[0001] The invention relates generally to a retiming circuit or retimer and, more particularly, to a retimer for clock dividers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional divider 100. Divider 100 generally comprises a delay chain, counter 102, delay circuit 104, preconditioner 106, retimer 108, and driver 110. Generally, the delay chain is comprised of clock buffers 112 and 114 that receive a differential clock signal CLKIN and generate delayed, differential clock signals CLK1 and CLK2. Typically, buffers 112 and 114 isolate and sharpen the resistor-capacitor (RC) limited clock signal CLKIN, effectively, "cleaning up" the clock signal CLKIN. Buffers 112 and 114 each also introduce a delay.

[0003] In operation, these differential clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 are provided to the counter 102, delay circuit 104, preconditioner 106, and retimer 108 so that a divided clock signal CLKOUT can be output from driver 110. In particular, counter 102 (which can be reset by reset signal RST and which has a programmable division to divide clock signal CLKIN) receives clock signal CLK1, along with the delay circuit 104 and preconditioner 106. Retimer 108, on the other hand, receives clock signal CLK2. A reason for this particular arrangement is power conservation because it allows counter 102, delay circuit 104, and preconditioner 106 to be "sloppy."

[0004] FIG. IB is a more detailed diagram of preconditioner 106 and retimer 108.

Preconditioner 106 is generally comprised of logic 116 that receives data from delay circuit 104 and performs logical operations on the data and flip-flops 118 and 120 (which are clocked by clock signal CLK1 and the inverse of clock signal CLK1). Essentially, preconditioner 106 formulates data from delay circuit 104 to retimer 108 for 50% duty cycle and ½ cycle delay. Each of flip-flops 118 and 120 are coupled to flip-flops 122 and 124 of retimer 108, respectively. The flip-flops 122 and 124 are timed or clocked by clock signal CLK2 and the inverse of clock signal CLK2, respectively. OR gate 126 receives output from flip-flops 122 and 124 (so as to generate a 50% duty cycle, and multiplexer or mux 128 receives clock signal CLK2 and the signal from OR gate 126 to generate output signal OUT for driver 110. Essentially, the retimer 108 generates a clock counter output with a lower noise clock.

[0005] A problem with this arrangement, however, is that circuit 108 consumes too much power, is too noisy, and is too large. Generally speaking, phase noise and jitter are a function of retiming as is the power consumption. Thus, there is a need for a smaller circuit with lower power consumption and less noise.

[0006] Some other examples of conventional circuits are: U.S. Patent No. 7,356,106;

U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2005/0135471; and PCT Publ. No. WO2008/132669.

SUMMARY

[0007] A described embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a preconditioner that receives a first differential clock signal and a data signal and that generates a first differential output signal and a second differential output signal; and a retimer having: a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a first differential input pair that is coupled to the first and second output terminals and that receives the first differential output signal; a second differential input pair that is coupled to the first and second output terminals and that receives the second differential output signal; a wired-OR gate that is coupled to each of the first and second differential pairs; and a pair of clock input transistors that is coupled to the first and second differential input pairs and that receives a second differential clock signal.

[0008] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second differential pairs further comprises: a first bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired- OR gate at its collector and that receives a first portion of one of the first and second differential output signals at its base; and a second bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector, that receives a second portion of one of the first and second differential output signals at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor at its emitter.

[0009] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a first clock buffer that receives an input clocks signal and that outputs the second differential clock signal; and a second clock buffer that is coupled to the first delay circuit and that outputs the first differential clock signal. [0010] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the preconditioner further comprises: logic that receives the data signal; a first flip-flop that is coupled to the logic, that is receives the first differential clock signal, and that outputs the first differential output signal; and a second flip-flop that is coupled to the logic, that receives an inverse of the first differential clock signal, and that outputs the second differential output signal.

[0011] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a third bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors of the first differential pair at its collector and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a fourth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors of the second differential pair at its collector, that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the third bipolar transistor at its emitter.

[0012] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a current source that is coupled to the emitters of the third and four bipolar transistors.

[0013] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a third bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors of the first differential pair at its emitter and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a fourth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors of the second differential pair at its emitter and that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base.

[0014] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a first current source that is coupled to the emitter of the third bipolar transistor; and a second current source that is coupled to the emitter of the fourth bipolar transistor.

[0015] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a preconditioner that receives a first differential clock signal and a data signal and that generates a first differential output signal and a second differential output signal; and a retimer having: a first voltage rail; a second voltage rail; a wired-OR gate a first output terminal, and a second output terminal; a first resistor coupled between the first voltage rail and the first output terminal; a second resistor coupled between the first voltage rail and the second output terminal; a first bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector and that receives a first portion of the first differential output signal at its base; and a second bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector, that receives a second portion of the first differential output signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor at its emitter; a third bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired- OR gate at its collector and that receives a first portion of the second differential output signal at its base; and a fourth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector, that receives a second portion of the second differential output signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor at its emitter; and a pair of clock input transistors, wherein each transistors from the pair of clock input transistors is coupled to the emitter of one of the first, second, third, and fourth bipolar transistors differential that receives a second differential clock signal.

[0016] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, each of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors is an NPN transistor.

[0017] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a fifth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors at its collector and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a sixth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the third and fourth bipolar transistors at its collector, that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the fifth bipolar transistor at its emitter.

[0018] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a current source that is coupled to the emitters of the fifth and sixth bipolar transistors.

[0019] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a fifth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second bipolar transistors at its emitter and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a sixth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the third and fourth bipolar transistors at its emitter and that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base. [0020] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a first current source that is coupled to the emitter of the fifth bipolar transistor; and a second current source that is coupled to the emitter of the sixth bipolar transistor.

[0021] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprising: a delay chain that receives an input clock signal and that generates a plurality of differential clock signals; a counter having a programmable division and that is coupled to the delay chain to receive a first differential clock signal of the plurality of differential clock signals; a delay circuit that is coupled to the counter and that receives the first differential clock signal; a preconditioner that is coupled to the delay circuit, that receives the first differential clock signal, and that generates a first differential output signal and a second differential output signal, wherein the preconditioner includes: logic that receives the data signal; a first flip-flop that is coupled to the logic, that is receives the first differential clock signal, and that outputs the first differential output signal; and a second flip-flop that is coupled to the logic, that receives an inverse of the first differential clock signal, and that outputs the second differential output signal; a retimer having: a first voltage rail; a second voltage rail; a wired-OR gate a first output terminal, and a second output terminal; a first resistor coupled between the first voltage rail and the first output terminal; a second resistor coupled between the first voltage rail and the second output terminal; a first NPN transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector and that receives a first portion of the first differential output signal at its base; and a second NPN transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector, that receives a second portion of the first differential output signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor at its emitter; a third NPN transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector and that receives a first portion of the second differential output signal at its base; and a fourth NPN transistor that is coupled to the wired-OR gate at its collector, that receives a second portion of the second differential output signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor at its emitter; and a pair of clock input transistors, wherein each transistors from the pair of clock input transistors is coupled to the emitter of one of the first, second, third, and fourth bipolar transistors differential that receives a second differential clock signal; and a driver that is coupled to the first and second output terminals of the retimer so as to output a divided clock signal. [0022] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a fifth NPN transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second NPN transistors at its collector and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a sixth bipolar transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the third and fourth NPN transistors at its collector, that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base, and that is coupled to the emitter of the fifth NPN transistor at its emitter.

[0023] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a current source that is coupled to the emitters of the fifth and sixth NPN transistors.

[0024] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the pair of clock input transistors further comprises: a fifth NPN transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the first and second NPN transistors at its emitter and that receives a first portion of the second differential clock signal at its base; and a sixth NPN transistor that is coupled to the emitters of the third and fourth NPN transistors at its emitter and that receives a second portion of the second differential clock signal at its base.

[0025] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises: a first current source that is coupled to the emitter of the fifth NPN transistor; and a second current source that is coupled to the emitter of the sixth NPN transistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Example embodiments illustrating principles of the invention are described below with reference to accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0027] FIGS. 1A and IB are a block diagrams of a conventional divider;

[0028] FIGS. 2A is a block diagram of a retimer and preconditioner in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; and

[0029] FIGS. 2B and 2C are circuit diagrams for the retimer of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 2A shows a retimer 202 and preconditioner 204 (which are intended to replace preconditioner 106 and retimer 108 of FIG. 1) in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention can be seen. Retimer 202 is generally comprised of an integrated signal stage 212, while preconditioner 204 is generally the same as preconditioner 106, except that logic 116 has been replaced with logic 206. Logic 206 is mapped to operate with stage 212.

[0031] In FIG. 2B, an example of the stage 212 (which is referred to as 212-1 in FIG. 2B) can be seen in greater detail. Here, resistors Rl and R2 (which are each about 200Ω) are generally coupled between voltage rail VDD and output terminals OUTP and OUTN and cascoded differential pairs Q1/Q2, Q3/Q4, and Q5/Q6 (which are preferably NPN transistors) are generally coupled to the output terminals OUTP and OUTN. The differential pair Ql and Q2 receives an "even" signal from flip-flop 118, and differential pair Q3 and Q4 receives an "odd" signal from flip-flop 120. Additionally, because each of these differential pairs Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4 is coupled to both output terminals OUTP and OUTN, a wired-OR gate 216 is created. Clock signal CLK2 then is provided to the differential pair Q5/Q6 (which is coupled to each of the differential pairs Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4). Additionally, current source 214-1 is coupled between the differential pair Q5/Q6 and voltage rail VSS (which is typically at ground).

[0032] In operation, the "even" and "odd" signals from flip-flops 118 and 120 may not be completely aligned, and stage 212 generally enables realigning or retiming. Assuming that terminals EP and ON are logic high (or "1") and terminals OP and EN are logic low (or "0"), the output terminals OUTP and OUTN toggle with the clock signals CLK2 input into terminals CLKP and CLKN. Additionally, assuming that terminals EN and OP are high and terminals ON and EP are low, the output terminals OUTP and OUTN toggle with the clock signals CLK2 input into terminals CLKP and CLKN. Thus, retimer 202 enables retiming with a more compact arrangement and lower power consumption compared to conventional retimers (such as retimer 108).

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2C, an example of the stage 212 (which is referred to as 212-

2 in FIG. 2B) can be seen in greater detail. Stage 212-2 has a similar structure to stage 212-1, including many of the same components. Some difference between stages 212-1 and 212-2 are that current source 214-1 has been replaced by current sources 214-2 and 214-3 and that transistors Q5 and Q6 are arranged to be in parallel with differential pairs Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4, respectively. This arrangement in stage 212-2 enables operation at a lower voltage compared to stage 212-1 with the same general functionality. [0034] Embodiments having different combinations of one or more of the features or steps described in the context of example embodiments having all or just some of such features or steps are intended to be covered hereby. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments and variations are also possible within the scope of the claimed invention.