Concurrent Fine and Coarse Phase Detection for Wide-Range Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase and frequency detectors face limitations in detecting large phase differences and fine phase variations, leading to erroneous measurements and quantization errors, especially when the reference signal changes rapidly or by large increments.
Innovation Solution
A phase detection system utilizing a common time frame with coarse and fine time markers, synchronized by a delay locked loop, allows for simultaneous measurement of coarse and fine phase differences, providing accurate and precise integrated phase indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If asynchronous edge detect approach is used, then fine phase differences can be detected, but large phase differences cannot be detected and erroneous measurements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The phase detection function is segmented into two separate detection paths: asynchronous edge detect for fine phase differences and synchronous edge detect for large phase differences. Each path is optimized for its specific range, and their results are combined to achieve both fine precision and large range capability simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If synchronous edge detect approach is used, then coarse phase differences can be detected, but fine phase differences below sampling period cannot be detected and quantization errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into synchronous and asynchronous detection paths, each handling different phase difference ranges. The synchronous path captures large phase shifts while the asynchronous path captures fine phase variations, eliminating the quantization error problem by using the asynchronous path for fine measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The outputs from synchronous edge detect and asynchronous edge detect are merged into a unified phase difference measurement. The synchronous detector provides the coarse phase information while the asynchronous detector provides the fine phase correction, combining both to achieve high precision across the full measurement range.
3Device complexity
If a single phase detector design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle both large and fine phase changes accurately is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The phase detector is segmented into multiple specialized detection paths (synchronous and asynchronous) that operate in parallel. Each path is optimized for specific operating conditions, and their combined output provides reliable measurements across all conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase detector achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both synchronous and asynchronous detection capabilities in a single device. This universal detector can accurately handle both large phase changes and fine phase variations, adapting to different operating conditions without requiring separate detector designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively tracks phase and frequency changes with high precision, overcoming the limitations of asynchronous and synchronous edge detect approaches by combining coarse and fine phase measurements, reducing errors and maintaining accurate alignment between reference and follower signals.
Implementation Method 1
The common time frame is formed as a plurality of coarse time markers and repeated sets or clusters of fine time markers, with each cluster of fine markers being aligned to, or synchronized to a respective one of the coarse markers
Data Source
AI summary
A phase difference detector having concurrent fine and coarse capabilities synchronizes operations of coarse and fine phase detectors. In one embodiment, clusters of fine timing markers are generated by delay stages of a delay locked loop. The K'th one of every cluster of J fine timing markers is designated as a coarse marker. A first timer determines which of J fine markers in a first cluster is closest to a rising edge of a reference signal. A second timer determines which of J fine markers in a second cluster is closest to a rising edge of a follower signal. A third timer determines how many coarse markers separate the rising edges of the reference and follower signals. Temporal displacement values obtained from the determinations of the first though third timers are combined to produce a phase displacement measurement signal of broad range and high precision across its operating range.