Clock Signal Delay Circuit Using Oscillator-Based Delay Channels

The patent replaces the mechanical RC timing system with a digital counter-based delay system. The delay is achieved by counting clock cycles rather than relying on capacitor charging/discharging, enabling operation at much higher frequencies while maintaining circuit simplicity through standard digital logic components.

The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for delay from continuous voltage change (RC time constant) to discrete clock cycle counting. This allows the delay to be precisely controlled by the number of clock cycles counted, enabling high-frequency operation with minimum pulse widths determined by the clock period rather than RC time constants.

The patent replaces the temperature-sensitive RC components with a digital counter system driven by a clock signal. The delay becomes a function of clock cycles counted rather than physical component values, making it immune to process and temperature variations that affect RC time constants.

The system uses its own internal clock signal to generate the delay, making the delay stable and self-referential. The counter increments based on the same clock that drives the overall system, ensuring consistent timing behavior across process and temperature corners without requiring external calibration.

The patent extracts only the essential delay function from the complex DLL architecture. Instead of implementing a full delay-locked loop with phase detectors, charge pumps, and feedback mechanisms, the invention uses a simple counter driven by a clock signal to achieve the required delay, eliminating unnecessary complexity while maintaining high-frequency operation.

The delay function is segmented into discrete clock cycle increments using a counter. Rather than requiring the continuous analog control of a DLL, the delay is achieved by counting a specific number of clock cycles, simplifying the circuit to basic digital logic while enabling precise control at high frequencies.