Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ring-oscillator with glitch-free frequency-tuning. The disclosed ring-oscillator at least includes multiple delay stages coupled in series within a ring loop and having a first delay stage, a capacitor bank coupled between an output of the first delay stage and ground, and a timing block configured to receive an output signal of the first delay stage and at least one controlling signal. The at least one controlling signal determines at least one capacitor in the capacitor bank connecting or disconnecting to the ring loop. The timing block is configured to pass or not pass the at least one controlling signal to the capacitor bank based on whether the output signal of the first delay stage meets a certain condition. Therefore, the connection or disconnection of the at least one capacitor does not cause a significant voltage change at the output of the first delay stage.

Abstract: A communication system includes a RF subsystem that communicates with a BB subsystem through a digital RF-BB interface multiplexing I/Q data and control signals in both TX and RX directions. The RF subsystem includes a FIFO buffer in each respective TX and RX chain and a timer that assigns a timestamp to the continuous stream in both TX and RX chains whenever it is equal to a time event from the BB subsystem. The BB subsystem includes a sample counter that counts the number (k) of data samples at the FIFO buffer and a controller that defines the time event. Precise alignment at the air interface between a data burst from the RF subsystem and a data burst from the BB subsystem can be achieved using the timer, based on the relation between the timer value (n) and the sample count (k).

Abstract: At the end of a hot-rolling train, a metal length (bar or wire) is passed through a final roll stand and then through a cooling device. To keep the length under tension in the cooling device, it is pulled frictionally by an opposed pair of bridle rolls which are driven, while the length is passing, with a power input which would, in the absence of the length, be sufficient to cause a peripheral speed of the bridle rolls slightly higher than the rolling speed of the length. To prevent the leading end of the metal length being twisted or otherwise damaged on entry into the bridle rolls, the bridle rolls are driven at a slightly higher peripheral speed immediately prior to the entry of the metal length.