IP Library Granted Patent US 8,204,166
Granted Patent B2
US 8,204,166 · App. 11/868,711 · Granted Jun 19, 2012

Clock circuit with clock transfer capability and method

Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,204,166
App. No.
11/868,711
Granted
Jun 19, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus including a multiplexer configured to provide an output clock selected from a source clock, a destination clock, and a transition clock is provided. The apparatus further includes a phase difference calculation module configured to calculate a phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock and a clock generation module configured to generate a plurality of clocks. The apparatus further includes a clock selection module configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock and a control circuit configured to provide: (1) a signal to the clock selection module for selecting one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock based on the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock and (2) a signal to the multiplexer to provide as the output clock one of the source clock, the destination clock, or the transition clock.

Claims (44)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a multiplexer configured to provide an output clock selected from a source clock, a destination clock, and a transition clock, wherein the transition clock is provided as the output clock during switching the output clock from the source clock to the destination clock;

a phase difference calculation module configured to calculate a the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock;

a clock generation module configured to generate a plurality of clocks, wherein each clock of the plurality of clocks has a phase different from another one of the plurality of clocks;

a clock selection module configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock, wherein the clock of the plurality of clocks selected first has a phase least different from the source clock from among the plurality of clocks and the phase difference between the clock of the plurality of clocks selected last and the destination clock is within the predetermined range; and

a control circuit configured to receive a clock switching signal and configured to provide:

a signal to the clock selection module for selecting one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock based on the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock and

a signal to the multiplexer to identify which one of the source clock, the destination clock, or the transition clock the multiplexer is to provide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clock selection module is configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has substantially same phase as a phase of the source clock for a first duration in response to a signal from the control circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the clock selection module is configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has a phase within a predetermined period of the phase of the source clock for a second duration subsequent to the first duration in response to a signal from the control circuit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the clock selection module is configured to keep successively selecting another clock out of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock until a phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within a predetermined range in response to a signal from the control circuit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to initially provide as the output clock the source clock.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to provide as the output clock the transition clock upon receiving the clock switching signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to provide as the output clock the destination clock when a phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within a predetermined range.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a multiplexer configured to provide an output clock selected from a source clock, a destination clock, or a transition clock, wherein the transition clock is provided as the output clock during switching the output clock from the source clock to the destination clock;

a phase calculation module configured to calculate e the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock;

a clock generation module configured to generate a plurality of clocks, wherein each of the plurality of clocks has a phase different from another one of the plurality of clocks;

a clock selection module configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock and wherein the clock selection module is configured to keep successively selecting another clock out of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock until a phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within a predetermined range; and

wherein the clock of the plurality of clocks selected first has a phase least different from the source clock from among the plurality of clocks and the phase difference between the clock of the plurality of clocks selected last and the destination clock is within the predetermined range;

a control circuit configured to receive a clock switching signal and configured to provide:

a signal to the clock selection module for selecting one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock based on the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock, and

a signal to the multiplexer to identify which one of the source clock, the destination clock, or the transition clock the multiplexer is to provide.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the clock selection module is configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has substantially same phase as a phase of the source clock for a first duration in response to a signal from the control circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the clock selection module is configured to select one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has a phase within a predetermined period of the phase of the source clock for a second duration subsequent to the first duration in response to a signal from the control circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to initially provide as the output clock the source clock.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to provide as the output clock the transition clock upon receiving the clock switching signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a signal to the multiplexer to provide as the output clock the destination clock when a phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within a predetermined range.

14. A method comprising:

providing as an output clock one of a source clock or a destination clock;

providing the source clock an output clock;

identifying the destination clock to be provided as the output clock;

generating a phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock;

generating a plurality of clocks, wherein each of the plurality of clocks has a phase different from another one of the plurality of clocks; and

in response to receiving a control signal to provide as the output clock the destination clock instead of the source clock, selecting one of the plurality of clocks as a transition clock based on the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock and

providing as the output clock the transition clock until a phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within a predetermined range,

wherein the clock of the plurality of clocks selected first has a phase least different from the source clock from among the plurality of clocks and the phase difference between the clock of the plurality of clocks selected last and the destination clock is within the predetermined range; and

providing the destination clock as the output clock after providing the clock of the plurality of clocks selected last as the output.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising in response to a control signal, selecting one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has substantially same phase as a phase of the source clock for a first duration.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising in response to a control signal, selecting another one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that has a phase within a predetermined period of the phase of the source clock for a second duration subsequent to the first duration.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving a signal to initially provide as the output clock the source clock.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing as the output clock the destination clock when the phase difference between the transition clock and the destination clock is within the predetermined range.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising selecting another one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that is advanced in phase than the phase of the source clock based on an analysis of the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising selecting another one of the plurality of clocks as the transition clock that is retarded in phase than the phase of the source clock based on an analysis of the phase difference between the source clock and the destination clock.

Assignments (22)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE LISTED CHANGE OF NAME SHOULD BE MERGER AND CHANGE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040652 FRAME: 0180. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041354/0148 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040652/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0553 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037354/0670 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024397/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024085/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 11, 2008
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021217/0368 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2007
From: BOMMAREDDY, SRINIVASA R.; PADMANABHAN, UDAY; SONI, SAMIR J.; NOMURA, KOICHI E.; JUNGELS, NICHOLAS F.; BHAN, VIVEK
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 019929/0649 →
Continuity (1)
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