A subranging time-to-digital converter (TDC) is disclosed that includes two ring oscillators for determining a time difference between two clock edges.

A method for timing aperture synthesis arrays comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a plurality of independent crystal oscillators, each of the plurality of independent crystal oscillators having a unique output frequency; (b) digitally synchronizing the plurality of independent crystal oscillators in phase; (c) combining the unique output frequencies; and (d) obtaining a stable digital reference signal for timing at least one remote radio device of the aperture synthesis array.

A method for timing aperture synthesis arrays comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a plurality of independent crystal oscillators, each of the plurality of independent crystal oscillators having a unique output frequency; (b) digitally synchronizing the plurality of independent crystal oscillators in phase; (c) combining the unique output frequencies; and (d) obtaining a stable digital reference signal for timing at least one remote radio device of the aperture synthesis array.

Various embodiments mitigate the risk of frequency-lock in systems having multiple resonators by dynamically changing the frequency at which at least one of the resonators is driven. More particularly, the drive frequency of at least one of the resonators is changed often enough that the multiple resonators do not have time to achieve frequency lock. Changes in the oscillation of the resonators may be analyzed to determine, for example, acceleration of such systems. Some embodiments implement self-test by assessing expected performance of a system with toggling drive frequencies. More particularly, some embodiments implement self-test by artificially inducing displacement of a movable member of a system.

An apparatus comprises: a main frequency quadrupler configured to receive a first clock and output a second clock of a quadruple frequency in accordance with a first control signal and a second control signal, wherein a timing difference between a first rising edge and a second rising edge of the second clock is controlled by the second control signal, and a timing difference between the first rising edge and a third rising edge of the second clock is controlled by the first control signal; an auxiliary frequency quadrupler configured to receive the first clock and output a third clock of the quadruple frequency with a timing offset controlled a third control signal; and a calibration circuit configured to generate and output the first control signal, the second control signal, and the third control signal in accordance with a timing difference between the second clock and the third clock.

Various embodiments mitigate the risk of frequency-lock in systems having multiple resonators by dynamically changing the frequency at which at least one of the resonators is driven. More particularly, the drive frequency of at least one of the resonators is changed often enough that the multiple resonators do not have time to achieve frequency lock. Changes in the oscillation of the resonators may be analyzed to determine, for example, acceleration of such systems. Some embodiments implement self-test by assessing expected performance of a system with toggling drive frequencies. More particularly, some embodiments implement self-test by artificially inducing displacement of a movable member of a system.

Various embodiments mitigate the risk of frequency-lock in systems having multiple resonators by dynamically changing the frequency at which at least one of the resonators is driven. More particularly, the drive frequency of at least one of the resonators is changed often enough that the multiple resonators do not have time to achieve frequency lock. Changes in the oscillation of the resonators may be analyzed to determine, for example, acceleration of such systems. Some embodiments implement self-test by assessing expected performance of a system with toggling drive frequencies. More particularly, some embodiments implement self-test by artificially inducing displacement of a movable member of a system.

A method for timing aperture synthesis arrays comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a plurality of independent crystal oscillators, each of the plurality of independent crystal oscillators having a unique output frequency; (b) digitally synchronizing the plurality of independent crystal oscillators in phase; (c) combining the unique output frequencies; and (d) obtaining a stable digital reference signal for timing at least one remote radio device of the aperture synthesis array.

A method for timing aperture synthesis arrays comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a plurality of independent crystal oscillators, each of the plurality of independent crystal oscillators having a unique output frequency; (b) digitally synchronizing the plurality of independent crystal oscillators in phase; (c) combining the unique output frequencies; and (d) obtaining a stable digital reference signal for timing at least one remote radio device of the aperture synthesis array.