Analog Cross-Correlation Timing for Sub-Clock Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measurement systems face challenges in achieving high-resolution time measurements due to limitations in semiconductor technology, particularly in generating high-bandwidth trigger or system clock edges required for precise time measurements, which often result in inaccurate time measurements with steep trigger edges.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a cross-correlation function between a trigger signal and a system clock to achieve high-resolution time measurements, allowing for relatively flat trigger signal edges, which reduces the required bandwidth to match that of the system clock, enabling precise time measurements without the need for extremely steep edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-bandwidth trigger or system clock edges are used to achieve precise time measurements, then time measurement resolution is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to semiconductor technology limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delay element as an intermediary component between the trigger signal and the measurement process. By delaying the trigger signal by a precisely controllable amount, the system can measure time intervals with high resolution without requiring the trigger edge itself to have extremely high bandwidth. The delay element mediates between the limited-bandwidth trigger signal and the high-resolution measurement requirement, allowing accurate timing to be achieved through the known delay characteristic rather than through high-speed edge transitions.
2Measurement precision
If steep trigger edges are used to improve time measurement accuracy, then temporal resolution is improved, but the required bandwidth exceeds semiconductor technology capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a delayed copy of the trigger signal and uses this copy in the measurement process. Instead of requiring the original trigger edge to be extremely steep, the system generates a delayed version of the trigger signal with controlled edge characteristics. This copied signal can be processed with standard bandwidth components while still providing high temporal resolution through the precise delay relationship between the original and copied signals.
3Measurement precision
If high bandwidth is used to achieve high temporal resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to component limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the measurement system by introducing a controllable delay element. Instead of operating in the time domain with high-speed edges, the system transitions to a domain where the delay parameter is the primary measurement mechanism. This parameter change allows the use of standard-bandwidth components that are readily available through conventional semiconductor manufacturing, while still achieving high temporal resolution through precise delay control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for determining the temporal position of an analogue trigger signal with relation to an analogue clock signal, comprising an analogue cross-correlator (30), which carries out an analogue cross-correlation between the trigger signal and clock signal to provide a fine resolution.