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US 8,284,881 B2Granted
Data interface and method of seeking synchronization
AssigneeNXP B.V.
InventorsDavy Witters, Jo Frisson, Steven De Cuyper, James Joseph McCormack
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AssigneeNXP B.V.
InventorsDavy Witters, Jo Frisson, Steven De Cuyper, James Joseph McCormack
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides for method of seeking synchronization at a data interface between a transmitting element and a receiving element, and to related transmitting and receiving elements of the interface, in which the clock frequency of both elements is the same but which exhibit a phase difference, also known as mesochronous clock domains, the method including the steps of, prior to data transfer at the interface, delivering a strobe signal generated at the transmitting element to the receiving element, generating a strobe signal at the receiving element and synchronizing the same to the strobe signal received from the transmitting element, and maintaining the synchronized strobe signal generated at the receiving element for the sampling of data appearing at the interface from the transmitting element.
A method of seeking synchronization at a data interface between a transmitting element and a receiving element, the clock frequency of both elements being the same but exhibiting a phase difference, the method including the steps of, prior to data transfer at the interface:
A transmitting element arranged for transmitting data to a receiving element interfaced thereto by way of a plurality of data lines, the clock frequency of both the transmitting and receiving elements being the same but exhibiting a phase difference and the transmitting element being arranged to generate a strobe signal and transmit the strobe signal to the receiving element by way of one of said data lines and before transmission of data thereon, the transmitting element further being arranged to control generation of said strobe signal subsequent to its transmission to the receiving element for the control of data transfer via the plurality of data lines to the receiving element, wherein the strobe signal is arranged to toggle every two clock cycles and on the same one of the four edges of such two clock cycles.
A receiving element arranged for receiving data from a transmitting element interfaced thereto and by way of a plurality of data lines, the clock from the transmitting and receiving elements being the same but exhibiting a phase difference, the receiving element being arranged to receive a strobe signal from the transmitting element on one of the said plurality of data lines and prior to transfer of data thereon, and being arranged to generate a strobe signal synchronized to the received strobe signal, and maintaining the strobe signal generated therein for sampling of data appearing on the said plurality of data lines, and arranged for determining if the strobe signal received from the transmitting element toggles in front of a rising edge, or in front of a falling edge, of the clock signal, wherein the determination of the moment of receipt of the strobe signal is conducted by way of an XOR circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.