Patent Abstract:
An interleaved delay line for use in phase locked and delay locked loops is comprised of a first portion providing a variable amount of delay substantially independently of process, temperature and voltage (PVT) variations while a second portion, in series with the first portion, provides a variable amount of delay that substantially tracks changes in process, temperature, and voltage variations. By combining, or interleaving, the two types of delay, single and dual locked loops constructed using the present invention achieve a desired jitter performance under PVT variations, dynamically track the delay variations of one coarse tap without a large number of delay taps, and provide for quick and tight locking. Methods of operating delay lines and locked loops are also disclosed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/652,632 entitled “An Interleaved Delay Line for Phase Locked and Delay Locked Loops” filed 31 Aug. 2000 and having common ownership. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention is directed to phase locked and delay locked loops and, more particularly, to the delay line used in such loops.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Background  
           [0005]    A phase locked loop is a circuit designed to minimize the phase difference between two signals. When the phase difference approaches zero, or is within a specified tolerance, the phase of the two signals is said to be “locked”. A delay locked loop is similar to a phase locked loop, but instead of producing an output signal which has the same phase as an input or reference signal, the delay locked loop passes a reference signal or input signal into a delay line, and the output of the delay line has some predefined phase delay with respect to the reference or input signal.  
           [0006]    Phase locked loops (PLL&#39;s) and delay locked loops (DLL&#39;s) are widely used circuits where it is necessary to have two signals which have a known relationship to one another. For example, when transmitting information from a sending device to a receiving device, it is necessary to have the local clock of the receiving device in sync with the clock of the sending device so that the information can be reliably transmitted. A PLL may be used for that purpose. Both PLL&#39;s and DLL&#39;s have been used for a long period of time, and numerous analog examples of these circuits can be found in the literature and in many devices.  
           [0007]    Both PLL&#39;s and DLL&#39;s may be implemented either by analog components or digital components. In an analog loop, a delay chain is used to adjust delay and each element in the delay chain has its delay varied by analog bias voltages supplied by a phase detector. In a digital loop, rather than adjust the delay of, for example, a transistor, the delay is adjusted based on the number of delay stages that are included in the delay chain. Analog loops have continuous delay adjustments whereas digital loops adjust delays in discreet steps. As a result, one advantage of an analog loop is that the jitter is very low compared to the step jitter of a digital loop.  
           [0008]    It is also known to implement loops in phases. For example, U.S. patent application No. ______, filed ______, (Micron No. 98-0788) entitled Digital Dual-Loop DLL Design Using Coarse and Fine Loops illustrates a circuit in which the delay line is comprised of both a coarse loop and a fine loop. The coarse loop is designed to produce an output signal having a phase variation from an input signal within a course delay stage while the fine loop is designed to produce an output signal having a phase deviation from the input signal which is substantially smaller than the deviation of the coarse loop. The coarse loop is designed to bring the output signal to a near phase lock condition, or phase delayed condition, while the fine loop is designed to achieve a locked condition. Thus, a dual-loop (coarse and fine loops) all digital PLL or DLL can provide a wide lock range while at the same time still providing a tight lock within reasonable time parameters.  
           [0009]    There are several ways to implement the fine delay tap used in a fine loop. For example, one implementation embodies load-adjusting using a variable load capacitors. Another implementation is to provide both a fast path and a slow path using slightly different sized devices. The first method has little intrinsic delay and almost constant delay over process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations. In contrast, the second method has a large intrinsic delay but provides better tracking for delay variations. Thus, a tradeoff must be made which is driven by the design parameters of the final device. Accordingly, a need exists for a DLL and PLL that have a large locking range, tight locking characteristics, little intrinsic delay, low power distribution and good tracking over PVT variations.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is directed to an interleaved delay line for use in phase locked and delay locked loops. The present invention is comprised of a first portion providing a variable amount of delay substantially independently of process, temperature and voltage (PVT) variations while a second portion, in series with the first portion, provides a variable amount of delay that substantially tracks changes in process, temperature, and voltage variations. By combining, or interleaving, the two types of delay, single and multiple locked loops constructed using the present invention achieve a desired jitter performance under PVT variations, dynamically track the delay variations of one coarse delay stage without a large number of fine delay taps, and provide for quick and tight locking. Those, and other advantages and benefits, will be apparent from the Description of the Preferred Embodiment appearing hereinbelow. Methods of operating delay lines and locked loops are also disclosed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    For the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present invention will now be described, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory device in which a DLL having an interleaved delay line constructed according to the teachings of the present invention may be used;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the DLL of FIG. 1 in conjunction with certain components of the memory device  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two methods of implementing delay interpolation for the fine loop of a delay line;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an interleaved delay line implementing the methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit for implementing a locked loop having an interleaved delay line;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 illustrates another method of implementing delay interpolation for the fine loop of a delay line;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C are simulations of the delay adjustment of the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 7 and  4 , respectively;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 illustrates the present invention used in a phase locked loop; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer system using the memory device of FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    The present invention will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 1 which illustrates a memory device  10 . The reader will understand that the description of the present invention in conjunction with the memory  10  of FIG. 1 is merely for the purpose of providing one example of an application for the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited to the application shown if FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    The memory device  10  includes, by way of example and not limitation, a synchronous dynamic random access memory device (SDRAM). As shown in FIG. 1, memory device  10  includes a main memory  12 . Main memory  12  typically includes dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices which include one or more memory banks, indicated by BANK 1-BANK N. Each of the memory banks BANK 1-N includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Row decode  14  and column decode  16  access the rows and columns, respectively, in response to an address, provided on address bus  18  by an external controller (not shown), such as a microprocessor. An input circuit  20  and an output circuit  22  connect to a data bus  24  for bi-directional data communication with main memory  12 . A memory controller  26  controls data communication between the memory  10  and external devices by responding to an input or reference clock signal (CLKref) and control signals provided on control lines  28 . The control signals include, but are not limited to, Chip Select (CS*), Row Access Strobe (RAS*), Column Access Strobe (CAS*), Write Enable (WE*), and Clock Enable (CKE).  
         [0023]    A digital locked loop DLL  30 , constructed according to the teaching of the present invention, connects to input circuit  20  and output circuit  22  for performing a timing adjustment, such as skew elimination or clock synchronization between two clock signals. While the invention is described in the context of a DLL, the present invention is applicable to any type of PLL. According to the teachings of the present invention DLL  30  is an all digital loop. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the memory device  10  of FIG. 1 is simplified to illustrate the present invention and is not intended to be a detailed description of all of the features of a memory device.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of memory device  10  of FIG. 1 including main memory  12 , dual-loop DLL  30  and output circuit  22 . Output circuit  22  includes an output latch  32  connected to an output driver  34 . Output latch  32  is connected to main memory  12  via connection line  35 . Output driver  34  is connected to an output pad  36  which provides a data output signal DQ.  
         [0025]    DLL  30  includes a forward path  38  having a first loop or coarse loop  40  connected to a second loop or fine loop  42 . In one embodiment, coarse loop  40  has a delay range up to 20 ns (nanosecond) to provide a wide frequency lock range. Fine loop  42  has a delay range from about 1 to 1.2 ns to provide a tight locking. Coarse loop  40  receives an input clock signal CLKref and a local clock signal CLK DLL on a feedback path  43 . Fine loop  42  is responsive to coarse loop  40 . Fine loop  42  also receives the CLKref signal and CLK DLL signal. Fine loop  42  outputs the local clock signal CLK DLL.  
         [0026]    In a register-based all digital DLL, the phase jitter is primarily determined by the basic delay stage used in the delay line. Depending on the variations of process, supply voltage and temperature (PVT), the delay for one stage may vary from 130 ps to 350 ps. In a high-speed memory system, this skew has to be further reduced to ensure proper timing and valid data windows. The dual loop embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 can be used to reduce the skew. The fine loop  42  can be used to provide fine delay interpolation and skew reduction after the coarse loop  40  is locked.  
         [0027]    There are several ways to implement a fine delay line with a small delay resolution. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two methods. FIG. 3 illustrates a method involving eight taps with which the load is adjusted while FIG. 4 illustrates a method involving a single tap with fast and slow paths.  
         [0028]    The method in FIG. 3 employs a pair of series connected inverters  44  and  45 . The load can be adjusted through operation of switches  47 - 54  which can be used to switch capacitors  56 - 63  into the circuit. An implementation for one of the capacitors, capacitor  63 , is also illustrated. Each of the capacitors  56 - 63  may be implemented in a similar manner. The capacitor  63  is implemented through a pair of n-channel and p-channel transistors with their gate terminals connected together and, in the case of the p-channel device, the remaining terminals connected to a voltage source (e.g. V DD ) and, in the case of the n-channel device, the source and drain terminals are is connected to ground. By adding or removing the capacitors  56 - 63 , a delay can be achieved that can be increased or decreased in a step-wise fashion. That delay is almost constant over PVT variations. The method of FIG. 3 has a very small, e.g. 0.3 ns intrinsic delay. Here, intrinsic delay refers to the initial delay added to the loop when a fine loop is used. The intrinsic delay will slow down the loop operation which is generally not a good feature.  
         [0029]    The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a slow path  65  which is comprised of a first inverter  66 , a second inverter  67 , and a multiplexer  68 . A fast path  70  is similarly comprised of a first inverter  71 , a second inverter  72 , and a multiplexer  73 . By varying the size of the inverter in the slow path  65 , a different delay resolution can be achieved. Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 4 utilizes different paths to achieve a verniered delay. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the delay varies with, or tracks, the variations in PVT, i.e. increasing in the slow corners and decreasing in the fast corners. However, a large intrinsic delay is introduced because of the two inverters and the multiplexer for each delay tap (0.3 ns per tap).  
         [0030]    An interleaved delay line constructed according to the present invention is designed to use both delay interpolation methods to achieve:  
         [0031]    (1) desired jitter performance under PVT variations;  
         [0032]    (2) dynamic tracking of the delay variations without a large number of delay taps; and  
         [0033]    (3) quick and tight locking.  
         [0034]    A block diagram of such an interleaved delay line  75  is shown in FIG. 5. A shift register  76  in combination with multiplexers  77  and  78  forms a control circuit that is used to select different delay taps with the delay taps being selected alternately from the delay line comprised of load adjusting taps and the delay line comprised of fast/slow-path taps. Initially, half of these delay taps are selected which gives an M-tap tuning range for increasing or decreasing the delay. This arrangement gives more flexibility to eliminate the skew and other timing errors under PVT variations.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit for implementing the interleaved delay line  75  of FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, a phase detector  80  receives the signals CLKref, CLK DLL. The phase detector circuit  78  produces a FAST control signal and a SLOW control signal which are each comprised of pulses. The number of pulses in the FAST and SLOW control signals is representative of the difference in phase between the signals CLKref and CLK DLL. The FAST control signal is used for advancing the phase of the signal CLK DLL while the SLOW control signal is used to retard the phase of the signal CLK DLL. The FAST and SLOW control signals are input to a control block  82 . The control block  82  outputs signals to control the capacitive load of variable delay line  84  and to control the number of fast and slow paths connected in variable delay line  86 . The variable delay line  84  may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 3 while the variable delay line  86  may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 4. The signal OUT (which is the signal CLK DLL) is input via a feedback path, not shown, to the phase detector  80 . A coarse locked loop is typically added in front of delay line  84 , such that the delay line  84  is responsive to the coarse locked loop and the signal CLK DLL is input to the coarse locked loop. Through the implementation illustrated in FIG. 6, the advantages of both the variable delay line  84  and variable delay line  86  can be obtained.  
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment, eight delay taps (M=8) were used for each delay line and the typical delay of the load-adjusting tap for delay line  84  was approximately 30 ps (t dl ), although the delay varied from 25 ps to 35 ps.  
         [0037]    For the fast/slow variable delay line  86 , a typical delay for each stage was about 50 ps (t dp ) with a range of 35 ps-70 ps (per tap). The tuning range of this interleaved delay line can be calculated as:  
         t   tune     =       M   2          (       t   dl     +     t   dp       )                             
 
         [0038]    For above given numbers, t tune  works out to be  
         [0039]    240 ps&lt;t tune &lt;420 ps  
         [0040]    which covers the coarse delay per stage over PVT variations. The worst-case RMS jitter is below 35 ps and peak-to-peak jitter is less than 70 ps.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 illustrates another example of how the fine delay may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of drive. The phase detector  80  produces the FAST and SLOW control signals which are input to a selection control block  88 . The selection control block  88  produces signals for controlling individual drive stages  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93 . One of the drive stages, drive stage  91 , is illustrated as a pair of parallel connected inverters, and one of the inverters is illustrated in detail in FIG. 7A. Thus, the selection control block  88  determines if one or both paths within drive stages  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93  are used.  
         [0042]    The following table compares the three types of delay discussed; namely, the load adjusting delay of FIG. 3, the drive adjusting delay of FIG. 7, and the fast/slow path adjustment of FIG. 4.  
                                                   DELAY       T D     T D     T D     INTRINSIC DELAY       INTERPOLATION   DELAY TAP   (FAST)   (TYPICAL)   (SLOW)   (TYPICAL)                   Load Adjusting (1)   ncap &amp; pcap   27 ps   34 ps   38 ps    300 ps       Drive Adjusting (2)   2 inverters (in parallel)   20 ps   30 ps   45 ps    780 ps       Fast/Slow Path (3)   2 inverters each path   20 ps   50 ps   70 ps   1750 ps           (in serial) &amp; 1 MUX                  
 
         [0043]    An interleaved fine delay line can use any two of these three methods to achieve fast and tight locks. It is possible that if the last two methods are used, situations may arise in which the delay is varied nonlinearly as shown in the simulation results of FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C. Under those circumstances, duty cycle distortion of the output may occur. In terms of power distribution, the load adjusting delay is the best whereas the fast/slow path adjustment is the worst.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C are simulations based on using the load adjusting method of FIG. 3, the drive adjusting method of FIG. 7, and the fast/slow path method of FIG. 4, respectively.  
         [0045]    While the present invention has been described in the context of a delay locked loop, the present invention may also be utilized in a phase lock loop as illustrated in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, a course loop is comprised of a phase detector and control block  95  which controls a delay line  96 . The fine loop is comprised of a phase detector and control block  98  which controls an interleaved fine delay line  99  of the type, for example, illustrated in FIG. 6. The output of the interleaved fine delay line  99  is input to the delay line  96  through a digitally controlled oscillator  100 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 10 illustrates a computer system  200  containing the SDRAM  10  of FIG. 1 using the present invention. The computer system  200  includes a processor  202  for performing various computing functions, such as executing specific software to perform specific calculations or tasks. The processor  202  includes a processor bus  204  that normally includes an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus. In addition, the computer system  200  includes one or more input devices  214 , such as a keyboard or a mouse, coupled to the processor  202  to allow an operator to interface with the computer system  200 . Typically, the computer system  200  also includes one or more output devices  216  coupled to the processor  202 , such output devices typically being a printer or a video terminal. One or more data storage devices  218  are also typically coupled to the processor  202  to allow the processor  202  to store data in or retrieve data from internal or external storage media (not shown). Examples of typical storage devices  218  include hard and floppy disks, tape cassettes, and compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs). The processor  202  is also typically coupled to cache memory  226 , which is usually static random access memory (“SRAM”) and to the SDRAM  110  through a memory controller  230 . The memory controller  230  normally includes a control bus  236  and an address bus  238  that are coupled to the SDRAM  110 . A data bus  240  may be coupled to the processor bus  204  either directly (as shown), through the memory controller  230 , or by some other means.  
         [0047]    While the present invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8