Semiconductor & Computer Engineering
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{{title|Clock Cycle}} | {{title|Clock Cycle}} | ||
| − | '''Clock Cycle''' (also known as '''clock period''', '''clock tick''', or simply a '''tick''' or a '''cycle''') is the minimum time unit required to perform the most basic | + | '''Clock Cycle''' (also known as '''clock period''', '''clock tick''', or simply a '''tick''' or a '''cycle''') is the minimum time unit required to perform all the most basic operations in a [[synchronous circuit]] such as a value transfer between two buffers. The length of a single clock cycle is the time required for one complete clock pulse. It is the reciprocal of the [[clock speed]]. |
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| + | == Overview == | ||
| + | The clock cycle is a fundamental part of all [[synchronous circuits]] which must accommodate the time taken for the longest [[critical path]] for all possible states in a circuit. In other words, it's usually the sum of all the wire and switching delay for the longest indivisible portion of the circuit. The clock cycle is usually a constant value, although various [[power management mechanisms]] can modulate it to achieve better performance and efficiency attributes. | ||
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| + | The clock cycle is the reciprocal of the [[clock speed]]. | ||
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| + | :<math>\text{clock cycle} = \frac{1}{\text{clock speed}}</math> | ||
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| + | For example, a [[microprocessor]] operating at 1 GHz has a clock cycle of 1 [[ns]]. | ||
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| + | :<math>\text{clock cycle} = \frac{1}{1 \text{GHz}} = 1 ns</math> | ||
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| + | === Relation to execution time === | ||
| + | {{main|runtime}} | ||
| + | Thus, the [[runtime|length of time it takes to execute]] [[serialized code]] is directly related to the length of a clock cycle (or clock speed). | ||
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| + | :<math>\text{execution time} = \text{clock cycles for a code} \times \text{clock cycle} = \frac{\text{clock cycles for a code}}{\text{clock speed}}</math> | ||
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| + | == See also == | ||
| + | * [[clock speed]] | ||
| + | * [[synchronous circuits]] | ||
| + | * [[critical path]] | ||
| + | * [[performance]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 15:58, 4 January 2019
Clock Cycle (also known as clock period, clock tick, or simply a tick or a cycle) is the minimum time unit required to perform all the most basic operations in a synchronous circuit such as a value transfer between two buffers. The length of a single clock cycle is the time required for one complete clock pulse. It is the reciprocal of the clock speed.
Overview[edit]
The clock cycle is a fundamental part of all synchronous circuits which must accommodate the time taken for the longest critical path for all possible states in a circuit. In other words, it's usually the sum of all the wire and switching delay for the longest indivisible portion of the circuit. The clock cycle is usually a constant value, although various power management mechanisms can modulate it to achieve better performance and efficiency attributes.
The clock cycle is the reciprocal of the clock speed.
For example, a microprocessor operating at 1 GHz has a clock cycle of 1 ns.
Relation to execution time[edit]
- Main article: runtime
Thus, the length of time it takes to execute serialized code is directly related to the length of a clock cycle (or clock speed).
See also[edit]
 |
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