Clock scheme for VLSI Systems

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an input clock generator circuit (10) responsive to an external TTL level clock signal (C1) for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal (C2) for its own use and for use by other integrated circuits. The integrated circuit also includes an internal clock generator circuit (16) responsive to either the internal CMOS level system clock signal (C2) or an external CMOS level system clock signal (C3) for generating internal CMOS level phase clock signals (⊘₁, ⊘₂) for its own use. As a result, the integrated circuit has a higher speed of operation since the propagation delay between the CMOS level system clock signal and internal clock signals has been minimized.

Description: This invention relates generally to timing or clocking circuitry for use with integrated circuits and more particularly, it relates to an integrated circuit which includes an input clock generator circuit responsive to an external TTL level clock signal for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal and an internal clock generator circuit responsive to either the internal CMOS level system clock signal or an external CMOS level system clock signal for generating internal CMOS phase clock signals. There are several families of logic circuits which are available for use in implementing the various types of logic functions required in the operation of high speed microprocessors and other digital systems. For example, in conventional transistor-transistor-logic (TTL) the logic values corresponding to binary "1" and "0" are ordinarily represented by a high level voltage greater than 2.0 volts and a low level voltage less than 0.8 volts. On the other hand, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits have a larger voltage swing of 5 volts to 0 volts for the respective binary "1" and "0" states. Thus, these voltage levels are incompatible and an interface or buffer circuit is needed to perform the required voltage level translation. Further, since these various types of logic circuits are used many times in the timing and control of the different signals in the operation of the microprocessor, such various logic circuits require also their own clock signals. As a result, the different clock signals, such as the TTL level clock signals for the TTL logic circuitry and the CMOS level clock signals for the CMOS logic circuitry, are likewise incompatible. Therefore, it is also generally required to provide interface circuits between the TTL level clock signals and the CMOS level clock signals in order to obtain the required compatibility therebetween. However, this process suffers from the disadvantage of increasing of the propagation delay each time a conversion is needed, effecting the integrated circuit performance in such areas as output signal delay and input data "hold time" when measured relative to the system clock. Another problem encountered with the TTL level clock signals is that they tend to become skewed, i.e., the duty cycle of the clock pulses are different from the 50% on-time and 50% off-time, thereby affecting its performance of operation. It would therefore be desirable to provide an integrated circuit which includes an input clock generator circuit responsive to an external TTL level clock signal for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal for its own use and for use by other integrated circuits and an internal clock generator circuit responsive to either the internal CMOS level system clock signal or an external CMOS level system clock signal for generating internal CMOS phase clock signals for its own use. As a result, there is achieved a higher speed of operation and the propagation delay between the external and internal clock signals has been minimised. European Patent Specification No. 0190554 discloses a circuit for selecting which of two sources of clock signals, each of the same level characteristic, is used to control a clock controlled device. In the present specification there is described an integrated circuit which is compatible with both an external TTL level clock signal or an external CMOS level system clock signal. The integrated circuit includes an input clock generator circuit responsive to an external TTL level clock signal for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal for its own use and for use by other integrated circuits. The integrated circuit includes an internal clock generator circuit responsive to either an internal CMOS level system clock signal or an external CMOS level system clock signal for generating internal CMOS phase clock signals for its own use. Accordingly, the present invention provides an integrated circuit having elements arranged to be responsive to an external clock signal, comprising: a first input for a first external clock signal; a second input for a second external clock signal; and means for selecting which of said external clock signals is applied to said elements; characterised by input clock generator means arranged to be responsive to said first external clock signal to produce an internal clock signal; internal clock generator means arranged to be selectively responsive to said internal clock signal or said second external clock signal to supply first and second complementary phase clock signals to said elements; said second input being arranged to operate also as an output for said internal clock signal while said internal clock generator means is responsive to said internal clock signal; and in that said internal clock signal, said second external clock signal and said complementary phase clock signals are of a common level characteristic which is different from that of said first external clock signal. In the accompanying drawings, by way of example only: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a plurality of the integrated circuits of Figure 1, which are connected in a self-clocking configuration; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a plurality of the integrated circuits of Figure 1, which are connected in a common external system clock configuration; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing suitable circuitry for use in certain block of Figure 1; Figures 5(a) - 5(e) are waveforms at various points in the circuit configuration of Figure 2; and Figures 6(a) - 6(c) are waveforms at various points in the circuit configuration of Figure 3. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a block diagram of a portion of an integrated circuit chip or device 8. The integrated circuit device 8 includes an input pad 1 located on the periphery thereof for receiving an external TTL clock signal C1. The TTL level clock signal has a voltage swing between 0.8 volts and 2.0 volts and has a typical operating frequency between 16-70 MHz. The integrated circuit device also includes an input/output pad 3 located on the periphery thereof for transmitting an internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 for use by other integrated circuits when the external TTL level clock signal C1 is applied to the input pad 1. Thus, the pad 3 is functioning as an output pad in this condition. When the TTL level clock signal C1 is not being applied, the pad 3 is used to receive an external CMOS level system clock signal C3 from another integrated circuit device. Under this condition, the pad 3 is functioning as an input pad. The CMOS level clock signals C2 and C3 have a nominal voltage swing between 0 volts and 5.0 volts and have a typical operating frequency between 8-35 MHz with a 50% duty cycle. As can thus be seen, the CMOS level clock signals are operated at a frequency of one-half of the TTL level clock signal. However, it should be understood that the TTL level clock signal could be operated at the same frequency of 8-35 MHz as the CMOS level clock signals. Further, it should be understood that the TTL clock signals may be typically skewed in either direction from the 50% duty cycle. The integrated circuit device or chip 8 includes an input clock generator circuit 10 which has its input connected to the input pad 1 by line 11 for receiving the external TTL level clock signal C1. The generator circuit 10 performs a level translation and converts the TTL level clock signal to the internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 with a 50% duty cycle on its output at line 13. The internal CMOS level system clock signal C2 on the line 13 is fed to the input of a clock generator driver circuit 14 which is used to amplify the same and feeds this clock signal C2 to the output pad 3 via line 15. The integrated circuit device 8 further includes a clock output enable circuit 12 which has its input connected to an input pad 2 by a line 9 for receiving a control signal C4. The output enable circuit 12 is responsive to the control signal C4 and generates an output signal on line 7 for selectively enabling or disabling of the clock generator driver circuit 14. When the control signal C4 applied to the pad 2 is at a high level, the output signal on the line 7 will enable the operation of the generator driver circuit 14. When the control signal C4 applied to the pad 2 is at a low level, the output signal on the line 7 will disable the operation of the drive circuit 14. When the drive circuit 14 is enabled, the internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 is sent through the driver circuit 14 to the input/output pad 3 for transmitting the same for use by other integrated circuit devices. The integrated circuit device 8 further includes an internal clock generator circuit 16 which has its input connected to a node A on the line 15 for receiving either the internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 when the driver circuit 14 is enabled, or the external CMOS level system clock signal C3 when the driver circuit 14 is disabled. Thus, the internal clock generator circuit 16 is responsive to either the system clock signal C2 or C3 dependent upon the mode of operation. The generator circuit 16 functions to produce a first internal CMOS level phase clock signal Ø 1 on line 20 and a second internal CMOS level phase clock signal Ø 2 on line 22 which is complementary to the phase clock signal Ø 1. The phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2 are used by the other internal circuits located within the same integrated circuit chip 8. The integrated circuit device 8 further includes timing circuitry 18 which receives also either the system clock signal C2 or C3. The timing circuit 18 is used to generated timing signals on line 19 for use by other internal circuits located on the same integrated circuit chip. In a first mode of operation, the driver circuit 14 is enabled and the TTL level clock signal C1 is applied to the input pad 1. In this condition, the output of the generator circuit 10 is used to provide the internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 to the input/output pad 3 for driving other integrated circuit and to directly drive the inputs of the internal clock generator circuit 16 and the timing circuit 18. In a second mode of operation, the driver circuit 14 is disabled and the external CMOS level system clock signal C3 is applied to the input/output pad 3. In this condition, the external CMOS level system clock signal C3 is used to drive the inputs of the internal clock generator circuit 16 and the timing circuit 18. In Figure 2, there is shown a plurality of integrated circuits IC1, IC2, ...ICN which are connected in a self-clocking configuration. Each of the integrated circuits IC2, ...ICN is constructed identically to the integrated circuit chip or device 8 of Figure 1 with pads 1, 2 and 3 or having only a system clock pad 3. The integrated circuit IC1 has its pad 1 connected to receive the external TTL level clock signal C1 on line 24. The integrated circuit IC1 has an input clock generator circuit 10 for producing the internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 which is sent out from its pad 3 to line 26. Each of the other integrated circuits IC2 through ICN receive on its pad 3 via the line 26 the CMOS level system clock signal C2 which is used to drive a corresponding internal clock generator circuit 16 and/or a timing circuit 18 located on each chip. The generator circuits 16 located on the integrated circuits IC2 through ICN are used to produce the CMOS level phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2 for driving other internal circuits arranged on the same corresponding chips. As will be recalled, the integrated circuit IC1 also has an internal clock generator circuit 16 which receives the same CMOS level system clock signal C2 and is used to produce the CMOS level phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2 for driving other internal circuits located within the chip IC1. Therefore, there will be a minimum delay between the CMOS level clock signal C2 or C3 on line 26 and the internal clocks (CMOS level system clock signals Ø 1, Ø 2 and the signals on line 19) on the various chips since each chip contains its own internal clock generator 16 for producing the respective phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2. In this self-clocking configuration, it will be noted that the pad 2 on the integrated circuit IC1 will be the only one that is enabled. The other remaining integrated circuits IC2 through ICN each has its pad 2 connected to a ground potential for disabling of its clock output enable circuit 12. Reference is now made to Figures 5(a) - 5(e) of the drawings which illustrate the waveforms appearing at various points in the self-clocking configuration of Figure 2. The external TTL level clock signal C1 is applied to the pad 1 of the integrated circuit IC1 via the line 24 and is shown in Figure 5(a). The internally generated CMOS level system clock signal C2 is produced on the pad 3 of the integrated circuit IC1 and the line 26. This clock signal C2 is illustrated in Figure 5(c). The internal CMOS phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2 on each of the chips IC1, IC2, ...ICN are depicted in Figures 5(d) and 5(e) respectively. In Figure 3, there are shown a plurality of integrated circuits IC1, IC2, ...ICN which are connected together in a common external clock configuration. Again, each of the integrated circuits IC1, IC2, ...ICN is constructed identically to the integrated circuit chip or device 8 of Figure 1 with pads 1, 2 and 3 or having only a system clock pad 3. Each of the integrated circuits has its pad 3 connected to line 28 to receive the common external CMOS level system clock signal C3. The internal clock generator circuit 16 on each of the integrated circuits uses this clock signal C3 to produce the internal CMOS phase clock signal Ø 1 and Ø 2, thereby reducing propagation delay and clock skew between the various chips. In this common external clock configuration, it will be noted that the pad 2 on each of the integrated circuits will be connected to a low potential thereby disabling the same. Reference is now made to Figures 6(a) - 6(c) of the drawings which illustrate the waveforms appearing at various points in the common external clock configuration of Figure 3. The common external CMOS level system clock signal C3 is applied to the pad 3 of each of the integrated circuits via the line 28 and is illustrated in Figure 6(a). The internal CMOS phase clock signals Ø 1 and Ø 2 on each of the chips IC1, IC2, ...ICN are depicted in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), respectively. While the various blocks of the input clock generator circuit 10, the clock output enable circuit 12, the clock generator driver circuit 14, the internal clock generator circuit 16, and the timing circuit 18 in Figure 1 may take on various forms, suitable circuitry therefor is illustrated in Figure 4. This detailed schematic circuit diagram is believed to be self-explanatory to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description and thus a detailed discussion of the operation of each block is believed to be unnecessary. From the foregoing detailed description, it can thus be seen that the present invention provides an integrated circuit which includes an input clock generator circuit responsive to an external TTL level clock signal for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal and an internal clock generator circuit responsive to either the internal CMOS level system clock signal or an external CMOS level system clock signal for generating internal CMOS phase clock signals. The integrated circuit of the present invention has a high speed of operation since the propagation delay time between the external and internal clock signals has been minimised. While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An integrated circuit having elements arranged to be responsive to an external clock signal, comprising: a first input (1) for a first external clock signal (C1); a second input (3) for a second external clock signal (C3); and means for selecting (12) which of said external clock signals is applied to said elements; characterised by input clock generator means (10) arranged to be responsive to said first external clock signal (C1) to produce an internal clock signal (C2); internal clock generator means (16) arranged to be selectively responsive to said internal clock signal (C2) or said second external clock signal (C3) to supply first and second complementary phase clock signals (Ø 1,Ø 2) to said elements; said second input (3) being arranged to operate also as an output for said internal clock signal (C2) while said internal clock generator means (16) is responsive to said internal clock signal (C2); and in that said internal clock signal (C2), said second external clock signal (C3) and said complementary phase clock signals (Ø 1,Ø 2) are of a common level characteristic which is different from that of said first external clock signal (C1). An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said first external clock signal (C1) is a TTL level characteristic signal. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said common level characteristic is a CMOS level characteristic. An integrated circuit as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said input clock generator means (10) comprises an input clock generator circuit having an input and an output and a clock generator driver circuit (14) having an input and an output. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said input clock generator circuit has its input connected to said first input (1), and wherein said clock generator driver circuit (14) has its input connected to the output of said input clock generator circuit and has its output connected to said second input (3). An integrated circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said internal clock generator means (16) comprises an internal clock generator circuit. An integrated circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that said means for selecting (12) comprises a clock output enable circuit. An integrated circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, further comprising timing circuit means (18) responsive to either said internal clock signal (C2) or said second external clock signal (C3). An integrated circuit as claimed in any of claims 1-8, further comprising a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a self-clocking configuration so that one of the integrated circuits is responsive to the first external clock signal for producing the internal clock signal and the remaining integrated circuits are responsive to the internal clock signal. An integrated circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a common external clock configuration so that each of said plurality of integrated circuits is responsive to the 2nd external clock signal. An integrated circuit comprising: an input pad (1) connected to receive an external TTL level clock signal (C1); input clock generator means (10) responsive to said TTL level clock signal (C1) for generating an internal CMOS level system clock signal (C2); means (12) for selectively enabling or disabling of said input clock generator means (10); input/output pad (3) connected to receive said internal CMOS level system clock signal (C2) and to provide said internal system clock (C2) to other integrated circuits; internal clock generator means (16) being responsive to said internal CMOS level system clock signal (C2) for generating a first internal CMOS level phase clock signal (Ø 1) and a second internal CMOS level phase clock signal (Ø 2) which is complementary to the first internal CMOS level phase clock signal (Ø 1) when said input clock generator means (10) is enabled; said input/output pad (3) being further connected to receive a common external CMOS level system clock signal (C3) when said input clock generator means (10) is disabled; and said internal clock generator means (16) being responsive to said common external CMOS level system clock signal (C3) for generating said first and second internal CMOS level phase clock signals when said input clock generator means (10) is disabled. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a self-clocking configuration so that one of the integrated circuits is responsive to the TTL level clock signal for producing the internal CMOS level system clock signal and the remaining integrated circuits are responsive to the internal CMOS level system clock signal. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of integrated circuits connected in a common external clock configuration so that each of said plurality of integrated circuits is responsive to the common external CMOS level system clock signal.

Inventors: BAROR GIGY, WALTERS DONALD M JR, BAROR, GIGY, WALTERS, DONALD M. JR.
Applicants: ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC, ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G06F1
IPC codes: H03K19, G06F1, G11C11, H03K5