Method and apparatus for controlling timing of digital components
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorEric J. Stave
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for controlling a timing of a digital component having an impedance-input terminal. The method includes determining an impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal, and delaying the timing of the digital component based on the impedance level. The present invention also provides a digital component and a system, where the digital component includes an impedance-input terminal and an impedance matching circuit that is capable of determining an impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal. The digital component also includes a delay circuit that is capable of delaying a timing of the digital component based on the impedance level.
Claims30
A method for controlling the timing of a signal in a digital component having an impedance-input terminal, comprising:
- determining an impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal by generating an output signal proportional to a voltage difference between the impedance-input terminal and a reference terminal having a preselected voltage;
- controlling a channel device in response to the output signal until the voltage at the impedance terminal substantially equals the preselected voltage at the reference terminal;
- and
- delaying the timing of the signal in the digital component based on the impedance level.
A digital component comprising:
- an impedance-input terminal;
- an impedance matching circuit adapted to determine an impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal the impedance matching circuit comprising:
- a differential amplifier having an input terminal coupled to the impedance-input terminal, a reference terminal coupled to a voltage source, and an output terminal;
- a control logic having an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the differential amplifier, and an output terminal;
- and
- a load matching device having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal of the differential amplifier, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the control logic, and an output terminal adapted to provide a control signal;
- and
- a delay circuit adapted to control a timing of a signal in the digital component based on the impedance level.
An electrical component adapted to receive a first signal and delivering a second signal, comprising:
- a delay circuit adapted to receive the first signal and deliver the second signal after a programmable delay responsive to receiving a control signal, the magnitude of the programmable delay being responsive to the magnitude of the control signal;
- an impedance input terminal adapted to receive an impedance level signal;
- and
- an impedance matching circuit adapted to receive the impedance level signal and a reference signal and adapted to deliver the control signal to the delay circuit, the control signal having a magnitude responsive to a difference between the impedance level signal and the reference signal.
A digital component comprising:
- an impedance-input terminal;
- an impedance matching circuit adapted to determine an impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal;
- and
- a delay circuit adapted to control a timing of a signal in the digital component based on the impedance level, wherein the delay circuit comprises a delay cell adapted to provide a variable delay in response to a control signal.
A method for delaying a signal, in a digital component having an impedance-input terminal, comprising:
- providing a reference level;
- controlling an impedance level at the impedance-input terminal;
- determining the impedance level present at the impedance-input terminal;
- generating a control signal in response to a difference between the impedance level and the reference level;
- and
- delaying the signal in the digital component in response to the control signal.
A method for delaying a signal in a digital component having an impedance-input terminal, comprising:
- providing a reference level;
- generating a control signal in response to a difference between the reference level and a level at the impedance-input terminal;
- and
- delaying the signal in the digital component in response to the control signal.
A digital component, comprising:
- a reference node;
- an impedance node;
- a first circuit coupled to the reference node and coupled to the impedance node, the circuit adapted to generate a control signal in response to a difference in voltages at the reference node and the impedance node;
- and
- a delay circuit coupled to the first circuit, the delay circuit adapted to delay a signal in the digital component in response to the control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.