Phase adjustment apparatus and semiconductor test apparatus
A phase adjustment apparatus and a semiconductor test apparatus for automatically correcting irregularities of propagation delay of a transmission signal, so that the transmission signal transmitted between apparatuses while synchronized with a high-speed clock can be received at a stable optimal timing at a receiving end. The phase adjustment apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal synchronized with a clock between a first apparatus of the sending end and a second apparatus of the receiving end includes phase adjustment means used when retiming the transmission signal with the clock of the receiving end of the second apparatus. That is, the phase adjustment means corrects an unknown phase relationship between the clock of the receiving end and the transmission signal and delays the transmission signal by a specified amount for adjustment so that the signal can be received with a stable retiming condition.
1. A phase adjustment apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal synchronized with a clock between a first apparatus of a sending end and a second apparatus of a receiving end, comprising;
variable delay means inserted into a line through which said transmission signal is transmitted from said first apparatus to second apparatus;
continuous pulse signal generating means for continuously generating pulse signals which are alternately inverted while synchronized with said clock from said first apparatus; and
phase controlling means for supplying code data to control a delay amount to said variable delay means based on delayed pulse signals, which result from receiving said continuously generated pulse signals via said variable delay means, and on retimed signals, which result from performing retiming of said delayed pulse signals with clock of said receiving end,
wherein said continuous pulse signal generating means comprises:
a flip-flop for receiving an output from a preceding multiplexer and supplying said transmission signals, on which retiming has been performed with said clock of said first apparatus, to said second apparatus; and
said multiplexer for supplying a signal to be transmitted from said first apparatus of said sending end to an input terminal of said flip-flop on a normal operation mode, and for supplying an inverted output signal from said flip-flop to an input terminal of said flip-flop on a phase adjustment mode in which said continuously pulse signals are generated.
2. A phase adjustment apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal synchronized with a clock between a first apparatus of a sending end and a second apparatus of a receiving end, comprising;
variable delay means inserted into a line through which said transmission signal is transmitted from said first apparatus to second apparatus;
continuous pulse signal generating means for continuously generating pulse signals which are alternately inverted while synchronized with said clock from said first apparatus;
semi-fixed delay means for receiving a clock of said receiving end and outputting a delay clock delayed by a predetermined amount; and
phase controlling means for supplying code data to control a delay amount to said variable delay means based on delayed pulse signals, which result from receiving said continuously generated pulse signals via said variable delay means, and on retimed signals, which result from performing retiming of said delayed pulse signals with said delay clock,
wherein said continuous pulse signal generating means comprises:
a flip-flop for receiving an output from a preceding multiplexer and supplying said transmission signals, on which retiming has been performed with said clock of said first apparatus, to said second apparatus; and
said multiplexer for supplying a signal to be transmitted from said first apparatus of said sending end to an input terminal of said flip-flop on a normal operation mode, and for supplying an inverted output signal from said flip-flop to an input terminal of said flip-flop on a phase adjustment mode in which said continuously pulse signals are generated.
3. The semiconductor test apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal between apparatuses or circuits while synchronizing said signal with a clock, comprising said phase adjustment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .
4. The semiconductor test apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal between apparatuses or circuits while synchronizing said signal with a clock, comprising said phase adjustment apparatus as claimed in claim 2 .