Abstract: A high gain differential amplifier includes first through eighth transistors, first through third degeneration resistors, and first through third current sources. The fourth and fifth transistors form a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor pair. Further, the second and eighth transistors form a current mirror circuit. The PMOS transistor pair and the current mirror circuit form a common mode feedback circuit. The high gain differential amplifier controls the common-mode output voltage with the common mode feedback circuit and a reference voltage.

Abstract: A lock time measurement system to determine a lock time includes a measurement device, a serializer-deserializer (SERDES), a pattern generator, and a splitter. In a first mode, the SERDES receives first data from the pattern generator by way of the splitter. A receiver of the SERDES outputs a recovered clock signal based on the first data to a transmitter. The transmitter includes a serializer and a multiplexer. The serializer receives the recovered clock signal by way of the multiplexer and modifies second data based on the recovered clock signal and outputs serial data. A measurement device, connected to the transmitter and the splitter determines the lock time. In a second mode, the SERDES functions as a transmitter for transmitting data and a receiver for receiving data in a communication link. The system has a better accuracy and utilizes existing receiver and driver circuits.

Abstract: A duty cycle correction (DCC) circuit includes first and second pluralities of logic gates, a low pass filter, an error amplifier, and a differential amplifier. The DCC circuit receives first and second clock signals from the VCO. The first and second pluralities of logic gates receive first and second superimposed clock signals and generate first and second output clock signals, respectively. The error amplifier rectifies a common error of the first and second output clock signals, and generates a common mode error voltage signal. The differential amplifier generates first and second error signals based on the common mode error voltage signal. The first and second error signals converge the duty cycles of the first and second output clock signals to a 50% duty cycle.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes a first inverter, a bias-control circuit, and a second inverter. The first inverter, which is connected between a first supply voltage and ground, receives an input data signal and generates an inverted version of the input data signal. The bias-control circuit, which is connected between a second supply voltage and the first inverter, receives the inverted version of the input data signal and a bias signal, and generates a level-shifted data signal based on the inverted version of the input data signal, the bias signal, and the second supply voltage. The bias-control circuit reduces a difference between voltage levels of the second supply voltage and the inverted version of the input data signal. The second inverter is connected between the second supply voltage and ground, and further connected to the bias-control circuit and first inverter and generates an output data signal.

Abstract: A system for serializing input data signals and generating an output data signal includes a FIFO memory that launches the input data signals at different phases of a clock signal. The system further includes multiple stages of a serializer circuit, and each stage of the serializer circuit receives a clock signal. Each successive stage includes half the number of serializer circuits that are included in the previous stage, and each successive stage is clocked by a clock signal that transitions at twice the frequency of the previous stage clock signal. The serializer circuits that belong to a single stage receive the clock signal with different phase. The phase and frequency of clock signals of serializer stages are adjusted such that a launched input data signal is outputted as the output data signal. Further, a critical path for each serializer circuit is equal to full clock cycle of the clock signal.

Abstract: A high gain differential amplifier includes first through eighth transistors, first through third degeneration resistors, and first through third current sources. The fourth and fifth transistors form a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor pair. Further, the second and eighth transistors form a current mirror circuit. The PMOS transistor pair and the current mirror circuit form a common mode feedback circuit. The high gain differential amplifier controls the common-mode output voltage with the common mode feedback circuit and a reference voltage.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes a first inverter, a bias-control circuit, and a second inverter. The first inverter, which is connected between a first supply voltage and ground, receives an input data signal and generates an inverted version of the input data signal. The bias-control circuit, which is connected between a second supply voltage and the first inverter, receives the inverted version of the input data signal and a bias signal, and generates a level-shifted data signal based on the inverted version of the input data signal, the bias signal, and the second supply voltage. The bias-control circuit reduces a difference between voltage levels of the second supply voltage and the inverted version of the input data signal. The second inverter is connected between the second supply voltage and ground, and further connected to the bias-control circuit and first inverter and generates an output data signal.

Abstract: A system for serializing input data signals and generating an output data signal includes a FIFO memory that launches the input data signals at different phases of a clock signal. The system further includes multiple stages of a serializer circuit, and each stage of the serializer circuit receives a clock signal. Each successive stage includes half the number of serializer circuits that are included in the previous stage, and each successive stage is clocked by a clock signal that transitions at twice the frequency of the previous stage clock signal. The serializer circuits that belong to a single stage receive the clock signal with different phase. The phase and frequency of clock signals of serializer stages are adjusted such that a launched input data signal is outputted as the output data signal. Further, a critical path for each serializer circuit is equal to full clock cycle of the clock signal.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit includes first through ninth samplers, a clock recovery circuit, a level finding circuit, an offset voltage generator, and a data recovery circuit. Each of the first through ninth samplers samples a data signal based on one of first through ninth reference offset voltage levels to generate first through ninth intermediate signals, respectively. The clock recovery circuit generates the first through fourth clock signals based on the first, second, fifth, and eighth intermediate signals. The level finding circuit generates a band level signal by varying the third intermediate signal. The offset voltage generator generates one of: the fourth and seventh reference offset voltage levels, the fifth and eighth reference offset voltage levels, and the sixth and ninth reference offset voltage levels based on the band level signal. The data recovery circuit detects an output data signal based on the fourth through ninth intermediate signals.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery circuit includes a phase detector, an adder, and an oscillator circuit. The phase detector includes a sampling circuit, a comparison circuit, and a resampling circuit. The sampling circuit includes first through fourth flip-flops for receiving a data signal and first through fourth clock signals, and generating first through fourth sampling signals. The comparison circuit includes first through fourth logic gates for receiving the first through fourth sampling signals and generating first through fourth comparison signals, respectively. The resampling circuit includes fifth through eighth flip-flops for receiving the first through fourth comparison signals and the first through fourth clock signals, and generating first through fourth control signals, respectively. The adder receives the first through fourth control signals, and generates a frequency control signal. The oscillator circuit receives the frequency control signal, generates the first through fourth clock signals.

Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) includes first through sixth flip-flops, and first and second summer circuits. The first through fourth flip-flops sample an analog input signal received at the first and second summer circuits, detect the logic level of a data bit in the analog input signal and generate the first through fourth compensated signals. The first multiplexer outputs at least one of the first and second compensated signals as a first feedback signal, based on a fourth feedback signal generated by the sixth flip-flop. The second multiplexer outputs at least one of the third and fourth compensated signals as a second feedback signal, based on a third feedback signal generated by the fifth flip-flop. The first and second feedback signals are multiplied by a weight coefficient and fed back to the first and second summer circuit, respectively, to compensate an error in the analog input signal.

Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) includes first through sixth flip-flops, and first and second summer circuits. The first through fourth flip-flops sample an analog input signal received at the first and second summer circuits, detect the logic level of a data bit in the analog input signal and generate the first through fourth compensated signals. The first multiplexer outputs at least one of the first and second compensated signals as a first feedback signal, based on a fourth feedback signal generated by the sixth flip-flop. The second multiplexer outputs at least one of the third and fourth compensated signals as a second feedback signal, based on a third feedback signal generated by the fifth flip-flop. The first and second feedback signals are multiplied by a weight coefficient and fed back to the first and second summer circuit, respectively, to compensate an error in the analog input signal.

Abstract: A system and method for managing estimation and calibration of non-ideality of a Clock and Data Recovery circuit includes phase interpolators (PIs), first and second sets of delay elements, and a clock delay element. A first delay element of the first set of delay elements is programmed using a first digital delay control code (DDCC). The clock delay element is calibrated using a digital external delay control code (DEDCC) till a predetermined criterion is met, and is retained for subsequent use. The remaining delay elements of the first set of delay elements are separately calibrated based on the DEDCC. A first delay element of the second set of delay elements is programmed using a second DDCC. The DEDCC is readjusted for the second set of delay elements. The remaining delay elements of the second set of delay elements are separately calibrated based on the readjusted DEDCC.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit that receives an input signal and generates clock and sampled output signals includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD) circuit, a control circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a current-controlled oscillator (CCO) and a data sampler. The PFD generates intermediate and fine digital control signals. The DAC receives the intermediate digital control signal as a coarse digital control signal and the fine digital control signal and generates an output current. The CCO receives the output current and generates the clock signal. The coarse digital control signal is used to coarse calibrate a frequency of the clock signal and the fine digital control signal is used to fine calibrate the frequency of the clock signal. The data sampler receives the clock signal and samples the input signal at the frequency of the clock signal to generate the sampled output signal.

Abstract: A circuit for use with PWM signal having first pulse and a second pulse, wherein the first pulse has a period and a first duty cycle, and the second pulse has the period and a second duty cycle. The period has clock information therein, the first duty cycle has first data information therein, and the second duty cycle has second data information therein. The circuit includes a first integrating component and a second integrating component. The first integrating component can generate a first voltage corresponding to the first duty cycle and a second voltage corresponding to the first duty cycle. The second integrating component can generate a third voltage corresponding to the second duty cycle and a fourth voltage corresponding to the second duty cycle.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery module (CDR) is configured to perform fast locking using only two samples per each unit interval (UI). Two clock phase signals are selected from a plurality of clock phase signals. A sequence of data bits is sampled at a rate of two times per UI responsive to the two clock phase signals in which a first sample of each UI is designated as an edge sample a second sample is designated as a data sample. Each edge sample is voted as early/late as compared to an associated data transition of the sequence of data bits by comparing each edge sample to a next data sample. The sample clocks are locked such that edge samples occur in proximity to data transitions by iteratively adjusting a phase of the two selected clock phase signals by a variable step size in response to the early/late vote.

Abstract: A method for managing estimation and calibration of non-ideality of a Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) circuit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a duty cycle correction circuit comprises a first set of inverters connected in series, a first filter, a first feedback circuit and a second feedback circuit. A first inverter in the series is configured to receive a clock signal and a last inverter in the series is configured to provide a first output clock signal. The first filter is configured to generate a first direct current (DC) voltage signal at an output of the first filter. The first feedback circuit is configured to control a rise time of a signal transition at an output terminal of the first inverter to control a duty cycle of the first output clock cycle. The second feedback circuit is configured to control a fall time of the signal transition at the output terminal of the first inverter to control the duty cycle of the first output clock cycle.

Abstract: A sigma delta DAC using a single DAC to generate a first analog quantity portion and a second analog quantity portion, having a strength respectively proportionate to the most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs) of a received digital value. The two portions are added to generate an analog output representing the strength of the digital value. In an embodiment, the single DAC contains a set of current sources, with some of the current sources (determined by the value of the MSBs) being connected to provide the corresponding output currents on a first path. Some of the other current sources, determined by a value of the LSBs, are controlled to be connected to provide the corresponding output currents on a second path. The time durations the currents are connected to the second path, are determined by the output of a sigma delta modulator.

Abstract: A sigma delta DAC using a single DAC to generate a first analog quantity portion and a second analog quantity portion, having a strength respectively proportionate to the most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs) of a received digital value. The two portions are added to generate an analog output representing the strength of the digital value. In an embodiment, the single DAC contains a set of current sources, with some of the current sources (determined by the value of the MSBs) being connected to provide the corresponding output currents on a first path. Some of the other current sources, determined by a value of the LSBs, are controlled to be connected to provide the corresponding output currents on a second path. The time durations the currents are connected to the second path, are determined by the output of a sigma delta modulator.