Patent classifications
H03M7/16
Phase rotator non-linearity reduction
A phase rotator receives control signals and thermometer coded signals that specifies the phase of an output signal. The phase rotator may be used, for example, by a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit to continually rotate the phase of a clock to compensate for phase/frequency mismatches between received data and the clock. The control signals determine the phase quadrant (i.e., 0°-90°, 90°-180°, etc.) of the output signal. The thermometer coded signals determine the phase of the output signal within a quadrant by steering a set of bias currents between two or more nodes. The set of bias currents are selected to reduce the non-linearity between the thermometer coded value and the phase of the output signal.
Anti-aliasing techniques for time-to-digital converters
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an anti-aliasing technique for a time-to-digital converter are described. A pulse generator generates a pulse with a width that is representative of a voltage level of a supply voltage. A buffer chain receives the pulse from the pulse generator. A first sum is calculated by adding together a number of one bits in a first portion of the buffer chain. Also, a second sum is calculated by adding together a number of one bits in a second portion of the buffer chain. Then, a third sum is calculated by adding the first sum to the second sum if the first sum is saturated. Otherwise, the third sum is equal to the first sum if the first sum is not saturated. The third sum is used as a representation of the voltage level of the supply voltage.
AUTOMATIC FREQUENCY CALIBRATION AND LOCK DETECTION CIRCUIT AND PHASE LOCKED LOOP INCLUDING THE SAME
An automatic frequency calibration and lock detection circuit includes a frequency error generator circuit, an automatic frequency calibration signal generator circuit, and a lock flag generator circuit. The frequency error generator circuit generates a frequency error signal based on a reference frequency signal and an output frequency signal. The frequency error signal represents a difference between a frequency of the output frequency signal and a target frequency. The automatic frequency calibration signal generator circuit generates an automatic frequency calibration output signal and an automatic frequency calibration done signal based on the frequency error signal and a first clock signal. The lock flag generator circuit generates a lock done signal based on the frequency error signal, the automatic frequency calibration done signal and a second clock signal. The frequency error generator circuit is shared by the automatic frequency calibration signal generator circuit and the lock flag generator circuit.
Direct bi-directional gray code counter
A bi-directional Gray code counter includes a first set of logic circuitry configured to receive an input having a first sequence of bits representing a first value. The first set of logic circuitry is further configured to convert the first sequence of bits to a second sequence of bits representing the first value. The bi-directional Gray code counter further includes a second set of logic circuitry and third second set of logic circuitry. The second set of logic circuitry is configured to compare the second sequence of bits to a bit index pattern. The third set of logic circuitry is configured to transition one bit in the first sequence of bits from a first state to a second state to form a third sequence of bits representing a second value. The one bit is transitioned in response to the second sequence of bits being compared to the bit index pattern.
Direct bi-directional gray code counter
A bi-directional Gray code counter includes a first set of logic circuitry configured to receive an input having a first sequence of bits representing a first value. The first set of logic circuitry is further configured to convert the first sequence of bits to a second sequence of bits representing the first value. The bi-directional Gray code counter further includes a second set of logic circuitry and third second set of logic circuitry. The second set of logic circuitry is configured to compare the second sequence of bits to a bit index pattern. The third set of logic circuitry is configured to transition one bit in the first sequence of bits from a first state to a second state to form a third sequence of bits representing a second value. The one bit is transitioned in response to the second sequence of bits being compared to the bit index pattern.
TIME TO DIGITAL CIRCUITRY WITH ERROR PROTECTION SCHEME
A time to digital circuit may provide a time measurement of an event, or a time measurement of a duration between multiple events. Various electronic devices may include one or more time to digital circuits. A time to digital circuit may include circuitry to use Thermometer Code for measuring the duration of the time. For example, the time to digital circuit may generate alternating signals using a ring oscillator when receiving an indication of an event. Moreover, the time to digital circuit may convert the alternating signals to a consistent signal with only one transition between high and low signals in multiple consecutive signals. Furthermore, the time to digital circuit may correct erroneous signal values of the consistent signals when multiple transitions between high and low signals in multiple consecutive signals occurs.
GRAY CODE-TO-BINARY CODE CONVERTER AND DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME
A gray code-to-binary code converter includes multiple parallel-in parallel-out (PIPO) latches, each of the multiple PIPO latches configured to output a parallel output gray code by latching a parallel input gray code in response to a sampling signal, and a parallel-in serial-out (PISO) circuit including a first group of switches, the PISO circuit configured to convert the parallel output gray code, which is latched in the multiple PIPO latches, into a binary code, and sequentially output bits of the binary code in units of bit, from a least significant bit (LSB) of the binary code to a most significant bit (MSB) of the binary code, while changing an arrangement of the first group of switches.
GRAY CODE-TO-BINARY CODE CONVERTER AND DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME
A gray code-to-binary code converter includes multiple parallel-in parallel-out (PIPO) latches, each of the multiple PIPO latches configured to output a parallel output gray code by latching a parallel input gray code in response to a sampling signal, and a parallel-in serial-out (PISO) circuit including a first group of switches, the PISO circuit configured to convert the parallel output gray code, which is latched in the multiple PIPO latches, into a binary code, and sequentially output bits of the binary code in units of bit, from a least significant bit (LSB) of the binary code to a most significant bit (MSB) of the binary code, while changing an arrangement of the first group of switches.
Gray counter and image sensor including the same
An image sensor includes a pixel sensor that senses an incident light and outputs a sampling signal of an analog shape, a sampler that compares the sampling signal and a ramp signal and outputs a comparison signal being time-axis length information, and a gray counter that counts a length of the comparison signal in synchronization with a clock signal and outputs a digital value. The gray counter includes a first flip-flop that divides the clock signal by 2 and generates a first gray code signal, a second flip-flop that delays a first data signal being a four-divided signal of the clock signal and outputs a second gray code signal, and a third flip-flop that delays the second gray code signal being two-divided and outputs a third gray code signal.
Gray counter and image sensor including the same
An image sensor includes a pixel sensor that senses an incident light and outputs a sampling signal of an analog shape, a sampler that compares the sampling signal and a ramp signal and outputs a comparison signal being time-axis length information, and a gray counter that counts a length of the comparison signal in synchronization with a clock signal and outputs a digital value. The gray counter includes a first flip-flop that divides the clock signal by 2 and generates a first gray code signal, a second flip-flop that delays a first data signal being a four-divided signal of the clock signal and outputs a second gray code signal, and a third flip-flop that delays the second gray code signal being two-divided and outputs a third gray code signal.