodes such that at least three of the signal paths form sides of a closed equilateral polygon, each node being formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths and the signal paths acting, to distribute the clock signal applied at the nodes, and a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupling the clock source to selected nodes of the mesh.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for distributing a clock signal generated at a clock source, the apparatus comprising: a mesh formed of a plurality of signal paths that interconnect at a plurality of nodes such that at least three of the signal paths form sides of a closed equilateral polygon, each node being formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths and the signal paths acting, to distribute the clock signal applied at the nodes, and a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupling the clock source to selected nodes of the mesh.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the delivery conductors includes a redundant section having a predetermined length, the predetermined length being based upon the distance between the clock source and a selected node to which the at least one delivery conductor is coupled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined length of the redundant section is inversely related to the distance between the clock source and the selected node, such that each node receives the clock signal at substantially the same time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the delivery conductors are electrical conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors has a predetermined resistance, the predetermined resistance being based upon the distance between the clock source and the node to which the at least one electrical conductor is coupled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors has a predetermined capacitance, the predetermined capacitance being based upon the distance between the clock source and the node to which the at least one electrical conductor is coupled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mesh includes three signal paths that form a triangle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mesh includes four signal paths that form a square.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mesh includes six signal paths that form a hexagon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal paths extend beyond the edge of the closed polygon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mesh is an electrically conductive path in an integrated circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mesh is an electrically conductive path in a printed circuit board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer operably coupled between the clock source and a selected node for buffering the clock signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for distributing a clock signal generated at a clock source, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting the clock signal along a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupled to a node in a mesh, the mesh being formed of at least three signal paths forming sides of a closed equilateral polygon and wherein each node is formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths, and distributing the clock signal from the node along the at least two signal paths.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for distributing a clock signal generated at a clock source, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting the clock signal along a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupled to a node in a mesh, the mesh being formed of at least three signal paths forming sides of a closed equilateral polygon and wherein each node is formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths, and distributing the clock signal from the node along the at least two signal paths.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of determining the length of a delivery conductor, the determined length being based upon the distance between the clock source and a selected node to which the delivery conductor is coupled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of buffering the clock signal between the clock source and a selected node.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
An integrated circuit having an array of memory elements and having conductive paths for distributing a clock signal to the array of memory elements, the integrated circuit comprising: a mesh formed of a plurality of signal paths that interconnect at a plurality of nodes such that at least three of the signal paths form sides of a closed equilateral polygon, each node being formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths and the signal paths acting to distribute the clock signal applied at the nodes to the memory elements, and a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupling a clock source to selected nodes of the mesh.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
An integrated circuit having an array of memory elements and having conductive paths for distributing a clock signal to the array of memory elements, the integrated circuit comprising: a mesh formed of a plurality of signal paths that interconnect at a plurality of nodes such that at least three of the signal paths form sides of a closed equilateral polygon, each node being formed at the intersection of at least two signal paths and the signal paths acting to distribute the clock signal applied at the nodes to the memory elements, and a plurality of delivery conductors operably coupling a clock source to selected nodes of the mesh.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |