Micron Technology Incorporated

Round Rock Research, LLC

Ronnie M Harrison

Brent Keeth

Brian L Johnson

David J Corisis

Troy A Manning

David K Ovard

George Edward Pax

Roy Edgar Greeff

Joo S Choi

Dragos Dimitriu

Greg King

A clock generator circuit generates a sequence of clock signals equally phased from each other from a master clock signal. The clock generator is formed by inner and outer delay-locked loops. The inner delay-locked loop includes a voltage controlled delay line that delays a reference clock applied to its input by a plurality of respective delays. Two of the clock signals in the sequence are applied to a phase detector so that the signals at the outputs of the delay line have predetermined phases relative to each other. The outer delay-locked loop is formed by a voltage controlled delay circuit that delays the command clock by a voltage controlled delay to provide the reference clock to the delay line of the inner delay-locked loop. The outer delay-locked loop also includes a phase detector that compares the command clock to one of the clock signals in the sequence generated by the delay line. The outer delay-locked loop thus locks one of the clock signals in the sequence to the command clock. As a result, all of the clock signals in the sequence generated by the delay line have respective predetermined phases relative to the phase of the command clock. One of the clock signals in the sequence is selected by a multiplexer to clock a command data latch at a time corresponding to the delay in coupling a command data bit to the latch.

Method and apparatus for generating a sequence of clock signals

A computer system with a phase detector that generates a phase dependent control signal according to the phase relationship between a first and second clock signal. The phase detector includes first and second phase detector circuits receiving the first and second clock signals and generating select signals having duty cycles corresponding to the phase relationship between the clock edges of the first and second clock signals. The phase detector also includes a charge pump that receives select signals from the phase detector circuits and produces an increasing or decreasing control signal when the first and second clock signals do not have the predetermined phase relationship, and a non-varying control signal when the first and second clock signals do have the predetermined phase relationship. The delay value of a voltage-controlled delay circuit and the phase relationship between the first and second clock signals to a predetermined phase relationship are thereby adjusted.

Method and apparatus for generating a phase dependent control signal

A phase detector generates a phase dependent control signal according to the phase relationship between a first and second clock signal. The phase detector includes first and second phase detector circuits receiving the first and second clock signals and generating select signals having duty cycles corresponding to the phase relationship between the clock edges of the first and second clock signals. The phase detector also includes a charge pump that receives select signals from the phase detector circuits and produces an increasing or decreasing control signal when the first and second clock signals do not have the predetermined phase relationship, and a non-varying control signal when the first and second clock signals do have the predetermined phase relationship. The control signal may be used to adjust the delay value of a voltage-controlled delay circuit in order to adjust the phase relationship between the first and second clock signals to have a predetermined phase relationship.

A method and system for generating a reference voltage for memory device signal receivers operates in either a calibration mode or a normal operating mode. In the calibration mode, the magnitude of the reference voltage is incrementally varied, and a digital signal pattern is coupled to the receiver at each reference voltage. An output of the receiver is analyzed to determine if the receiver can accurately pass the signal pattern at each reference voltage level. A range of reference voltages that allow the receiver to accurately pass the signal pattern is recorded, and a final reference voltage is calculated at the approximate midpoint of the range. This final reference voltage is applied to the receiver during normal operation.

Method and system for generating reference voltages for signal receivers

A method and circuit adaptively adjust respective timing offsets of digital signals relative to a clock output along with the digital signals to enable a latch receiving the digital signals to store the signals responsive to the clock. A phase command for each digital signal is stored in an associated storage circuit and defines a timing offset between the corresponding digital signal and the clock. The clock is output along with each digital signal having the timing offset defined by the corresponding phase command and the digital signals are captured responsive to the clock and evaluated to determine if each digital signal was successfully captured. A phase adjustment command adjusts the value of each phase command. These operations are repeated for a plurality of phase adjustment commands until respective final phase commands allowing all digital signals to be successfully captured is determined and stored in the storage circuits.

Method and system for adjusting the timing offset between a clock signal and respective digital signals transmitted along with that clock signal, and memory device and computer system using same

A method and circuitry are provided for reducing duty cycle distortion in differential solid state delay lines. The differential solid state delay lines of the present invention include a plurality of delay line cells or stages connected in series. Because there may be asymmetry associated with the physical layout of each individual delay line cell or stage, it is advantageous to cross-connect every x stage of an n-stage delay line. Method, integrated circuit, electronic system and substrate embodiments including the differential solid state delay lines are also disclosed.

Method and circuitry for reducing duty cycle distortion in differential delay lines

A method of forming a semiconductor package is provided. The method includes forming a leadframe wherein the conductors or leads of the leadframe extend from a first end to a second end such that a portion of each lead exhibits a generally arcuate shape. The first end may be coupled with a printed circuit board and the second end may be coupled with a semiconductor die. The generally arcuately shaped portion of the leads may include a portion which exhibits a constant radius. The generally arcuately shaped portion may also be formed from a plurality of conductor segments including, for example, at least one generally arcuately shaped segment. The semiconductor die and at least a portion of the leads may be encapsulated with an insulating material.

Method of fabricating an integrated circuit package

For control, some memory circuits use a delay-locked loop to generate a set of signals, each delayed a different amount relative a reference signal. However, as circuits get faster and faster, conventional delay-locked loops require use of extra interpolation circuitry to generate smaller delays, and thus consume considerable power and circuit space. Accordingly, the inventor devised a circuit which interlaces and synchronizes two delay-locked loops, each including a number of controllable delay elements linked in a chain. In one embodiment, the first loop produces a sequence of clock signals delayed an even number of delay periods relative a reference clock signal, and the second loop produces a sequence of clock signals delayed an odd number of delay periods relative the reference clock signal. In addition, the first and second loops are synchronized.

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Boise, ID, United States of America

Ronnie M Harrison