Abstract: A voltage of an input analog signal (105 or 405) can be converted to a signal whose frequency is dependent upon the analog input signal (135 or 435). A frequency divider (115 or 415) can be configured to convert the frequency dependent signal to a frequency divided signal (140 or 440). A first frequency detector (420a) or time detector (120a) can be configured to determine the frequency of the frequency divided signal, thereby creating a first output signal (145a or 445a). A second frequency detector (420b) or time detector (120b) can be configured to determine the frequency of the frequency dependent or non-frequency divided signal, thereby creating a second output signal (145b or 445b). The first and second output signals can be post-processed to generate a digital output signal (130 or 430) that is representative of the input analog signal.

Abstract: A clock recovery circuit that operates at a clock speed equal to one-half the input data rate is presented. The clock recovery circuit uses dual input latches to sample the incoming serial data on both the rising edge and falling edge of a half-rate clock signal to provide equivalent full data rate clock recovery. The clock recovery circuit functions to maintain the half-rate clock transitions in the center of the incoming serial data bits. The clock recovery circuit includes a phase detector, charge pump, controlled oscillation module and a feedback module. The phase detector produces information on the phase and data transitions in the incoming data signal to the charge pump. Generally, the circuit is delay insensitive and receives phase and transition information staggered relative to each other.

Abstract: A voltage of an input analog signal (105 or 405) can be converted to a signal whose frequency is dependent upon the analog input signal (135 or 435). A frequency divider (115 or 415) can be configured to convert the frequency dependent signal to a frequency divided signal (140 or 440). A first frequency detector (420a) or time detector (120a) can be configured to determine the frequency of the frequency divided signal, thereby creating a first output signal (145a or 445a). A second frequency detector (420b) or time detector (120b) can be configured to determine the frequency of the frequency dependent or non-frequency divided signal, thereby creating a second output signal (145b or 445b). The first and second output signals can be post-processed to generate a digital output signal (130 or 430) that is representative of the input analog signal.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining variation between an input clock signal (CLK0) and a reference clock signal (REFCLK) is provided. A plurality of time shifted input clock signals (CLK0, CLK1, . . . , CLK09) can be generated from a single input clock signal (CLK0). The plurality of time shifted input clock signals (CLK0, CLK1, . . . , CLK09) can be sampled at successive periodic intervals occurring relative to the reference clock signal (REFCLK). For each of the time shifted input clock signals (CLK0, CLK1, . . . , CLK09), a sampled value for a succeeding and a preceding periodic interval can be compared to determine whether there is a variation between an input clock signal (CLK0) and a reference clock signal (REFCLK).

Abstract: In many electronic systems, it is common to communicate data from a transmitter in one device to a receiver in another. Accurate communications requires use of several matched clock signals. Mismatches in these clock signals cause transmitters to add “jitter” to transmitted data or receivers to be more intolerant of jitter in received signals, increasing the chances of mis-interpreting the data. Accordingly, the inventors devised an exemplary clock-distribution method which entails generating a base set of matched clock signals, deriving at least two separate sets of matched clock signals from the base set, and distributing one of the sets of clock signals to a set of matched components in a circuit and the other set of matched clock signals to a different set of components in the same circuit. The clock signals driving the matched components are isolated from mismatched aspects of the other components, and thus exhibit better matching.

Abstract: Electronic devices are typically coupled together to operate as systems that require the communication of data from one device to another. Many such devices include a ring oscillator, a circuit that generates one or more oscillating signals using a series of interconnected delay circuits. One problem with conventional ring oscillators concerns differences in the signal paths between the delay circuits. Accordingly, the present inventors devised several oscillators having unique layouts, which reduce differences in the signal paths between delay circuits. One exemplary oscillator includes a sequence of delay circuits having input-output connections between at least two pairs of non-adjacent delay circuits. Another exemplary oscillator provides two groups of delay circuits with a bus between the two groups, intercoupling the circuits. And, another exemplary oscillator arranges three or more delay circuits to form a closed loop.