US Patent 7528638 Clock signal distribution with reduced parasitic loading effects

Clock signal distribution systems with reduced parasitic loading effects are provided. A reference clock is frequency-divided to produce a lower frequency clock signal. A delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit locks to the lower frequency clock signal, and outputs a corresponding lower frequency clock signal for distribution over a long trace. Power consumption caused by parasitic capacitance of the trace is thereby reduced. Parasitic effects associated with clock jitter are also reduced. A frequency multiplying phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit locks to the lower frequency clock signal, and outputs at least one clock signal having a higher frequency than the lower frequency signal.