US6150856A
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Delay lock loops, signal locking methods and methods of implementing delay lock loops
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-30
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2019-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Delay lock loops, signal locking methods, and methods of implementing delay lock loops are described. In one embodiment, a delay lock loop comprises a delay line having first and second inputs and an output. The first input is configured to receive a clock signal. An output model has an input and an output, with the input being operably coupled with the delay line output. The output model is configured to model delays in a system which can be driven by an output clock signal produced by the delay lock loop. A phase detector has a pair of inputs and an output. Phase detector's output is operably coupled with the second input of the delay line. A delay element is interposed between and operably couples both the (a) output of the output model, and (b) the clock signal received by the delay line, with respective inputs of the phase detector. The delay element is configured to present an additional delay to the phase detector which is in addition to the modeled delay provided by the output model. Other embodiments are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher K. Morzano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:40
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/08; H03L7/081; H03L7/0812; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/04; G06F1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the first input being configured to receive a clock signal; a clock driver having an input coupled to the output of the delay line and configured to drive the delayed clock signal to provide a driven output clock signal at a clock driven output to drive a system; an output model having an input coupled to the clock driver output, and an output, the output model being configured to model delays in the system and provide a modeled delay at the output of the output model; a phase detector having a pair of inputs and an output, the phase detector's output being operably coupled with the second input of the delay line; and a delay element having a first input coupled to the output of the output model, having a second input coupled to the clock signal received by the delay line; and having first and second outputs coupled to the inputs of the phase detector, the delay element being configured to present an additional delay to the phase detector which is in addition to the modeled delay provided by the output model.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the first input being configured to receive a clock signal; a clock driver having an input coupled to the output of the delay line and configured to drive the delayed clock signal to provide a driven output clock signal at a clock driven output to drive a system; an output model having an input coupled to the clock driver output, and an output, the output model being configured to model delays in the system and provide a modeled delay at the output of the output model; a phase detector having a pair of inputs and an output, the phase detector's output being operably coupled with the second input of the delay line; and a delay element having a first input coupled to the output of the output model, having a second input coupled to the clock signal received by the delay line; and having first and second outputs coupled to the inputs of the phase detector, the delay element being configured to present an additional delay to the phase detector which is in addition to the modeled delay provided by the output model.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The delay lock loop of claim 1 further comprising a clock input buffer having an input and an output, the input of the clock input buffer being coupled with the output of the output model, and the output of the clock input buffer being coupled with the delay element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The delay lock loop of claim 1, wherein the delay element comprises at least one RC delay element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The delay lock loop of claim 1, wherein the clock signal received by the delay line is a buffered signal from a master clock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
185 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the delay line having a predetermined delay which is utilized to delay a clock signal which is received at the first input of the delay line; a clock driver configured to receive the delayed clock signal and to provide a driven output clock signal to a system that requires a clock signal, the clock output being coupled to the output of the delay line; an output model having an input operably coupled with the output of the clock driver, and an output, the output model being configured to model a delay in the system; a delay element comprising first and second delay circuitry having respective inputs and outputs, the first delay circuitry having its input coupled with the output of the output model, the second delay circuitry having its input coupled to receive the clock signal; and a phase detector operably coupled with the outputs of the first and second delay circuitry and having a phase detector output which is coupled with the second input of the delay line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
185 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the delay line having a predetermined delay which is utilized to delay a clock signal which is received at the first input of the delay line; a clock driver configured to receive the delayed clock signal and to provide a driven output clock signal to a system that requires a clock signal, the clock output being coupled to the output of the delay line; an output model having an input operably coupled with the output of the clock driver, and an output, the output model being configured to model a delay in the system; a delay element comprising first and second delay circuitry having respective inputs and outputs, the first delay circuitry having its input coupled with the output of the output model, the second delay circuitry having its input coupled to receive the clock signal; and a phase detector operably coupled with the outputs of the first and second delay circuitry and having a phase detector output which is coupled with the second input of the delay line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry are configured to provide respective delays which are substantially matched.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry comprise analog delay circuitry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry comprise analog delay circuitry comprising respective capacitive loads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry comprise RC delay circuitry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry comprise analog delay circuitry and are configured to provide respective delays which are substantially matched.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry comprise RC delay circuitry and are configured to provide respective delays which are substantially matched.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5, wherein the first and second delay circuitry are configured to collectively provide a delay which is smaller in magnitude than the delay provided by the delay line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The delay lock loop of claim 5 further comprising a clock input buffer coupled between the input of the first delay circuitry and the output of the output model.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
160 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a first clock input buffer for receiving a master clock signal and providing a first buffered output; a delay line coupled with the first clock input buffer for delaying the first buffered output in accordance with a predetermined delay; a clock driver coupled with the delay line for providing an output clock signal which is utilized to drive a system; an output model coupled with the clock driver for modeling a delay in the system which is driven by the output clock signal provided by the clock driver; a second clock input buffer coupled with the output model for providing a second buffered output; a delay element coupled to receive the first and second buffered outputs and to provide delayed first and second buffered outputs; and a phase detector coupled with the delay element for receiving the delayed first and second buffered outputs and for providing an output which is received by the delay line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
160 words
A delay lock loop comprising: a first clock input buffer for receiving a master clock signal and providing a first buffered output; a delay line coupled with the first clock input buffer for delaying the first buffered output in accordance with a predetermined delay; a clock driver coupled with the delay line for providing an output clock signal which is utilized to drive a system; an output model coupled with the clock driver for modeling a delay in the system which is driven by the output clock signal provided by the clock driver; a second clock input buffer coupled with the output model for providing a second buffered output; a delay element coupled to receive the first and second buffered outputs and to provide delayed first and second buffered outputs; and a phase detector coupled with the delay element for receiving the delayed first and second buffered outputs and for providing an output which is received by the delay line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second delay elements which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second delay elements which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs and is configured to substantially similarly delay the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second delay circuitry which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second delay circuitry which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs and is configured to substantially similarly delay the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second RC circuitry which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element comprises first and second RC circuitry which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs and is configured to substantially similarly delay the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The delay lock loop of claim 14, wherein the delay element is configured to provide a delay which is less than the delay provided by the delay line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
135 words
A signal locking method comprising: providing a clock signal; passing the clock signal to a delay line for providing a delayed clock signal; driving the delayed clock signal with a clock driver to provide a driven output clock signal which is used to drive a system; passing the driven output clock signal to a circuit comprising an output model configured to model a delay of said system, said circuit having an output; passing both (a) the output of said circuit and (b) said clock signal which is passed to the delay line, to a delay element having delayed outputs corresponding to the output of said circuit and said clock signal; and passing said delayed outputs of the delay element to a clock signal detection circuitry configured to detect whether said delayed outputs are desirably locked.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
A signal locking method comprising: providing a clock signal; passing the clock signal to a delay line for providing a delayed clock signal; driving the delayed clock signal with a clock driver to provide a driven output clock signal which is used to drive a system; passing the driven output clock signal to a circuit comprising an output model configured to model a delay of said system, said circuit having an output; passing both (a) the output of said circuit and (b) said clock signal which is passed to the delay line, to a delay element having delayed outputs corresponding to the output of said circuit and said clock signal; and passing said delayed outputs of the delay element to a clock signal detection circuitry configured to detect whether said delayed outputs are desirably locked.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signal locking method of claim 22, wherein the clock signal detection circuitry comprises a phase detector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The signal locking method of claim 22, wherein the delay element comprises first and second delay circuits configured to respectively receive the output of said circuitry and said clock signal, and to substantially similarly delay the same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signal locking method of claim 22, wherein the delay element comprises at least one RC delay circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signal locking method of claim 22, wherein the delay element comprises first and second RC delay circuits.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the first input being configured to receive a clock signal; providing an output clock signal to drive a system external of the delay lock loop, the output clock signal being derived from the output of the delay line; using an output model having an input operably coupled to the output clock signal, and an output, to model delays in the system; coupling an output of a phase detector having a pair of inputs, with the second input of the delay line; and coupling a first input of a delay element to the output of the output model, coupling a second input of the delay element to the clock signal received by the delay line, and coupling first and second outputs of the delay element with respective inputs of the phase detector, the delay element being configured to present an additional delay to the phase detector which is in addition to the modeled delay provided by the output model.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the first input being configured to receive a clock signal; providing an output clock signal to drive a system external of the delay lock loop, the output clock signal being derived from the output of the delay line; using an output model having an input operably coupled to the output clock signal, and an output, to model delays in the system; coupling an output of a phase detector having a pair of inputs, with the second input of the delay line; and coupling a first input of a delay element to the output of the output model, coupling a second input of the delay element to the clock signal received by the delay line, and coupling first and second outputs of the delay element with respective inputs of the phase detector, the delay element being configured to present an additional delay to the phase detector which is in addition to the modeled delay provided by the output model.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising providing a clock driver having an input and an output, the input of the clock driver being coupled to the output of the delay line, and the output of the clock driver being coupled to the input of the output model.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising providing a clock driver having an input and an output, the input of the clock driver being coupled to the output of the delay line, and the output of the clock driver being coupled to the input of the output model, and wherein the output of the clock driver provides said output clock signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising providing a clock input buffer having an input and an output, the input of the clock input buffer being coupled with the output of the output model, and the output of the clock input buffer being coupled with the delay element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising: providing a clock driver having an input and an output, the input of the clock driver being coupled to the output of the delay line, and the output of the clock driver being coupled to the input of the output model, and wherein the output of the clock driver provides said output clock signal; and providing a clock input buffer having an input and an output, the input of the clock input buffer being coupled with the output of the output model, and the output of the clock input buffer being coupled with the delay element.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the delay line having a predetermined delay which is utilized to delay a clock signal which is received at the first input of the delay line; providing an output model having an input operably coupled with the output of the delay line, and an output, the output model being configured to model a delay in a system which can be driven by an output clock signal produced by the delay lock loop; providing a delay element comprising first and second delay circuitry having respective inputs and outputs, the first delay circuitry having its input coupled with the output of the output model, the second delay circuitry having its input coupled to receive the clock signal which is received by the first input of the delay line; and providing a phase detector operably coupled with the outputs of the first and second delay circuitry and having a phase detector output which is coupled with the second input of the delay line.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a delay line having first and second inputs and an output, the delay line having a predetermined delay which is utilized to delay a clock signal which is received at the first input of the delay line; providing an output model having an input operably coupled with the output of the delay line, and an output, the output model being configured to model a delay in a system which can be driven by an output clock signal produced by the delay lock loop; providing a delay element comprising first and second delay circuitry having respective inputs and outputs, the first delay circuitry having its input coupled with the output of the output model, the second delay circuitry having its input coupled to receive the clock signal which is received by the first input of the delay line; and providing a phase detector operably coupled with the outputs of the first and second delay circuitry and having a phase detector output which is coupled with the second input of the delay line.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the providing of the first and second delay circuitry comprises configuring said circuitry to provide respective delays which are substantially matched.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the providing of the first and second delay circuitry comprises configuring said circuitry with analog delay circuitry.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the providing of the first and second delay circuitry comprises configuring said circuitry with analog delay circuitry comprising respective capacitive loads.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a first clock input buffer for receiving a master clock signal and providing a first buffered output; providing a delay line coupled with the first clock input buffer for delaying the first buffered output in accordance with a predetermined delay; providing a clock driver coupled with the delay line for providing an output clock signal which is utilized to drive a system; providing an output model coupled with the clock driver for modeling a delay in the system which is driven by the output clock signal provided by the clock driver; providing a second clock input buffer coupled with the output model for providing a second buffered output; providing a delay element coupled to receive the first and second buffered outputs and to provide delayed first and second buffered outputs; and providing a phase detector coupled with the delay element for receiving the delayed first and second buffered outputs and for providing an output which is received by the delay line.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of implementing a delay lock loop comprising: providing a first clock input buffer for receiving a master clock signal and providing a first buffered output; providing a delay line coupled with the first clock input buffer for delaying the first buffered output in accordance with a predetermined delay; providing a clock driver coupled with the delay line for providing an output clock signal which is utilized to drive a system; providing an output model coupled with the clock driver for modeling a delay in the system which is driven by the output clock signal provided by the clock driver; providing a second clock input buffer coupled with the output model for providing a second buffered output; providing a delay element coupled to receive the first and second buffered outputs and to provide delayed first and second buffered outputs; and providing a phase detector coupled with the delay element for receiving the delayed first and second buffered outputs and for providing an output which is received by the delay line.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the providing of the delay element comprises providing first and second delay elements which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the providing of the delay element comprises providing first and second delay elements which respectively receive the first and second buffered outputs and substantially similarly delaying the first and second buffered outputs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |