Timing device having multi-purpose pin with proactive function

[0001] Conventional integrated circuits include a clock input pin for receiving a clock signal from an integrated circuit timing device or include an input pin that connects to a piezoelectric crystal and an output pin that provides a feedback clock signal to the piezoelectric crystal. In order to meet the needs of these two types of integrated circuits a wide range of integrated circuit timing devices have been developed.

[0002] In many cases a system may start with an integrated circuit that connects to a piezoelectric crystal and then subsequent products may move up to a more sophisticated integrated circuit that requires a more complex and more accurate integrated circuit timing device. In these instances, the system manufacturer must first design a system that includes a piezoelectric crystal and implement connections to the piezoelectric crystal and then later redesign the system to accommodate a conventional integrated circuit timing device.

[0003] This adds expense to the product upgrade process that would be unnecessary if a single integrated circuit timing device could be used both as a replacement for a piezoelectric crystal and as a conventional integrated circuit timing device. Accordingly, there is a need for a single integrated circuit timing device that can be used both as a replacement for a piezoelectric crystal and as a conventional integrated circuit timing device.

[0004] A timing device is disclosed that includes an input terminal, an output terminal and a one time programmable non-volatile memory (OTP NVM) that is operable to receive configuration data and burn the configuration data into the OTP NVM so as to store the configuration data in the OTP NVM. A first periodic signal generator is operable to generate a first periodic signal having a first frequency and a second periodic signal generator is operable to generate a second periodic signal having a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency. Selection logic is electrically coupled to the input terminal, the output terminal, the OTP NVM, the first periodic signal generator and the second periodic signal generator. The selection logic is configured to receive configuration data read from the OTP NVM. When the configuration data indicates a proactive (first) operating mode the selection logic is configured to output the first periodic signal at an output terminal as long as a crystal clock feedback signal is received at the input terminal and output the second periodic signal when the crystal clock feedback signal is not received at the input terminal. When the configuration data indicates a normal (second) operating mode the selection logic configured to output the first periodic signal as long as a output enable signal is received at the input terminal and not provide any output at the output terminal when the output enable signal is not received at the input terminal.

[0005] A clock distribution system is disclosed that includes a timing device and a first integrated circuit device that is either an integrated circuit device having a crystal driver input terminal and crystal driver output terminal or an integrated circuit device having a clock input terminal and not having a crystal driver output terminal.

[0006] In an embodiment in which the first integrated circuit device includes a crystal driver input terminal and a crystal driver output terminal, the output terminal is electrically coupled to the crystal driver input terminal and the input terminal is electrically coupled to the crystal driver output terminal. In this embodiment the configuration data indicates a proactive operating mode and the selection logic is configured to output the first periodic signal at an output terminal as long as a crystal clock feedback signal is received at the input terminal and output the second periodic signal when the crystal clock feedback signal is not received at the input terminal.

[0007] In an embodiment in which the first integrated circuit device has a clock input terminal and does not have a crystal driver output terminal, the output terminal is electrically coupled to the clock input terminal and the input terminal is electrically coupled to receive an output enable signal. In this embodiment the configuration data indicates the normal operating mode and the selection logic is configured to output the first periodic signal as long as an output enable signal is received at the input terminal and not provide any output at the output terminal when the output enable signal is not received at the input terminal.

[0008] Accordingly, the timing device of the present invention can be used both as a crystal replacement clock and as a conventional integrated circuit clock and includes a single input terminal that receives the crystal clock feedback signal when the timing device is used as a crystal replacement clock and receives the output enable signal when the timing device is used as a conventional integrated circuit clock. The use of a single input terminal reduces pin count, reducing overall cost and allowing expanded functionality in a small package. Moreover, the timing device of the present invention provides power savings in the first operating mode by automatically switching to the second periodic clock generator (that operates at a lower frequency and duty cycle) when the integrated circuit device that it is connected to is powered off. Furthermore, power savings are obtained in the second operating mode as the clock enters a maximum power savings mode when the operation enable signal is deasserted.

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a timing device 10 that includes input terminal 1, output terminal 6 and one time programmable non volatile memory (OTP NVM) 2 data storage device. OTP NVM 2 is a non-volatile memory array that includes programmable fuses and/or antifuses that can be programmed for one-time-storage in the OTP NVM memory array.

[0017] Timing device 10 also includes OTP control inputs 7 that are electrically coupled to an input circuit 9 for providing additional input to timing device 1. Input circuit 9 is electrically coupled to OTP NVM 2 and can be an Inter-IC (I²C) interface or a system management bus (SMB) interface or other interface that allows for coupling data to and programming of OTP NVM 2.

[0018] Periodic signal generator 3 (first periodic signal generator) is operable to generate a first periodic signal (Clk_1)) having a first frequency (f₁) at an output thereof. Periodic signal generator 4 (second periodic signal generator) is operable to generate a second periodic signal (Clk_2) having a second frequency (f₂) at an output thereof, where frequency f₂ is lower than frequency f₁. In one embodiment the first frequency is in the megahertz range and the second frequency is between 1 KHz and 40 KHz. The duty cycle of the second periodic signal is less than the duty cycle of the first periodic signal. The second periodic signal may have, for example, a duty cycle less than 50%.

[0019] In the present embodiment a low power low frequency oscillator is used to generate a low frequency periodic signal having a low duty cycle. In one embodiment second periodic signal generator 4 includes a low power low frequency oscillator (e.g., a low power digitally controlled oscillator (DCO)) that generates a low frequency periodic signal having a low duty cycle that is electrically coupled to a one input of a NAND gate and to an input of a delay element (inverter) having an output electrically coupled to the other input of the NAND gate to generate a low frequency pulse train at the output of second periodic signal generator 2 as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 8,854,085, titled “Clock Distribution Systems for Low Power Applications, by Jagdeep Bal and Cheng Wen Hsiao, issued on Oct. 7, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0020] In an embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 2 first periodic signal generator 3 includes a piezoelectric crystal 20 and a crystal oscillator circuit 21 configured to oscillate piezoelectric crystal 20 so as to generate an internal clock signal (Clk_0). In one embodiment crystal oscillator circuit 21 includes an inverter (buffer) coupled in parallel with a resistor between X1 and X2 to generate Clk_0 and to generate a feedback clock signal at X2. Clk_0 is input to phase locked loop (PLL) circuit 22 that uses the Clk_0 signal to generate the first periodic signal Clk_1.

[0021] In embodiments of the present invention timing devices 10, 10a may include one or more frequency divider 8 for varying the frequency of the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal. One or more frequency divider 8 may be electrically coupled to receive an input clock signal and is operable to divide the input clock signal to generate a divided clock signal. In one embodiment the one or more frequency divider 8 is disposed within PLL 22 to generate Clk_1 having a frequency f₁.

[0022] Selection logic 5 is electrically coupled to input terminal 1, output terminal 6, OTP NVM 2, first periodic signal generator 3 and second periodic signal generator 4. Input terminal 1, output terminal 6, OTP NVM 2, selection logic 5, first periodic signal generator 3 and second periodic signal generator 4 may be formed on a single semiconductor die.

[0023] Timing device 10, l0a is configured to be used both as a crystal replacement timing device (e.g., a crystal replacement clock) and as a conventional integrated circuit timing device (e.g., a conventional integrated circuit clock). FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the use of timing devices 10, l0a as both a crystal replacement clock (FIG. 3) and as a conventional integrated circuit clock (FIG. 4). It is appreciated that, though timing device 10 is shown in FIGS. 3-4, alternatively, timing device l0a could be used.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, a clock distribution system 30 is shown that includes timing device 10 that is electrically coupled an integrated circuit device 31 having a crystal driver input terminal (X1) 32 and crystal driver output terminal (X2) 34. More particularly, crystal driver input terminal 32 is electrically coupled to output terminal 6 and crystal driver output terminal 34 is electrically coupled to input terminal 1. In this embodiment the configuration data stored in OTP NVM 2 of timing device 10 indicates the proactive (first) operating mode so as to operate timing device 10 as a crystal replacement clock.

[0025] Crystal driver input terminal 32 and crystal driver output terminal 34 are configured to be attached to a piezoelectric crystal and are electrically coupled to a crystal oscillator circuit within integrated circuit device 31 that includes a feedback buffer 37 and a resistor 36 coupled in parallel between the crystal driver input terminal 32 and crystal driver output terminal 34 to generate a clock signal (Clk) in integrated circuit 31. It can be seen that integrated circuit device 31 includes an input for receiving the Power_Down signal and that timing device 10 does not include an input for receiving the Power_Down signal.

[0026] The first periodic signal (e.g., high frequency clock) 3 is sufficient to operate the internal synchronizing clock Clk within integrated circuit device 30. Second periodic signal generator 4 is configured to generate the second periodic signal having a duty cycle (CLK_2) less than 50% which is sufficient to provide a sufficient combination of frequency and duty cycle (i. e., active energy) to support switching of the feedback buffer 37 when integrated circuit device 31 is fully powered but insufficient to operate as the internal synchronizing clock Clk within integrated circuit device 31 as it is insufficient to generate any switching waveform at crystal driver output terminal 34 when integrated circuit device 31 is powered down such that feedback buffer 37 is disabled.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, a clock distribution system 40 is shown that includes timing device 10 that is electrically coupled an integrated circuit device 41 having a clock input terminal (CLK_IN) 42. More particularly, clock input terminal 42 is electrically coupled to output terminal 6. It is appreciated that integrated circuit device 41 does not include a crystal driver output terminal or a crystal driver input terminal. Furthermore, integrated circuit device 41 will not include a crystal oscillator circuit that connects to a clock input terminal as is required in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Input terminal 1 is electrically coupled to terminal 45 of master chip 44 that generates the output enable signal. The configuration data stored in OTP NVM 2 indicates the normal (second) operating mode so that timing device 10 operates as a conventional integrated circuit timing device.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5 a method for controlling operation of a timing device is disclosed that includes storing in the timing device one or more bit indicating an operating mode as shown by steps 501-502. The method includes receiving 501 configuration data at a timing device and burning 502 the configuration data into a OTP NVM. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 configuration data that includes one or more bit indicating an operating mode can be received at OTP control input 7 and an OTP NVM programming voltage, which is a higher voltage than the operating voltage of timing devices 10, 10a, is received at input terminal 1 to program the configuration data into OTP NVM 2. In this embodiment OTP NVM 2 is electrically coupled to input terminal 1 and includes programming logic electrically coupled to the programmable fuses that selectively applies the OTP NVM programming voltage to the programmable fuses during programming so as to “burn” the configuration data into the OTP NVM.

[0029] In one embodiment steps 501-502 are performed once to install a complete timing device configuration in OTP NVM 2 that includes the one or more mode selection bit that indicates the operating mode. Alternatively, only the one or more mode selection bits are stored in steps 501-502 and the remainder of the timing device configuration is separately received as input.

[0030] The configuration data is read and is sent to the selection logic of the timing device as shown by step 503. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 OTP NVM 2 is operable to read the configuration data, which is in this case one or more bit that indicates an operating mode, and send the one or more bit to selection logic 5.

[0031] In alternate embodiments other types of nonvolatile memory could be used instead of OTP NVM 2, or a timing device 10 can be used that requires that the configuration data that includes the one or more bit that indicates operating mode be reloaded at each initialization of timing device 10 and stored in volatile memory (e.g., RAM) of timing device 10.

[0032] As shown by steps 504-505 and 507, when the configuration data indicates a first operating mode that can be referred to as the “proactive mode,” the timing device outputs at an output terminal a first periodic signal having a first frequency as long as a crystal clock feedback signal is received at the input terminal. As shown by steps 504-506, when the crystal clock feedback signal is not received at the input terminal the timing device outputs at the output terminal a second periodic signal having a second frequency that is less than the first frequency. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when integrated circuit device 31 receives the Power_Down signal it goes into a low-power mode, cutting off power to the crystal oscillator circuit such that input received at crystal driver input terminal 32 no longer generates a crystal clock feedback signal at crystal driver output circuit 34. Accordingly, the crystal clock feedback signal will not be received at input terminal 1 and timing device 10 will automatically switch to a power saving mode in which the second periodic signal is output at output terminal 6. More particularly, selection logic 5 is configured to receive configuration data read from OTP NVM 2 and, when the configuration data indicates the proactive (first) operating mode, selection logic 5 is configured to output the first periodic signal (Clk_1) at output terminal 6 as long as a crystal clock feedback signal is received at input terminal 1 and is configured to output the second periodic signal (Clk_2) when the crystal clock feedback signal is not received at input terminal 1.

[0033] As shown by steps 504, 507-508, when the configuration data indicates a second operating mode that can be referred to as the “normal mode,” the timing device outputs the first periodic signal as long as a output enable signal is received at the input terminal. As shown by steps 504 and 508-509 the timing device does not provide any output at the output terminal when the output enable signal is not received at the input terminal. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 selection logic 5 is configured to output the first periodic signal (Clk_1) as long as a output enable signal is received at input terminal 1 and not provide any output at output terminal 6 when the output enable signal is not received at input terminal 1.

[0034] Because input terminal 1 is used for both electrically connecting to terminal 34 to receive the x2 signal and electrically connecting to terminal 45 for receiving the output enable signal, a dedicated terminal configured to receive the output enable signal is not required, reducing pin count, reducing footprint and cost of timing device 1. Furthermore, the use of input terminal 1 for receiving the OTP NVM programming voltage provides further multi-functional use of the single input terminal 1.

[0035] Moreover the method and apparatus of the present invention allows for timing device 10 to be used as a crystal replacement clock having a low power mode even though timing device 10 does not have any input terminal that receives the Power_Down signal that indicates global power down of the system as is illustrated in FIG. 3. More particularly, the proactive mode allows for power savings based on the active sensing of the crystal driver output terminal and timing device 10 automatically goes into low power mode by switching to use of the second periodic signal generator as a clock source, without actually receiving the Power_Down signal that indicates global power down of the system.

[0036] In embodiments of the present invention, in the second operating mode, when the operation enable signal is deasserted the clock enters a maximum power savings mode. In the maximum power saving mode both the first periodic signal generator and the second periodic signal generator are powered down and all outputs are disabled. In one embodiment the maximum power saving mode is configurable by the user and can either power down the first periodic signal generator or operate the first periodic signal generator at a reduced power/frequency (e.g., by reducing power to a voltage controlled oscillator of the first periodic signal generator 1).

[0037] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment illustrating the selection logic 5 that includes clock selection circuit 620 that is configured to receive a signal from the input terminal 1 for selecting a clock source based on the operating mode. Selection logic 5 also includes an output disable circuit 630 for disabling the output of the selected clock source based on the signal received at input terminal 1 and the operating mode.

[0038] The clock selection circuit includes amplifier (delay buffer) 602, XOR gate 603, NOR gate 604, D flip-flops 605-606 and multiplexer 607. Amplifier 602 (delay buffer) has an input electrically coupled to input terminal 1 and has an output electrically coupled to an input of XOR gate 603. XOR gate 603 has a second input electrically coupled to input terminal 1. The output of XOR gate 603 is electrically coupled to a first input of NOR gate 604 and a second input of NOR gate 604 is electrically coupled to receive a Power-on-Reset signal (POR). In this embodiment the configuration data comprises an operating mode selection bit (OE_fun_sel_bit) that indicates the operating mode. A third input of the NOR gate 604 is electrically coupled to OTP NVM 2 for receiving the OE_fun_sel_bit. NOR gate 604 is operable to generate output that is electrically coupled to a reset pin of each D flip-flop 605-606 that is an active low reset. The single-ended output signal CLK_OUT is fed back to clock flip-flops 605-606. Flip-flop 605 has a first input electrically coupled to receive a supply voltage (VDD) and an output electrically connected to a first input of flip-flop 606, generating a clock-source-select control signal at the output of flip-flop 606 that is electrically coupled to select terminal of multiplexer 607. A first input of multiplexer 607 is electrically coupled to the first periodic signal generator to receive the Clk_1 signal and a second input of multiplexer 607 is electrically coupled to the output of second periodic signal generator 4 to receive the Clk_2 signal and is responsive to the clock-source-select control signal to couple Clk_1 or Clk_2 to an output of multiplexer 607.

[0039] In the present embodiment an OE_fun_sel_bit having a value of 1 indicates a normal operating mode and a OE_fun_sel_bit having a value of “0” indicates a proactive mode. In the normal operating mode (OE_fun_sel_bit=1) a logical low is generated at the output of NOR gate 604, both when the output enable signal is asserted and when it is deasserted such that first periodic signal generator 3 is selected. In the proactive operating mode since the OE_fun_sel_bit=0, input into NOR gate 604 is 0, the pulse train generated by delay buffer 602 and XOR gate 603 will generate a corresponding output signal at the output of NOR gate 604 such that when the crystal clock feedback signal is received the clock-source-select control signal goes to 0 and clock selection circuit outputs Clk_1, and when the crystal clock feedback signal is deasserted the clock-source-select control signal will go to 1 so as to select Clk_2.

[0040] The output disable circuit 630 includes multiplexer 609 and AND gate 612. Multiplexer 609 has a first input electrically coupled to input terminal 1. Multiplexer 609 has a second input electrically coupled to receive supply voltage VDD and a select terminal electrically coupled to OTP NVM 2 for receiving the OE_fun_sel_bit. Multiplexer 609 is responsive to the OE_fun_sel_bit to output either the signal input at terminal 1 or VDD. Multiplexer 609 has an output electrically coupled to a first input of AND gate 612. AND gate 612 has an output electrically coupled to output terminal 6. In the normal operating mode (OE_fun_sel_bit=1) when the output enable signal is not received at input terminal 1 (deasserted) a logical low is generated at the output of multiplexer 609 such that AND gate 612 does not generate output at output terminal 6. In the normal operating mode, when the output enable signal is received at input terminal 1 (e.g., a logical high), a logical high is generated at the output of multiplexer 609, coupling the output of multiplexer 607 to output terminal 6 to generate output clock signal CLK OUT.

[0041] In the proactive operating mode (OE_fun_sel_bit=0) positive supply voltage VDD is coupled to the output of multiplexer 609 such that AND gate 612 couples the output of multiplexer 607 to the output terminal to generate output clock signal CLK OUT. Accordingly, as previously discussed, in the proactive operating mode (OE_fun_sel_bit=0), when the crystal clock feedback signal is received, the clock selection circuit outputs Clk_1 which is coupled to output terminal 6 and when the crystal clock feedback signal is not received, the clock selection circuit outputs Clk_2 at the output of multiplexer 607 such that AND gate 612 couples Clk_2 to the output terminal to generate output clock signal CLK OUT.

[0042] It is appreciated that timing device circuit 10, 10a can have any of a number of different designs and may be specialized for any of a number of different purposes. In one embodiment the loaded timing device configuration includes output format parameters for controlling the output format of the output timing signals. The output format parameters can indicate, for example LVPECL, LVDS, HCSL, CML, HSTL, or other selectable outputs. The loaded timing device configuration can also include parameters for controlling additional PLL circuits and parameters for controlling one or more of frequency dividers 8 to generate additional outputs at other output terminals, where the circuitry for generating the additional outputs may have some or all of the features shown in FIGS. 1-6.

[0043] In the present embodiment, timing device 10 is an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) formed on a single semiconductor die. Accordingly, input terminal 1, output terminal 6, OTP NVM 2, selection logic 5, first periodic signal generator 3 and second periodic signal generator 4 are disposed on a single semiconductor die.

[0044] As is known in the art, the methods and apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a variety of other commonly known integrated circuit devices. The implementation of the invention may include both hardware and software components.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.