Method and apparatus for extending and measuring phase difference between signals
US9762378B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03L7/085
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A phase difference multiplier circuit is disclosed that includes first and second delay circuits to apply two different quantities of delay to first and second input signals. The first and second delay circuits may operate in a first mode where a first and smaller amount of delay is imparted to the respective input signals. The first and second input signals differ in phase, and a transition in the first signal will be followed by a similar transition in the second signal. Following the transition of the first signal reaching the input of the first delay circuit, the similar transition will reach the input of the second delay circuit. In response to the transition reaching the input of the second delay circuit, the first and second delay circuits are then operated to impart a second and larger amount of delay to the first and second signals. At the output of the first and second delay circuits, the duration of the difference in phase between the first and second signals is increased by a multiplication factor. Extending the duration in such a manner may, for example, make the initial difference in phase easier to measure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.