Clock-skew tuning apparatus and method
US7521973B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K5/135
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for detecting which of two clock signals is the first to arrive may include providing a sense amplifier comprising first and second nodes located on first and second legs thereof. The sense amplifier is configured such that the first and second nodes have a substantially equivalent initial voltage. The method then includes receiving first and second clock signals. The sense amplifier is configured such that the voltage of the first node increases and the voltage of the second node decreases if the first clock signal arrives before the second clock signal. Similarly, the sense amplifier is configured such that the voltage of the second node increases and the voltage of the first node decreases if the second clock signal arrives before the first clock signal. The method may further include sampling the voltage of at least one of the first and second nodes to determine which of the first and second clock signals was the first to arrive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.