Sub-exponent time-to-digital converter using phase-difference enhancement device
US8305248B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04F10/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A time-to-digital converter includes a phase-difference enhancement section configured to receive first and second input signals having a reference phase difference Δt, and to output first and second output signals having an enhanced phase difference; and a comparison section configured to receive the first and second output signals, to compare a phase difference between the first and second output signals with a reference delay time τ, and to output a comparison signal. The time-to-digital converter has a high resolution. That is to say, the time-to-digital converter has a resolution less than the minimum phase delay time of a delay element, which is obtainable in a corresponding semiconductor process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.