A system for filter enhancement, preferably including one or more analog taps and a controller, and optionally including one or more couplers. The system is preferably configured to integrate with a filter, such as a passband filter or other frequency-based filter. The system can be configured to integrate with an RF communication system, an RF front end, or any other suitable RF circuitry. A method for filter enhancement, preferably including configuring one or more analog taps, and optionally including calibrating a system for filter enhancement and/or receiving temperature information.

During a period in which a first signal S.sub.1 and second signal S.sub.2 are both set to a first level, an initializing circuit initializes a capacitor voltage. Multiple circuit units are coupled in parallel between an intermediate line and a second line. An output circuit generates an output signal S.sub.OUT that changes level when the capacitor voltage crosses a predetermined threshold value V.sub.TH. Each circuit unit includes a resistor R.sub.g and first path arranged in series between the intermediate and second lines and a second path parallel to the first path. The first path is configured to turn on when the first signal S.sub.1 is the second level and the corresponding bit of an input code is a first value. The second path is configured to turn on when the second signal S.sub.2 is the second level and the corresponding bit of the input code is a second value.

An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between at least first and second clock signals includes first and second skew sensors and a skew controller. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. Each of the first and second information varies depending on the clock skew. The skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.

A phase shifter for altering the phase of a radio frequency signal is disclosed herein. A Lange coupler is used having reflective ports that are coupled to artificial transmission lines. The artificial transmission lines provide a reflection transmission path, the length of which can be determined by digital control lines. Transistors placed along the length of the central trace provide independent paths to ground that serve to shorten the electrical length of the ATL. Accordingly, by selectively turning the transistors on/off, the electrical length of the ATL can be selected and thus the amount of phase delay introduced by the phase shifter.

A circuit device includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a comparator array section. The first circuit has a first DLL circuit having a plurality of delay elements, and delays a first signal. The second circuit has a second DLL circuit having a plurality of delay elements, and delays a second signal. The comparator array section has a plurality of phase comparators arranged in a matrix, the first delayed signal group from the first circuit and the second delayed signal group from the second circuit are input to the comparator array section, and the comparator array section outputs a digital signal corresponding to a time difference in the transition timing between the first signal and the second signal.

A circuit device includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a comparator array section. The first circuit has a first DLL circuit having a plurality of delay elements, and delays a first signal. The second circuit has a second DLL circuit having a plurality of delay elements, and delays a second signal. The comparator array section has a plurality of phase comparators arranged in a matrix, the first delayed signal group from the first circuit and the second delayed signal group from the second circuit are input to the comparator array section, and the comparator array section outputs a digital signal corresponding to a time difference in the transition timing between the first signal and the second signal.

A delay circuit and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus with the higher-accuracy delay time, the longer maximum delay time, and the lower power consumption are provided. An input line to which an analog input signal is input, a plurality of analog signal memory devices, an output line, a plurality of sampling switches that control connection/disconnection between the input line and the plurality of analog signal memory devices, a plurality of output switches that control connection/disconnection between the plurality of analog signal memory devices and the output line, and a clock generation part that generates sampling switch control signals for controlling the sampling switches and output switch control signals for controlling the output switches are provided, and phase of the sampling switch control signals may be shifted with respect to phase of the output switch control signals.

A device may include an integrated circuit and a jitter generator located on the integrated circuit. The jitter generator may include a random number generator to generate a random number in response to a clock input signal. The jitter generator may also include delay-causing circuitry to receive the clock input signals, where the delay-causing circuitry may create a delayed clock input signal. The jitter generator may also include a phase mixer to receive the random number, the delayed clock input signal, and the clock input signal, where the phase mixer additionally outputs a clock output signal having the clock input signal and having jitter.

An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between at least first and second clock signals includes first and second skew sensors and a skew controller. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. Each of the first and second information varies depending on the clock skew. The skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.

A delay control circuit includes: a first step delay cell including a first switch having a first end connected to a first node, and a first capacitor connected to a second end of the first switch; a second step delay cell including a second switch having a first end connected to a second node, and a second capacitor connected to a second end of the second switch; and a first inverter configured to couple an output signal of the first step delay cell to an input of the second step delay cell, wherein the first switch and the second switch are turned on and off by a same control signal.