Abstract: A system to operate as a phase locked loop (PLL) includes a frequency synthesizer in a feedback path of the PLL and a delay line arranged to receive an output of the frequency synthesizer. A retimer subsystem is arranged to receive the output of the frequency synthesizer. A digitally controlled delay line (DCDL) is arranged to receive an output of the retimer. A phase detector is arranged to receive an output of the delay line and an output of the DCDL and to provide an error signal indicating a difference in phase of the output of the delay line relative to the output of the DCDL. A controller causes closed loop operation of the PLL during a normal operational mode and open loop operation during a calibration mode during which gain of the DCDL, defining a relationship between a control code and a resulting delay, is calibrated.

Abstract: A digitally controlled delay device includes a plurality of first delay stages connected in series between a first input port and a first output port, and a plurality of second delay stages connected in series between a second input port and a second output port. Each first delay stage of the plurality of first delay stages includes a plurality of first delay elements and each second delay stage of the plurality of second delay stages includes a corresponding plurality of second delay elements. A controller performs complementary control based on a digital control signal by controlling one or more of the plurality of first delay elements to be in a first control state and controlling a corresponding one or more of the plurality of second delay elements to be in a second control state, opposite the first control state.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to digitally controlled delay line gain calibration using error injection. An example apparatus includes a digitally controlled delay line (DCDL) with a DCDL output and configured to: receive a clock signal to be output from a voltage-controlled oscillator, and delay the clock signal to generate a first delayed clock signal. The apparatus further includes an error injection circuit with a first error injection input and a second error injection input, the first error injection input coupled to the DCDL output. The apparatus additionally includes a phase controller with a phase controller output coupled to the second error injection input, the phase controller configured to, in response to a pseudorandom binary sequence signal, instruct the error injection circuit to generate a second delayed clock signal based on a delay of the first delayed clock signal.

Abstract: A helical-element antenna as part of a communication system is mechanically steered with reference to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis within a positioning envelope greater than hemispherical. The system for mechanically steering the helical antenna includes a supporting frame having an azimuth member with a longitudinal axis coinciding with the azimuth axis around which the antenna rotates. Further, the supporting frame includes an elevation member that is integral with the azimuth member and has a longitudinal axis displaced from the azimuth axis. An interface fitting rotatably mounts the antenna to the elevation member. The supporting frame is rotatably mounted to a pedestal base that has a plane perpendicular to the azimuth axis. To position the antenna about the azimuth axis, an azimuth steering unit is energized to rotate the supporting frame 360 degrees around the azimuth axis.