Article ID: 000084332 Content Type: Troubleshooting Last Reviewed: 04/03/2014

What are my options for using manual clock switchover if one of the clocks is not available?

Environment

BUILT IN - ARTICLE INTRO SECOND COMPONENT
Description

Most device families will state in the handbook that manual clock switchover requires both clocks to be running:

  • Both inclk0 and inclk1 must be running when the clkswitch signal goes high to start the manual clock switchover event. Failing to meet this requirement causes the clock switchover to not function properly.

With this requirement, manual clock switchover cannot be used for clock redundancy applications where you need to switch to a backup clock in the event the primary clock fails.

Resolution

When clock redundancy is required, you can use automatic clock switchover, but you must ensure both clocks are running when the FPGA is configured.  If you cannot meet this requirement, you can disable the clock switchover feature in the PLL, and instead insert a clock control block in your design on the clock path between the input pins and the PLL.  This will allow you to manually select between two clock pins without any requirement that the clocks are running. 

Note, by inserting a clock control block on the input path the clock feeding the PLL will be driven over a global network, so there may be increased jitter and the clock path cannot be fully compensated.

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This article applies to 25 products

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