Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for maintaining timing precision in different operating modes of a device (e.g., a wireless node). A timing circuit may switch clock signals between two different modes (e.g., high power and low power) while preserving timing precision. In a high-power mode, the timing circuit may provide a high frequency clock signal, and in a lower-power mode, it may provide a low frequency clock signal. Moreover, the switching between the different clock signals may be synchronized to select edges of the low frequency clock signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of controlling the frequency of a clock signal in a processor. The method selects a first clock generator to provide a processor clock signal for executing an application. If a threshold event is detected, a second clock generator is selected. The method reduces the frequency of a clock signal generated by the first clock generator while a processor clock signal is being provided for execution of an application from the second clock generator. The second clock generator generates a clock at a lower speed than the first clock generator. After a predetermined time the first clock generator is reselected to provide the processor clock signal. The threshold detection is repeated until an optimum clock frequency is discovered.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel that outputs a signal based on charges generated by photoelectric conversion, a comparator that compares a pixel signal output from the pixel with a reference signal and outputs a signal in accordance with a comparison result, a buffer circuit that buffers a signal output from the comparator, a switch provided at least one of a part between the buffer circuit and a first node supplied with a first power source voltage and a part between the buffer circuit and a second node supplied with a second power source voltage, and a control circuit that controls the switch to a non-conductive state in a period in which the comparator performs a comparison operation to compare the pixel signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: A transformation on raw data is applied to produce transformed data, where the transformation includes at least one selected from among a summary of the raw data or a transform of the raw data between different domains. In response to a query to access data, the query is processed using the transformed data.

Abstract: A sampling clock testing circuit includes a clock circuit, a processing circuit and a phase determining circuit. The clock circuit generates a clock signal and switches phases of the clock signal according to a horizontal synchronous signal. The processing circuit samples a data signal according to the clock signal with the phases to generate pixel data groups each of which is corresponding to one phase. The phase determining circuit generates calculated values according to the pixel data groups, in which each phase is corresponding to one calculated value. The phase determining circuit selects a specific calculated value from the calculated values according to a predetermined condition, and determines a specific phase corresponding to the specific calculated value. The processing circuit samples a subsequent data signal according to the clock signal switched to the specific phase to generate subsequent pixel data.

Abstract: A clock determination apparatus includes a signal wire and a clock determiner. A clock signal is input to the signal wire. A period made up of cycles corresponding to a predetermined number of cycles of the clock signal is referred to as a unit period. The clock determiner includes circuitry configured to perform determination processing whether the clock signal is a random clock signal including a cycle changing substantially irregularly as time proceeds or a regular clock signal including substantially a constant cycle based on a comparison between waveforms of the clock signals in a plurality of unit periods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including a memory timing calibration circuit to calibrate a strobe signal of a memory device and a method of calibrating the strobe signal. The memory timing calibration circuit includes a difference signal generator coupled to a strobe signal generator and an external control circuit. The difference signal generator is configured to generate a difference signal indicating a time difference between the strobe signal from the strobe signal generator and an external clock signal from the external control circuit. The memory timing calibration circuit further includes a delay circuit coupled to the difference signal generator and the external control circuit. The delay circuit is configured to generate a modified external clock signal by delaying the external clock signal by a delay determined based at least in part on the difference signal.

Abstract: There is provided a network interface module, and a method of implementing deterministic response frame transmission therein. The network interface module comprises a processor core arranged to execute a set of threads, the set of threads comprising at least one transmit thread arranged to cause a response frame to be transmitted upon expiry of a minimum response period from a response triggering event occurring. The network interface module further comprises a timing component arranged to output a masking timeout signal indicating expiration of successive masking timeout intervals, and a masking component arranged to mask the transmit thread from being scheduled for execution by the processing core. The masking component being further arranged to receive the masking timeout signal output by the timing component and to unmask the transmit thread upon expiry of a masking timeout interval.

Abstract: Provided is a paper transporting device and the like capable of suppressing errors in determining jam occurrences. A paper transporting device has: a transport mechanism; an audio signal output unit that outputs an audio signal according to the sound generated during paper transport; an audio jam determination unit that determines, on the basis of the audio signal, whether a jam has occurred; and a control unit that stops paper transport when the audio jam determination unit determines that a jam has occurred. The control unit controls, in the case of card stock or paperboard being transported by the transport mechanism, so that the audio jam determination unit determines whether a jam has occurred at predetermined times using a determination method that is different than the method at other times or so that the audio jam determination unit does not determine whether a jam has occurred.

Abstract: A PLL circuit generating a generated clock in synchronization with an external clock by a phase locked loop includes a first detector for detecting whether or not the generated clock is in synchronization with the external clock, and a measuring device for measuring at least one of a high time from a rise to a fall of the external clock and a low time from a fall to a rise thereof. In a state that the generated clock and the external clock are in synchronization, when it is detected that a fluctuation of the high time or the low time becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the PLL circuit fixes a frequency of the generated clock to a frequency outputted at this time point, and continues output of the generated clock having the fixed frequency.

Abstract: A clock frequency adjusting system is disclosed. The clock frequency adjusting system includes a sensing clock generating unit, a frequency-dividing unit and a controller. The frequency-dividing unit makes frequency of the sensing clock signal be divided by a frequency-dividing modulus and then outputs a clock calibration signal. The controller includes a period counter and a frequency adjusting unit. The period counter samples the clock calibration signal through the external clock signal so as to acquire a second count value. The frequency adjusting unit calculates a frequency difference data between the clock calibration signal and the predetermined clock signal according to the first count value and the second count value, and determines a number of adjustment according to the frequency difference data and a step adjusting frequency so as to output a clock adjusting signal to the sensing clock unit to adjust frequency of the sensing clock signal.

Abstract: A circuit includes a logic circuit, first and second storage circuits, a timing detection circuit, and a compensation circuit. The logic circuit generates a digital value in response to a first periodic signal. The first storage circuit stores time information in response to a second periodic signal. The second storage circuit stores the digital value in response to the second periodic signal. The timing detection circuit generates a detection signal indicating a timing difference between the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal based on the digital value. The compensation circuit generates adjusted time information based on the time information stored in the first storage circuit and the detection signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing clock fault detection is presented. A first clock of a plurality of clocks on a printed circuit board (PCB) is designated as a reference clock. A reference clock counter is in communication with the reference clock, counting cycles of the reference clock. A counter is provided for each other clock of the plurality of clocks, each counter counting cycles of a respective clock. The reference clock counter and each of the counters are started at a same time. When the reference clock counter reaches a maximum count value the value of each of the counters is stored and a determination is made whether the stored values are expected values.

Abstract: In a system in which the phases of a data clock signal and a data signal differ between at an input and at an output, a semiconductor integrated circuit performs a simple BER test without using external equipment and, at the same time, performs a jitter evaluation required for a margin evaluation.

Abstract: A method of implementing a system time in an electronic device using a timer is disclosed. The method comprises storing a first count reset value in the electronic device; increasing a count value; comparing the first count reset value with the count value at a first particular time; resetting the count value when the count value is the same as the first count reset value at the first particular time; and generating an interrupt request signal when the count value is reset.

Abstract: Apparatuses, circuits, methods, and other embodiments associated with digital power on reset are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a digital electronic component configured to produce a clock signal. A first counter is configured to output a first count signal based on the clock signal and a second counter is configured to output a second count signal based on the clock signal. A power on reset logic is configured to provide a power on reset signal based on the first count signal and the second count signal, where the power on reset logic is configured to disable the digital electronic component after providing the power on reset signal to prevent the digital electronic component from drawing power.

Abstract: Clock-gated synchronizer circuitry includes a number of clock-gated synchronizers, with each clock-gated synchronizer configured to synchronize an asynchronous input signal into a clock domain. The circuitry also includes a clock gater coupled to a clock input of the plurality of clock-gated synchronizers and coupled to receive an input clock and an enable signal. The clock gater is configured to provide the input clock to the plurality of synchronizers only upon receiving the enable signal. The circuitry also includes an enable generator coupled to receive the asynchronous input signals and configured to generate the enable signal for the clock gater responsive to the asynchronous input signals.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a clock calibration method to calibrate an internal clock signal of a computer. The method comprises: receiving an external clock signal from an external clock source; generating a pulse signal with a first duration according to the external clock signal; counting the internal clock signal according to the pulse signal to get a first count value; and calibrating the internal clock according to the first count value.

Abstract: A data receiver circuit for converting received serial data into parallel data in accordance with a data rate signal and for outputting the converted parallel data, the data receiver circuit includes a clock generator for generating a reference clock based on an input clock, a data latch for latching the received serial data and outputting first latched serial data in accordance with the reference clock, a first data output section for converting the first latched serial data into first parallel data with a first reference clock, in case that the data rate signal indicates a first data rate same as a data rate of the reference clock, and a second data output section for converting the first latched serial data into second parallel data with a second reference clock, in case that the data rate signal indicates a second data rate slower than the data rate of the reference clock.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus (receiver) of receiving and processing a radio signal in a transmitter-receiver environment. The radio signals are transmitted across a wireless interface using Ultra Wideband (UWB) pulses. A transmitted reference approach is utilized. The radio signal include pairs of UWB pulses with each pair of pulses separated by a fixed time delay. The two pulses are then combined to provide for improved noise immunity.

Abstract: For example, a semiconductor device includes a first latency counter, which selects whether to give an odd-cycle latency to an internal command signal; and a second latency counter, which gives a latency to an internal command signal at intervals of two cycles. The latency counters are connected in series. Since the number of bits in control information, which is used to set a latency, is smaller than the types of settable latency as a result, it is possible to reduce wiring density.

Abstract: A method for detecting and determining a position of faults using reflectometry in a wired electrical network including: injecting a test signal e(t) into a cable in the electrical network, a timing of successive injections being controlled by a synchronization module that generates an emission clock signal and a reception clock signal; retrieving a reflected signal on the cable; sampling the reflected signal at a frequency Fe=1/Te, where Te is a sampling period; counting a number of samples obtained for the reflected signal and comparing the number of samples obtained with a number n predefined as a function of a length of the cable or the electrical network to be diagnosed, where n is an integer; repeating the injecting, the sampling, and the counting steps N times, shifting the emission clock signal by a duration ?; reconstituting the reflected signal from n*N samples obtained; and analyzing the reconstituted reflected signal to detect a fault.

Abstract: A delay locked loop operates over a wide range of frequencies and has high accuracy, small silicon area usage, low power consumption and a short lock time. The DLL combines an analog domain and a digital domain. The digital domain is responsible for initial lock and operational point stability and is frozen after the lock is reached. The analog domain is responsible for normal operation after lock is reached and provides high accuracy using smaller silicon area and low power.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for transmitting and detecting high speed Ultra Wideband pulses across a wireless interface. The transmitter includes a serializer and pulse generator. The receiver comprises a fixed delay line, multiplier, local serializer (with a sequence matching the transmitter), digital delay lines, low noise amplifier and logic fan-out buffer along with an array of D flip-flop pairs. Each flip-flop pair is enabled, at fixed time increments, to detect signals at a precise time; the timing is controlled by the pseudo-random sequence generated by the local serializer. A local tunable oscillator is controlled by detecting the phase change of the incoming signal and applying compensation to maintain the phase alignment and clock synchronization of the receiver to the clock reference of the transmitter. The invention uses a pair of pulses with a fixed delay and then relies on mixing the two to provide better noise immunity.

Abstract: A system comprising an interface configured to condition a signal associated with a power system; a clock module configured to generate a synchronization signal; and a module coupled to the interface and configured to digitize the signal from the interface; filter the digitized signal; and generate a time-shifted, digitized signal in response to the filtering and the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A delay locked loop operates over a wide range of frequencies and has high accuracy, small silicon area usage, low power consumption and a short lock time. The DLL combines an analog domain and a digital domain. The digital domain is responsible for initial lock and operational point stability and is frozen after the lock is reached. The analog domain is responsible for normal operation after lock is reached and provides high accuracy using smaller silicon area and low power.

Abstract: A shared real-time counter is configured to provide an accurate counter output based on a fast clock period when driven by a fast clock signal or by a slow clock signal. Combinational logic circuitry provides glitch free switching between a fast clock signal input to the counter and a slow clock input to the counter.

Abstract: To provide a DLL circuit incorporating a duty adjustment circuit that is independent of the frequency of a clock signal. The DLL circuit includes: a delay line that delays a first internal clock signal to generate a second internal clock signal; a counter circuit that specifies an amount of delay of the delay line; a counter control circuit that adjusts a count value of the counter circuit; and a subtraction circuit that determines a difference between first and second count values at which the rise edge of the first internal clock signal coincides with that of a replica clock signal. The fall edge of the second internal clock signal is adjusted based on a value equivalent to one-half of the difference obtained. This prevents the applicable frequency range from being limited as with a type of duty adjustment circuit that alternately discharges capacitors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, device, and program product for detecting a phase shift between an I data clock and a Q data clock in processing an I data signal or a Q data signal used in quadrature modulation or quadrature demodulation. The method includes: receiving an input of the I data clock and the Q data clock; performing exclusive-ORing (XORing) on the I data clock and the Q data clock; latching a result of the performance of XORing on a phase sampling clock which is asynchronous with the I data clock and the Q data clock; incrementing a first number; incrementing a second number; comparing the incremented first number and the incremented second number and determining, based on a phase determination criterion, a phase shift between the I data clock and the Q data clock; and detecting a phase shift between the I data clock and the Q data clock.

Abstract: There are provided a timing generating circuit which can generate the rising edge or the falling edge of pulses with a resolution higher than the frequency of a repeat signal generating circuit, and a phase shift circuit which can be applied to the timing generating circuit. The phase shift circuit receiving a repeat signal generates a signal of which a phase is shifted by a predetermined quantity on the basis of the repeat signal, the phase shift controller controls what phase of signal the phase shift circuit output among first to M-th signals, and the counter circuit counts the number of output signals of the phase shift circuit and generates a count end signal when the count value reaches a set value, and thereby the counter circuit outputs a synthesized timing signal of the timing of the repeat signal and the timing shifted by the phase shift circuit.

Abstract: A programmable clock generator, which is used in dynamic-voltage-and-frequency-scaling (DVFS) operated in Sub- and Near-Threshold region. The programmable clock generator includes first pulse generating unit and a pulse multiplier. A first counter is configured to generate a first counting signal, so as to control the phase detector comparing the phase difference between a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal. A first control signal is transmitted by a control unit in accordance with a phase difference signal, and the phase of the second pulse signal is adjusted by a lock-in delay unit, so that a predetermined phase is generated between the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. The PVT variation may be compensated by the programmable clock generator during the sub threshold region. Therefore, the period of reference clock is in the locking range of lock-in delay line.

Abstract: A delay locked loop operates over a wide range of frequencies and has high accuracy, small silicon area usage, low power consumption and a short lock time. The DLL combines an analog domain and a digital domain. The digital domain is responsible for initial lock and operational point stability and is frozen after the lock is reached. The analog domain is responsible for normal operation after lock is reached and provides high accuracy using smaller silicon area and low power.

Abstract: A phase detection system for use with a synchronous mirror delay or a delay-locked loop in order to reduce the number of delay stages required, and therefore increase the efficiency, is disclosed. The invention includes taking a clock input signal and a clock delay or feedback signal, each having timing characteristics, and differentiating between four conditions based upon the timing characteristics of the signals. The phase detector and associated circuitry then determines, based upon the timing characteristics of the signals, which of a number of phase conditions the signals are in. Selectors select the signals to be introduced into the synchronous mirror delay or delay-locked loop by the timing characteristics of the phase conditions. The system is able to utilize the falling clock edge of the clock input signal, and the lock time is decreased under specific phase conditions.

Abstract: Apparatuses, circuits, methods, and other embodiments associated with digital power on reset are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is implemented with a digital electronic component that produces a clock signal. The apparatus also includes a first counter that outputs a first count signal based on the clock signal and a second counter that outputs a second count signal based on the clock signal. The apparatus also includes a power on reset logic that selectively provides a power on reset signal based on the first count signal and the second count signal. The power on reset logic can also selectively disable the apparatus upon providing the power on reset signal.

Abstract: For example, a semiconductor device includes a first latency counter, which selects whether to give an odd-cycle latency to an internal command signal; and a second latency counter, which gives a latency to an internal command signal at intervals of two cycles. The latency counters are connected in series. Since the number of bits in control information, which is used to set a latency, is smaller than the types of settable latency as a result, it is possible to reduce wiring density.

Abstract: A circuit that transfers data between a first clock domain using a first clock and a second clock domain using a second clock synchronized with the first clock. The circuit comprises a data holding circuit operating at the first clock, an enable signal generation circuit connected to the data holding circuit. Preferably, the data transfer circuit includes an edge signal generation circuit connected to the data holding circuit, the edge signal generation circuit generating an edge signal allowing the data holding circuit to receive and send the data when edges of the first clock and the second clock align, and applying the edge signal to the data holding circuit.

Abstract: A method for fast tracking and jitter improvement in an asynchronous sample rate conversion includes a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) for an asynchronous sample rate conversion (ASRC) device. A control apparatus in the DPLL includes a gain controller that sets and maintains gains (Ki, Kp) of two branches of the control apparatus at a fixed value, which enables searching of a desired value by the DPLL to determine a neighborhood of the desired value, and reduces the gains when the number of samples reaches a predetermined number. Processing units in the DPLL generate and process first and second input signals based on an input clock, an output clock, and a system clock. The second input signal is processed using two branches. Signals resulting from the two branches are re-aligned according to a changed status of the first processed input signal such that the signals resulting from the two branches are sampled in the same input clock interval.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating a timing signal having an input for receiving a first signal indicating successive time intervals, means for receiving a second signal indicating successive time intervals, and a generator adapted to generate a timing signal based on the second signal and on a relationship between one or more time intervals of the first signal and one or more time intervals of the second signal. This arrangement enables a timing signal to be generated using a time signal produced by a source or device and to be based on a time signal produced by another source or device.

Abstract: A method for sending and receiving a clock and an apparatus for transmitting the clock. Several kinds of clocks are encoded and framed at a sending port so that the clocks needed by all modes of base stations are transmitted in one pair of interconnecting lines. A receiving port can precisely recover the needed clock out. This not only reduces the number of interconnecting lines on the backboard and improves flexibility, but also avoids that the clock decoded out by the receiving port might be imprecise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for synchronizing a clock signal by generating time varying PLL phase coefficients which approximate optimal PLL phase coefficients. An acquisition mode phase coefficient is determined by adding an error signal (A) to the sample counter (k) and finding the reciprocal of the result (1/(A+k)). The reciprocal can be calculated in hardware or determined by using a lookup table. A tracking mode phase coefficient is determined based on the error signal for use in the PLL during a track a tracking period. The tracking period begins when the tracking mode coefficient is greater than the acquisition mode coefficient.

Abstract: A delay locked loop operates over a wide range of frequencies and has high accuracy, small silicon area usage, low power consumption and a short lock time. The DLL combines an analog domain and a digital domain. The digital domain is responsible for initial lock and operational point stability and is frozen after the lock is reached. The analog domain is responsible for normal operation after lock is reached and provides high accuracy using smaller silicon area and low power.

Abstract: A calibration circuit (19) adjusts at least one of one of a charging current of a charge pump circuit (12) and a capacitance value of a filter capacitor in a loop filter circuit (13) and a gain of a voltage controlled oscillator (14), depending on a frequency of a reference clock signal input to a calibration circuit (10).

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes an arithmetic circuit that executes a program based on an operating clock signal input through a clock transfer node, an internal oscillator that generates an internal clock signal to be used internally, a watch dog timer that counts the internal clock signal, detect that a count value reaches a predetermined value of an execution time of the program in the arithmetic circuit and output a notification signal, and a clock monitor circuit that detects presence or absence of the operating clock signal in response to the notification signal.

Abstract: Clock signals are supplied, with a phase shift of 1/n cycles between adjacent clock signals. A data acquisition unit acquires serial data at a timing of each of the clock signals. A phase detection unit detects the phase of the transition edge of the serial data using n bits of data. An effective bit number determination unit determines the effective bit number, which is the number of bits to be acquired, based upon the phase of the transition edge of the serial data in the current data-bit acquisition step and the phase of the transition edge of the serial data in the previous data-bit acquisition step. A data-bit output unit outputs the effective bit number of the bits of data acquired at a timing of each clock signal having a predetermined phase relation with the transition edge of the serial data.

Abstract: A method and an improved apparatus for clock recovery from data streams containing embedded reference clock values controlled clock source includes of a controllable digital fractional divider receiving a control value from digital comparator and a clock input from a digital clock synthesizer driven by a fixed oscillator.

Abstract: A phase difference detector for detecting a phase difference between input clocks which both have a same first frequency, including: a pulse width conversion unit for converting the input clocks into a phase difference signal indicating by a pulse width a phase difference between the input clocks; and a counter unit which samples a level of the phase difference signal using a reference clock having a second frequency which is slower than the first frequency, and counts the number of levels of the phase difference signal using a first weighting according to the sampled level of the phase difference signal. When the count value of the counter unit transits in a predetermined range, the phase difference between the input clocks is detected according to the first weighting.

Abstract: A spread spectrum clock generating apparatus is disclosed. The spread spectrum clock generating apparatus includes a phase lock loop module and a spread spectrum module. The phase lock loop module is used for dynamically tuning frequency of an output clock. The spread spectrum module includes a counter, a plurality of delta-sigma counters and a data shifter. These delta-sigma counters accumulate input signals, and enable a first overflow signal while accumulation of a last stage delta-sigma counter is overflowed. The frequency of the output clock can be tuned dynamically according to the first overflow signal, and the spectrum of the output clock can be spread.

Abstract: The real number counter subtracts the positive integer C if the count value RC is equal to or larger than 0, or adds (the positive integer B-C) and outputs a Carry if the count value RC is negative. The first integer counter for generating the first clock f1 calculates (the count value IC1+the Carry+the positive integer A). The second integer counter 150 for generating the second clock f2 (f2=f1*G) calculates (the count value IC2+the Carry+the positive integer A+the offset value) at each input clock. The correction circuit outputs the offset value so that the second integer counter counts “the maximum count value*(f2/f1?1)*D” times more than the first integer counter with respect to each cycle D having a synchronization cycle length of the first clock f1 and the second clock f2.

Abstract: A variable delay circuit includes at least a fixed delay unit, a first selection unit, and variable delay unit. The fixed delay unit receives an input signal and a first delay selection signal indicative of a first delay, and outputs a first delayed signal that is substantially the input signal delayed by the first delay. The first selection unit receives the input signal, the first delayed signal, and a second delay selection signal, and outputs either the input signal or the first delayed signal based on the second delay selection signal to the variable delay unit. The variable delay unit also receives a third delay selection signal indicative of a third delay, and outputs a output signal that is substantially the output signal of the selection unit delayed by a third delay. The first delay is 0 or X multiples of M delay units. The third delay is a delay selected from 0 to N delay units.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer includes: a fractional-N synthesizer configured to provide, in a locked condition, an output signal with an output frequency based on an input signal with a reference frequency, the fractional-N synthesizer including a charge pump outputting a current to be calibrated; a lock detector coupled to the fractional-N synthesizer to detect the locked condition, the lock detector being configured to send a first signal indicating the detection; a calibration component coupled to the lock detector and the fractional-N synthesizer, the calibration component being configured to provide a second signal to calibrate the current after receiving the first signal, based on a voltage sampled from the fractional-N synthesizer; and a current source array coupled to the calibration component and the fractional N synthesizer, the current source array being configured to calibrate the current based on the second signal.